A tasting and stay at Chateau de Pennautier in Carcassonne

Deep down in the south of France exists the world’s largest wine growing region, Languedoc-Roussillon, a wonderfully blessed area that benefits from fine weather, coastal breezes and foothills of the Pyrenees. One of the most famous towns of Languedoc-Roussillon is Carcassonne, a fortified city that is located in the department of Aude (11), its world famous hilltop La Cité holds a UNESCO title and attracts healthy global tourism figures and especially for the fireworks displays for July 14th (Bastille Day).

Located just three miles outside of Carcassonne is wine tourism gem in Chateau de Pennautier. A historic seventeenth century building that offers a unique accommodation solution for the chance to live within a chateau as if it were your very own.

“A fine selection of their very own wines, glorious food prepared just a couple of minutes walk away and a chateau with overnight stay rooms fit for a king, quite literally!” – This is how I would sum up the Chateau de Pennautier experience that awaits you.

Just a few minutes away from the chateau itself you can take a relaxing stroll over to the restaurant and boutique where you can taste through the range of Chateau de Pennautier and then step over to the ‘Table de Chateau’ to enjoy a fine food and wine dining experience. A few more steps then takes you over to the winery where you can embrace the winemaking operations of the Chateau de Pennautier from workshops and marked trails through the vineyards.

I have stayed at many hotels and within fine manor homes and chateaus, though these stays have always been memorable, you never get to feel that you are in fact part of the place you are staying at – you simply check in, get shown your room and then close your room door locking out the character of the building that is usually mostly no go zones. This was different at Chateau de Pennautier where current owners Nicolas and Miren de Lorgeril want to take you into their family so you can enjoy the full experience of living in a chateau rather than simply staying at a chateau…

The room I stayed in overlooking the gardens.

The history of the chateau dates back to 1620 and remains in the original family ownership. Its calm and tranquil location offers an alluring draw as you drive through the gated entrance, the impressive building awaits you to enter and once shown your room, the chance to explore.

Here is trust and respect from the owners in opening their home to their guests, a unique opportunity to anyone to embrace a lifestyle that for many is but a dream. It’s almost original character throughout allows you to explore what living in a chateau was really like from your own more or less segregated living area apartments you are assigned to the ability to view where once the King of France (Louis XIII) stayed to include all the original furniture he used which was gifted to Chateau de Pennautier. The gardens are welcoming and allow for a wonderful early morning walk before breakfast where I was joined by both Nicolas and Miren on the day that I stayed.