Just a five-minute walk separates Coureilles from the Atlantic Ocean - the estate is a small world unto itself. In the courtyard stands a plane tree that has been growing here for over a century. It provides shade for leisurely lunches, coffee breaks, and evenings spent outdoors. From the apartments on the upper floor, one looks directly into its canopy.
Beyond lie the gardens, including a French garden to the south of the property.
That Coureilles was once a farm is still evident in its history. The buildings date back to the 17th century, while the estate itself is over 400 years old. Until the 1980s, it comprised approximately 50 hectares of land. Initially, wine was cultivated; later, livestock was raised and the fields were farmed. Coureilles remained in the same family for over 210 years before the current owners took over the property in 2023. They extensively renovated the old buildings and reopened Coureilles as a hotel in 2026.
When furnishing the hotel, it was important to them to preserve the character of the building without turning it into a museum. Lime, hemp, wood, and stone meet custom-made furniture and carefully selected vintage pieces. The rooms are simply designed, but not interchangeable. Light was also a key consideration in the planning: in the afternoon, the sun shines on the west facade, transforming the atmosphere inside.
Coureilles is explicitly not intended solely for hotel guests. The café and restaurant are meant to be a meeting place for people from La Rochelle, and the gardens are also open to everyone. Art, good food, and offerings like yoga are part of the concept. In this way, the hotel remains connected to the life of the city, while at the same time the sea is just a short walk away.
Rooms + Rates
per night| Apartment | from150 € |
Characteristics
- Historic country estate dating back to the 17th century with over 400 years of history
- Located in La Rochelle, in Nouvelle-Aquitaine on the Atlantic coast
- Beautiful courtyard with a plane tree over a hundred years old.
- Café, restaurant and gardens as a meeting place for guests and locals
- A great mix of art, gastronomy, and socializing.
- Seasonal cuisine featuring regional fish and predominantly organic vegetables, some from our own vegetable garden
- Yoga and Pilates classes, as well as monthly yoga retreats and massages, can be arranged upon request.
- Walks and bike rides along the Atlantic coast directly from the house, surfing and kitesurfing opportunities less than an hour away
- About a five-minute walk to the Atlantic Ocean, 20 minutes to the center of La Rochelle
- Also very suitable for seminars, events, parties, etc.
Sustainable
The renovation aimed to preserve as much as possible of the old farm's character. The 17th-century buildings are grouped around the courtyard with its ancient plane tree. Instead of letting the site's history disappear behind new surfaces, the existing building fabric was carefully restored and supplemented where necessary. The origin of the materials also played a role in the insulation and new construction: regionally available and reused building materials, as well as natural materials like lime and hemp, were used. The gardens were also integrated into the renovation concept. For this approach to preserving the existing structure and the use of ecological materials, Coureilles received an award from the Fondation du Patrimoine.
At Coureilles, seasonal and regional ingredients take center stage in the kitchen. During the season, more than 70 percent of the vegetables are organically grown, and the fish comes exclusively from the region. Meat is served only rarely and is not certified organic. Some vegetables, herbs, and flowers are grown on the premises, and ten chickens live there, their eggs being used in the kitchen. Leftovers either end up on the on-site compost heap or are fed to the chickens.
The entire Coureilles team comes from the region. As an employer, the hotel values strong ties to the local community. Employees also benefit from discounted rates on hotel facilities.
Waste is separated and organic waste is composted on-site. Each apartment has a water filter so guests can easily drink tap water. All lighting has been converted to LED. The meeting rooms are heated with wood, and a ventilation system with heat recovery helps to minimize energy loss. Outdoors, too, care is taken to conserve resources: The vegetable garden is organically cultivated, and the lawns are not irrigated. At check-in, guests are asked to request that towels and bed linens be changed only when necessary, to separate their waste, and to drink tap water rather than bottled water whenever possible.
Regular yoga and Pilates classes are offered, and a yoga retreat takes place once a month. Massages can be arranged upon request. The location is also ideal for outdoor activities: Long walks and bike rides along the coast can be enjoyed directly from the house. Those who prefer the water will find surfing and kitesurfing opportunities less than an hour away.
Features
- 9 apartments with 1-3 bedrooms
- All apartments have their own kitchen and view to the courtyard with the plane tree
- Restaurant (with terrace) and café
- Two conference and event rooms of different sizes
- A hectare park with various gardens
- Yoga, Pilates and massages can be booked
- On-site parking lot (overnight parking subject to a charge)
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