Near Toulouse: commentary, in 10 years, the Château de la Garrigue has become a unique place in France
By Pascal PALLAS
Published on
Today it is one of the most astonishing and fantastic places in Toulouse and its region: the Garrigue castlein Villemur-sur-Tarn, north of Toulouse, is home to a gourmet restaurant run by a two-star chef, 22 accommodations, a nightclub, a 2,000-seat concert hall in the shape of a piano whose program is one of the most enticing in Toulouse, a swimming pool in the shape of a violin, a circus tent, a jacuzzi with a panoramic view… all in a superb setting, right in the middle of soothing nature.
Just ten years ago, this magical place did not exist. It was created from scratch by Zeid Hassim, Franco-Malagasy businessman. Here is the incredible story of this equally incredible castle!
“A gift to my wife”
“I’m going to trust you: I bought this castle because I wanted to give my wife a present. I also bought it because I have a great passion for fishing and there is a 9 ha lake in the park”, says Zeid Hassim, the owner of the incredible domain of La Garrigue.
10 years later, his wife Anita has yet to spend a single night at the chateau, preferring the resilience of the Bouloc family home and he himself has never teased a single stud in his gigantic body of water.
15 million investment
Instead of playing the squire in discreet retirement, 19th century type, who revisits Châteaubriand after a siesta, Zeid Hassim, 61 years old and his appetite as a young man, has chosen to belong to this rare line of lords in the noble and fantastic sense of the term. : the businessman from Madagascar, who made a fortune in import-export with (tyres, trucks and lychees), gave up all his business to become a promoter of shows and pleasures. He now offers happiness to his contemporaries. Without compensation, except the price of the concert ticket or the menu of his restaurant.
In 10 years, he invested 15 million euros in the field. “There was work, because the castle and its park did not look at all like what you see today”.
It was a crazy project and I think I can say that we created a unique place!
Everything has been designed with refinement and ambition: the restaurant has recruited Bernard Bach, the former two-star chef of the Puits Saint-Jacques in Pujaudran (Gers), the rooms are luxurious suites, the architect François Oyer designed the swimming pool shaped like a violin and the concert hall took on the appearance of a grand piano. A room with hi-tech equipment, which can accommodate a rich cultural program, also composed with taste and the expertise of the Toulouse production company Lemon Blue.
Soon chalets and an airstrip
“It was a crazy project and I think I can say that we have created a unique place! Satisfied Zeid Hassim without being quite satiated yet. “With Zeid, it’s one idea per quarter! You never get bored at La Garrigue,” assures Lucie Saladin, sales manager for the estate.
Last winter, he erected the circus tent. For this summer, he had a terrace built for the restaurant. And next year? “I really want to build about thirty additional accommodations: chalets arranged around the lake. We also thought about an airstrip in order to give even more potential to the site”, announces the owner.
“My son Idriss will join me”
Zeid Hassim also has a more personal project: “People often ask me why I did all this. I did it for my sons, in order to leave them a heritage but also an example of investment and success as well as fulfillment through relationships. I have three brilliant sons, all three HEC graduates, all three business leaders. My eldest Idriss is interested in the field and I want to pass it on to him quickly. Because you have to know how to pass the hand, ”assures the dad.
Will Zeid Hassim finally take the time to fish in his gigantic lake?
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