Domaine de la Cour des Lys — throwing the bouquet in front of the manor, Sainte-Croix-Grand-Tonne, Normandy — Arnaud Chapelle

Wedding venue · Normandy, France

Wedding photographer at Domaine de la Cour des Lys.

Domaine de la Cour des Lys is a wedding venue at Sainte-Croix-Grand-Tonne, midway between Caen and Bayeux in Normandy. Fully restored in 2018: a 1,500 m² courtyard of honour around a period fountain, halls with old beams, and a 2.5-hectare landscaped park. Hired from Friday to Sunday, with lodgings on site. I have photographed a wedding here, and I work in English throughout.

Top 2World ISPWP 2022
Top 10Fearless Photographers 2023
2.5 haof landscaped park
The venue

A courtyard of honour and old stone, restored.

Domaine de la Cour des Lys stands at Sainte-Croix-Grand-Tonne, midway between Caen and Bayeux. Fully restored in 2018, it marries old stone with modern comfort: a 1,500 m² courtyard of honour opening onto a period fountain, halls with old beams, and a 2.5-hectare landscaped park.

The estate is hired from Friday to Sunday, with lodgings on site: your guests sleep a few steps from the party. A humanist ceremony can be held outdoors, under the trees of the park.

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 arrival through the park, the ceremony under the trees, the dinner in the old stone hall. 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.

Domaine de la Cour des Lys

Frequently asked questions.

Do you photograph weddings at Domaine de la Cour des Lys?
Yes. I have photographed a wedding at Domaine de la Cour des Lys, between Caen and Bayeux — the bride arriving through the park, an open-air ceremony, and dinner in the hall with its old beams.
Where is Domaine de la Cour des Lys, and how do we get there?
At Sainte-Croix-Grand-Tonne in the Calvados, Normandy, midway between Caen and Bayeux in the Bessin. Both towns have railway stations on the Paris Saint-Lazare line. From the UK, the Portsmouth–Caen (Ouistreham) ferry is the nearest crossing.
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. Domaine de la Cour des Lys 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 is hired from Friday to Sunday with lodgings on site, so your guests sleep a few steps from the party — which is exactly what a wedding weekend with guests from abroad needs.
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 Domaine de la Cour des Lys 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 the Cour des Lys?

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

Also worth a look