Domaine des Étangs is a majestic 2,500-acre estate in southwestern France that feels like an enchanted nature kingdom. At its heart stands a renovated 13th-century château surrounded by seven glittering lakes, woodlands, and meadows where Limousin cows graze freely. Despite its grandeur (it was ranked the #1 hotel in France in 2023), Domaine des Étangs is deeply grounded in sustainability and balance with nature. The estate operates as a largely self-sufficient domain: a 2,500 m² organic vegetable garden supplies the Michelin-starred restaurant, Dyades, with ultra-fresh produce. The property also maintains its own free-range cattle farm, yielding organic beef and dairy for the kitchen. In line with its farm-to-table philosophy, most ingredients on your plate come from within just a few miles – even the honey, eggs, and herbal teas are estate-produced. Energy needs are met thoughtfully: the château and outbuildings are heated by a modern wood-chip biomass system and powered by 100% renewable electricity. At night, the estate’s many stone structures are illuminated by efficient LED lighting and managed to minimize light pollution (allowing for spectacular stargazing on clear nights). Water from the lakes is used for irrigation, and waste water is naturally treated on-site. Conservation is a cornerstone of the ethos here. Sustainable forest management (PEFC-certified) governs the woodlands, ensuring biodiversity is protected while supplying renewable wood resources. The Domaine even partnered with France’s National Museum of Natural History and OPIE (an insect conservation group) to catalog and protect the myriad species of dragonflies and other fauna in its wetlands. Walking the grounds, you might spot herons by the lake or deer in the woods – it’s a wildlife haven. Accommodations span the medieval castle rooms, artfully converted farm cottages, and suites in a converted longère farmhouse – all elegantly melding modern design with historic architecture. Interiors feature local materials and artisan craftsmanship, from Limoges porcelain lamps to restored oak beams. The estate doubles as an open-air art gallery, showcasing a world-class contemporary art collection across its gardens and halls. Well-being is also paramount: there’s a serene spa in an old water mill, offering seasonal treatments using natural products, plus both an indoor Roman baths-inspired pool and a lakeside outdoor pool. Activities revolve around nature – boating or paddleboarding on the lakes, fishing, horseback riding through the woods, or cycling along trails. Domaine des Étangs exemplifies “luxury done sustainably”: it limited single-use plastics and rigorously recycles/composts waste, proving that a high-end resort can leave a gentle footprint. Guests leave not only enchanted by castle life, but inspired by this living model of ecological harmony and French art de vivre.