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Hotel Charme & Design Collection
Discover our history :
First, a couple!
Cécile : Stéphane and I met in high school, when we were about fifteen. We’re very complementary, both in our characters and in our goals. I like meeting people, traveling, discovering other ways of life to enrich my own. During our studies and school vacations, we worked at the Hôtel des Lices in Saint-Tropez, which Stéphane’s aunt and uncle have been running for fifty years now. It was there that we learned the basics of the business: welcoming customers, paying attention to every detail of their comfort, listening to them and anticipating their needs. We quickly realized that this was the path for us.
Stéphane : At the outset, I was fascinated by the vineyard, its operations and its products. My grandparents and parents passed on to me a love of this painstaking, patient work. But I soon realized that another path might be better suited to me. Skilled with my hands and attracted by construction, I led a number of building projects in my youth that enabled me to discover the building trades. When I embark on a project, I aim for excellence: I’m demanding, first and foremost of myself, but also of the teams around me.
That’s how the hotel business came about naturally, by combining the management of transformation and renovation projects with a global vision of the place to be brought to life. What’s more, Cécile and I wanted to build something together. In this business, success often depends on the complementary nature of the couple – which was obvious to us.
Above all a family
Cécile and Stéphane: We started this adventure as a couple, without children, and, against all odds, they came to embellish our lives over time, as if by magic. Nothing was really planned, and yet the births followed on from each other with a gentle obviousness. In the end, five children joined the family adventure. From an early age, they were immersed in our world, accustomed to the rhythm of the hotel and to accompanying, each in their own way, the evolution of our business. With the exception of the youngest, still too young, they have all worked in our establishments during the summer seasons. Today, we form a veritable clan of seven, in perfect harmony in this world of the hotel business, each helping to build the common edifice that unites us.
Louis, our eldest at 24, is in his fourth year of business school at EDHEC. After a 12-year career in high-level skiing, he is currently doing his end-of-studies internship with VINCI Immobilier, in the hotel investment division.
Over the years, he has worked every summer in our establishments, occupying a variety of positions, and also completed an assistant management internship at the prestigious Château de Bagnols, a 5-star hotel owned by the Lavorel group.
Although he is not yet officially working with us, he remains very close to the company and devotes a significant amount of his time to it. His in-depth knowledge of our structures already makes him a valuable advisor.
Édouard, 22, holds a double Bachelor’s degree in International Business from the universities of Nottingham (UK) and Valencia (ESP). After several internships in Private Equity in Paris, he joined the University of Notre Dame in the USA for his Masters in Finance. A cheerful and passionate person, Édouard uses his skills and knowledge to bring us an enlightened vision and valuable advice. He also spent several seasons as a summer employee at the Hôtel des Remparts, a formative experience that reinforced his taste for the hotel business and teamwork.
Mathilde, 19, has completed her baccalaureate and has already familiarized herself with the world of hospitality by participating in operations at the Hôtel des Remparts. Currently in Australia, she is perfecting her language skills while working as an au pair and doing extras in hotels and restaurants. She will soon be enrolling at the École Vatel in Bordeaux to study hotel management.
Colomban and Adèle:
Adèle, 17, is currently a boarder in her final year of high school in Montpellier. Next year, she plans to spend a gap year in Australia to perfect her English while gaining initial professional experience working in hotels and restaurants.
Our youngest son, Colomban, 13, also a boarder, is in the fourth year of secondary school in Toulouse.
Our passion
Cécile:Above all, we are builders. What drives us is to undertake, to create, to constantly innovate in order to offer our customers a sincere welcome, refined comfort and services designed for their well-being. Our business is above all one of shared pleasure: to please, by fine-tuning every detail with attention and exacting standards.
Stéphane : We’ve always wanted to stand out from standardized hotel chains, where the welcome lacks soul and uniqueness. What we’re looking for is to be close to our guests, to exchange ideas and understand their needs, so we can offer them a tailor-made experience. We see our guests as an extension of our family. They need to feel at home, in a room that’s just like them.
What we’ve built!
Our beginnings :
Stéphane : It all started with a modest establishment at the foot of the Cité de Carcassonne. It was simple, a little outdated, and no longer met the expectations of customers looking for comfort and charm. Barely 28 years old, Cécile and I decided to embark on an adventure: transforming it into a 4-star hotel, worthy of the exceptional site that surrounds it.
Cécile : Everything had to be redesigned: the layout, the volumes, the decoration, the services… We completely rethought the reception areas, with the aim of creating a place that combines authenticity and modernity. An apartment was quickly set up in the basement so that we could live on site and devote ourselves 100% to the project.
At that time, we took on all the roles: receptionists, decorators, night watchmen, waiters, workers, maintenance staff… A total immersion, demanding but exciting, which laid the foundations for everything we built afterwards.
Stéphane : It took ten years of hard work to create the Hôtel du Château, our first truly upmarket establishment, located right at the foot of the Cité de Carcassonne. Gradually, its annex, located just opposite, took off under the name Hôtel Montmorency and obtained its three stars. Two distinct but complementary places, each with its own identity.
Cécile : The Hôtel du Château is fully imbued with the spirit of the Middle Ages. The architecture and decor are directly inspired by the Middle Ages: wall hangings, coffered ceilings, stone walls, handcrafted ironwork… Every element has been carefully thought out to create an elegant, authentic atmosphere. The welcome is resolutely French, subtle, warm and always faithful to the rules of the art.
Stéphane: In 2010, we entered a new phase with the acquisition of the Hôtel de l’Octroi, a 2-star hotel also located a stone’s throw from the Cité. It comprises 17 rooms, in good condition but with a slightly dated style. We breathed new life into it with a contemporary renovation, while respecting the soul of the place. A third universe is thus born, broadening our offer while remaining true to our vision of hospitality.
Opportunity-driven development
Cécile : An unexpected opportunity presented itself: within the space of four months, we managed to acquire four houses adjacent to the Hôtel de l’Octroi. It was the perfect opportunity to enlarge the hotel and give it a whole new dimension. The hotel now opens onto a garden, a vast terrace and a swimming pool. It becomes a contemporary and lively place, nestled just beneath the towers of the medieval city of Carcassonne.
Stéphane :The investment turned out to be more substantial than expected, but we decided to go ahead with our vision. We transformed the whole space into a bright, colorful, cheerful and accessible design. The decor is simple and warm, just like you’d imagine in your own home, halfway between the historic city and the lower town.
Cécile : And as is often the case in our career, one opportunity followed another. Almost simultaneously, two adjoining houses of the Hôtel Montmorency were put up for sale. An opportunity to pursue our development and expand our offer in this establishment.
Stéphane : We decided to invest again, this time taking greater risks. For the first time, I’m entrusting the site to outside contractors. This requires intense monitoring and mobilizes all my energy. I have to withdraw temporarily from welcoming customers – a real heartbreak for me.
Cécile : The Hôtel Montmorency is entering a new phase: we’re giving it a more contemporary identity, with a colorful, bold and refined design. All the while remaining true to our philosophy: a lively, elegant place on a human scale.
Service: versatile, attentive teams
Cécile : Listening to our customers is at the heart of our approach. In our three Carcassonne hotels, we recruit multi-skilled teams capable of meeting all expectations, with availability and kindness. From reception to housekeeping, nearly 30 people work hard every day to anticipate our guests’ needs and offer them a flawless experience.
Stéphane:To be attentive, to reassure, to respond to the slightest request: our teams are trained to adopt the right reflexes, whatever the situation. Our ambition is to provide a smooth, natural service, always focused on customer satisfaction.
Cécile : We also attach great importance to the energy and commitment of our staff. The hotel business is a demanding and sometimes trying profession. You have to be able to count on dynamic, committed staff who are capable of dealing with the unexpected. And when necessary, we develop our teams to maintain an irreproachable level of service.
The demand for well-being: the birth of the spa
Stéphane : Over time, our customers’ expectations have evolved. A beautiful room, a warm welcome and impeccable service are no longer enough. We need to go further, to surprise, to offer a total experience.
In 2011, there was still no spa in Carcassonne. So we decided to create a unique wellness space, nestled in the basement of the Hôtel du Château. An intimate, fully privatizable space, with swimming pool, hammam, customized treatments… A true haven of peace, designed for relaxation and letting go.
Cécile : To guarantee a service that meets our high standards, we train four masseuses at Carita’s facilities in Paris – an undisputed benchmark in the field of beauty care. These practitioners are an integral part of our team, enabling us to provide top-quality care in line with our vision of service.
Our loyal customers particularly appreciate the cosy atmosphere of the cabins, the quality of the treatments and the deeply rejuvenating experience offered by this privileged space.
Customer care at competitive prices
Stéphane : Since 2010, the relationship with our customers has changed profoundly with the rise of online booking platforms. For them, it’s an obvious time-saver: the search is simplified, the offer is clear, and comparisons (price, comfort, location, services) are immediate.
But for us hoteliers, these intermediaries have revolutionized the direct relationship. The upstream contact disappears, the pre-booking discussion disappears, and with it an essential part of our business: personalized listening and advice.
Cécile : The 2008 crisis was a real trigger. To maintain occupancy rates, a price war began. Platforms stepped up the pressure, while taking their commissions to guarantee visibility and referencing.
The result: margins are being drastically reduced – sometimes by as much as half the price of a room – on rates that were already being squeezed. And in this context, the quality of service we strive to offer is becoming difficult to maintain financially.
Stéphane : We feel we’re losing touch with our customers, no longer able to explain what makes our work so valuable. Our investments, our demand for quality and our daily commitment are becoming almost invisible to a public focused on prices. And then a painful question arises: can we keep going like this, or will we have to make tough choices, like cutting back on our teams?
‘We grew up with Carcassonne hotels, but we needed some fresh air, to undertake a new project.’
In the years 2014/2016, a feeling of saturation set in. After passionately developing our three establishments, we felt the need for a new lease of life, a different project that would enable us to regain the momentum from the start.
Online reviews had profoundly changed our business. Some customers were expressing their dissatisfaction without ever talking to us about it. Dialogue disappeared in favor of instant feedback. The smartphone was taking precedence over the human relationship. And when criticism is unfair or disconnected from our efforts, it becomes demotivating – for us and for our teams. Under these conditions, it became difficult to continue reinventing ourselves with enthusiasm.
Cécile : Despite this, we remained deeply attached to what lies at the heart of our business: personalized welcome, availability, attention to detail, and a sincere desire to bring happiness to our customers. This high standard, this discreet luxury, comes at a price. And we chose to maintain our prices to guarantee the quality of our offer.
Stéphane : Fortunately, the relationship with platforms is changing. More and more customers are recognizing the value of our services and reading between the lines. We’re learning to take things into account, to step back from criticism, and to rely on the criticism that helps us to progress.
But the conclusion remains the same: it’s time for us to open a new chapter, to imagine a new place, in our own image.
Aigues-Mortes, a new beginning
Find us
Cécile : The family has always been at the center of our lives. It’s our foundation, our reference point. And it’s natural that we should return to it to write a new chapter. Taking the time to be together, rediscovering our balance as a couple, living in accordance with our deepest values… That’s where we want to find ourselves.
Stéphane :What we’re looking for now is an authentic place. Stone, experience, a building that has stood the test of time with character. The Hôtel des Remparts was the obvious choice. Located in the heart of Aigues-Mortes, city of the Crusades, it’s the starting point for a new adventure. A peaceful vacation spot, between the ramparts steeped in history and the luminous landscapes of the Camargue, designed to welcome families looking for a taste of the calm, sunshine and gentleness of the South.
We renew
Cécile: In Carcassonne, we had the feeling that most of our customers were just passing through. The town is often just a stopover on the vacation route between the sea and Spain. Many arrive just off the freeway, visit the Cité in a hurry, and leave again immediately, caught in the A9 traffic jam.
In this hectic pace, it’s difficult to give them a taste of the calm and comfort we offer. They don’t take the time, or simply can’t take it.
Stéphane : In Aigues-Mortes, the approach is quite different. Here, you come to stay. You settle in and enjoy. Vacations are lived at the rhythm of the Camargue: slow, bright, deeply rooted in nature and tradition.
Discover the manades, the local flora and fauna, the beaches a little removed from the hustle and bustle of Montpellier. Let yourself be carried away by boat trips, encounters with craftsmen, markets, open-air music… It’s a place where you simply take your time. And that changes everything.
We improve
Cécile : At the Hôtel des Remparts, the terrace is the real starting point for your stay. As soon as you put your suitcases down, you can enjoy a cocktail prepared according to Stéphane and the boys’ secret recipe. It’s the first moment of disconnection.
We then enter the spacious lounges, under magnificent stone vaults, bathed in the soft light filtering through the high windows. And after a hot summer’s day, the indoor pool becomes an intimate refuge, a place to recharge your batteries.
Stéphane : This building, steeped in history, was in turn barracks, police station and prison. It has retained its powerful architecture, with vast volumes and carved stone walls. The sober, elegant rooms combine modern comfort with timeless charm. High ceilings, noble materials and simple lines make for a place that is both authentic and refined.
Cécile : It’s a new balance we’re trying to achieve: marrying the strength and character of stone with the softness and serenity of a comfortable stay. The Hôtel des Remparts should be a place of calm and conviviality, a refuge for families, friends or business travelers, whatever the season.
Stéphane : When we took over the hotel in 2016, we dreamed of turning it into this exceptional place. But the reality of the building quickly brought us back to the demands of old buildings. Renovating while respecting the soul of the place turned out to be a real mammoth task, especially as time was short.
Cécile : We were aiming to open the rooms as early as 2017, but between technical delays and inconsistent craftsmen, the schedule and budgets were put to the test. Each unforeseen event complicated the progress of the work a little more.
Stéphane : Every day, from dawn onwards, I personally prepared the site: materials, organization, anticipation… I took advantage of the breaks to refine the plans, review the details, and my days ended late, in silence, so as not to disturb the neighbors. It was intense, but necessary.
Cécile : Summer 2017 marks the – partial – opening. Only the bar and terrace are ready to welcome the first customers. But this short season is a real success, and gives us renewed hope.
Stéphane : And finally, after 19 months of work, the hotel is truly born. The former military building is reborn in a new form, ready to welcome guests. And with this opening, our family also found a new lease of life, a new balance. We’ll be living here for the next 7 years!
What’s next?
Giving new life to our family home
Cécile: This house has been part of our history since we bought it in 2006. We’ve experienced so much here, watched our children grow up and shared countless moments as a family. And then, little by little, each of us moved on. The house emptied out… but it remained full of memories. One day, it was our children who came up with the idea: “What if we could all come back one day, with our families? It was an obvious choice. This house had to be able to welcome them back, with their companions, their children to come… And at the same time, it could no longer remain static, half-empty, for a couple now often on the move. It had to be given a new destiny.
Stéphane: That’s how the project to transform Domaine de la Jasso came about in 2023. Located just 500 meters from the heart of Carcassonne, this unique site, bordered by the Aude like a natural rampart, offers absolute calm amid nine hectares of unspoilt nature. There are vineyards, a wooded park and our own mini-farm… A little world of its own, lulled by birdsong and bathed in sunshine. We started renting the house by the week back in 2016, after we moved to Aigues-Mortes. But today, we’re going much further. Major work is underway to extend the living space to 900 m². The estate will soon boast 11 bedrooms, 9 bathrooms, an indoor pool, two outdoor pools and a pool house.
Cécile: The idea is to be able to accommodate up to 27 people in a warm, elegant and deeply family-oriented setting. In high season, the Domaine will be rented by the week, and in quieter periods, it will become a guest house. It’s a new adventure in the fast-growing short-term rental market. But above all, it’s a way for us to continue to bring this place to life, to open it up to others, while remaining deeply faithful to what it has always been: a refuge, a place for reunion, rest and sharing.
Stéphane: The opening is scheduled for June 2025, but this project, as beautiful as it is, didn’t come without pain. We put all our energy and heart into it – two and a half years of colossal work that literally wore us out. Finding reliable companies proved unimaginably complex. Delays, withdrawals, lack of commitment… It has become extremely difficult, in France today, to find available, competent and committed craftsmen. We were confronted with the distressing reality that the system no longer works, or at least no longer works in the way it should, to bring projects of this scale to fruition. And yet, we stood our ground. Because this place deserves it. Because our family, our future guests and our dreams deserved to see it through.
Our new life
What will be our future, our new life?
Today, we divide our time between the Domaine de la Jasso and our three establishments in Carcassonne, but also with our hotel in Aigues-Mortes, where we’ve put down another part of our lives.
We don’t yet know if, or which, of our children will one day choose to work with us. Maybe they will. Maybe they won’t. The future remains open.
What we do know is that we were deeply weakened by the COVID crisis, which hit our sector hard. But we stood our ground. We resisted. And today, we’re moving forward.
The most difficult thing now is not the desire – that’s intact. It’s financing. In our profession, to go any further, you need the means, and finding them is a constant challenge. We live on the fruits of our labor.
Hotels are increasingly taken over by investors, pension funds… Hotels are speculated on like any other financial asset. It’s no longer hospitality, it’s a business.
But we don’t work to make money. We work because we live through each place we create. What drives us is the idea, the atmosphere, the magic of a new place.
That said, if we don’t win anything, we’re sunk. And even if we have a lot today, we have no room for manoeuvre. Every new project is a leap into the void, a double or nothing. From one day to the next, everything can fall apart.
Today, we open the Domaine de la Jasso to our future guests… and we don’t even know where we’ll be sleeping. The house will soon be full of holidaymakers, and we’ll be improvising, as always.
So, no, we don’t yet know what’s next in our lives. But one thing is certain: the desire to create places, to imagine atmospheres, to invent hotels with a soul, is stronger than ever.
To be continued…
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