Domaine des Étangs is a majestic 2,500-acre eco-estate in southwestern France, where luxury and sustainability coexist in harmony. At its heart stands a restored 13th-century château, encircled by seven sparkling lakes, wildflower meadows, and ancient forests where Limousin cows graze freely. Though ranked the #1 hotel in France in 2023, the Domaine remains firmly rooted in its mission to live in balance with nature.

Organic Farming & Self-Sufficiency

The estate operates as a largely self-sufficient domain. A 2,500 m² organic vegetable garden provides ultra-fresh produce for the Michelin-starred restaurant Dyades, while free-range cattle supply organic beef and dairy. Honey, eggs, and herbal teas are also produced on-site, ensuring that most ingredients come from within just a few miles of the table. This farm-to-table philosophy defines the Domaine’s culinary identity and reduces its environmental footprint.

Renewable Energy & Water Stewardship

The château and outbuildings are heated by a wood-chip biomass system, while all electricity comes from 100% renewable sources. Efficient LED lighting minimizes energy use, and outdoor lighting is carefully managed to reduce light pollution — giving guests the chance to stargaze under pristine night skies.

Water from the estate’s lakes irrigates the gardens, and all wastewater is treated naturally on-site, completing a sustainable cycle of resource management.

Conservation & Biodiversity

Conservation is central to the Domaine’s ethos. Forests are managed under PEFC certification, ensuring biodiversity is protected while renewable wood resources are responsibly harvested. The estate has also partnered with France’s National Museum of Natural History and OPIE (the French Insect Observatory) to catalog and safeguard dragonflies and other species inhabiting its wetlands.

Walking the grounds, guests may encounter herons by the lakes, deer among the trees, or dragonflies darting through reeds — a testament to the Domaine’s role as a wildlife sanctuary.

Historic Charm & Modern Elegance

Accommodations blend heritage and contemporary design. Guests can stay in château suites, converted farm cottages, or a renovated longère farmhouse, all decorated with local craftsmanship and natural materials. Interiors showcase Limoges porcelain, restored oak beams, and artisan finishes, while the estate itself doubles as an open-air contemporary art gallery, with works displayed across gardens and château halls.

Spa & Nature-Based Activities

Well-being is woven into the guest experience. A serene spa, housed in a former water mill, offers seasonal treatments made from natural ingredients. Guests can enjoy both an indoor Roman-style pool and a tranquil outdoor lakeside pool.

Activities celebrate the outdoors: boating and paddleboarding on the lakes, horseback riding through forests, fishing, cycling, or simply wandering the art-filled grounds. Each experience underscores the Domaine’s mission to reconnect guests with nature.

Luxury Done Sustainably

With its organic farming, renewable energy systems, conservation programs, and limited use of single-use plastics, Domaine des Étangs demonstrates that luxury can leave a gentle footprint. Guests depart enchanted by castle life and inspired by this rare model of ecological harmony and French art de vivre.