L’Hôtel de Toiras & Villa Clarisse
Hotel and restaurant in a village
The beautiful island of Ré is really worth a visit. Among the charming ports linked by a network of pathways to be explored by bike, crisscrossing the sandy earth, Saint-Martin-de-Ré, surrounded by the Vauban fortifications, is the best place to stay. The hotel is a 17th century shipbuilder’s residence with windows overlooking the port, near the fortress by Vauban, a Unesco World Heritage site with spectacular views of the Atlantic. There is also the option to stay in the Villa Clarisse – 18th century private mansion – just a stone’s throw away. Both hotels boast gardens, views of the old town and heated swimming pool. Here, the mast of a passing fishing boat may perhaps be the only thing to disturb your view of the setting sun. ...Read more
France, Saint-Martin-de-Ré

Restaurant Christopher Coutanceau
Restaurant of a Grand Chef Relais & Châteaux on the seafront
Concurrence beach stretches out at the foot of this veritable beacon of gastronomy in the Charente. Nothing is left to chance here. Just imagine a truly exceptional moment, where time stands still, and where your pleasure comes first. The clocks have stopped on this Relais & Châteaux Route du Bonheur letting you share a memorable experience. Today Christopher, the son, is in sole command. He has been strongly influenced by his father's legendary culinary rigour on which he puts his own personal stamp. However, the “hallmark signature” of the restaurant has not changed: superb seafood, sourced that very morning at the harbour market, creativity and passion for fine dining. Dare to ask for the secret behind that Breton lobster stew in shellfish butter, or for tips on how to recreate in your own home a crispy line-caught sea bass in a shellfish foam. Added to that there is a cellar with more than one thousand different labels and 20,000 bottles. ...Read more
France, La Rochelle

Le Richelieu
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront
Situated right on the beach, in the middle of the beautiful bay of La Flotte, Le Richelieu invites you to relax and regenerate. From here, guests can explore the charming île de Ré, which offers a perfect balance between historical sights and beautiful nature. After a refreshing swim in the ocean, head to the town of La Flotte to visit its medieval market and get lost in its narrow streets. Back at the hotel, recharge your batteries with an exceptional Thalassotherapy treatment at the spa, and cap off your day with a delectable dinner at the hotel’s restaurant with its panoramic views of one of the most beautiful bays of the Atlantic. ...Read more
France, La Flotte-en-Ré

Château de Mirambeau
Hotel and restaurant in the country
Between Cognac and Bordeaux, two renowned wine-growing regions, this Renaissance-style château enjoys a commanding position in the heart of this superb eight-hectare park overlooking the Gironde estuary. This superb residence boasts a past which is rich in both art and history. Its exquisite furnishing fabrics, antique furniture and crystal chandeliers take you back to an elegant and cosseting atmosphere where you lose all sense of time. Château de Mirambeau, which expresses a French art de vivre that is sophisticated yet unpretentious, offers delightful gourmet cuisine. When evening comes, seek out one of the most fascinating rooms in the château, the “Cognathèque”. This is the ideal place if you want an initiation into the tasting of wine and the best cognacs. ...Read more
France, Mirambeau