A collection of unique, authentic addresses since 1959

In 1959, a group of 24 visionaries decided to unite around a common dream: to promote the art of hospitality "à la française" while preserving the treasures of their heritage. Thus was born the association Les Castels, a voluntary chain of independent tourism, founded on a bold and revolutionary idea for its time.

Between heritage preservation and tourism innovation

The story begins in the mid-1950s, when perceptive property manager Georges Pilliet made a startling discovery. Many French owners of sumptuous estates were struggling to maintain their majestic properties. At the same time, he noticed that the British clientele, adept at luxury campsites, could not find the high-end establishments they were looking for in France. An idea was born in his mind: what if opening the doors of these estates to the open-air hotel industry could not only attract these holidaymakers, but also finance the preservation of ancestral buildings?

Despite the skepticism and questioning looks of the local aristocracy, 24 châtelains decided to embark on this unprecedented adventure. What seemed a preposterous idea became an avant-garde project that, against all odds, came to life. Together, they opened their gates and welcomed campers into idyllic settings, combining luxury and nature, while ensuring the preservation and upkeep of their precious heritages.

First group of independent campsite owners

Today, the Les Castels association continues to flourish, a living testimony to the vision of Georges Pilliet and the determination of these 24 pioneers. Thanks to them, the art of hospitality "à la française" still shines through, in the heart of enchanting, unspoilt estates, where every visitor can enjoy the history and beauty of a living heritage.

In a world where uniformity threatens originality, Les Castels is emerging as a constellation of unique sites, bringing together the finest 4 and 5-star campsites under a single banner. The first group of independent campsite owners, Les Castels stands out for its commitment to preserving the uniqueness of each site, refusing to accept standardization.

65 years of daring and innovation

In their quest for excellence, Les Castels are distinguished by an unwavering commitment to quality. In 2002, the chain took the bold step of becoming the first group of campsites to join the Camping Qualité label, a certification that all its members obtained in just two years. Their dedication goes even further, with membership of the Qualité Tourisme label and the introduction of a customer satisfaction measurement tool, revealing an impressive 94% rate of satisfied customers.

In 2009, Les Castels broke new ground with the launch of an industry-first Premium offer. They select the most beautiful and spacious locations in each estate, responding to a growing demand for prestige stays. Year after year, this Premium offering grew and became a cornerstone of Les Castels' success.

In 2014, celebrating their 55th anniversary, Les Castels adopted an aggressive marketing strategy to counter the rise of online travel agencies in the outdoor hotel market. Armed with competitive tools, they deploy a multi-channel marketing action plan, consolidating their position.

Since 2021, a new era has begun under the presidency of Sonia de La Chesnais Million, daughter of Yvonnick de La Chesnais, emblematic president from 1983 to 2002 and founder of Castel Domaine des Ormes. As the first woman to head Les Castels, Sonia has instilled a cooperative and participative governance model that is unprecedented in the outdoor hotel industry. Thanks to this collective intelligence approach, each member of the network can make a commitment in complete confidence, encouraging mutual aid and sharing within this large family.

In this way, Les Castels continues to chart its course with boldness and innovation, true to its values and heritage, while adapting to the challenges of an ever-changing world.