Join our English Speaking team, in France!

We’re not really a crew of pirates, but when the guests have left, we do enjoy a party!

Chateau Rigaud is an exclusive wedding venue in the Bordeaux Vines. Family run and independent, we’ve developed a first class reputation over 20 years and have hosted international sportsmen, film stars and British Royalty. Despite the celebrity names, as a business we consider our team to be the most important players. We know that if the team are happy, the clients will be happy. And a happy team is a team that sticks around. So when the guests have left, pirate parties are not all that unusual! And neither are team dinners, days out at the beach, the end of season trip, be it to Marrakech, Porto or this year, to San Sebastian.

Currently recruiting for 2026 season

Assistant Manager

Team for Housekeeping / FOH / Grounds

Assistant Manager - Château Rigaud – Bordeaux Vineyards
Full Time | Monday–Friday

Château Rigaud is an exclusive wedding venue set amongst the vineyards of Bordeaux. Family run and independent, we have developed a first-class reputation over the past 20 years and have hosted international sportsmen, film stars and even British royalty.

We are a small, close-knit team who care deeply about the experience we create for our couples and their guests. Attention to detail, kindness, professionalism and pride in our work are at the heart of everything we do.

We are now looking for an Assistant Manager who would enjoy being part of this environment and helping the business continue to grow.

The Role

This is a wonderfully varied role supporting the General Manager in the smooth running of the château.

The right person will enjoy being involved in many different aspects of the business, from welcoming new clients and conducting sales viewings, to organising team rotas, onboarding new staff and ensuring everything behind the scenes runs efficiently.

You will:

  • Issue contracts and onboard new wedding clients

  • Act as a friendly and professional first point of contact for couples beginning their planning journey

  • Prepare detailed guest information packs for weddings

  • Conduct viewings for prospective clients considering Château Rigaud for their wedding

You will also play an important role in supporting our team, helping with:

  • Staff rotas and timesheets

  • Ordering uniform

  • Onboarding new team members (including travel arrangements, accommodation and orientation)

  • Organising occasional team social events and celebrations

Over time, the role may also include planning and delivering a small number of weddings or private events each year.

Learning the Business

We believe the best managers understand every aspect of the operation.

During their first season, the Assistant Manager will therefore spend some time working alongside the team in different roles — such as housekeeping, service, driving and event preparation — in order to gain a full understanding of how a wedding weekend runs.

The Person

This role would suit someone who:

  • Is naturally organised and calm under pressure

  • Enjoys working with people and making others feel welcome

  • Takes pride in doing things properly

  • Is proactive and happy to take responsibility

  • Enjoys working in a small, collaborative team where everyone helps each other

You must be:

  • Fluent in both English and French

  • In possession of a full manual driving licence

  • Professional, personable and well presented

  • Comfortable communicating with international clients

Experience in hospitality, events or weddings is helpful, but what matters most is the right attitude, warmth with people and a willingness to learn.

Why This Role is Special

Working at Château Rigaud is not like working in a hotel chain.

We are independent, personal and deeply proud of what we do. Our team works hard, supports each other and shares in the satisfaction of creating truly memorable occasions for our clients.

For the right person, this role offers the opportunity to develop broad hospitality management experience in a beautiful and inspiring setting.

How to Apply

Please send your CV and a short covering email explaining why you would enjoy working at Château Rigaud.

In your email, please also tell us:

  • Why working in a small, independent venue appeals to you

  • About a time when you delivered excellent service or solved a problem for a client or guest

“We are a small team who work hard, support each other and take real pride in what we do.”

TEAM: FRONT OF HOUSE / HOUSEKEEPING

Typical jobs include

Chateau turnaround, working within a team of 8 to clean all 13 bedrooms plus communal areas to the highest standard in a matter of hours. Rooms are presented to an exacting standard with L’Occitane toiletries and 400 thread count sheets

Setting up and serving picnics, canapés, cocktails and dinner to discerning wedding guests

Polishing glasses, wrapping cutlery, sweeping floors, washing pots, cleaning loos, plumping cushions, changing beds, hoovering vast corridors, ironing napkins, setting a table for 144 guests to the exacting standards of our FOH manager, mopping floors, moving potted plants from A to B to C to B to C to A and repeat, etc etc

Driving guests to and from the venue, (driving experience dependent)

TEAM GROUNDS / BAR / FRONT OF HOUSE

Typical jobs include

Grounds turn aorund, working within a team to prepare the grounds for a new set of clients. Mowing and strimming grass, raking gravel, chopping wood, hoovering the pool, taking bottles to the bottle bank, moving heavy furniture, carrying bags to and from rooms, cleaning windows, washing out the bins, cleaning vehicles inside and out

Setting up and serving picnics, canapés, cocktails and dinner to discerning wedding guests

Moving chairs while dressed smartly in 35 degrees of heat or more

Serving drinks at a busy bar into the early morning and then assisting drunken guests onto minibuses

Driving guests to and from the venue, (driving experience dependent)

Requirements

An EU passport or other status which is legal to work in France is preferable. We can arrange a work visa for UK Passport Holders if they have extensive relevant experience and will be staying for a six months contract

Full driving license

You must be physically fit, able to lift and carry heavy items & sometimes to work long and strenuous days

Some basic French an advantage

Terms and Conditions

Full time role, 30 hours per week, 5 days per week (including Saturday and Sunday), 2 consecutive days off each week.

From €12 per hour, experience depending, live in

Share of a company vehicle for local trips

Equal share of tips

Fully serviced accommodation in shared house

If you have more experience than would be relevant to a basic team position then let us know. We have other opportunities and we will always find a role for talented hospitality professionals

Here below are examples of our team accommodation

Example of team accommodation. There is no charge for accommodation which is provided as part of the salary package and includes all services (gas, electric, water, internet)

Want to join our team?

Email to anna@chateaurigaud.co.uk and tell us more

Get in touch now. You could soon be talking like a Pirate !