2024 Weddings + Honeymoons: Domaine des Etang is a 13th-century Castle Fairytale

Conceived as a magical place to reconnect and find balance through a harmony of art, nature and the flavors of Southwestern France, Domaine Des Etangs, Auberge Resorts Collection is as much a natural discovery as it is a romantic retreat.

Just three hours from Paris, the 13th-century castle’s grounds cover 2,500 acres of preserved nature, spread between forests, green meadows, gardens, and lakes, allowing couples to feel as if they’ve stepped into a real-life fairytale. The chateau previously served as the Primat family’s private holiday estate for many years and was recently immaculately restored into a uniquely French luxury hotel and art de vivre retreat for discerning travelers from around the world. The juxtapositions are fascinating at every turn, including a world-class art gallery in an old dairy barn, a wellness space that is built around the original works of the old mill building it inhabits, a thermal baths pool house, a floating tennis court, and charming chateau and cottage accommodations each with its own story.

Weddings will transport guests through hyper-local food, the world’s best wines and Cognacs in an enchanting setting for a truly authentic experience. Various venues include:

• Place de la Chapelle: The lakefront garden sets the stage for everything from convivial lunches, to cocktails amongst the open-air sculptures surrounding the lawns, to intimate dinners where the stars create their own nightly natural magic show.
• Castle Gardens: Tucked in the castle’s courtyard, the Gardens offer a lovely backdrop for breakfast spreads, afternoon tea in the open air and sunset cocktail parties.
• Octave: Set in a stone barn with thick stone walls, Octave’s acoustics are excellent for live music and DJ-driven receptions. An adjacent lawn is surrounded by orchard fruit trees and vineyard vines, making it an excellent space for indoor-outdoor gatherings.
• The Dragon Barn: Preserved in its most natural state, the former barn still shows the inner workings of its original history as a cowshed. Large doors open up to stone walls and towering wood-beamed ceilings with skylights to let natural light flood into the space.
• Dyades: One of the few fine dining restaurants in the region, Dyades is the property’s keystone culinary establishment. The 40-seat, indoor & outdoor restaurant features refined French cuisine in an array of colorful dishes marked by local and seasonal ingredients, especially those harvested from its certified organic farm.

With 29 bedrooms total between the various accommodation types, intimate wedding parties can easily enjoy total buyouts of the property while honeymooners will enjoy the romance and privacy of the standalone Métairie Cottages.