There is a very special time of day at Domaine de la Durantie when time seems to stand still. It is that moment, in the heart of July, just after dawn, when the soft morning light of Occitanie gently brushes against our ancient stone walls and filters through the tall windows of our lounges. The Domaine is still wrapped in absolute silence.
Only the old wooden floors creak softly beneath our footsteps. And it is often in this perfect stillness that memories come flooding back.
Domaine de la Durantie offers a visual setting with character: architecture, nature, interiors, terraces and wide outdoor spaces.
Walking through the empty grand lounge, it is almost impossible not to picture that scene again. All you have to do is close your eyes and the silence fades away, replaced by a creative yet carefully orchestrated bustle.
Suddenly, in our mind’s eye, huge spotlights pierce the darkness, artificially recreating the soft glow of dusk. Kilometres of black cables snake discreetly along the skirting boards. Dozens of technicians move around imposing cameras, whispering so as not to disturb the concentration of the actors rehearsing their lines nearby. Then a voice rings out, clear and commanding: “Quiet on set… Roll camera… Action!”
This memory is no dream. Before the theatrical release of The Hundred-Foot Journey in 2014, Domaine de la Durantie truly had its moment in the spotlight. For several weeks, our walls were home to the magic of an international film production. During this enchanting interlude, the Domaine became a character in its own right in a story that travelled around the world.
The site can suggest elegance, countryside calm, family life, events or intimate scenes depending on the chosen spaces and light.
Our Domaine had the immense privilege of being chosen as a filming location for this major Hollywood production. The film was co-produced by some of the industry’s biggest names, including the legendary Steven Spielberg and Oprah Winfrey.
Knowing that these undisputed icons of the film industry turned their attention to La Durantie, recognising the authenticity and charm of our property as the perfect setting to bring an international production to life, is a tremendous source of pride. For several weeks, our walls witnessed both the demands and the magic of a production on a truly impressive scale. During this enchanting interlude, the Domaine became a character in its own right in a story that travelled around the world.
Villas, apartments, gardens, paths and estate views provide varied backdrops for photo shoots, filming and creative projects.
We have deliberately chosen not to display any behind-the-scenes photographs from that time on our walls.
Why? Because a film set should never remain frozen in its past. Today, the cameras are gone and the Domaine has returned to its peaceful rhythm, yet it has retained that indescribable spark. It has once again become a blank canvas, a vast sleeping stage waiting for just one thing: to be brought back to life.
The lighting is in place, the natural scenery remains untouched. The stage is set.
What If You Wrote the Next Scene?
There is a soul here, a unique patina that film set designers sometimes spend days trying to recreate artificially.
To all directors, producers, cinematographers and location scouts in search of inspiration: come and walk through these corridors in the early morning.
- Imagine your actors performing beneath our high ceilings or in front of our fireplaces.
- Picture your wide shots framed by the vastness of our bucolic gardens and leafy parkland.
- Benefit from simplified logistics, with all the space you need for production vehicles and your crew’s dressing rooms, all within a peaceful and secluded setting.
La Durantie’s cinematic story began with the wonderful The Hundred-Foot Journey. What will the title of your next chapter be?
