The Abbaye de la Ferté hosts weddings, seminars, evening parties, christenings and family gatherings for up to 180 seated guests in its former monks' refectory, with the park for ceremonies and drinks. The estate is at La Ferté-sur-Grosne, in the commune of Saint-Ambreuil, Saône-et-Loire, between Tournus and Chalon-sur-Saône in southern Burgundy.
Seminars and company events
The owners list seminars among the events they accept. The refectory, about 200 square meters, can work as a plenary room or a dinner hall for a company day, and the park gives space for breaks and outdoor sessions. Teams have the place to themselves, and some participants can sleep in the guest rooms on the estate. Technical equipment is not described on the site, so projection and sound should be checked when requesting a quote.
Weddings and receptions
Weddings are the core of the events calendar. Ceremonies, drinks receptions, dinners and the next-day brunch can all take place in the shaded park, with the refectory as the dinner and dance hall. Couples have exclusive use of the venue with no time limit and can arrive from Thursday to set up. Private parking, outdoor lighting and braziers are provided. A games room for children with sleeping corners lets families stay late. A vintage convertible with a driver can be hired for the couple.
Rooms and capacities
The main hall, the former monks' refectory, measures about 200 square meters and seats 180. Its capacity can be extended with marquees or tents in the park. Tables and chairs can be rented through the venue.
Accommodation
Guest rooms in the park are let as chambres d'hôtes, for one night or longer, and have been fully renovated. The number of rooms is not published, so larger groups should plan on extra hotels in Tournus or Chalon-sur-Saône.
Catering
The hall has a caterer's kitchen, and clients choose their own caterer and other suppliers freely.
History and setting
La Ferté was the first daughter house of the Cistercian abbey of Cîteaux. The building that remains is the former abbot's palace, the last witness of the monastery. The refectory later served as an orangery. After the Revolution the estate passed to a family of scientists and inventors, whose descendants, Jacques and Virginie Thénard, still live here and receive guests. The château is listed as a historic monument, opens for guided tours on European Heritage Days in September and has hosted a rare plant fair in April.
Getting there
The abbey lies in the Grosne valley between Tournus and Chalon-sur-Saône; both towns have train stations on the line between Dijon and Lyon, and the estate has private parking.
