GARRIGAE RESORTS was set up in 2000, by Miguel Espada and his wife Cécile Viennet, both natives of the south of France. They had been living in Singapore, where Miguel was an investment banker but chose to return home to France because they were homesick for the Mediterranean way of life.

They returned from their travels to live in the Languedoc region in 2000 where their twin sons were born in 2002. Soon after their children’s birth, Miguel had time to consider giving up his career in the internet sector and started a building project with his father.

He developed a cluster of stone houses, Domaine des Pins, in the Corbières region which were completely integrated into the landscape: it looks across the village of Durban to Chateau Durban. The original owners asked Miguel to manage and rent their magnificent country houses, as there was a lack of hotels in the area.

This was the start of a number of projects and a business that was developed out of Miguel and Ceciles love for the Mediterranean “art de vivre” (style of living). They bought original historic properties and converted and extended them while maintaining the authenticity and style of their original style. They are respectful of history and passionate about local traditions, using local artisans for work and growing their own fruit and vegetables.

In their seven developments in the south of France, Garrigae Resorts provide workshops and activities, encouraging guests and owners alike to pick vegetables and fruit or attend cookery classes as well as enjoying facilities like golf, horseriding, fishing and pool and spa facilities.

Garrigae Resorts make jams, preserves, chutney, dried peppers, aubergine dips, crushed olives tapenades and produce their own olive oils.