The couple’s car, from the town hall to the reception
In France, a civil marriage takes place at the town hall of a commune where one of the couple, or one of their parents, has their home or residence, as the official service-public.gouv.fr website explains. The day therefore often involves two places, sometimes in two villages: the town hall, then the country house or estate hosting the ceremony and the reception. If the legal marriage takes place elsewhere, the ceremony at the venue sets the rhythm of the day instead.
For the couple, the quote offers a saloon such as a Mercedes S-Class or a BMW 7 Series, subject to the availability of the Federation’s members on your date. The chauffeur stays at your disposal for the time agreed in the quote: departure from home or the hotel, town hall, photographs, arrival at the reception. Have a particular model or car decoration in mind? Mention it in your first message: the quote sets out what has been agreed.
Families and guests: coordinated shuttles
Guests rarely all stay in the same place: a hotel in Aix, guesthouses in the Luberon, a villa rented by the family. Each one becomes a pick-up point with a set time, which you can add to the programme sent to guests. Vans such as the Mercedes V-Class and minibuses suit these shuttles; for a large number of guests, the plan allows for several vehicles or several runs.
Families often need a journey of their own: grandparents, a best man arriving the day before. For an arrival at Marseille Provence Airport, see Private chauffeur at Marseille Provence Airport; at Marseille Saint-Charles or Aix-en-Provence TGV station, Private chauffeur at Marseille Saint-Charles. A welcome dinner the night before and a brunch the day after can fit into the same plan.
Late-night returns, planned ahead
In the countryside, finding a car in the middle of the night is far from easy: returns are decided before the wedding, not at two in the morning. One pattern that works: a first run after dinner, for children and anyone leaving early, then the last return at the closing time set by the venue, with further departures in between if you wish.
In France, it is an offence to drive with 0.5 g of alcohol or more per litre of blood, or 0.2 g on a probationary licence (service-public.gouv.fr). With shuttles in place, none of your guests needs to drive home.
If the party runs later than planned, an extra return depends on the chauffeur’s availability and is covered by an additional quote.
Country houses and estates, from Marseille to the Alpilles
Many reception venues lie at the end of a country lane, with little lighting at night. So that each chauffeur finds the entrance first time, send us the exact address or GPS coordinates, the gate code, the drop-off point and, if there is one, the access map given to guests. Ask the venue, too, where cars can park during the evening.
Around Aix, in the Luberon or in the Alpilles, the plan allows for the distance between the guests’ accommodation and the venue. To explore the region before or after the wedding, see Private driver in the Luberon and the Alpilles or Private chauffeur in Aix-en-Provence.
Preparing the transport plan
Send us, even provisionally:
- the date and the running order: town hall, ceremony, drinks, dinner, closing time;
- the addresses: accommodation, town hall, venue;
- the number of guests staying at each address;
- arrivals and departures, by air or rail;
- the ages of any children: under 10, a suitable child seat is compulsory;
- the name and phone number of the contact on site, such as your wedding planner.
You receive a personal quote, valid for thirty days unless stated otherwise, together with our terms and conditions. No car is held until you have accepted and paid: for the most popular dates, an early request leaves more choice. This quote covers the journeys. If you would also like the Federation to approach a venue, a caterer or accommodation, the request falls under its private concierge service in Marseille and Provence: a study fee, stated on a file-opening quote, is paid before any search begins, and nothing is secured until the selected provider confirms; that provider acts under its own responsibility. For any question, see our Contact page.