Domaine de Castillou
The former summer residence of the Bishops of Alet-les-Bains:
a medieval manor of over 1,000 m², with its tower,
chapel and park…
set in a 120-hectare valley.
A place steeped in history, far from all disturbance
South of Carcassonne, close to the Pyrenees, in the heart of Cathar Country, Castillou is an enchanting place, rich in history, in an exceptional natural setting.
Our valley of more than 120 hectares lies at the end of the road, secluded and peaceful. An invitation to breathe, relax and unwind, surrounded by forests, olive groves and aromatic herbs. Hiking trails and magnificent mountain views.
Part of our work is dedicated to growing organic olives and aromatic plants, with our own olive mill and distillery. We also have an on-site brewery and an Ayurvedic massage practice.
A certified LPO bird sanctuary, the Estate is home to wild fauna and flora that we are committed to protecting.
- Manor
- Over 1,000 m², tower and chapel
- Valley
- 120 hectares at the end of the road
- Crops
- Organic olives and aromatic plants
- On site
- Olive mill, distillery, brewery
- Nature
- LPO bird sanctuary
A unique estate for your events
Castillou is also an exceptional venue for your most precious occasions. Weddings and ceremonies, birthdays and family gatherings, corporate seminars and retreats, wellbeing workshops, concerts and performances — every event finds its natural setting and unique atmosphere here.
We offer a complete turnkey service: decoration, entertainment, lighting, floral arrangements, furniture, catering and drinks — everything is planned and coordinated so you can fully enjoy your day without a single worry. We work with local artisans and producers, favour short supply chains and ensure the quality and authenticity of every service.
Our spaces adapt to every configuration: the Central Courtyard, the Park, the Meadow, the 120 m² Reception Hall and our 320 m² Silhouette Tent can host up to 250 guests in an unforgettable, rustic-chic setting.
Activities
Castillou is above all a place to disconnect — here, time stands still and you rediscover the pleasure of living differently.
On the Estate
Explore the Estate on foot along its trails and endless landscapes, try fly fishing or traditional archery on our open-air course. Discover our aromatic plant distillery, our olive grove and our craft brewery, and take the flavours of the Estate home with you. We also raise awareness of today's and tomorrow's environmental challenges.
Take care of yourself with our Ayurvedic, essential oil or hot stone massages. You can also join our cooking classes or try your hand at stone carving.
At Castillou, screens switch off and stress melts away — making room for games, laughter and real connection: board games, cards, chess, poker, billiards, table football, table tennis, swimming pool… And for the little ones: tree huts, a trampoline and a zip line.
In the surrounding area
Rivers and lakes for swimming, canyoning, rafting, mountain biking and e-bike trails, hikes in the Cathar highlands — the surrounding nature offers adventures for every level.
The Estate is ideally located for exploring some of the most captivating sites in the South of France. Nearby, the Galamus Gorge and its dizzying hermitage carved into the rock will take your breath away. The mysterious village of Rennes-le-Château and its church dedicated to Mary Magdalene, steeped in centuries-old secrets and legends, has fascinated curious minds for generations.
Close by, Rennes-les-Bains and its famous Fontaine des Amours invite you to pause and recharge in a peaceful green setting on the banks of the Sals. The Pic de Bugarach, an iconic and mysterious peak, dominates the horizon.
Further afield, the Cathar castles of Peyrepertuse, Quéribus and Puilaurens bear witness to a tragic and grandiose medieval history. Montségur, the last refuge of the Cathars, imposes a particular silence on all who climb its slopes. And of course, the majestic Cité de Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, completes this exceptional picture.
To discover around Castillou
- Galamus Gorge
- Hermitage carved into the rock
- Rennes-le-Château
- Village and Mary Magdalene church
- Rennes-les-Bains
- Fontaine des Amours, banks of the Sals
- Pic de Bugarach
- Iconic peak
- Cathar castles
- Peyrepertuse, Quéribus, Puilaurens
- Montségur
- Last refuge of the Cathars
- Carcassonne
- Medieval citadel, UNESCO
A land where every stone tells a story.
Nature
What if the greatest luxury were simply to disconnect? Far from pollution, noise and constant demands, Castillou invites you to return to what matters: breathe, slow down, let go.
A preserved green haven
Secluded at the end of the road, with no neighbours in sight and no concrete, Castillou is an unspoilt green haven where nature reigns. No traffic, no neighbours — just the wind in the olive trees, the song of the cicadas, the silence of the forests and our park in the shade of century-old plane trees.
Stroll through our olive groves or climb to the heights of the Estate for a breathtaking view of the Pyrenees. The sunsets are magnificent, and evenings under the stars unforgettable.
Then venture into our forests, where a completely different energy reigns — cool, dense, soothing. A world apart, just a few steps from the manor.
LPO bird sanctuary
The forest, fields, olive grove and wild areas form a living whole, with abundant wild fauna and flora. Castillou is also a certified refuge of the LPO (the French League for the Protection of Birds).
People come here to live alongside nature and its rhythms, for a stay or a retreat. We offer awareness sessions on today's and tomorrow's environmental challenges, and we promote respect for natural cycles and the protection of local biodiversity.
The Gîte
Nestled in the east wing of the manor, the 340 m² Gîte instantly transports you to another time.
A journey through the centuries
Old stone walls, mullioned windows, unexpected nooks and mysterious corridors — at first sight it is a real labyrinth… and that is precisely its charm.
A journey through the centuries, lived-in and welcoming.
Inside
Our rooms are furnished and decorated in an authentic, refined style, with noble and healthy materials. The Gîte sleeps 15 guests (up to 20 with a supplement) across 6 sleeping areas, each with its own colours and cosy corner. A 7th bedroom is available as an option if needed.
The shared spaces invite conviviality: a games room with American pool table, table football and piano, a large dining room with an open fireplace for winter evenings, and the Red Lounge with its bar, tucked away in the tower. 5 shower rooms and 4 toilets complete the whole.
Outside
On the terrace or in the park, life goes on: brazier, garden furniture, orchard, summer swimming pool (16 m × 5 m), table tennis, pétanque and team sports. Private parking on site.
The Gîte at a glance
- Size
- 340 m², east wing of the manor
- Capacity
- 15 guests, up to 20 with a supplement
- Sleeping
- 6 areas, + 1 optional bedroom
- Bathrooms
- 5 shower rooms, 4 toilets
- Living spaces
- Dining room with fireplace, games room, Red Lounge in the tower
- Outdoors
- Terrace, park, orchard, summer pool (16 m × 5 m)
- Access
- Private parking
Weddings
Castillou is a unique natural setting whose emblem is the rose, where every celebration becomes an unforgettable experience.
Nature as the backdrop
Far from large, impersonal venues, here nature itself becomes the décor — alive, sensory, changing with the seasons.
Fairy lights hanging from the branches of century-old plane trees, rough-hewn wooden tables beneath a leafy arbour, wildflowers and natural materials such as linen and jute — at Castillou, every detail draws on the surroundings to create an atmosphere that is both bucolic and elegant.
We take our inspiration from the landscapes around us: an olive grove theme with wild and dried flowers, or a forest theme with wood, ivy and ferns. The aim is always the same: the perfect balance between simplicity, nature and elegance.
A turnkey service
Because a wedding should be prepared in serenity, we take care of every service: entertainment, decoration, lighting, floral arrangements, furniture, catering and drinks.
We favour handcrafted work, short supply chains and local producers — because quality, provenance and authenticity are not negotiable. All you have to do is enjoy your day; we take care of the rest.
The next-day brunch
Why stop at just one day? The next morning, keep the celebration going with a brunch under the plane trees. Fruit juices, breads, sweet treats and local seasonal produce: everyone gathers informally, a little tired but smiling, to replay the night before. Children play in the park, the last guests enjoy the calm of the Estate before heading home. A gentle moment that gives everyone time to savour.
Flexible spaces for every moment
The Central Courtyard, the Park, the Meadow, the Reception Hall (120 m²) and our 320 m² Silhouette Tent can host up to 250 guests and be combined freely to suit your wishes.
Open-air ceremony, drinks reception in the Courtyard, dinner under the stars or reception indoors — each moment of your day finds its ideal space, without ever losing the authenticity of a rustic-chic spirit. And if the weather decides otherwise, an elegant indoor or marquee alternative is always available.
Reception spaces
- Central Courtyard
- Drinks reception, cocktails
- Park
- Ceremony beneath the plane trees
- Meadow
- Wide open-air spaces
- Reception Hall
- 120 m²
- Silhouette Tent
- 320 m²
- Capacity
- Up to 250 guests
Every season has its magic
A warm and intimate atmosphere
Unlike enclosed venues, Castillou's wide open spaces encourage connection and naturally create a warm atmosphere. Guests move around freely, children play without constraint, and conversations spring up around a barrel or along a path. The intimate character of the Estate turns every reception into an authentic and memorable moment.
Light, a precious ally
For couples dreaming of an exceptional photo album, Castillou's natural light is a rare gift. Our partner photographers know it well: here, every shot tells a story.
Through the seasons
The colours of autumn, the vibrant flowers of spring, the radiant days of summer or the white of winter — whatever the time of year, Castillou offers a setting that is always beautiful, always different, always authentic.
Whether you dream of an intimate, romantic wedding or a large festive celebration, Castillou lets you create a unique day.
Full board or half board
Our meals are prepared with organic, local produce, favouring short supply chains. Our cooking is inspired by French and Mediterranean traditions — we love working with colours, herbs and spices. Ayurvedic and vegetarian cuisine available on request.
Companies: come together to move forward
What if your next seminar took place where inspiration truly lives?
At Castillou, far from open-plan offices and video calls, your teams rediscover what is so often missing at work: space, silence and time to think.
The surrounding nature acts as a catalyst. Ideas flow differently when you breathe forest air, have lunch beneath the plane trees and talk around a wood fire in the evening.
Two fully equipped meeting rooms — one of 65 m² opening onto the terrace, the other of 120 m² beneath exposed beams — host your working sessions, collaborative workshops or strategy presentations. On-site accommodation for the whole group fosters team spirit and total immersion.
Between sessions: introduction to archery, tasting of our organic olive oils and beers, a visit to our distillery, a massage room to unwind. Activities designed to strengthen bonds and recharge batteries.
Here, your teams don't just work — they reconnect.
- Terrace room
- 65 m², opening outdoors
- Main room
- 120 m², exposed beams
- Accommodation
- On site for the whole group
- Meals
- Full board or half board
Retreats: slow down, feel, reconnect
Some places have something special about them. Castillou is one of them.
In the heart of the upper Aude valley, secluded from the world without being cut off from it, the Estate offers a rare setting for wellbeing, personal development, yoga, meditation, art or nature-reconnection retreats. No one comes here by chance — people come looking for something: silence, meaning, a fresh breath.
The forest, the olive trees, the trails and the birdsong are an integral part of the programme. The energy of the place can be felt from the very first hours — gentle, deep, restorative.
Indoor and outdoor spaces can be arranged to suit your teaching needs.
Castillou doesn't promise you answers — it gives you the space to find them.
Easy to reach
- Limoux
- 20 min
- Carcassonne
- 40 min
- Narbonne, Perpignan
- 1 h 15
- Toulouse
- 1 h 30
- Montpellier
- 2 h 30
Families: finally, time to truly be together
Some holidays are forgotten; others stay with children for life. Castillou belongs to the second kind.
A warm, large family home, secluded amid generous nature, the Estate is designed so that everyone finds their place: children running, climbing, exploring and inventing adventures — while adults breathe, wander and finally savour the luxury of doing nothing.
Children have a life-sized playground: tree huts, trampoline, zip line, archery, swimming, walks in the olive grove and exploring the forest trails. No screens, no concrete — just nature and imagination.
For large family reunions, birthdays or get-togethers with friends, Castillou hosts 15 people under one roof, and up to 20 with a supplement. In the evening, everyone gathers around the big table, the fireplace or the brazier. And it is there, in these simple moments, that memories are made.
Welcome to Castillou, where time finally finds its true rhythm.
Contact
Stay, wedding, seminar or retreat: tell us about your project and your dates, and we will get back to you with a proposal.
Find us
Domaine de Castillou
11190 Luc-sur-Aude
Aude, Occitanie, France
Email: constance.castillou@gmail.com
We reply within 24 hours.
Getting here
South of Carcassonne, in the upper Aude valley.
- Limoux
- 20 min
- Carcassonne
- 40 min
- Narbonne, Perpignan
- 1 h 15
- Toulouse
- 1 h 30
- Montpellier
- 2 h 30
Contact form
Legal notice
Publisher
Constance Duchamp EI, sole trader (micro-entreprise)
SIRET: 531 480 069 00024
Address: Domaine de Castillou, 11190 Luc-sur-Aude, France
Email: constance.castillou@gmail.com
Publication director: Constance Duchamp
Hosting
Netlify, Inc., San Francisco, California, United States — www.netlify.com
Intellectual property
The texts and photographs on this site belong to the publisher unless otherwise stated. Any reproduction, even partial, is prohibited without prior written permission.
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Information sent through the contact form (name, email, phone, dates, number of guests, message) is used solely to answer your request and prepare your stay or event. It is never sold or passed on to third parties. It is routed to our mailbox by the FormSubmit service and kept for no more than three years after our last exchange.
Under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), you may access, correct or delete your data by writing to constance.castillou@gmail.com. You may also lodge a complaint with the French data protection authority, the CNIL (cnil.fr).
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