In La Baule, the Castel Marie-Louise captured our hearts

In La Baule, Le Castel Marie-Louise, a charming manor house with a five-star rating, boasts the finest in French hotel design. But it’s not so much the Michelin-starred table or the balconies overlooking the Atlantic that are most striking. It’s the service. Without doubt one of the most charming we’ve ever encountered.

A confidential address between the ocean and a century-old park

Nestled just three hours from Paris, Le Castel Marie-Louise reveals itself as a romantic refuge, surrounded by maritime pines and floral scents. This Belle Époque manor house, a Relais & Châteaux member, perfectly embodies French poetic elegance, with its antique furniture, floral fabrics by Jacques Garcia, and soft light filtered through stained glass windows.

It’s like entering a family home. The service, warm and precise, oscillates between discretion and thoughtfulness with a rare accuracy. Perhaps it’s here, in La Baule, that we’re rediscovering what a sincere welcome means.

Rooms of dreams and refinement

With just 31 rooms and suites, the hotel focuses on intimacy and attention to detail. Wood panelling, embroidered headboards, English fabrics, patinated furniture… each room tells a story, between romance and plush comfort.

Some open out onto the wooded park, others onto the Atlantic Ocean, for waking up bathed in light. All share the same atmosphere of hushed retreat, perfect for a break for two.

A gourmet table designed by Jérémy Coirier

At the helm of La Table du Castel restaurant, chef Jérémy Coirier offers inspired, local and generous cuisine. A child of the Nantes region, he works with local artisans, the fishermen of Le Croisic and the market gardeners of Mesquer, to deliver dishes of rare gourmet sincerity.

The menu evolves with the seasons, and pairings are perfectly mastered thanks to the work of the in-house sommelier. Enjoy your meal facing the restaurant’s picture windows or on the sunny terrace, surrounded by greenery.

And for those who love surprises, themed evenings focusing on a particular product or winemaker punctuate the season with verve.

A lounge bar with old-fashioned charm

One of the hotel’s hidden treasures: the Castel bar. A refined lounge at teatime, a velvety cocoon at sunset, in the evening it becomes a veritable showcase for rare cognacs and whiskies. The barman also offers his own in-house creations, while leaving room for the great classics.

It’s a place where you can take your time, linger and chat. The atmosphere is hushed, almost confidential, like a literary salon with a seaside twist.

A destination of many pleasures

Staying at Castel Marie-Louise also means taking advantage of La Baule’s infrastructure: thalassotherapy at the Royal Barrière, horseback riding on the beach, paddle, tennis, cycling… not forgetting the group’s other restaurants, from bistronomy to lunch on the go overlooking the sea.

The immediate proximity of the ocean allows you to fully enjoy the Atlantic coast experience, between sea bathing and lounging in the park. The Côte d’Amour lives up to its name.

Unrivalled service: gentleness, attention and a smile

What stands out above all is the extreme quality of the service. The Castel Marie-Louise teams embody this effortless hospitality, where everything seems to flow from the source. Here, every gesture is just right, every attention personalized. We greet you by name, remember your favorite beverage, anticipate without intruding.

It’s one of the most charming services we’ve ever encountered, a rare blend of human warmth, savoir-vivre and quiet elegance. Editor’s tip: ask for François.

Why book now

Because this type of address is hard to come by. And because there are few places left in France where you can feel so much sincerity and attention, without ever falling into convention. Because whether in low season or high summer, Castel Marie-Louise’s charm is always at work, like a gentle spell cast from another era.

Practical information

🏰 Castel Marie-Louise – 5-star hotel
📍 1 Avenue Andrieu, 44500 La Baule-Escoublac
🌐 www.hotelsbarriere.com/fr/la-baule/le-castel-marie-louise
📞 +33 (0)2 40 11 48 38
✉️ [email protected]

🛏️ 31 rooms and suites – some with sea view
🍽 La Table du Castel gourmet restaurant – Chef: Jérémy Coirier
🍸 Lounge bar with tasting of cognacs and whiskies

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