THE STORY: Christèle Ageorges and her husband Hubert Delance were peacefully hiking along the Camino de Santiago when they stumbled upon this 18th-century royal tannery which was converted into a retirement home in the 1960s, and then abandoned for over 30 years. So they said adios to their Parisian lives as a stylist and home decor journalist, and headed to the Gers to take over this dreamy spot! After a major makeover, their Manufacture Royale can be found standing tall in the center of Lectoure, boasting five bedrooms done up with linen and velvet, plus lemon verbena and terra cotta tones, and just as many stylish bathrooms – some of which come with clawfoot bathtubs; along with a pilgrim’s gîte dressed entirely in white tones and split into monastic cells of two, three or four beds; a wing of the house that you can rent out in its entirety, with a pond and private garden; and reception halls, including an immense 100 m2 space for indulgent parties… All with views of the old town’s light stone ramparts, or, in the distance, the Pyrenees. Royal treatment indeed! Double rooms starting at €280 a night.
TOILETRIES: Organic products made with aloe vera or lemon verbena from Les Laboratoires Mességué, made just a few kilometers away.
BREAKFAST: Included, with tea, coffee, fresh fruit juice, bread, viennoiseries, jams, seasonal fruit salad, yogurt, granola, cake, ham, cheese and eggs, all organic and homemade or locally-sourced.
LITTLE LUXURY: Sip the apéro provided by the house in the charming garden.
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