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Domaine de Canaille

PRICE FROM: €50,000

PRICE FROM

€50,000

SLEEPS

26

CAPACITY

110

Set within the Calanques National Park above the bay of Cassis, Domaine de Canaille is a landmark private estate, once a storied hotel, now a refined Riviera villa for exclusive hire. Vast sea-view terraces, a private path to the beach, and accommodation for your inner circle make it ideal for multi‑day weddings where privacy, service, and effortless Mediterranean living meet.

Anchored beneath Cap Canaille and overlooking the turquoise sweep of the Mediterranean, this 19th‑century mansion (the former Revestel Hotel that hosted the likes of Virginia Woolf and Winston Churchill) was meticulously renovated in 2017. The result: a grand yet relaxed villa where original features, pale stone and timber meet clean and contemporary interiors. The 60‑hectare private estate sits inside the Calanques National Park, offering rare seclusion minutes from Cassis’ harbour.

Domaine de Canaille is offered on an exclusive‑use basis and welcomes a limited number of weddings each year, typically three to four, preserving a sense of calm and privacy. Minimum stay from three nights; though in high season, plan for four to seven nights, with week‑long rentals preferred for the peak summer months. Capacity is up to 110 for events, with on‑site accommodation for up to 26 guests across 12 bedrooms.

The venue is licensed for ceremonies; under French civil law legal marriages are conducted at the town hall (mairie), so most couples hold a symbolic service here and complete formalities in Cassis. There is no on‑site chapel, but interfaith and secular officiants are welcome. Ceremony set‑ups can accommodate up to 110 guests; step‑free access to key terraces can be arranged, with discreet audio support if desired. An external planner is required and will collaborate with the estate team on layouts, logistics and supplier coordination; weather‑secure plans (such as an elegant marquee on the terrace) are available by arrangement.

The signature ceremony setting is the front sea‑facing terrace; a wide, sun‑washed platform with uninterrupted views across the bay and the cliffs of Cap Canaille, dramatic yet elegantly simple for contemporary floral or minimalist ceremony design. For quieter vows, garden clearings and the pine‑lined alley create intimate vantage points, while the private path to Plage de l’Arène serves as a cinematic, crowd‑free backdrop for portraits.

A wedding reception here unfolds like a movie scene. As the sun begins to dip, cocktails are served on the upper terrace, the light catching the cliffs and turning the sea a deep burnished gold. Guests drift toward the expansive 400 m² main terrace for dinner, where tables are dressed in crisp linens, glassware sparkles in the candlelight, and the horizon provides a truly special backdrop.

After a lingering meal, music and dancing take over beneath the stars; outdoors until around 2–3 a.m., with the sound of the sea and the cliffs as a natural amphitheatre. For those seeking spectacle, fireworks can be staged with the right professional vendor, the reflections shimmering on the water below. The festivities don’t end with the night: the following morning often sees everyone gathered again for a leisurely brunch by the heated saltwater pool or in the shade of the pines, continuing conversations from the night before. Many couples also choose to weave in a welcome dinner in the port of Cassis or at a nearby partner hotel, setting the tone for days of celebration.

Twelve bedrooms are split between the main house (nine rooms) and a three‑bedroom annex near the estate entrance, comfortably sleeping up to 26 guests, several rooms can be twinned, allowing flexible configurations. The principal suite crowns the top floor with panoramic sea views, private terraces and a spacious spa‑style bathroom – an ideal bridal suite. Interiors are light and modern with tactile materials and generous wardrobes; most rooms are en‑suite. Daily housekeeping keeps the house guest‑ready, and fibre‑optic Wi‑Fi, a home cinema, fitness equipment, and indoor/outdoor lounges support easy and indulgent living over several days. For overflow, Cassis offers excellent options, including five‑star hotels and boutique stays, all within short reach which the venue will be happy to assist in arranging.

Catering is arranged through recommended partners, with formats ranging from elegant plated dinners to Provençal family‑style feasts and refined buffets. An in‑house chef is available for smaller events and private meals (up to ~50 guests).

Menus lean into Mediterranean seasonality; seafood from local waters, sun‑ripened produce, herbs from the hills, paired with thoughtful wine programs featuring Cassis and Bandol appellations; curated tastings can be arranged with nearby domaines. Bar service is managed by your caterer or bar specialist; alcohol distribution is permitted on site, allowing for bespoke cocktail bars, champagne service and late‑night pours. Dietary preferences and multi‑course tasting menus are easily accommodated.

On Site Across the estate, days unfold at an unhurried Riviera pace. Between dips in the heated saltwater pool and soaks in the sea‑view hot tub, guests can wander to the beach via the private path, play pétanque at sunset, or gather for movie nights in the home cinema. Wellness practitioners can be arranged for yoga, massage and detox‑style programs.

  • Heated outdoor pool & hot tub
  • Private path to Plage de l’Arène
  • Pétanque court and garden terraces
  • Home cinema & fibre‑optic Wi‑Fi
  • Fitness equipment; yoga and wellness sessions on request

Nearby Cassis places guests at the gateway to the Calanques, limestone inlets and cobalt coves best explored by boat, e‑bike or on foot. Vineyard visits bring the whites of Cassis and the reds of Bandol into focus, while Marseille, Aix‑en‑Provence and the Route des Crêtes make rewarding day trips.

  • Private boat charters into the Calanques (sailing, catamaran or electric)
  • Guided hiking and expert‑led climbing on Cap Canaille and En‑Vau
  • E‑bike tours through vineyards and along the Route des Crêtes
  • Wine tasting at Clos Sainte‑Magdeleine and Bandol estates
  • Paddleboarding and beach yoga on nearby coves
  • Cassis harbour, lighthouse and market for leisurely promenades

Proximity: Set beneath Cap Canaille within the Calanques National Park, a 15‑minute walk to Cassis’ harbour and moments from Plage de l’Arène.

Nearest Airport: Marseille Provence (≈45 minutes); Nice Côte d’Azur (≈2 hours).

Transfers: Private transfers or minivans recommended; Cassis train station ≈5 minutes’ drive.

Parking: On‑site parking for approximately 20 cars; shuttle vans advised for guests.

Disabled Access: Yes — step‑free access to key ground‑floor areas and terraces; confirm specific needs with the venue.

Child-Friendly: Yes — families are welcome (pool supervision required; baby cots and sitters can be arranged via partners).

Pet-Friendly: Yes — by prior agreement.

Additional Services: Daily housekeeping (typically 6 hours), continental breakfast delivery for in‑house guests, final cleaning, caretaker presence during events, Sonos sound system indoors, heated pool and hot tub, recommended supplier list, on‑site security requirements for larger guest counts.

Details
Wedding Packages & Pricing
Starting at €50,000, the most popular wedding package includes:
Accommodation for 26 guests for 4 nights.
Reception hire for up to 110 guests.
Additional information
Packages here range from €40,000 up to €140,000 depending on number of guests, event dates, length of the stay (from 3 to 7 nights). Only 3 large weddings are accepted each year.
Contact the venue
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