THINGS TO DO BEYOND THE CHATEAU
Between wedding events, there are plenty of little towns, cafés, vineyards, and countryside spots nearby worth exploring.
Whether you’re looking for a slow morning in Sens, an afternoon wine tasting, a long lunch, or simply an excuse to wander around rural France for a few hours, here are a few favorite places nearby.
Places to Wander
Sens
Our nearest town and the perfect spot for a slow café morning or afternoon stroll. Wander the market streets, stop for pastries, and visit the stunning Sens Cathedral, one of the first Gothic cathedrals built in France. This is also where the majority of guests staying offsite will be based throughout the wedding week.
Best for: coffee runs, wandering aimlessly, and convincing yourself you should move to the French countryside.
25-minute drive from the château
Château de Fontainebleau
A stunning former royal residence dating back to the 12th century, complete with grand apartments, gardens, galleries, and enough ornate ceilings to make you question your life choices back home.
Best for: architecture people, history lovers, and pretending you’re in a period drama.
40-minute drive from the château
50-minute drive from Sens
Vézelay
A postcard-perfect hill town in Burgundy known for its winding stone streets, sweeping countryside views, and the breathtaking Basilica of St. Mary Magdalene, a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 11th century.
Best for: leisurely day trips, wine lunches, and romantic wandering.
90-minute drive from the château
90-minute drive from Sens
Paris
And in the unlikely event you get tired of castles, wine, and the French countryside, Paris is right there.
Travel tip: Paris is easily accessible from Sens via direct train. Most routes from Gare de Sens to Paris Bercy take approximately 55 minutes to 1 hour 15 minutes, making it very doable as a day trip or overnight adventure.
Where to Eat & Café Hop in Sens
Morning Pastries
Boulangerie-Pâtisserie Perrichon
Classic French bakery.
Order: croissants, pain au chocolat, and at least one thing you cannot identify.
Boulangerie Feuillette
A slightly more modern bakery café situation with beautiful pastries, sandwiches, coffee, and enough baked goods to fully derail your afternoon plans.
Best for: slower breakfasts and grabbing lunch before exploring.
Cafés
Sens Coffeeshop
A cozy modern coffee spot tucked into the center of town with excellent espresso drinks and a more contemporary café feel.
Best for: recovering slowly after travel days.
Co-Thé Café
Tiny, charming, and ideal for tea, coffee, and an unhurried afternoon break.
Best for: sitting longer than intended.
Dinner
Au Crieur de Vin
Elegant French dining with a strong wine program and a very “we accidentally stayed for three hours” atmosphere.
Best for: date night energy and wine people.
L'Atelier Vintage
Warm, stylish, relaxed French dining with seasonal dishes and cozy neighborhood energy.
Best for: leisurely dinners and ordering another bottle.
Le Chalet
A classic local brasserie-style spot serving generous French comfort food in a relaxed atmosphere.
Best for: long lunches, steak frites, and pretending you know how to properly pace a French meal.
La Madeleine
The recipient of a Michelin star, this restaurant from chef Patrick Gauthier overlooks the River Yonne in Sens. Elegant, offers ingredient-driven French cuisine, exceptional seafood, an incredible wine list, and yes, four separate cheese trolleys.
Best for: a fancy night out.
Wine, Beer, & Apertifs
Vineyards & Champagne
In Chablis:
70-minute drive from the château
60-minute drive from Sens
Domaine William Fèvre
One of the most well-known producers in Chablis, known for elegant Chardonnay and beautiful tastings in the heart of wine country.
Known for: refined, mineral-driven Chablis and exceptional Premier & Grand Cru wines.
La Chablisienne
A beloved cooperative winery offering approachable tastings and a wide range of Chablis wines, from crisp and mineral to richer Grand Crus.
Known for: classic Chablis across every style and price point, especially their Grand Cru selections.
In Reims:
A little further away, but absolutely worth the journey for anyone interested in spending a day in Champagne country!
Approximately 2-hour drive from the château
Approximately 1 hour, 50-minute drive from Sens
Le Clos Corbier *****
A gorgeous family-run Champagne house offering tastings, cellar visits, and vineyard experiences in the heart of the Champagne region.
Known for: intimate tastings, small-production Champagne, and beautiful vineyard lunches.
Veuve Clicquot
One of the region’s most iconic Champagne houses, featuring expansive underground chalk cellars and beautifully curated tours beneath the city of Reims.
Known for: historic cellars, classic Brut Yellow Label, and quintessential Champagne-region experiences.
*****Champagne Tour Recommendation*****
One of our absolute favorite memories from our August 2023 trip to France (and travel memories in general!) was this small-group Champagne tour through the Reims region. The tour includes short visits to the resting place of Dom Pérignon and a few larger Champagne houses, but the primary stop is Le Clos Corbier, where they provide you with a delicious lunch, a tour of their cellars, demonstrations on how the wine is made, and lots of tastings throughout the day.
There are also dozens of larger Champagne houses throughout Reims and Épernay including Moët & Chandon, Dom Pérignon, Ruinart, Taittinger, Bollinger, Perrier-Jouët, and more for anyone interested in booking additional tastings or tours.
Local Breweries
Crazy Hops
A casual local craft beer spot with rotating selections and relaxed countryside energy.
Known for: small-batch craft beers, rotating taps, and an approachable local feel.
Brasserie Larché
A longtime local brewery producing regional beer just outside Sens.
Known for: traditional regional brewing and classic French craft beer styles.
Apertifs in Sens
Le Central Club
Stylish cocktail and aperitif bar energy perfect for pre-dinner drinks.
Best for: spritzes and starting dinner suspiciously late.
Le Millésime
Part wine bar, part aperitif stop, part “one glass before dinner” that may become several.
Best for: golden hour drinks and ordering wine you cannot pronounce.
Château Activities
On Tuesday, August 25, all guests are welcome to spend time enjoying the château grounds as much as you’d like! More information on group transportation coming soon.
Available activities include:
Forest walks & countryside wandering
Heated Pool
Tennis court
Soccer field
(Ping) Pong, iykyk
Badminton
Lawn games including Croquet, Pétanque, and Mölkky
We do kindly ask that guests staying offsite remain offsite until guest arrival begins at 3:30 PM on Wednesday, August 26.