A historic estate
just hours from the UK
A 4-star private estate set between Caen and Bayeux — 20 minutes from the Ouistreham ferry, 10 minutes from Bayeux, 30 minutes from the D-Day beaches. 640 m² of reception space, 82 beds on site, total exclusive use of the property.
Looking for a wedding venue that feels worlds away — yet is only an overnight ferry from the south coast of England?
The Domaine de la Cour des Lys is a 4-star private estate set between Caen and Bayeux, in the heart of Normandy. With 640 m² of reception space, 82 beds on site, and total exclusive use of the property, we host weddings that feel like a holiday with your favourite people, not just a Saturday night.
Five reasons it just works.
It's easier to get to than most UK venues
Portsmouth to Ouistreham by overnight ferry takes 7h45 — your guests sleep through the crossing and arrive fresh the next morning, car included. No baggage limits, no airport queues, no hire-car logistics.
Your guests get a real trip
A wedding here is a two- or three-day experience: cider tastings, D-Day beach visits, the Bayeux Tapestry, Camembert villages, Calvados distilleries. Your guests come for you and leave having discovered a new region.
The setting is exceptional
Norman architecture, cobbled courtyards, ancient orchards, manor houses. The visual quality your photographer captures here is simply not available at the same price point in southern England.
Strong English-speaking infrastructure
Caen and Bayeux are major D-Day tourism hubs. English is widely spoken. Suppliers (photographers, florists, caterers) are used to international couples.
Cost
A fully privatised 4-star venue with 82 beds and 640 m² of reception space typically costs 30 to 40 % less in Normandy than an equivalent in the Cotswolds, the South West, or Scotland.
An 18th-century coaching inn, entirely restored.
Set in the village of Sainte-Croix-Grand-Tonne, ten minutes from both Caen and Bayeux, the Domaine de la Cour des Lys is an 18th-century coaching inn entirely restored to host weddings and private events.
- Cour d'Honneur
A 1,500 m² open-air cobbled courtyard for ceremonies, cocktails and dancing under the stars.
- 640 m² of indoor reception space
Across the Louis XVI ballroom, the Marie-Antoinette salon and several private rooms.
- 82 beds on site
Across suites, family lodgings and a stylish shared dormitory — your closest guests sleep at the venue.
- 2.5 hectares of landscaped grounds
For outdoor ceremonies, garden games and Sunday brunch under the ancient trees.
- Total exclusive use
Included with every wedding — the entire estate is yours for the weekend, no other event in parallel.
A historic detail your guests will love: King Louis XVI stayed here in 1786 during his journey to Cherbourg. The Domaine still bears its original 18th-century proportions, faithfully restored.
Easier than you think.
By ferry — the simplest option
- Portsmouth → Ouistreham (Brittany Ferries) — 6h day crossings or 7h45 overnight. Overnight is the favourite of UK wedding guests: book a cabin, sleep through the crossing, drive 20 minutes to the Domaine the next morning.
- Poole → Cherbourg (Brittany Ferries) — 4h30. Cherbourg is 1h15 from the Domaine by car.
- Newhaven → Dieppe (DFDS) — 4h. Dieppe is 2h30 from the Domaine.
By plane
London → Caen-Carpiquet via a European hub. The airport is 7 minutes from the Domaine. Alternatively, London or Manchester → Paris CDG or Orly, then 2h30 by car, or TGV Paris–Caen (1h50) and a 10-minute drive.
By Eurostar + TGV
London St Pancras → Paris Nord by Eurostar (2h15), then Paris Saint-Lazare → Caen by TGV (1h50). Total journey around 5h. We arrange a shuttle from Caen station on request.
D-Day beaches and the historic dimension.
If your wedding has any family connection to the Second World War — and many British and American weddings do — the location is symbolic. Omaha Beach, Gold Beach, Sword Beach, Arromanches, Juno Beachare all within 20 to 40 minutes' drive.
The Bayeux War Cemetery, the Pegasus Memorial, the Centre Juno Beach and the American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer are nearby.
Many couples build a Saturday morning bus tour for guests into their weekend programme. It transforms the wedding from a single day into a meaningful shared experience.
A typical wedding weekend.
Guests arrive by ferry, train or car. Welcome drinks in the Cour d'Honneur, casual dinner in the manor house. Some couples organise a tour of Bayeux's old town or a Calvados tasting in a nearby distillery.
Morning at leisure or an optional D-Day beach excursion by private coach. Symbolic or religious ceremony in the Cour d'Honneur. Drinks reception on the south-facing terrace. Dinner in the Louis XVI ballroom. Dancing under the stars in the courtyard.
Brunch in the park under the ancient trees: Norman tarts, AOP cheeses, farm cider, Calvados, fresh oysters from the nearby coast. Departures throughout the afternoon — some guests stay an extra night to visit Mont-Saint-Michel or Honfleur.
Frequently asked questions.
- French law requires civil ceremonies to take place at the local town hall (mairie). Most British couples have a legal ceremony in the UK before or after, and hold a symbolic or religious ceremony at the Domaine. We can recommend bilingual celebrants experienced with international couples.
- Yes. Our team works fluently with British, American and international couples and suppliers.
- Yes. We work with a trusted network of Norman suppliers, but you're free to bring your own.
- We invoice in euros. UK couples typically use a multi-currency account (Wise, Revolut) or a dedicated wedding savings account to manage exchange rates across the planning period.
- Yes, on request. Many British couples bring their dogs — Normandy is dog-friendly and ferry travel with pets is straightforward.
- We host weddings from 30 to 500 guests. The most common UK wedding size with us is 80 to 150.
- For peak season (May to September), book 12 to 18 months ahead. For low season (October to April), 6 to 9 months is typical.
- Late May to mid-September offers the most reliable weather. Late spring and early autumn combine fewer tourists with beautiful light. Winter weddings have a magic of their own — log fires, candlelit dinners, total privatisation guaranteed.
Plan your wedding.
We'd love to show you the Domaine and discuss your plans — in person, by video call, or over a coffee in London during our occasional trips to the UK.
Reaching the Estate.
Address
Parking
Free parking for 120 vehicles, accessible to coaches. Two complimentary electric vehicle charging sockets.
By train
10 minutes from Caen station and 10 minutes from Bayeux station.
Estate shuttle available on request.
By plane
7 minutes' drive from Caen-Carpiquet airport and 1 hour from Deauville airport.
Estate shuttle available on request.
By ferry — from England
Just 20 minutes from Ouistreham port (Portsmouth-Ouistreham ferry) — the easiest option for guests travelling from the United Kingdom.
Estate shuttle available on request.
By car — from Caen
Take the N13 towards Thue et Mue. Exit 35, then head to Sainte-Croix-Grand-Tonne via the RD 613 — the Estate is only 1 km from the junction. 10 minutes from central Caen.
Office hours
Tuesday – Saturday · 8 am – 12 pm · 1.30 pm – 5.30 pm