The arrival of the formidable Isabelle at the helm of the Barrière hotels in La Baule has given the whole destination a new lease of life.
La Baule is an easy escape from Paris — right on the seafront, and ideal when you simply need to get away. Of the group’s properties here, L’Hermitage is the most family-friendly (alongside the Castel Marie-Louise, a historic Relais & Châteaux). There’s a kids club with plenty of activities to keep children busy.
The rooms are comfortable, though the bathrooms are starting to show their age and would benefit from a refresh. Breakfast, on the other hand, is a real success. For lunch, Ciro’s is the one not to miss — dining right on the beach.
The wellness side
This is what makes the address stand out: it’s home to the first medical wellness centre within a luxury hotel in France, with a considered, tailored approach to nutrition.
