LA CO(O)-RNICHE

The Pearl of Arcachon

La Co(o)rniche stands out like a figurehead, overlooking the Pilat-Plage neighbourhood. Fitted out by the celebrated designer Philippe Starck, this elegant, unabashedly luxurious family-run hotel remains true to its origins. Guests are made welcome in imaginatively decorated surroundings inspired by the superb location. La Co(o)rniche is also an essential meeting place for Bassin d’Arcachon regulars, abuzz with the sound of conversations, where you never know who you’ll bump into.

By Marine Pasquier

Easy living

As soon as you see La Co(o) rniche, suspended between sea and sky atop the tallest dune in Europe, you know this is no ordinary hotel. It combines the traditional look of a Basque house surrounded by pines with the marine feel of an oyster hut overlooking the stunningly panoramic natural theatre of the Bassin d’Arcachon. Philippe Starck, an ocean-lover who often comes here, was bowled over by it. Taking his own sense of awe as a starting-point, he devised a scheme of decoration that celebrates the magical setting and reflects the ebullient, laughter-loving personalities of the people who live here, starting with the hotel’s instantly likeable owners, William, Sophie and their son Thomas.

La Co(o)rniche according to Starck

The Téchoueyres family took over the 1930s hotel, a former hunting lodge, in 2010. They wanted to make improvements while retaining the hotel’s famously hospitable ambience. To restore La Co(o)rniche to its former glory, Philippe Starck tore up the rule-book. The tone is set from the moment you set foot inside: the entrance hall of the large, traditional neoBasque house has been kept exactly as it was. Its dark wood, frescoes and period furniture pleasantly recall the people who used to come here in bygone days. Upstairs, there are eight bedrooms with names alluding to the location - Dune, Ferret, Pyla, Banc d’Arguin, Bassin and Océan. Their unpretentious decor offers a range of variations on charm and easy living, but all of them make you feel as if you’re in a family holiday home. A careful choice of colours, materials and objects help create a lived-in atmosphere. On the shelves are five solid aluminium sculptures especially designed for La Co(o)rniche by Philippe Starck, representing the things that sum up Arcachon: an oyster, a flat-bottomed oyster boat, a fishing smack, a wine-glass and a dune.

Setting the mood

Just a few steps away are La Co(o)rniche’s 18 wooden cabins. Designed by Philippe Starck, they are inspired by the oyster-farming village of L’Herbe at Cap Ferret and look like oyster huts, but these are luxury cabins, each with two bedrooms and a terrace with a stunning view of the Banc d’Arguin and the ocean beyond. Inside, they feature Philippe Starck’s favourite king-size beds decked in white linen in the middle of the room. A taupe, white, pearl-grey and powder pink colour scheme and high-quality materials combine to create a calm, gentle mood. Philippe Starck has mastered the art of making you feel at home from the moment you walk in.

A cosy eatery

For its ten-year anniversary, the cabin that houses La Co(o) rniche’s restaurant has also had a makeover. Its atmosphere varies according to the season, but its new look offers a powerful reminder of nature all year round. Here, Starck has used unvarnished wood, natural leather and elegant fabrics to create a warm, cosy atmosphere. Striking upright chair and armchair designs contrast with precious objects and souvenirs from travels and visits, placed here and there. The Spanish artist Sergio Mora was invited to decorate the walls with his drawings and mysterious, magical inscriptions reminiscent of sailors’ tattoos and seafarers’ legends. On the ceiling, a fresco by Starck’s daughter Ara recounts another tale from the amazing history of Arcachon, revealing the secrets of the ocean depths.

Celebrating south-western flavours

The chef, Christophe Beaupuy, will concoct your platter from local ingredients, depending on seasonal availability. He himself comes from the area, so he knows exactly where to source the best local produce and is delighted to share his haul with guests. With the help of carefully selected local food producers, he sums up the fare he offers as high-quality foods that celebrate local flavours. Authenticity and inventiveness are his watchwords. La Co(o) rniche’s cellar contains around 200 wines: prestigious bottles rub shoulders with carefully selected affordable finds. In the evening, the restaurant’s terrace is lit by a host of coloured lanterns, adding to the magical atmosphere. The terrace is extended by a swimming-pool that mimicks an oyster pond and accentuates the superb view. A magical place set in fabulous scenery, La Co(o)rniche links past with present and land with sea. It’s the ideal spot to savour the present moment - a soothing interlude, away from the din of everyday life.

HÔTEL LA CO(O)RNICHE 46 AVENUE LOUIS GAUME 33115 LA TESTE-DE-BUCH FRANCE LACOORNICHE-PYLA.COM