The short answer: Bastide de Toursainte is an 18th century bastide in the hills of Marseille, listed as a historic monument and about 20 minutes from Marseille Provence airport. Ceremonies usually take place at the fountain, which has a staircase on either side. Dinner in the garden seats up to around 200 guests, and a ballroom for around 90 is a real rain plan. You arrive along an avenue of old plane trees, and the bedrooms have remarkable wallpaper.
Bastide de Toursainte at a glance
| Location | Hills of Marseille, about 10 minutes from the Old Port |
|---|---|
| Style | Late 18th century Provençal bastide, listed historic monument |
| Ceremony | Symbolic, usually at the fountain |
| Guests | Up to around 200 seated outdoors |
| Rain plan | Ballroom for around 90 seated, plus a reception room |
| Staying on site | 6 bedrooms for around 12 guests |
| Getting there | About 20 minutes from Marseille Provence airport, 10 minutes from Marseille Saint Charles TGV |
| Best months | May, June, September to mid October |
What makes Toursainte special
It starts at the gate. You drive onto an avenue of old plane trees and see the house at the end of it, pale stone and green shutters. In the morning the light comes through those trees and fills the whole place with a soft warmth.
Inside, the bedrooms have original wallpaper with patterns we had not seen anywhere else, painted furniture and tall windows onto the garden. The staff were lovely to work with.
Ceremony and dinner
Most couples marry at the fountain. A staircase rises on either side of it, and with the house behind, it is one of the most beautiful ceremony backdrops we know in Provence. Dinner moves out to the large garden, and in the evening the facade and trees are lit from below.
If the weather turns, the ground floor ballroom takes the dinner indoors. In spring and autumn, a real room is worth more than a tent on the lawn.
The light near Marseille
The light here has more sea in it than in the Luberon: bright at midday, then very warm for the last hour. The plane tree avenue filters the sun all afternoon, which makes it ideal for portraits when everywhere else is still too bright. In October the best light is between about half past five and seven. Month by month temperatures and sunset times are in our guide to getting married in Provence.
Frequently asked questions
Where is Bastide de Toursainte?
In the hills of Marseille, about 20 minutes from Marseille Provence airport and 10 minutes from the TGV station. It is one of the easiest Provence venues to reach for guests flying in.
How many guests can Bastide de Toursainte host?
According to the venue listing, up to around 200 for a seated dinner in the garden and around 90 in the ballroom. Figures vary between listings, so check the current numbers with the venue.
Is there a rain plan at Toursainte?
Yes. The ground floor ballroom and reception room can take the dinner indoors.
Can we get legally married at Bastide de Toursainte?
Ceremonies at the bastide are symbolic. A legal civil wedding in France takes place at the town hall and requires a period of residence, so most couples from abroad marry legally at home and hold their ceremony at Toursainte.
How far ahead should we book?
Around a year ahead for venue and photographer, earlier for weekends in June and September.
Do you photograph weddings at Bastide de Toursainte?
Yes. We photograph and film weddings in Marseille and across Provence. Depending on how much of the weekend you would like photographed, we join you for the welcome dinner and stay for the day after.
Thinking about Toursainte?
Tell us a little about your plans. If you prefer the Luberon, have a look at Château de Pradines.
Written by Vanessa & Bernhard · Updated October 2026