South of France
Théo and Vero grew up traveling to Europe with their families. Théo is half french and Vero is half Spanish. They both share a love & connection to their roots in that region. While they were visiting Théo's younger sister Tessa in Valréas France, Théo surprised Vero and proposed to her on January 5th of 2025.
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Domaine de la Vène was a favorite venue of theirs before even knowing it was in Carcassonne, a place Théo and his dad visited together when Théo was 7 years old.
Their shared love of the mediterranean landscape, the personal connection to their ancestry, and the proximity to their European family and friends in Spain and France made it the perfect choice.
The wedding will take place at Domaine de la Vène, an estate situated 20 minutes away from Carcassonne. Read about them both below!
Languedoc-Roussillon
The Languedoc is the largest wine-producing region in the world and it was the first French region to be introduced to wine-making by the Romans. With over 700,000 acres of vineyards, it is also known as the birthplace of the world's first sparkling wine. The signature Blanquette and Crémant de Limoux are precursors to Champagne. The Corbières area that surrounds our venue is home to some outstandingly good-value quality wines, many of which are now organically produced by a new generation of young winemakers. This is red wine country, although interesting whites and rosés are now also beginning to emerge, and the area now yields the greatest percentage of organic wines in France.
The Area
Domaine de la Vène
Wedding Venue
Less than an hour from the foothills of the Pyrenees on the South and the Mediterranean sea on the East, Domaine de la Vène is located in one of the most beautiful and authentic regions of France, the Languedoc-Roussillon.
Nestled in the middle of the valley and located in a protected Natura 2000 fauna and flora conservation zone, it is surrounded by 630 acres of private land including thyme & lavender-covered hills, forests, vineyards, and olive groves.
The Domaine is set in a beautifully maintained 10-acre garden with extensive lawns, a magnificently arched winery, terraced olive groves, parasol pines and cedar trees.
The totally unspoilt countryside is renowned for its diverse wildlife and spectacular views.
Surrounding the house as far as the eye can see, the Corbières is one of the Languedoc-Rousillon's wildest, most unspoiled areas, enjoying all the climatic advantages of the Mediterranean, just like the Riviera.
Carcassonne, France
The Town
A fortified city in Aude, a region in Occitania. Its citadel is a medieval fortress dating back to the Gallo-Roman period and restored by the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc between 1853 and 1879. It is the largest medieval city in Europe with its city walls still intact. Carcassonne was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1997 due to "the fortifications, castle and cathedral being imposing monuments which reflect in an exceptionally complete way the structure of a medieval fortified city."
Most of the ramparts and towers are authentic. Saint-Nazaire Cathedral, with its sculpted decoration and its remarkable set of 14th century stained glass windows, presents the exact appearance it had in the Middle Ages.
The city is now a vibrant center for restaurants, shops and history. Below are recommendations for some things you can (and should!) do while visiting the town.
Things To Do
Canal Du Midi
Carcassonne
A UNESCO World Heritage Site. A unique masterpiece of civil engineering and hydraulics. You can take a boat and stroll through the canal in Carcassonne! With its 360 kilometres and 328 engineering structures (locks, aqueducs, bridges, weirs, tunnels, etc.) the Canal du Midi, built between 1667 and 1694, is one of the most extraordinary creations of civil engineering of modern times. Stretching from Toulousse to the Mediterranean, this creation paved the way for the industrial revolution. The technical and cultural achievements of the Canal du Midi made a significant mark on modern times and were a source of inspiration for the creation of inland waterway networks in industrialised countries across Europe and in North America.
Ramparts
Carcassonne
The double walls of Carcassonne are one of the key features of the fortress and can be walked, the upper circuit offering breathtaking 360-degree views of the city, its castle and cathedral. It's about a 2-2.5 hour walk to do the full circuit, including lots of stairs! If you do, you will enjoy a unique panorama of the Pyrenees and the Aude. To the north, the Gallo-Roman walls have been best preserved over the centuries. To the East, you can contemplate the slopes of the vineyards. To the West, you can admire the castle and the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire. Beyond, the lower town stretches along the left bank of the Aude, where you'll find the bastide Saint-Louis, with its covered market and Saint-Michel cathedral.
Carcassonne
Michelin Restaurants
Carcassonne has 13 Michelin-guide selected restaurants, including 2 with star distinctions.
2 Michelin Stars: La Table de Franck Putelat
1 Michelin Star: Le Puits du Trésor
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Wine Tours
Carcassonne
We are getting married in the largest wine producing area in the world! We will be adding some amazing wine tours and wine tastings that the area offers, which we highly recommend.
Château Comtal
Carcassonne
The Château Comtal is the most significant monument of Carcassonne’s fortified city center. With a history of more than 2,500 years, the Count’s Castle is part of the largest medieval bastide in Europe. As the centre of the citadel’s defensive system, the fortification has been the stage of many historical events and has stood the test of time. Its strategic role in medieval wars makes it a must-see for history enthusiasts.
Basilique Saint Nazaire
Carcassonne
The Basilica of Saints is a national monument of France located in the citadel of Carcassonne. It is a Roman Catholic minor basilica in the Gothic-Romanesque architectural tradition. The original church is thought to have been constructed in the 6th century during the reign of Theodoric the Great, ruler of the Visigoths.
Montolieu Village
Day Trip
We highly recommend taking a day trip to this charming neighbouring village. Home to around 800 residents, Montolieu's story is shaped by Michel Braibant, a Belgian bookbinder who, in 1992, realised his dream of creating a Book & Arts Village. It’s a delightful place to wander through second-hand bookstores, admire local crafts, and soak in the unique atmosphere. With over 16 second-hand bookshops, it is a true hidden gem for lovers of literature and art. Not only bookworms, but also wine lovers will love it here as full-bodied red wines are produced from the Syrah, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties.