La Table Castigno, in Assignan, offers cutting-edge and vibrant local cuisine

Assignan, near Béziers. A village as beautiful as a movie, with lanes from a forgotten time, houses painted bright pink, hand-painted signs… a little tidy, yes, but how sweet! The spontaneous greetings of the inhabitants you meet have a joyful virtue. In this haven of peace (170 people), many have become participants in a vibrant wine-gastronomy scene inspired by Marc and Tine Verstraete. This Belgian gourmet couple fell in love with Château Castigno, developed a wine estate, created a hotel, three-star restaurants including La Table Michelin. Nature determines the course of their project. Stéphan Paroche (Le Hameau des Baux) and Justine Viano practice exquisite ecologically responsible cooking techniques, imitating the organic vineyards where the Percherons work. If the decoration and appreciation of the rooms remain individual, the open kitchen reaches a consensus: convivial yet polite, a young brigade, involved in serving 16 guests, in…