Frequently asked questions

CAN WE ORGANISE AN EVENT DURING WINTER?

Yes, it is quite possible to host a reception in winter. The dedicated room has underfloor heating. For a wedding or an event company with a small number of guests, you also have the option of using the upper chapel equipped with a fireplace.

ARE THE PRICES THE SAME DURING WINTER AND SUMMER?

No, the prices differ between summer and winter. The rental price is lower during the winter season, however a heating package is to be added.

WHAT IS INCLUDED IN THE RENTAL OF THE PLACE?

Renting the Fontdouce Abbey site for your event includes 29 round tables, 25 rectangular tables, around 300 chairs, garden furniture (16 seats) and hangers and clothes rails for the cloakroom.
Not included in the rental: barnums or parasols.

AT WHAT TIME DO WE HAVE TO END THE EVENT?

Your evening can last until 5 a.m. and not after.

IS THERE A LIMITATION ON “NOISE”?

The sound limitation is 90 decibels.

IS THERE A PERSON FROM THE ABBEY ON SITE DURING THE EVENING?

Yes, in case of advice, need or emergency, a guard stays all night at the Abbey.

CAN WE ORGANIZE FIREWORKS IN THE VALLON?

No. For practical and environmental reasons, it is prohibited to shoot fireworks in the valley.

CAN WE RELEASE LANTERNS OR BALLOONS?

No. A prefectural decree prohibits releasing lanterns or balloons in the valley, in particular for environmental reasons.

IS THERE WIFI IN THE ROOM?

Yes, the wifi is freely accessible in the room.

IS THERE A KITCHEN NEAR THE RECEPTION ROOM?

Yes, we have a catering space directly connected to the reception room.

FROM WHEN CAN WE DECORATE THE ROOM?

The reception room is accessible to you from 2:30 p.m. the day before the wedding, particularly for catering and decoration.

FROM WHEN CAN WE DECORATE THE COCKTAIL PLACE?

You can decorate the place of the cocktail, from 10:30 am on the wedding day.

AND IF IT RAINS, DO WE HAVE A SOLUTION FOR THE COCKTAIL ?

In case of rain, you can use the chapter house as well as the lower chapel the cellar and the distillery.

IS A PLACE PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN?

Yes, a room is dedicated to children as well as a space where they can rest. It is better to take one or more babysitters to look after the children if there are many.

CAN WE CHOOSE OUR OWN SERVICE PROVIDERS?

Yes, you are free to choose the service providers you want. If you do not have some or you need ideas or advices, you will find, in “Our providers” page of this website, information on the service providers with whom we have already worked.

IS THERE ACCOMMODATION ON SITE?

Yes ! The Abbey of Fontdouce offers 29 beds in 2 lodgings: Hermance and Gabriel.

HOW MANY BEDROOMS AND SLEEPING BEDS ARE THERE?

The lodgings have 29 beds in total. Each cottage has 6 bedrooms and a common room on the ground floor.

IS IT COMPULSORY TO BOOK THE 2 LODGES AT THE SAME TIME?

No, it is not an obligation. You can choose to book a single one, both or even one for one night and both for another night.

ARE SHEETS AND TOWELS PROVIDED?

Yes.

WHAT OTHER ELEMENTS ARE AVAILABLE IN THE LODGES?

Hangers and hairdryers, televisions in bedrooms, one iron and one ironing board per lodge , and vacuum cleaner.

ARE BREAKFASTS INCLUDED IN THE SERVICE?

No, they are not included in the service.

CAN WE RENT THE COTTAGES FOR SEVERAL NIGHTS?

Yes, it is possible, depending on availability.

DO THE COTTAGES HAVE A SWIMMING POOL?

No, we do not have swimming pool.

IS THERE WIFI IN THE COTTAGES ?

No, but you can connect your phone to the wifi at the reception level or at the one in the reception room. You will find the codes for the wifi at the reception desk.

WHAT ELEMENTS OF FURNITURE ARE AVAILABLE TO US IN THE RENTAL?

In each cottage, you will find a kitchen equipped with a refrigerator, an oven, a microwave, a coffee maker, a kettle and a dishwasher. Each also includes a washing machine.

CAN WE HANG DECORATION IN THE MONKS ROOM?

Yes, you are welcome to hang your decorations in the monks’ room. Ropes are installed on all the beams crossing the room in order to allow you to hang your decorative elements. You also have the option of garnishing the windowsills.

HOW MANY WINDOWS AND THEREFORE EDGES ARE THERE IN THE MONKS ROOM?

10.

CAN WE HOLD A SECULAR CEREMONY IN FONTDOUCE?

Yes. We offer several spaces for your secular ceremony. Among the covered rooms, the cellar, you will find the lower chapel and the chapter house. Outside, you will have the abbey enclosure and the meadow at the level of the valley.

CAN WE CELEBRATE OUR RELIGIOUS CEREMONY IN FONTDOUCE?

The Abbey is no longer consecrated today however if a clergyman agrees to perform a religious ceremony despite this then there is no problem.

WHAT ARE THE CHURCHES NEAR THE ABBEY WHERE WE CAN CELEBRATE OUR WEDDING?

St Pierre de Saintes Cathedral, St-Léger Church and Sacré-Coeur Church in Cognac are the largest nearby. For more intimate ceremonies, most of the surrounding villages have their own church or chapel.