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Welcome to L'Escampe, a haven of peace in the heart of the village of Saturargues, between Nîmes and Montpellier.
Welcome to L'Escampe, a true haven of peace nestled in the heart of the picturesque village of Saturargues, located between the historic cities of Nîmes and Montpellier, and not far from the sparkling beaches of our beautiful region.
Our establishment is more than just a place for accommodation and dining. It is an integral part of the village's history, a characterful building crafted from stones of Gard, which once housed a silkworm breeding facility (*). Over time, this old residence has managed to retain its old-world charm while adapting to contemporary demands.
Now beautifully restored, remodeled, and adorned, L'Escampe has transformed into a unique and welcoming place to stay. Every nook of this residence tells a story, and every element of its decor has been carefully chosen to create a warm and friendly atmosphere.
At L'Escampe, tranquility and relaxation are key. Whether in one of our guest rooms with modern comfort and preserved authenticity, or in our restaurant where local flavors take center stage, you will be invited to unwind and rejuvenate. You will feel right at home while enjoying the charm of an unusual and enchanting setting.
We look forward to welcoming you and introducing you to the magic of L'Escampe, where the Mediterranean way of life blends with the history, gastronomy, and natural beauty of our region.
We await you at L'Escampe, for a stay that, we hope, will remain etched in your memory.
Manuel Maury
(*) A magnanerie is a facility where silkworms are raised to produce silk. Silkworms are the larvae of the mulberry silk moth. The name "magnanerie" comes from "magnan," a Provençal term for the silkworm.
Operation:
Feeding: Silkworms exclusively feed on mulberry leaves, particularly white mulberry leaves.
Growth: After hatching, the silkworms go through several larval stages, during which they molt multiple times.
Spinning: Once they reach their maximum size, they start producing a silk thread to build their cocoon. This thread is produced by a special gland and is secreted in liquid form. Upon contact with the air, it hardens and becomes the silk thread.
Harvest: After the silkworm has completely encased itself in its cocoon, the cocoon is harvested. To recover the silk thread, cocoons are often boiled to dissolve the sericin gum that holds the silk thread together, and then they are unwound to obtain long silk fibers.
Processing: These fibers are then spun, woven, or used to make various silk products.
The magnanerie was a widespread industry in certain regions like southern France for centuries but declined with the advent of synthetic fibers and international competition.
As soon as you step through the door of L'Escampe, you enter a unique world shaped by the passion and talent of Chef Manuel Maury. Born in Paris, Manuel, with a culinary arts background, embarked on an unconventional journey enriched by diverse experiences and influences.
After honing his skills in top Parisian restaurants, Manuel crossed the Atlantic to settle in the United States, where he spent over a decade as a private chef. Following a brief return to France, he once again ventured abroad, this time to the Middle East, where he had the opportunity to work alongside high-profile personalities and cook for affluent clients in exceptional locations. 'It was a fabulous experience,' he recalls.
During his travels, Manuel had the chance to visit Japan twice to train in Asian cuisine, adding another dimension to his culinary repertoire. After his nomadic life, Manuel decided to make a home in the South of France.
In Saturargues, a charming village between Nîmes and Montpellier, Manuel found his new abode: an old silkworm breeding facility, or 'magnanerie.' For seven years, he undertook herculean efforts to renovate and transform this characterful building into a welcoming establishment, featuring cozy rooms blending authenticity and modernity.
