Flying from the United States, we would recommend choosing a flight into Paris' Charles de Gaulle (CDG) airport, which is the biggest international airport in France and where you will cross the border. If you are flying all the way to Nantes, please ensure that your layover in Paris gives you enough time to go through the border.

Ride sharing apps like Uber and Lyft do not work in the areas where the wedding will be taking place, so we would recommend renting a car. In France, manual cars are the norm, so unless you know how to work a stick, be sure that the rental company you choose has automatic cars available. Renting a car from the airport may be your best option to have a wide arrange of cars available.

Throughout the pandemic, we have seen border entry rules change. Be sure to check the recent guidelines (whether you need a test, etc.) to travel before your flight.

Also, some visa requirements may differ depending upon your passport. Americans used to be able to travel freely to France for tourism, but the new European travel authorization will come into effect sometime in 2023, but the formalities should be minimal. The formalities should be minimal but will have to be done ahead of time, so we suggest you take a look at the ETIAS website closer to your travel. Additional information can be found on the website of the State Department and the website of the U.S. Embassy in France.

All wedding activities will take place within a 10 mile radius of Cholet. This will be the largest city nearby with the most hotels, restaurants and transit options, so we would recommend staying there.

Whether this is your first time in France, first time abroad, or you're an airport warrior, we've compiled some tips and tricks that we hope will be helpful.

• Figure out your phone plan before leaving. If you are staying longer than a week, it would be cheapest to bring an unlocked phone and buy a local SIM card. Most U.S. carriers also offer per day rates when going abroad.
• Passports take time. Start this process at least 6 months out and ensure yours doesn't expire within 3 months of returning.
• Always have copies of your passport and vaccination card with you or in digital form in case you lose them.
• Exchange dollars for some euros with your bank before leaving if you can (some offer it without a fee).
• Freshen up on your card's international fees. Some banks charge per transaction and withdrawal, which can add up! There are plenty of no-fee cards out there.
• Also inform your bank that you will be abroad to avoid triggering fraud detection!
• Flight tickets will edge and flow between now and when you need to book. Probably about 3-6 months out is a good time to find the best prices. If you are booking with points, check with your airline of choice.
• Tickets for French trains will generally open up for booking about 4 months ahead.

There are several different options that you can consider for your stay. The city center of Cholet, which is the area around Place Travot, is pretty walkable to get to bus lines, places to eat and shop. We would recommend staying in this area for your stay to be close to places to see within the city.

When searching for your stay, you may come across a few different types of accomodations that may seem unfamiliar. One type of stay is called an appart'hotel, which is a collection of apartments that are rented out like a hotel. Another type of stay available is renting a gîte, which is a private home to rent in its entirety. You may also come across chambres d'hotes, which are usually smaller hotels run by individuals or families and typically include breakfast.

If you would like a break from the city or if you are visiting with children, another fun option could be renting a camping cabin at Capfun at the Lac de Ribou, which is a short 5-minute drive to the reception venue. This is a common summer vacation spot for locals with a waterpark and lake access. They have cabins of various sizes to choose from.

Check the Cholet tourism site for other accomodation options.