FAQs - Updated

Debauchery and Desserts Birthday FAQs

  1. Exciting — What are the dates of the birthday event? We are hosting a four-days and nights of festivity but you’re free to come and join what you wish. Plan to arrive on about July 7th. We have the Louis XIII Pavilion at the Chateau de la Flocelliere and some added chateau rooms from July 7-11. To extend the week, you can spend a night or two in Paris, Nantes, along the Loire River (there are plenty of chateaux to visit like the Chenonceau, Chambord, Azay le Rideau, du Clos Lucé) or at the nearby seaside resort town of Les Sables d’Olonne. Let us know and we can give you ideas.

  2. How do I get there? The closest train station or international airport is Nantes. From London, you can fly nonstop from Gatwick Airport to Nantes (on Easyjet). From the US, you can fly to Paris and transfer to Nantes by train or by plane, or also fly through London. A high-speed train from Paris is less than 2 hours to Nantes. Alternatively, rent a car.

    We will pick you up at the Nantes airport or train station (gare de train). Let us know your flight/train times. If you need help getting train tickets, message Maria. A good app that we use frequently in France is Trainline. Wondering what travel times are between locations? try the app Rome2Rio.

  3. What should I bring? Bring your regular travel stuff. We figure you can get by anywhere with a passport and credit card; everything else is optional (except maybe good shoes, but then again, you can buy those). Please, no gifts.

  4. Where will I stay? At the chateau. The Louis XIII Pavilion sleeps 12-14 people, and we have rented that and the Logis (Lodge) that is a little more casual and a short walk from the main chateau. Both the Pavilion and the Lodge have kitchens that we will stock and you can use. You will have a shared room (couples with children may have a shared room unless all the kids want to stay together; individuals/couples in a room). Lodging includes towels, sheets, soaps and shampoo. The bathrooms have hair dryers. Some of the rooms have their own bathroom, but several are shared between 2 rooms. We have lodging for 4 days and 4 nights. You don’t need to stay for the entire event, but we hope you join the birthday dinner on Thursday, the 10th, which starts at 7 pm with music in the Grand Salon.

    The Chateau is located in the small village of Sèvremont, so you can explore the village and purchase items in town. There is a boulangerie (bakery), post office, pharmacy, grocery store, mediatheque / library. It’s only a 2-minute walk into the town (actually down the long driveway of the chateau).

  5. What is the dress code? Bring clothing for warm-weather (July) travel and some light rain gear in case of wet weather. Also, bring a bathing suit, Remember, there’s generally no A/C in France and none in the chateau—enjoy la nature. Bring your most comfortable sneakers and walking sandals. The birthday party theme is Marie Antoinette - cake and bubbles style so you can be creative at the birthday dinner on July 10 at 7 pm.

  6. What is French cuisine? and what if I have dietary restrictions? French food is often regional and locally sourced. The Vendée region, where we will be, is agricultural and produces cereals (wheat, rye), poultry, cattle, fruit, and wine. Expect a lot of fish options by the sea. Generally, there are rich sauces that accompany meats. Most restaurants accommodate different dietary restrictions (gluten free, dairy free, vegetarian, vegan). You’ll have choices. We’ll stock the Pavilion with vegan options (wine, baguette).

  7. What meals are provided? We will have food in the kitchen of the Pavilion (see above) and will have breakfast there each morning. You can purchase lunch (on your own), when we are out at the daytime events. Dinner will be brought in on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights. The main dinner for the party on July 10th (Thursday).

  8. Is there an event plan or schedule? Check out the Itinerary page on this website for details. More questions? Ask Maria.

  9. How much will I pay? We will cover the events (Chateau d’Angers, Puy du Fou, lodging (at the Chateau de la Flocelliere), and meals at the Chateau (breakfast each morning, dinner on Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday nights). You just need to get there and pay for any additional excursions you wish to make and mostly lunches. See the Itinerary.

  10. Please no gifts. The gift of your time (traveling internationally) and the cost to be with us is all we could ever ask for. We’re celebrating the fact that we are together and want to spend time together with you. Merci!