The Setting: Domaine Fondugues-Pradugues, Ramatuelle
🇬🇧 English version
Early April marked the start of my 2022 wedding season.
Thanks to the first couple of the year, I discovered a beautiful little vineyard I had driven past countless times without noticing…
Domaine "Fondugues-Pradugues" estate, located on the road to the beaches in Ramatuelle.
It’s a wine estate whose owners live on-site and embrace a holistic approach to farming, harvesting, and winemaking.
No pesticides, no herbicides, no allergens — just letting nature do its work. Isn’t that beautiful?
A unique twist
Let me tell you about the magic of this wedding…
For the first time in ten years of photography, the best man realized at the town hall, just as the vows were about to be exchanged…
He had forgotten the wedding rings!
Panic turned to smiles as the couple calmly suggested that the ring exchange would take place later — at the vineyard itself.
The tension lifted, and the civil ceremony ended on a light, joyful note.
As a photographer, I started wondering:
“How will this happen? Where exactly? Is the setting good enough?”
Arrival at the Vineyard
After the group photo at the town hall, the procession headed toward the coast.
Just outside Ramatuelle, we turned onto 7677 Route des Plages and entered a sun-drenched pine forest through a beautiful wooden gate marked “Fondugues-Pradugues.”
What I discovered was breathtaking:
A stunning entrance, golden light through parasol pines, and a space full of refined, thoughtful details — flowers on a large wooden table, a discreet bar, views like a painting, a cozy fireplace room for the children to play, and even a statue of Saint Torpes, the protector of sailors and patron saint of Saint-Tropez.
At the back: the pop-up summer kitchen, where guests can book seasonal menus with vineyard views or picnic among the vines while sampling the estate’s three organic wines. (The chef’s menu changes daily based on the market.)
A dream wedding venue
No doubt: this is one of the most beautiful and intimate estates in the region, and I fully support its philosophy.
The people are just as warm as the place itself.
We were greeted by Léa, a true Tropézienne and ambassador of local traditions. She welcomed us, and when I suggested doing the ring exchange among the vines, she loved the idea.
She even offered to take us on a golf cart ride through the property for the couple’s photo session and introduced us to Byzance, the estate’s magnificent Percheron horse, who works the land naturally and with great care since 2016.
Finally, Léa took us to the estate’s symbolic pine tree, the same one featured on their glasses and wine bottles — a perfect, meaningful backdrop.
A moment of emotion
Let me introduce you to the couple…
Kyra, a stunning Brazilian beauty and new mom — the bride.
And Vincent, Clément’s brother — the best man who forgot the rings… and became the surprise officiant.
Clément, a chef, young dad — the groom.
Vincent couldn’t hold back his emotions.
He delivered a deeply touching and humorous speech as he helped his little brother exchange vows in the vineyard. Not a dry eye in sight.
A special thank you
A heartfelt thank you to Kyra & Clément, the first newlyweds of my 2022 season — globe-trotters, nature lovers, and beautiful souls — for helping me discover the unforgettable Domaine Fondugues-Pradugues.
We first met during Kyra’s maternity session, and their wedding was pure joy. We already have more projects coming soon...
Because as I like to say: there’s no such thing as coincidence — only meaningful encounters.
I can’t wait to see them again.
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