The ceremony in the stone courtyard of Cœur de Combray, in front of the manor and its outbuildings — wedding venue at Ernes, near Caen, Normandy — Arnaud Chapelle

Wedding venue · Normandy, France

Wedding photographer at Cœur de Combray.

Cœur de Combray is a wedding venue at Ernes, twenty minutes from Caen in Normandy — a traditional property set among fields and crossed by the river Laizon. A stone courtyard, a timber-framed hall, a lake and a large flower garden, with around twenty bedrooms on site. I have photographed a wedding here, and I work in English throughout.

Top 2World ISPWP 2022
Top 10Fearless Photographers 2023
25 minfrom Caen
The venue

A stone courtyard and a river running through.

Cœur de Combray is at Ernes, in the Calvados, about twenty minutes from Caen, in open country. It is a traditional 17th- and 18th-century property, with its stone courtyard, its lake and a large flower garden crossed by the river Laizon.

A humanist ceremony can be held in the courtyard or by the water, before the reception in the Normandy-style hall with its exposed roof timbers. The estate brings together several houses and around twenty bedrooms to put guests up on site — so the party can run its course.

My approach

A documentary eye.

I do not direct and I do not stage. I tell the story of your day as it is actually lived — the ceremony in the courtyard, the drinks by the water, the dinner under the timbers, the ribbon game at dusk. I look for honest light and real moments.

I am based in Saint-Lô and I speak English throughout — from the first email to the delivery of your gallery. For international couples, travel and accommodation anywhere in France are included in the package price: no mileage added afterwards.

In pictures

A wedding at Cœur de Combray.

A few frames from a day genuinely photographed here — from the courtyard to dusk.

Cœur de Combray

Frequently asked questions.

Do you photograph weddings at Cœur de Combray?
Yes. I have photographed a wedding at Cœur de Combray, at Ernes near Caen — the ceremony in the stone courtyard, the dinner in the timber-framed hall, and a ribbon game in the garden at dusk.
Where is Cœur de Combray, and how do we get there?
At Ernes in the Calvados, Normandy, about twenty to twenty-five minutes from Caen, in open country. From the UK, the Portsmouth–Caen (Ouistreham) ferry is the nearest crossing. Caen also has a direct railway line from Paris Saint-Lazare, around two hours.
How much does a wedding photographer cost at this venue?
The price depends mostly on how long I am with you. A wedding can be covered from the preparations to the end of the evening, town hall and group photos included. Five packages, the same prices for French and international couples: Essentiel at €1,199 (town hall to the end of the cocktail hour); Journée at €1,499 (getting-ready to the end of the cocktail hour); Célébration at €1,599 (ceremony through to 1 am); Intégral at €1,899 (the whole day, getting-ready through to 1 am). Above them, Le Week-end at €3,400 covers three days — the welcome dinner, the wedding day and the farewell brunch. Each includes the town hall and ceremony, the drinks reception and cocktail hour, group photographs and a short couple session, at least 500 photographs in full resolution on a private gallery delivered within 15 days, and the WEDBOX guest page. Travel and accommodation are charged on top and always confirmed before you book: included within 30 km of Saint-Lô, then a flat fee by distance, from €40 to a maximum of €500 — nights on site included. Cœur de Combray is in Normandy, so the travel fee is set by the distance from Saint-Lô and nothing else is added afterwards.
Can our guests stay on site?
Yes. The estate brings together several houses and around twenty bedrooms, so most of your guests can stay on site rather than drive back after the party.
Do you speak English?
Yes, throughout — the first call, the planning, the day itself and the delivery of your gallery. I work regularly with couples from the UK, the United States and further afield who marry in France. Planning is done by email, WhatsApp or video call, whichever suits you.
Are you an LGBTQ+ friendly wedding photographer?
Yes, unreservedly. Every couple is welcome at Cœur de Combray as anywhere else I photograph, and my approach does not change: no imposed poses, no assumptions about who does what. Love is love.

Getting married at Cœur de Combray?

Tell me about your day — a few dates are still open.

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