Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay
Built in the 12th century as a Cistercian monastery, Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay is one of France's finest preserved monastic ruins, extensively restored to operate as a luxury hotel and wedding venue.
Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay is a hotel destination wedding venue in Cernay-la-Ville, France, hosting 20 to 150 guests in the $$$ price range, reached from Paris Orly Airport (ORY), 1 hour 15 minutes. Best months: June, July, August, September.
About Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay
Built in the 12th century as a Cistercian monastery, Abbaye des Vaux de Cernay is one of France's finest preserved monastic ruins, extensively restored to operate as a luxury hotel and wedding venue.
The abbey's dramatic Gothic architecture and sprawling grounds offer couples an authentic historical setting where centuries-old stone walls frame modern celebrations.
Located 45 kilometers southwest of Paris, this working heritage site delivers both grandeur and intimacy across its restored chambers and manicured gardens.
Ask about a date.
Choose a day from the calendar.
Nothing is reserved until the venue confirms. A first note comes back within two business days.
This was the most magical hotel we stayed at. Probably the best hotel I stayed at. I loved the cozy rooms, lots of activities on ground, wonderful lake, animal farm and delicious food.
Amina Jensen · read the whole review on Google →Capacity, rooms and facilities
Capacity
- Seated dinner
- 250 guests
Staying over
- Rooms
- 144 rooms
- Room types
- 3 listed
- Whole property to yourselves
- Yes
House rules
- Weddings held
- All year
- Children
- Yes
Getting there
- Nearest airport
- ORY, 75 min by carAisle estimate
- Parking
- Yes
- Step-free access
- Yes
- Guest transport
- Yes
The spaces
- Event spaces
- Banquet hall
- Reception indoors
- Yes
- Reception outdoors
- Yes
- Space for dancing
- Yes
The place
- Swimming pool
- Yes
- On a lake
- Yes
- Private grounds
- Yes
- Historic building
- Yes
Food and drink
- In-house catering
- Yes
- Bar on site
- Yes
Venue highlights
- 12th-century Cistercian abbey with original stone architecture and functioning cloister
- 43-hectare estate with formal gardens, woodland paths, and multiple ceremony locations
- On-site 4-star hotel with 34 rooms housed within restored abbey buildings
- Capacity of up to 150 guests across several interconnected dining and reception spaces
The wedding season
A sample wedding weekend
See the day-by-day outline+
Use this as a starting point and adapt it to your bookings and guests.
- 3:00 PMGuest arrivals; check-in at abbey hotel
- 7:00 PMWelcome dinner in cloister or dining hall
- 10:30 AMCeremony in gardens or abbey courtyard
- 12:00 PMAperitif and photos on grounds
- 1:30 PMReception dinner in restored dining room
- 10:00 AMFarewell breakfast before guest departures
Costs and booking details
- Getting there
- ORY · about 1 h 15 by carAisle estimate
Guests fly into Paris Orly Airport.
- Typical total
- €15,000-35,000+Aisle estimate
See the full figure+
€15,000-35,000+ for 75-100 guests (ceremony, reception, and accommodations)
- Ceremony fee
- €2,000-3,500Aisle estimate
- Reception
- €95-165 a headAisle estimate
See the full figure+
€95-165 (depending on menu and service level)
- Room rate
- €180-380 a nightAisle estimate
See the full figure+
€180-380 (guest rooms within abbey)
- Weather window
- June – September
The months the weather is kindest. Weather does not indicate whether a date is available.
- Direct line
- 01 42 80 76 76
Answered by the venue in local hours.
Pricing based on typical European destination wedding models; exact costs require custom quote. Hotel rooms available exclusively for wedding parties. Off-season and weekday events may offer reduced rates.
Questions about the venue
Can we marry in the original abbey church?+
The abbey ruins and cloister serve as stunning ceremony backdrops. Specific religious or legal ceremony locations should be confirmed directly with the venue, as regulations govern use of the historic structures.
How many guests can stay on-site?+
The hotel offers 34 rooms within the abbey complex. Additional accommodations are available in nearby villages for larger wedding parties.
What makes this venue different from traditional hotels?+
This is an operational heritage site with authentic 12th-century architecture, not a modern building styled to look old. Guests experience actual monastic spaces converted thoughtfully for contemporary use.
Is the venue accessible year-round?+
Yes, though winter months and peak seasons affect availability. Contact the venue directly for your preferred dates and seasonal considerations.
Can we customize the ceremony space?+
Multiple locations exist across the 43-hectare grounds. Discussions with the management team will determine which spaces suit your vision and comply with historical preservation requirements.
Could this be your venue?
Ask about your plans, pricing and availability. You do not need a fixed date yet.
Still deciding? Elena is Aisle’s AI wedding planner. Give her a month and a guest count and she will forecast the budget, work out how your guests would travel, and put a first plan on paper. No account needed.
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Sources and booking notes
Confirm your dates, guest numbers, room arrangements and inclusions with the venue before booking. An enquiry does not reserve a date. Figures labelled Aisle estimate are modelled from regional rates and public sources; they are not venue quotes.
Sources for individual venue facts
Seated dinner: 250 guests
“The mythical and captivating Réfectoire des Moines, with its vaulted ceilings lit by hundreds of candles, serves generous breakfasts, lavish brunches, and sumptuous banquets, with a capacity of up to 250 seats.”
Read the source for seated dinnerRooms: 144 rooms
“Offering 144 rooms, suites and pavilions, alongside 4 restaurants including the legendary Réfectoire des Moines, 2 bars, 14 seminar rooms, a spa, activities and Tartine & Chocolat kids' club.”
Read the source for roomsRoom types: 3 listed
“Offering 144 rooms, suites and pavilions, alongside 4 restaurants including the legendary Réfectoire des Moines, 2 bars, 14 seminar rooms, a spa, activities and Tartine & Chocolat kids' club.”
Read the source for room typesWhole property to yourselves: Yes
“Une privatisation totale des 4 bâtisses”
Read the source for whole property to yourselvesIn-house catering: Yes
“Quand vous louez les lieux, le traiteur est l’un des services inclus que propose l’Abbaye des Vaux.”
Read the source for in-house cateringBar on site: Yes
“Varied dining options thanks to its 4 restaurants and bars.”
Read the source for bar on siteWeddings held: All year
“The Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay is not just a hotel; it is an essential destination for an inspiring experience year-round.”
Read the source for weddings heldChildren: Yes
“L’Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay offre des moments de rêve pour les adultes mais aussi pour les enfants.”
Read the source for childrenParking: Yes
“Included: Breakfast, afternoon snack and parking with EV charging stations.”
Read the source for parkingStep-free access: Yes
“Oui, l'hôtel est accessible aux personnes à mobilité réduite et dispose d'un ascenseur.”
Read the source for step-free accessGuest transport: Yes
“Oui, l'hôtel propose un transfert privé depuis l'aéroport ou la gare d'arrivée (Rambouillet ou Saint-Remy-Lès-Chevreuses).”
Read the source for guest transportEvent spaces: Banquet hall
“Banquet Hall 1 Le Réfectoire des Moines 559 m²)”
Read the source for event spacesReception indoors: Yes
“An offer from 6 Indoor and outdoor dining areas”
Read the source for reception indoorsReception outdoors: Yes
“An offer from 6 Indoor and outdoor dining areas”
Read the source for reception outdoorsSpace for dancing: Yes
“La propriété dispose de plusieurs salles et salons où vous pourrez organiser votre réception et votre soirée dansante sous certaines conditions.”
Read the source for space for dancingSwimming pool: Yes
“The heated outdoor pool is accessible to guests staying at the hotel.”
Read the source for swimming poolOn a lake: Yes
“Au fil des 4 saisons, au coin du feu ou au bord du lac, entre ressourcement, nourritures terrestres et moments d’exception, chacun écrit sa propre expérience à l’Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay.”
Read the source for on a lakePrivate grounds: Yes
“80 hectares of private estate in the heart of the Rambouillet forest, can be fully privatizable.”
Read the source for private groundsHistoric building: Yes
“It was classified as a historical monument in 1926 and fully protected in January 1994.”
Read the source for historic building