NOW OPEN: DOMAINE DES ETANGS, AUBERGE COLLECTION REOPENED FOR THE 2026 SEASON | News
Domaine des Etangs, Auberge Collection, reopens today after its annual winter closure. This reopening marks a new chapter for the property, marked by the arrival of general manager Damien Bastiat and chef Valentin Bouilleveaux. The pair have worked carefully behind the scenes to honor the estate’s enduring ethos while shaping a renewed vision – one that celebrates and preserves the singular beauty of this unspoilt corner of south-west France.
Steeped in history and surrounded by natural wilderness, Domaine des Etangs is part of Auberge Collection’s growing European portfolio and consists of eleven rooms and suites in the Château and The Longère, in addition to six independent farm cottages with one to five bedrooms. Located near Massignac in the Charente region of France, set in 1,000 hectares of woodland, lakes and meadows, the estate is reachable within two hours by train from Paris, and the same distance by car from Bordeaux, making it an ideal base from which to explore the natural beauty of the Charente and Limousin regions.
Nationwide pursuits
Damien brings a wealth of pastoral experience and has introduced a range of outdoor nature activities aimed at embracing the richness of the estate. From beekeeping and horse riding to cycling, fishing, guided bird watching, flower arranging and photography workshops; these new experiences invite guests to fully immerse themselves in the estate’s vast natural environment. They complement an existing range of activities – including gardening in the estate’s vegetable garden, spa and wellbeing in the restored mill (Le Moulin), truffle hunting and wine and cognac tastings – all of which reflect Auberge Collection’s ethos of creating deeply immersive, site-specific experiences that celebrate the individuality of each destination.
To further enrich the countryside experience, the property has partnered with renowned shoemaker Le Chameau, offering guests access to a fully stocked shoe room for outdoor walks, in addition to a bespoke experience to be unveiled later this year. The partnership invites guests of all ages to step into nature, explore vast forests and winding paths, pausing along the way to encounter the estate’s rare Limousin cattle and local wildlife. These moments of quiet discovery reflect Auberge’s ethos of the joy of well-being and encourage a deeper sense of connection, contentment and place. Anchored in the estate’s long-standing commitment to sustainability and biodiversity conservation, it is a living sanctuary – an ideal setting for immersive exploration of the diverse flora, fauna and wildlife that have long called the preserve home.
Embracing the estate
Meanwhile, Chef Valentin also tries to embrace the bounty of the outdoors in his epicurean approach. His cooking will reflect the spirit of the estate – seasonal, local and closely linked to the landscape – while maintaining the Michelin-starred standards at Dyades and Monade offering more relaxed, family-style sharing options.
At the heart of his approach is a plant-led philosophy, where vegetables take center stage and meat, poultry and freshwater fish complement rather than dominate each dish. This connection to the land is strengthened through hyper-local sourcing, with ingredients sourced from the estate’s vegetable garden, ponds and nearby farms; soon even cattle raised on the estate will be on the menu. Guests can also enjoy private tastings, culinary workshops and tailor-made dining experiences.
This new vision ushers the estate into a refined era of luxury farm hospitality, deepening its long-term commitment to stewardship as it moves closer to becoming a micro-self-sustaining ecosystem.
Finally, Damien Bastiat, General Manager of Domaine Des Etangs, Auberge Collection, said: “It is an honor to join Domaine des Etangs at such a meaningful time as we reopen our doors and welcome guests to this extraordinary estate. Together with the team, we strive to maintain the authenticity and spirit of the property, while introducing new thoughtful touches and experiences that take every stay to the next level.”
