Explore the 13th-Century Château Reopening as Auberge Resort on 2,500 Acres in France

Auberge Resorts Collection just announced it’s expanding its European presence with the historic Domaine des Etangs castle, which the company will begin managing in April. The property — a picture-perfect 13th-century château on 2,500 acres of spectacular natural landscapes — embraces local culture and history while offering a modern take on the French art de vivre.

1. Expansion of Auberge Resorts Collection

Previously owned by French industrialist Didier Primat, Domaine des Etangs served as the Primat family’s private countryside escape in southwest France’s notoriously picturesque Charente region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Primat, who was an avid outdoor enthusiast, remodeled the property to reflect his love for nature and the region’s rich heritage in luxury crafts. Today, this estate boasts private accommodations, a Michelin-starred restaurant, a wellness center, and an art gallery, blending centuries-old history with modern French design and style.

2. Property Details

For guests craving privacy and unspoiled countryside vistas, Domaine des Etangs offers six farmhouse cottages spread throughout the estate, featuring exposed stone walls, fireplaces, and soaking bathtubs. Four multi-story suites located at The Longère — or long house — present sophisticated interiors inspired by the seasons. Moreover, in the château, seven rooms outfitted with Hermès furnishings and world-class art juxtapose contemporary style with a centuries-old setting.

Art takes center stage on the property. With an on-site gallery housed in an old dairy barn, alongside numerous paintings and decorative objects displayed both inside and out, Domaine des Etangs feels like a creative hub.

3. Fine Dining Experience

Dyades, the property’s fine-dining spot, serves edible art. The 40-seat dining room, located in the château’s former stables, seamlessly spills outside onto the patio and serves patrons elegant French dishes, prepared with the freshest seasonal ingredients from the kitchen garden. Guests can enjoy hand-crafted cocktails in one of the castle’s three elegant salons, the library, or the garden.

4. Wellness and Relaxation

A former millhouse is the setting for the estate’s tranquil spa, where guests — including young ones — can relax with a body treatment or a facial. Consequently, the château’s basement has been reimagined as a pool house with thermal baths and a frigidarium.

5. Company Statement

“As we continue our focused expansion in Europe, we are thrilled to add this magnificent and historic property to Auberge Resorts Collection’s portfolio of one-of-a-kind hotels,” stated Dan Friedkin, chairman of Auberge Resorts Collection, during a press release sent to iBestTravel. “We are honored that Garance Primat has entrusted us to manage another one of her family’s properties that, like Primland in the Blue Ridge Mountains, is devoted to helping travelers forge a unique and authentic connection with its locale.”

Domaine des Etangs marks the second European property in Auberge Resorts Collection’s portfolio. It joins another stunning property — Santorini’s Grace Hotel, Auberge Resorts Collection. A third property, Collegio alla Querce, Auberge Resorts Collection, featuring 82 rooms, is set to open in Florence in early 2024.