Fly CHS → connecting hub → Paris CDG (overnight flight)
No direct flights; expect 1 stop (JFK, Newark, Dulles, or Philadelphia)
Total travel time: ~12–15 hours including layover
✏️ TO DO: Book flights — United (via EWR/IAD), American (via PHL/CLT), Delta (via ATL/JFK), or JetBlue (via JFK). Economy ~$600–750/pp RT; business class ~$2,200–4,000/pp RT. See Flight Planner for details by cabin class.
Day 2 — Thursday, September 3
Morning
Arrive Paris CDG
Clear customs, collect luggage
RER B or taxi to central Paris (~45–60 min)
Midday
Check into Paris hotel
Settle in, freshen up after the overnight flight
Suggested areas: Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Le Marais, or near Montparnasse (easy TGV access next day)
Afternoon
Explore Paris at a leisurely pace
Stroll along the Seine, wander through a neighborhood
Stop at a café — ease into the time zone (Paris is 6 hours ahead of Charleston)
Evening
Dinner in Paris
Enjoy a relaxed French dinner — no need to rush
Early night to continue adjusting to the time change
✏️ TO DO: Book 1 night Paris hotel (Thu Sep 3). Consider Saint-Germain or Le Marais.
Day 3 — Friday, September 4 Wedding Weekend
Morning
Paris → Travel to Vendée
Option A: TGV from Paris-Montparnasse → Niort (~2.5–3 hrs), then 45 min drive
Option B: TGV → La Rochelle (~3 hrs), then 1 hr drive
Option C: Rent a car and drive (~4.5 hrs via A10/A83)
Shuttle may be available from Fontenay-le-Comte station (~10 min from château)
Afternoon
Check into accommodation near château
Settle in, relax, explore the grounds or village
6:00 PM
Welcome Dinner
Château de Bourneau
Dress code: Garden Party Attire
✏️ TO DO: Book train tickets (SNCF, 2–6 months ahead) or rental car. Book accommodation for Fri–Mon near Bourneau.
Day 4 — Saturday, September 5 Wedding Day
Morning
Free morning
Leisurely breakfast, walk around Bourneau, get ready
2:30 PM
Wedding Ceremony
Château de Bourneau
Dress code: Cocktail or Formal Attire
~3:00 PM
Cocktail Hour
Just a few steps down the path from the ceremony
Evening
Dinner & Dancing
Reception at the château, continuing until midnight
Day 5 — Sunday, September 6 Wedding Weekend
TBA
Sunday Brunch
Château de Bourneau (time to be announced)
Dress code: Casual Attire
Afternoon
Explore Vouvant
One of the "Most Beautiful Villages in France" — just 5 min from Bourneau
Climb the Tour Mélusine (36m medieval tower) for panoramic forest views
Wander cobbled streets, visit the Romanesque church, browse artist studios
Walk the bocage trail (~4 km, 1.5 hrs) through the medieval town and forest edge
Evening
Dinner in Fontenay-le-Comte
Historic "Town of Art and History" — 10–15 min from the château
Explore Renaissance architecture and dine at a local restaurant
Day 6 — Monday, September 7
Morning
Marais Poitevin — "Green Venice" boat tour
France's second-largest marshland — a maze of tree-shaded waterways
Guided ride on a traditional flat-bottomed "plate" (~2 hrs, ~€28/person)
Quieter embarkation points: La Garette or Arçais (Coulon is busiest)
Visit the ruins of Maillezais Abbey nearby
Afternoon
Mervent-Vouvant Forest
Lakeside picnic at Lac de Mervent
Scenic walking trails through the national forest
Evening
Farewell to the Vendée
Pack up accommodation, quiet dinner before moving on
✏️ TO DO: Book Marais Poitevin boat tour in advance.
Day 7 — Tuesday, September 8
Morning
Drive to La Rochelle
~1 hour from Bourneau
Check into hotel near the Old Port
Midday
Explore the Vieux Port (Old Port)
Stroll the pedestrian harbor, lunch at a portside restaurant
Climb the Three Towers for views over the city and Atlantic
Afternoon
La Rochelle highlights
The Aquarium — one of Europe's best (12,000+ marine animals)
Browse the daily market in the 19th-century hall
Or: day trip to Île de Ré (connected by bridge) for beaches and villages
Evening
Seafood dinner at the port
La Rochelle is known for outstanding seafood and lively harbor dining
✏️ TO DO: Book 1 night La Rochelle hotel (Tue Sep 8).
Day 8 — Wednesday, September 9
Morning
La Rochelle → Paris
TGV from La Rochelle to Paris-Montparnasse (~3 hrs)
Or: drive to Nantes Airport (1 hr) and fly out from there
Afternoon
Last afternoon in Paris (if returning via CDG)
Revisit a favorite spot, pick up souvenirs, enjoy a final French meal
Evening
Depart Paris CDG → Charleston
Overnight flight home via connecting hub
Or: stay one more night and fly Thursday morning (see Day 9)
✏️ TO DO: Decide — fly home Wed evening or Thu morning? Book return flights accordingly.
Day 9 (Optional) — Thursday, September 10
Morning
Fly home from Paris CDG
Morning departure → arrive Charleston same day
Avoids red-eye both directions; one more relaxed Paris night
Evening
Arrive Charleston (CHS)
Home sweet home!
Flight Options
No direct flights from Charleston (CHS) to Paris (CDG). All routes require one connection.
Delta Air Lines
CHS → ATL or JFK → CDG. Most frequent (134 connecting flights/week).
United Airlines
CHS → EWR or IAD → CDG. 59 flights/week. Strong EWR→CDG nonstop.
American Airlines
CHS → PHL or CLT → CDG. PHL has nonstop CDG service.
JetBlue
CHS → JFK → CDG. JFK→CDG nonstop.
Air France
Codeshare options via partner hubs. Premium transatlantic service.
Round-trip economy
~$600–750/person (recent estimates; Sep 2026 fares not yet available)
Round-trip business
~$2,200–4,000/person depending on airline. JetBlue Mint is best value (~$2,200–2,600).
Fastest connection
~10 hr 40 min via Detroit (DTW)
Booking tip
Book 3+ weeks ahead for best prices. Set fare alerts on Google Flights. Business class on the overnight transatlantic leg makes jet lag much more manageable.
Ground Transportation in France
TGV → Niort
~3 hr 15 min from CDG (one change). Niort is 45 min from Bourneau. Shuttle may run to Fontenay-le-Comte.
TGV → La Rochelle
~3 hr 50 min from CDG (one change). La Rochelle is ~1 hr from Bourneau.
Paris-Montparnasse
If starting from Paris city center, trains depart from Montparnasse station.
Rental car
~4.5 hr drive from Paris via A10/A83. Gives flexibility for the Vendée/La Rochelle days.
The château is 12 minutes from the A83 motorway exit. A rental car is highly recommended for exploring the Vendée during the non-wedding days.
Accommodation
Paris (Thu Sep 3 — 1 night)
Suggested neighborhoods: Saint-Germain-des-Prés (charming, walkable), Le Marais (trendy, central), or near Montparnasse (convenient for TGV departure next morning).
✏️ TO DO: Book Paris hotel for Thu Sep 3 (1 night, 2 guests).
Near Château de Bourneau (Fri Sep 4 – Mon Sep 7 — 3 nights)
Gîtes (holiday rentals) listed on the wedding website, closest first:
Logis de Bourseguin
Bourneau (closest)
Le Vieux Chêne
Bourneau
Les Trois Platanes
Bourneau
La Petite Loge
Vouvant (~5 min)
La Maison de Maître
Fontenay le Comte (~15 min)
La Grande Maison
Vendée (~15 min)
Château de Sérigny
Vendée (~15 min)
Gîte de la Roulière
Foussais Payré (~15 min)
La Maison Jaune
St Hilaire Des Loges (~20 min)
Hotels:
Ax Hotel
La Châtaigneraie (~14 min)
Hôtel le Rabelais
Fontenay le Comte (~15 min)
Fontarabie Hotel
Fontenay le Comte (~15 min)
Auberge de la Rivière
Velluire (~20 min)
✏️ TO DO: Book Bourneau-area accommodation for 3 nights (Fri Sep 4 – Mon Sep 7, 2 guests).
La Rochelle (Tue Sep 8 — 1 night)
Stay near the Old Port for easy walking access to restaurants, towers, and attractions.
✏️ TO DO: Book La Rochelle hotel for Tue Sep 8 (1 night, 2 guests).
Paris (Wed Sep 9 — optional 1 night)
Only needed if flying home Thursday morning instead of Wednesday evening.
✏️ TO DO: Decide Wed evening vs. Thu morning departure. Book Paris hotel if needed.