This section is super long, but since we're asking you to travel halfway around the world to a relatively remote region of a foreign country to celebrate with us, we want to make sure you're prepared. Even if you're a seasoned traveler, this section contains some important logistical info, so we would recommend taking a few minutes to at least skim through it.
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Please note, the opening ceremony of the 2024 Paris Olympics is slated for Friday, July 26, and may affect travel into and within the region. While Siradan is far removed from the Olympic events, travel routes from abroad may require additional planning. It's best to avoid connections through Paris and we recommend securing flights as soon as possible for the best availability and pricing.
Nestled in the remote charms of the French Pyrenees, Siradan is a scene straight out of a picture book. This quaint little town, where time seems to stand still, is about a 1.5-hour drive from Toulouse, 3.5 hours from Bordeaux, and 4 hours from Barcelona.
The celebration will take place at the Château de Siradan, a tastefully renovated 17th-century French château.
Address: 1 Chemin de las Carreres, Siradan, Occitanie, 65370, France
We recommend that guests fly into Toulouse (TLS). From there, Siradan is a ~1.5 hour drive. Direct flights to Toulouse from the US might be scarce, but one-stop connections are plentiful through other cities such as Montreal, Amsterdam, Lisbon, Madrid, Brussels, Frankfurt, Munich, London, Geneva, and others. Due to the Olympics, we would recommend against connecting through Paris.
If you're already in Europe, several budget airlines offer flights into Tarbes-Lourdes-Pyrenees Airport (LDE), which is even closer than Toulouse, but will require some logistics work on your part. Other potential cities to fly into include Pau (PUF, ~1.5 hour drive), Biarritz (BIQ, ~2.5 hour drive), and Bordeaux (BOD, ~3.5 hour drive).
An option for the adventurous is to fly into Barcelona (BCN) and drive approximately 5 hours to Siradan. If you choose this option, there are a few things to consider. First, the drive is primarily via a two-lane mountain road, which means the views are gorgeous, but the driving itself can be a little frustrating - we've done this trip and would only recommend to experienced drivers. Second, we would recommend that you spend some time in Barcelona and plan on taking 2 days for the drive, stopping to stay at Parador de Lleida on the way. Lastly, you should plan on returning via Barcelona as well, since returning a rental car in a different country in Europe typically comes with expensive one-way fees ($1,000+).
Flight prices can vary widely depending on the airline and class of service. More established carriers are advisable over budget airlines and Google Flights can be a valuable tool for comparing prices and flight options.
Driving is our recommended mode of transportation to reach Siradan, due to the remote location and lack of public transport. Avis, Hertz, and Sixt are all reliable car rental options.
Technically, an International Driver’s Permit (IDP) is required for all foreign drivers in France. Not all car rental companies check for this, but it’s better to be safe than sorry. An IDP can be obtained from your local AAA office for $20 and about 15 mins to fill out the paperwork, often with walk-in or same-day appointments, so we would recommend anyone driving to get one a few weeks before the trip.
If you are flying into Barcelona and planning on driving to Siradan across the border, be sure to ask the car rental company about any rules or restrictions on doing so. Most car rental companies allow cross-border trips for a small fee, but a one-way trip across the border (such as picking up the car in Barcelona and dropping off in Toulouse) can result in a hefty one-way fee that is often more expensive than the base cost of the rental.
Here are a few other important tips to keep in mind while driving in France:
Rooms have been pre-reserved at Castel d’Alti hotel in the nearby town of Luchon with special rates for the wedding:
To make a reservation, simply email [email protected] and indicate you would like a room for “Pierre and Paul Wedding.” You must indicate the type of room you would like:
The other recommended hotel in the town of Luchon is (very similarly named) Hotel Alti. Please note that we do not have a pre-negotiated price at this hotel:
In addition to these hotels, there are plenty of Airbnbs and other alternative accommodations available in the area.
Given the limited parking at the château and to encourage safe celebrations, we will provide scheduled bus transportation for the events on Friday and Saturday. The bus schedule will pick up and drop off at Castel d’Alti. If you are staying at an Airbnb or other accommodation, please reach out to us directly to determine if the bus is able to service your location.
For Sunday brunch, parking will be available in a lot at the local church, located just outside the château grounds.
Here are some of the apps that we would recommend:
Our #1 travel rule: as long as you have your passport and credit card, everything else you pack makes the trip less expensive - so don’t stress too much on preparation!
Any time you travel to another country, it’s a good idea to obtain travel medical insurance. There are plenty of options available and it is worthwhile checking with your current insurance plan about travel benefits. One option we recommend is GeoBlue, which is part of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association and can cover you for as little as $3 per day while you are abroad.
We’re excited to have you spend a few days with us in Siradan, but it’s a long journey and we would highly encourage you to either arrive before the wedding or extend your trip afterward to explore some of the other fantastic destinations in the vicinity. Here are some of our favorites: