13th C Fortified Village

Giving you the unique chance to hire your very own village, this enchanting fortified hill top estate dates back to the XIIIth Century. With its hilltop vantage point offering stunning views of the Gascony landscape, often known as the “Tuscany of France”, the Castel boasts 12 delightful houses with space for between 2 and 9 people, a chapel of its own and private gardens. Just before the village walls, amongst a handful of pine trees lies an alluring private pool and nearby a tennis court for those with more energy. The village also has an enormous and restored stable block with an 180sqm reception room, making it perfect for functions.

As you enter the village you will notice only the sounds of the bees in the blossom, birds singing in the fruit trees and occasionally the sound of church bells, evoking the feeling of stepping back in time. The individual houses have been tastefully decorated and furnished with antiques and fabrics from the original era, so much so that they have provoked articles in Vogue, ELLE Décor and Conde Nast Traveller, amongst other publications.

Rental rates
- Full village: 12 houses for 60-80 guests; 24,000 Euros (season dependent) for 2 nights privatisation and the use of the Banquet room included. Privatisation fee included.
- Half village: 6 houses for up to 35 guests; 13,500 Euros (season dependent) for 2 nights privatisation and the use of the Banquet room included. Privatisation fee included.

Initially in ruins, over the last 25 years the village has been meticulously restored by the French owner and architect, brick by brick, to its former glory. In 2001 the project was awarded the prestigious restoration award by the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS), presented by the Prince of Wales.

The majority of the houses have fully furnished kitchens, mature gardens bursting with fruit trees and herbs and views of the picturesque Gascon scenery. There are no TVs, telephones or cars inside the
village walls. Together, the houses provide the perfect accommodation for large groups, whilst affording everyone an element of privacy and magic. There are 22 double rooms (12 suites), 3 twin rooms, 5 single rooms and 4 triples plus 5 cots. Sofa beds and camp beds are available if more space is needed. The village also includes 15 gardens, 9 sitting rooms and 1 library.

The different houses are arranged as follows. Renard: one suite (bedroom with queen size bed, bathroom and sitting room, fireplace and garden). Cadeilhan: one suite (bedroom, bathroom, sitting room) plus one bed room and bathroom. Cadéot: one large bedroom (with king size bed), one bedroom (with queen size bed). Covered terrace, two bathrooms with showers, sitting room with fireplace, kitchen and dining room. Antonin: one suite (with king size bed), one bedroom (with queen size bed), one mezzanine equipped with 5 single beds for children, three bathrooms, sitting room with fireplace, kitchen, large dining room with fire place, garden planted with cherry, figs, plum trees and roses. Bartherote: one bedroom (with queen size bed), one bedroom (with 3 single beds), two bathrooms, sitting room (Napoleon III) with fireplace, kitchen and garden. Filliat: two bedrooms, one bathroom, one shower room, sitting room with fireplace, garden and terrace. Chevrier: two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Tilladet: built on the inside of the walls. Four bedrooms, alcoves, chimneys, bathroom, shower room, small kitchen, dining room with fire place and garden. Cassagnet: one suite, three bedrooms, three bathrooms, sitting room with fireplace, kitchen, dining room with fireplace and garden. Preissac: master suite, two bedrooms, three bathrooms, sitting room with fireplace, kitchen and garden. Pujol: one suite, one bedroom, two bathrooms, sitting room with fireplace, kitchen and garden. Dastros: one suite, one bathroom, sitting room with fireplace, kitchen and garden. Le Cercle: two bedrooms, two bathrooms, sitting room with fireplace, kitchen and garden.

Set amongst limestone walls, but not enclosed, there is no through road in the village so guests are able to walk the cobbled streets undisturbed. The houses each have their own private gardens with furniture and BBQ equipment and there are also a number of large communal areas to eat, play or sit in. Beneath the village walls, the outdoor pool is surrounded by wooden decking and although not fenced it has a regulation safety cover. Just outside the entrance to the property there is also a tennis court. Parking is available just outside the walls.

*Please note, locations shown on the maps are approximations only

The nearest airport is Toulouse 100km away and trains are available from Agen 35km away. Other airports to be found in Bordeaux, Pau, Tarbes and Agen.

This picturesque department is regularly referred to as the “Tuscany of France” because of its gorgeous undulating hills and fairytale citadels. Here you are in the heart of foie gras and Armagnac country, with magnificent chateaux to visit, traditional local markets held most days of the week and some of the finest examples of medieval castelnaus that you will find anywhere in France.

Lectoure is the nearest town (5km away) and boasts a superb natural thermal spring. Visitors can relax in the spa steam rooms, sauna and pools. Nearby La Romieu is a UNESCO world heritage site which offers the perfect surroundings for a walk and picnic, which we can provide.

Golf courses, riding and cycling are all available in the local area and for those who prefer something special, champagne balloon rides can be arranged. Just minutes away is Condom, with excellent restaurants and the cultural hotspot of Toulouse is but an hour away. Organised tours, wine tasting, stargazing and cooking lessons can all be organised by us, as can most experiences, thanks to our local knowledge and the excellent relationships we have built up over time.

Breakfast can be provided on site by the managers for €15 per person on request in any of the houses. Lunches & dinners can easily be provided for guests using local organic produce from local caterers. For special meals, weddings and large events, Fabrice Biasolo, a locally renowned chef - with a Michelin star - is available.

Coordination of workshops, courses, tours, lectures and transport is all available in house and a bilingual wedding planner is also affiliated to the property for special events.

Daily maid service is available for €25 per hour (we provide weekly service in the cost).

To hire the whole stronghold exclusively for parties, weddings or large gatherings you will have at your disposal the Castel’s Church, the historic stable block and 13 houses for you and your guests. The houses contain: 10 drawing rooms, 7 dining rooms, 22 bedrooms with queen or king size beds, 11 bedrooms with 23 single beds, 28 bathrooms & 15 gardens.

As you will see on the website each house is unique with a slightly different character and decor. The Monumental stable block has been painstakingly restored and turned into a beautiful vaulted hall of 180m² which comfortably takes 150 seated diners and opens onto a grassy terrace with stunning views which can take a further 200 people. There is a commercially equipped kitchen adjoining the hall, perfect for all catering that you may need.

If you have a more than 80 people you wish to accommodate over night at the Castel we can help rent you chambre d’hotes or gites in the surrounding area, there are also Hotels in Lectoure, Marsolan and Condom. Prices range from €80 - €250.  The price of the Castel is only for accommodation and the use of the stables, all the others services i.e. catering, music, and marquee’s are billed directly to you by the contractors you choose.  We can organize a variety of services for you, catering, flowers, menu’s, order of service on the Castel’s headed stationary, fireworks, picnics, guided tours of the area etc or provide you with the name of a fully bilingual wedding planner. One of the caterers we usually use for big events is Michelin starred chef, Fabrice Biasolo. He speaks very good English.

The Castel does not take any commission on any of the ancillary services we recommend. We do charge a fee if you want us to organize the event rather than just give you our recommended contractors.

- Security deposit: €500. This is paid prior to arrival and will be refunded in full after departure subject to damage inspection.
- Linen & towels: All linen and bath towels are included in the rental price plus a welcome set of toiletries.
- Energy costs: Included in the summer. Heating and fire wood surcharge of 10% from 1st October - 31st March.                  
- End of stay cleaning: Included. Please leave the property in the state that you found it.
- Arrival time: 4pm onwards.
- Departure time: 11am.
- Pets: No.
- Smoking: No smoking in the property.
- It is recommended that all guests take out insurance to cover against potential cancellation and any accidental damage caused during your stay at the property.

Our wedding was, simply, more than we ever hoped for. We got everything we wanted from our venue and we got it all to ourselves – our guests loved the fact that nobody locked their front doors – the kids ran freely and the adults explored every nook and cranny of the character-filled houses and streets. It was impossible not to feel relaxed. All the logistics of the wedding took place seamlessly, with amazingly efficient service providers and a complete lack of hassle. It was super important to us that we found somewhere which provided a lot of support, but was still flexible enough that we could tailor our time there exactly the way we wanted it. Several of our guests stated that it was the best wedding they had ever been to (and we believed them!) We can't recommend it enough, and only wish that we could do it all again.

Kym and Funsho

The village is a breathtakingly beautiful location for a wedding. The views are spectacular and the entire village has an effortless grace and class that complimented the romantic mood we were hoping to create. We were also able to design the wedding we wanted in terms of decorations and timings, even down to the details of how the room was decorated. We had an unforgettable week leading up to the wedding, a perfect ceremony and a spectacular dinner and party. We had guests from all over the world who were universally complimentary about the natural beauty of the place. One of the guests gave us a hydrangea plant which has since been planted on the grounds, and we look forward to visiting it to see it grow.

Nick & Michelle