Clos de Gaye (pronounced ‘guy’) means ‘Place of Happiness’ and it is at once a private home, a residential retreat, a creative and artistic workspace, organic farm, community kitchen, restaurant and tea house, and a convening ground for the global leaders, artists, creatives, entrepreneurs, the local community in Béarn and all those charged with the care and governance of our planet. Think of it as the meeting point between the Bloomsbury set’s Charleston and Camp David.   It is a place to stay, to play, to share and to transform our world.

The property is an ancient wine-making domaine, historically producing the grapes of the famed Jurancon wine region.  Legend has it that the wine used to baptize the beloved Henri IV of Navarre (the only king the French have liked!)’s lips at birth came from the Clos de Gaye estate.  The domaine encompasses The Manor House, The Barn and The Atelier all centered around our English-style Rose Garden, with an additional 6 hectares of rolling fields with stunning views of the Pyreenees where we are building out our vision for Fischer’s Farm.

The spirit of Clos de Gaye is one of contribution, generosity and accountability.  Those that have a seat of the table have arrived there through hard work and a genuine desire to be of service to the world.  Time spent here is for you to reflect on what has been achieved so far and to be a springboard into future leadership and the continued desire to be a force for good in the world.

Our founder, Caroline Watson, was born and brought up in Asia and has collected furniture, art work and decorative items from her travels around the world that adorn the interiors of the Manor House.  Deep in the heart of the French countryside, embedded in the ‘old world’ rises a new way of thinking about the future. The best of European heritage, beauty and aesthetic, with interiors from all over the world, bringing energy, dynamism and a sense of inclusion of the ‘new world’, waiting to be born.

An opportunity to reclaim the very best of European culture and values, with a renewed way of thinking about its relationship with the rest of the world, restoring humanity to everyone.