The Family Story at the heart of Domaine de la Vène

James exploring France in 1999

James outside the domaine in 2025

How We Found the Domaine

Domaine de la Vène was discovered by our family in 1999, long before it became the house it is today. At the time, it was little more than a ruin, but the incredible sense of peace we felt as we looked out onto the breathtaking views of the surrounding Corbières countryside convinced us this was to be our family home. Despite the immense amount of work required, we immediately knew there was something very special about this house.

What first drew us here was the feeling of complete immersion in nature and the extraordinary landscape. Set within a protected conservation area of outstanding natural beauty, the domaine is surrounded by remarkable scenery and wildlife that remain wonderfully unspoilt.

Restoration

Over the years, we restored the property slowly and thoughtfully, always trying to preserve the spirit of the domaine; somewhere peaceful, authentic, and deeply connected to its surroundings.

Having travelled extensively and spent many years in both Spain and the Middle East prior to moving to Domaine de la Vène, both James and Phillipa were inspired by their travels when renovating the property. Their vision was to create the beautiful home that it is today from the simple barn that it was upon purchase. The renovation project took a number of years, with each new renovation leading to further inspiration for ideas that could be implemented to other areas of the property.

Growing Up at the Domaine

It was an especially exciting childhood growing up in a home that was ever evolving and ever changing, year upon year. This beautiful home was central to many happy milestones, and provided a uniquely peaceful setting for family life. 

For many years, Domaine de la Vène remained entirely private, and where Kitty and Rosie spent the majority of their childhood. Around eight years ago, we decided to begin opening the domaine to guests, hoping to share this special place while preserving the atmosphere that first made us fall in love with it.

Today, James manages the day-to-day running of the estate, while Kitty and Rosie work behind the scenes alongside our wonderful team to help ensure every guest’s stay is welcoming, comfortable, and seamless. Although the domaine has evolved over the years, we have always tried to maintain the warmth and character of a family home rather than a formal hotel experience.

More than anything, we hope our guests leave feeling rested, completely at home, and as though they have discovered a truly beautiful and peaceful corner of France.