House rental handbook
Here’s everything you need to know
Getting Here
Château Rigaud is well connected by air, rail, road — and even ferry — though we always recommend hiring a car to make the most of the surrounding countryside.
Nearest Airports
1. Bordeaux Mérignac Airport (approx. 1 hour drive)
Served by both scheduled and low-cost airlines:
British Airways – London Heathrow
easyJet – Belfast, Luton, Gatwick, Liverpool, Bristol
Ryanair – Edinburgh, Bristol, Stansted
2. Bergerac Dordogne Périgord Airport (approx. 45 minutes drive)
Ryanair – Stansted, East Midlands, Bristol, Liverpool
British Airways – London City, Southampton
By Train
The nearest mainline station is Libourne, just 20 minutes from the château.
From Paris: Approx. 3.5 hours via TGV
From Lille: Approx. 6 hours
Important note for guests taking the fast TGV:
The newer Atlantic TGV reaches Bordeaux in just over 2 hours but does not stop at Libourne. Passengers must then backtrack to Castillon, which adds nearly an hour. It’s often better to take a slightly slower train that stops directly in Libourne.
There’s a Europcar rental office at Libourne station.
Car Hire & Driving
We highly recommend guests hire a car, especially if staying in the surrounding countryside.
All major car hire companies are available at both Bordeaux and Bergerac airports.
Many airlines offer discounts via their car hire partners.
Driving directions from both airports are available from your wedding planner.
By Ferry
The nearest ferry port is St Malo, served by Brittany Ferries from Portsmouth.
Approx. 6-hour drive to Château Rigaud
A good option for guests wanting to extend their trip and explore rural France
New EU Entry/Exit Systems 2026
Please note that the first of the new EES border checks start rolling out from 12th October 2025 in phases and will be fully operational in April 2026. This replaces the stamping of passports but means that non-EU citizens or residents will have to provide biometric data when entering the EU. Fingerprints and a facial scan will be taken at automated kiosks the first time you cross the border into an EU country at a border crossing which is operating the EES system. On subsequent visits you will only undergo a facial scan.
You may also have to answer some questions, electronically, such as where you are staying, so make sure you have your accommodation address handy.
Transport & Transfers
Transport in rural France requires planning in advance, especially for airport transfers and guest travel during your stay.
Local Taxis & Ubers
Taxis are available locally, but must be booked well in advance — they are limited and more expensive than in the UK due to higher taxes on private transport.
Uber is available from Bordeaux to Rigaud, but is not possible for the return trip.
For peace of mind, we suggest booking through a reputable transfer company, such as:
Airports Taxi Transfers
Rigaud Vehicles
During your stay, you’ll have access to our own vehicles:
2 minibuses (each seats 8 guests + luggage)
1 people carrier (seats 6 guests)
These are available for guest collection, airport runs, and local excursions — your planner can help arrange logistics.
For pricing, please refer to the Extras Pricing List HERE
We have extensive baby and toddler facilities with 5 cribs, 7 highchairs, and countless toys and cots. We’re happy to offer babysitting for your guests’ children — and we have a fully equipped nursery for up to a maximum of eight children — but this must be booked at least eight weeks in advance of the wedding.
Why Advance Booking Is Essential
Every year, we encounter a familiar pattern: parents who decide not to book a babysitter in advance… only to change their minds on the day. This is problematic since we will only have booked the right number of nannies. It tends to happen when the couple decide to pay for the childcare themselves.
To avoid this:
Let your guests know that babysitting is available
Ask them to contact your wedding planner directly via email to arrange it
This keeps things simple and keeps you (the couple) out of the admin
Details
Babysitting is charged at €20 per hour, per babysitter
We follow UK child-to-staff ratios to ensure safety and proper care
For Larger Groups of Children
If more than 8–10 children will need childcare, we recommend a professional crèche service.
Your planner can provide trusted contacts and help make arrangements.
Babysitting & Childcare
Between the main château and our Vineyard Barn, we can sleep up to 26 adults and 8 children across a variety of room styles.
The Château
9 en-suite double bedrooms + 1 children’s dorm
Sleeps up to 18 adults and 8 children
The Tower Suite (Recommended Wedding Suite)
At the far end of the long gallery, with views over the entrance arch and quad lawn where ceremonies usually take place.
Beautiful natural light for makeup & photos
Dressing room, full-length mirror
Freestanding bath & walk-in “Tower Shower”
Gallery provides additional hair and make-up space for bridal party
The Maroc Suite
Our largest room
Super king four-poster bed
Ensuite with walk-in shower & roll-top bath
Adjoining twin room, The Owlery, for two young children
Prussian Room
Very spacious, with carved super king bed
Roll-top bath in the room + en-suite shower
The Ballroom
Striking, dramatic design with navy walls & white Barcelona chairs
Super king four-poster bed
Ensuite with roll-top bath (handheld shower attachment)
Dauphin
Super king four-poster bed
Elegant chaise longue
Bath in the bedroom + separate WC and basin
Bourgie
Super king four-poster bed
Ensuite shower room
Additional single bed in the room
Jardin Room
The only ground-floor bedroom
Carved super king bed + ensuite shower
Quiet, slightly set apart — great for light sleepers
Aquitaine
King-sized bed
Ensuite with bath and shower-over
Interconnects with the Boudoir (great for families)
Boudoir
Super king bed
Ensuite shower room
Can connect to Aquitaine if needed
The Dorm (Children Only)
Located on the ground floor
3 bunk beds (6 single beds)
Small adjoining nursery with toys & a tiny bath
Best for children aged 6–12
Cots & fold-up beds available for little ones
Accommodation at the Château
The Vineyard Barn
A beautifully styled barn conversion, with four bedrooms at the top of the grounds about 100 metres from the château — formerly the owners’ family home. Ideal for extended family, close friends, or one side of the bridal party.
Sleeps 8 adults + 2 children
Fully serviced, with daily housekeeping
Stocked fridge: juices & milk
Nespresso machine
Guests join breakfast at the château
Barrel Room
Enormous master suite with lounge area
Super king bed + additional child’s bed
Luxury bathroom with double-ended bath, walk-in shower & separate WC
Potager Room
Large double room with garden access
Super king bed + additional child’s bed
Ensuite shower room
Cuve 1 & Cuve 2
Two rooms both with super king double beds
Share a large family bathroom with bath & walk-in shower
Shared Living Space
Open-plan layout (10m x 16m) with high ceilings
Sofas, dining table for 14, large kitchen island
Smart TV & satellite
South-facing garden, BBQ terrace & outdoor dining area
Free Wi-Fi
Booking the Vineyard Barn
You can choose how to manage this space:
Add it to your main booking and allocate the rooms yourself
Nominate specific guests, who then pay individually
Add to the guest list as general accommodation for others to book via the website.
Activities
1. Canoe Descent & Riverside Picnic
(Available June–September)
A relaxed, scenic paddle down the Dordogne, followed by a riverside picnic — always a hit with guests.
Guests drive to the canoe base in Pessac-sur-Dordogne, take a minibus upstream, and paddle back downriver.
At the finish point, Rigaud staff greet them on the riverbank with beautifully staged and freshly prepared Tiffin Tin picnics from our chef team.
Guests can also join the picnic without canoeing, ideal for older guests or families with small children.
Costs:
Canoeing: €20 (paid in cash at the quayside)
Picnic: €30 per adult / €17 per child (paid in advance via the online form) Including cold beers and wine
Children must be 6+ to participate in canoeing.
Wet weather alternative: If the river is too high, we switch to a vineyard visit and deliver the picnics there — more wine, less paddling.
2. Local Château Tour, Wine Tasting & Lunch
For wine lovers, we can arrange a private château visit with a guided tasting, followed by lunch at a local restaurant (depending on numbers).
Self-drive required
Approx. €20 per person for the tour and tasting
Lunch cost is additional and varies depending on the venue
3. Château Le Dôme, St Emilon - Grand Tasting
One of the most prestigious wine estates in Bordeaux, Le Dôme offers Rigaud guests exclusive access to its striking Norman Foster-designed chai for a tasting of this iconic wine which has won 100 points from Robert Parker for three separate vintages. A rare and exceptional experience. Cost from €80 per person
4. Golf
We can arrange for a small group of experienced golfers to tee off at either Chateau Vigiers or St Emilion golf course. Both are excellent championship courses. Alternatively, if you’d like something less formal and more accessible to higher handicap players, we can arrange for a small group or even a relaxed tournament at a local 9 hole course.
