Resort
A place to find balance through art, nature and the time-honored traditions of French country living, Domaine des Etangs is a magnificent stone château set on 2,500 forested and lakeside acres. Built more than 700 years ago by the knights of Chasteignier de la Roche-Posay, this storybook castle is an idyllic retreat steeped in serenity and devoted to l’art de vivre past and present.
Location
Resting amid the tranquil ponds that gave it its name, Domaine des Etangs and its picturesque farmhouse cottages overlook rolling hills and verdant meadows in the charming town of Massignac, France. Just three hours by TGV train from Paris Montparnasse, two hours from Bordeaux and served by the neighboring Limoges airport, tranquil days spent at Domaine allow for convenient exploration of the stunning countryside near the storied Cognac and St Emilion and Pomerol regions of Bordeaux.
- From Paris | Train from Paris Montparnasse to Angouleme (2hrs + 45min drive to the Domaine), Flight ORY to Limoges (1hr 10min + 50min drive to the Domaine), Driving (5hrs)
- From Bordeaux | Driving (2hrs), Train to Angouleme (30min + 45min drive to the Domaine)
- From London | Flight London Stansted to Limoge (1hr + 45min drive to the Domaine)
Accommodations
Immersed in the unspoiled countryside, six Metairie Cottages dot the property, offering coveted space and privacy. In addition, The Longère – or ‘long house – is home to four two-story suites, each decorated to reflect the seasons. Inside the main Chateau, seven more rooms and suites are at once a luxurious residence and impressive stage for art – from photographic compositions to Hermes chairs and suitcases stacked as drawers by Belgian designer Maarten de Ceulaer.
- The Longère | 4 Suites
- Le Château | 7 Suites and Rooms
- The Matairie Cottages | Dragon (5 Rooms), Pégase (5 Rooms), Serpentaire (3 Rooms), Cassiopée (2 Rooms), Centaure (2 Rooms), Licome (1 Room)
Dining
Few can claim as authentic and fleeting a farm-to-table journey as Domaine des Etangs. The freshest seasonal produce is handpicked daily in the estate’s spiral-shaped organic garden, then prepared to perfection in the château’s kitchens.
- Dyades is the estate’s main restaurant, which opens onto a terrace with picture-postcard views, but meals can be relished wherever you choose.
- Savor a picnic in a peaceful glade, a poolside barbecue, breakfast in Monade, the château’s private dining room or dine in your farmhouse cottage with the Domain’s bistro-style private chef service.
Wellness
Housed within a centuries-old mill, Le Moulin is the estate’s dedicated wellness center: a rustic waterside space in harmony with nature and the terroir. Here, where the curative powers of the Earth are harnessed, a rich sense of history encourages reconnection with the very foundations of life. A range of experiences – from horse-riding to thermal baths and walks with forest wardens – encourage healing time in nature.
Experiences
Outside the castle walls, the diverse expanse of Domaine des Etangs offers boundless opportunities to seamlessly connect with nature.
- Art and Nature trails through 2,500 acres of protected nature
- Guided tour of La Laiterie and Vegetable Gardens
- Mushroom Foraging
- Angling
- Biking
- Row Boating on the Ponds
- Vintage Car Tours through the French Countryside
- Day Trip through Cognac
- Horseback Excursions
- Golf de la Prèze
Art
From the curation of onsite gallery La Laiterie and its world-class yearly exhibitions to an abundance of hand-selected works throughout the hotel, The Past and the Future Libraries and living gallery grounds throughout the sprawling resort, art in its various forms represent a stimulus for curiosity and discovery.
- Art and Nature trails through 2,500 acres of protected nature
Meetings & Events
Domaine des Etangs extends over 1000 hectares of preserved nature, divided between forests, pastures and ponds with 29 rooms distributed between Le Château, the Longère and the Farm Cottages.
- The Gardens of the Castle – A garden space for ceremonies and cocktail celebrations | Capacity 90 guests
- The Chapel – An intimate, historic lakeside chapel | Capacity 5 guests
- The Terrace of la Laiterie – An open aire terrace for cocktails and meals | Capacity 90 guests
- Octave – A thick stone-walled 200 sq m former barn and lawn provides exceptional space for celebrations, gatherings and meetings | Capacity 90 guests (not available July and August)
- Dragon Barn – Preserved in its most natural spirit and open to the outside, the Dragon Barn invites you to share convivial moments around country meals | Capacity 50 guests seated
- The Monade Room – In the Castle, the elegant and warm private dining room invites you to dine amongst friends or host meetings in a wood beamed space | Capacity 20 seated guests
Amenities
- The Moulin des Etangs Spa with indoor pool, steam baths and a frigidarium
- A nature-inspired restaurant
- Fitness Room
- 2,500 sq meters of vegetable gardens
- Castle Library
- The Attic Game Room
- Children's Outdoor Play Area
- Floating Tennis Court
- Outdoor Pool
- La Laiterie Art Exhibition Space