Castigno, this small village in the middle of the vineyards of Saint-Chinian, in the Hérault, has become a “hotel village” with several houses to stay in, a slew of ultra-gourmet restaurants and plenty of walks to do. A unique concept in France for a romantic getaway, with family or friends. We make you discover the best kept secret in all of Occitania!
Officially, this small village in Haut Languedoc is called Assignan. But, in the region, everyone knows him as the Village Castignofrom the name of the wine estate which surrounds it and which belongs to a Belgian couple ” fell in love » with this small corner of preserved nature. Marc and Tine Verstraete were looking all over the world for a vineyard to buy to start a second life after having made their fortune. in the business “. By discovering these somewhat forgotten vines of the AOC Saint-Chinian, they understood that their paradise was here, and decided to put their suitcases there.
Their initial project was just to cultivate the vines and make good wine. They created the Château Castigno wine estate, in organic farming, with the greatest respect for this preserved nature. In time to restore the ruined building that sits in the middle of their land, they buy a small house to live in in the village of Assignan, which has many closed dwellings, the youngest having left to work “at the city ”. Over the years, the couple bought a house here and there, then another, then another, originally to house their friends. Until this slightly crazy idea of creating a “village hotel” was born, the Village Castigno!
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Village Castigno: around fifty rooms in various village houses
Today, the Village Castigno has about fifty rooms distributed in a string of houses throughout this village which is still inhabited (there are a little more than 160 souls per year). Assignan has even found a real life by becoming a real tourist destination. Let’s be honest, if you are allergic to roses (in all its variations) and fuchsia, run away, because these are the colors adored by Marc and Tine, and all their establishments in Castigno are covered in them! Once your eyes get used to this riot of neat colors, you will truly appreciate this village like no other.
First step of a stay at Village Castigno: choose your accommodation
The most affordable rooms at Village Castigno are those in the House of the grape pickersand the smaller chambers of the House of Friends, the main residence of the estate, where the reception of this unstructured hotel is located. These latter, called Cuvée des Amis » are really very small and are only suitable for a couple with little luggage and who already share a good intimacy, shower and toilet being very close to the bed (which is XXL size, it must be recognized). The decoration is rather traveler, with Asian influences here and there.
In the Maison des Amis, there are larger rooms upstairs called “Cuvée Millésimée”, but we really love the suites which are in other houses in the heart of the village. Suites ” Prince and Princess“, in particular, are super large, duplex, with lots of space, and are really charming. Ideal for a real romantic weekend.
There is also a whole house, the Villa Rouge, which can be rented in its entirety and which has two bedrooms, a kitchen, a garden and a private swimming pool. Perfect for a small family. It was the house in which Marc and Tina lived before their villa in the middle of the vineyards was built.
In short, in terms of accommodation, there is something for all occasions and all budgets from 150 to 300 euros per night.
Restaurant Castignon: from Thai to gastro!
The same is true for the catering offer because, there too, at the Village Castigno, you have the choice between plenty of options! Perhaps the most unusual is Thai, Thai restaurant nestled in an old house in the village. You can’t imagine finding an “exotic” restaurant in the depths of Languedoc. The surprise is therefore significant. Marc and Tine’s love for this country and its gastronomy led them to create this table where you can taste a 100% homemade menu concocted by real Thai cooks. On the very cute square of the village, we also find The Little Tablea gourmet bistro run by a very young 21-year-old chef, who produces delicious dishes to devour under the umbrella-shaped parasols that abound in the village (they are fuchsia, of course!).
La Table Castigno, gourmet restaurant in Assignan
Finally, the nugget of the village is The Castigno Tablethe rest 1 Michelin star hosted by chef couple Stépahn Paroche and Justine Viano. In a house transformed into a “grand restaurant”, you can taste very high-end cuisine. Of great finesse and great inventiveness, very vegetal but greedy, playful too, Table is really a very nice gastronomic table. In summer, we dine in the garden. The rest of the time, we take refuge in the large room which overlooks a magnificent fully open kitchen. We must forget the armchairs (still fuchsia, stop!) which are pretty but rarely endured discomfort, the only false note of this restaurant, and concentrate on the magnificent plates and the very original pairings proposed by the sommelier to savor a very beautiful cuisine that probably deserves more than a single Michelin star (but that will come…).
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Château Castignon: organic vines with a cellar in the shape of… a bottle of wine!
To sleep and eat at Village Castigno, you will have understood that you are spoiled for choice. But for activities, especially in season, in spring and summer, you won’t run out of ideas either. Already, there is this cute little village ofAssignan where musical entertainment and craft markets are regularly organized. A bakery and a potter have also been set up at the instigation of the creators of this very special hotel village. It is very pleasant to walk around Assignan…
You can also enjoy the two swimming pools of the Maison des Amis. Borrow a bike to explore the countryside. And, above all, you have to visit the vineyards of Château Castigno, which has become one of the finest references inAOC Saint Chinian. The 30 hectares of vines, some very old and still worked by hand and with horses, preserve the environment since they are 100% organic. In the middle rises an incredible cellar covered with a cork skin and which has the shape of a giant bottle of wine! The visit to the Château Castigno wine estate is highly instructive and original. And we leave with some beautiful bottles. Those screen-printed with a large winged heart (pink and… fuchsia yes!) are super cute!
In short, Village Castigno is really a destination in itself in Occitania, for those who wish to spend some time surrounded by nature but with a very varied and complete leisure and catering offer. A way of reviving a small village destined to disappear in the long term, which we can only salute. And for those who have a very large family or many friends, know that it is possible to privatize all the accommodation in the village, i.e. 24 rooms that can accommodate 50 people. The Castigno teams can, in addition, take care of preparing meals for you in the vineyards and all kinds of entertainment. Can you imagine the wedding or the XXL cousinade?
For more information on the Castigno Village: Click here
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2023-05-23 17:04:23
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