A passionate medievalist, Michael Fuentes welcomes you to his "castle" for a unique stay in Grand Pic Saint-Loup.
To begin with, could you tell us about your background and how you came to create this accommodation?
Quite simply, I had always wanted to buy myself a castle; it had always appealed to me. I am a sword fighter, I took part in medieval re-enactments and belonged to a troupe. When I was told how much a castle cost, I thought it was too expensive, so I would build my own. And that is how I created this.
Did this former feudal tower have a particular history before becoming visitor accommodation? And what attracted you to this place?
Well, we do not know the history of the tower. I am a property surveyor by profession. I came here and carried out the surveys for the sale. When I left this place, I knew exactly what I was going to do with it. I made the owner an offer, the owner accepted it and we completely renovated everything. The only thing we kept was the walls.
What we do know is that some of the stones are believed to have come from the former castle. That is why we named it Tour Féodale 1103. Assas has its current castle, but its first castle is believed to date back to 1103, during the time of Philippe II Auguste.
Where did the idea of turning this tower into unusual accommodation come from? Was it a long-standing project, an opportunity or love at first sight?
No, not at all. The original idea was to have my own castle. At first, we were not going to have the paintings or the flowers; we were not going to take it this far. Then I thought we could give people the opportunity to enjoy a truly authentic experience while discovering the beautiful region of Pic Saint-Loup.
What aspects of the tower's identity and historic character did you want to preserve during its transformation?
The stones are believed to have come from the former chapel or a presbytery. We wanted to preserve them to recreate the feel of a tower staircase. The handrails were inspired by those at the Château de Carcassonne.
What features or facilities did you devise to make this a comfortable place to stay while preserving its spirit?
It needed to belong to the present day without looking like it did. So we made sure everything was hidden. That meant hiding the key, the television, the kitchen equipment, the hob, the bathroom... Today, it offers all the comforts of the 21st century with the advantages of the 11th century. Guests are, of course, free to use the modern facilities.
What kind of experience would you like guests staying here to enjoy?
I want guests to travel back in time, leave their problems outside and enjoy an experience from the past.
How does this project fit into your approach to helping visitors discover the local area and its treasures?
It was not planned at first, but later we designed it to attract all the travellers coming from the north: Norvège, Danemark… those who say, «We are going to Espagne or Portugal and are looking for somewhere to stop along the way». The idea is to attract them and say, «There is a tower here, and you can spend 2-3 days in the Pic Saint-Loup region».
What are your plans or aspirations for the future? New facilities, changes to the accommodation, new experiences or other projects?
We created the « Ordre de Fuentes », whose purpose is to create experiences. We intend to continue exploring the theme of Philippe II Auguste. I will not say any more for now.
Do you remember the moment when you thought, «This is where I want to create something» ?
Yes, it was when I visited it, but I went ahead against everyone's advice and had no support. Not from my partner, my friends, my family or my children… They all thought I was mad and nobody believed in it. Today, I am pleased with the result because, through perseverance, we succeeded, and I am delighted to have been able to prove that it was possible. They have since changed their minds, and today everyone loves it !
L'ordre de Fuentes - La Tour féodale 1103
Assas
A medieval wellness retreat
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If you had to describe this place in three words, which would you choose?
Unforgettable, remarkable and historic.
What would you like your visitors to remember about their stay here?
The «wow» that I hope they will experience every time they enter a room, the moments they create within the tower and, above all, the memories they take away with them of the tower and the surrounding area.
I can see that there is a mysterious chest beside you. Could you tell us a little more about it?
Yes. In 1103, the founders of the Ordre left behind a few items and a parchment containing riddles. There is one riddle in each room and a number to find. Visitors who manage to decipher the code will leave with whatever is inside the chest.
Can you give us a little idea of what will be inside, or is it a surprise?
It is a surprise, but you will « take a piece of the region home with you ».
Any final words?
Do come and visit this beautiful region of Pic Saint-Loup, and do not miss the opportunity to experience Tour Féodale 1103 in the village of Assas.
