Opened in 1906 near Sillon beach, the Grand Hôtel de Courtoisville celebrates its 120th anniversary in 2026, the same year the MICHELIN Guide awarded it its first Key. This historic Saint-Malo hotel, renovated in 2022 with a contemporary take on Art Deco, now has 63 rooms and suites, a spa with a heated indoor pool and Restaurant 1906.
What is a MICHELIN Key?
The MICHELIN Key is the MICHELIN Guide's distinction for hotels, the equivalent of its stars for restaurants. Inspectors assess five criteria: architecture and interior design, quality of service, personality and character, value for money, and contribution to the local experience. One Key signals "a very special stay", two Keys "an exceptional stay" and three Keys "an extraordinary stay".
In the 2026 French selection, published in September, the Grand Hôtel de Courtoisville appears as a new one-Key entry, alongside Breton addresses such as Domaine de Locguénolé and Hôtel de la Plage in Plonévez-Porzay. On its MICHELIN Guide page, the inspectors note that "a 2022 renovation by interior designer Hervé Riaudet brought the building's Art Deco bones back into focus."
How did the Grand Hôtel de Courtoisville begin?
The story starts in 1882, when Monsieur Courtois, a military administrator from Saint-Malo, sold land near Sillon beach to the Société de la baie de Saint-Malo Paramé. The company was wound up in 1888 and the undeveloped plots were sold on. In 1902, Monsieur Forest bought them with plans for a hotel.
The Grand Hôtel de Courtoisville opened in 1906, named after the former landowner, who also gave his name to the surrounding district. The original rectangular building had forty rooms, designed for guests drawn by the fashion for sea bathing then sweeping the Emerald Coast. You can read the full story on the hotel history page.
Courtoisville and the Sillon: a seaside district by the water
The Courtoisville district lies between Sillon beach and the centre of Paramé, a former town that merged with Saint-Malo in 1967. Today it is a quiet residential area, a few minutes' walk from the sea. The Sillon promenade, about 3 km long, links the hotel to the ramparts of Intra-Muros, the walled old town: a walk guests have been taking for more than a century, in step with the tides.
The location goes a long way to explaining the hotel's longevity. It sits away from the summer bustle of the old town, yet close enough to reach it on foot. For ideas on what to see nearby, our guide to the most beautiful beaches and coves in Saint-Malo is a good place to start.
2022: an Art Deco renovation by Hervé Riaudet
In 2021, the family-owned Beautiful Life Hotels group, founded in 2018 by Gérard Jicquel, bought the hotel. Work began in November 2022 under interior designer Hervé Riaudet and his studio Méridien Zéro, with Gouronnec Allaire handling the structural work.
The brief was to reinterpret Art Deco in a contemporary way, with nods to the grand casinos of the past. The hotel grew from forty to 63 rooms and suites, decorated in sand, sage green and navy blue. The lobby kept its generous volumes, high ceilings and glass roofs, and a bar and tea room, Le Baccara, was added to the shared spaces, which open onto a large tree-lined garden.
The renovation also created a spa with an indoor pool heated to 30°C, six Sothys treatment cabins, a sauna, a hammam, a herbal tea lounge and a private 38 m² Spa Suite.
Restaurant 1906: a name that tells the story
The hotel restaurant takes its name from the year the hotel opened. Restaurant 1906 seats around 80 guests and serves seasonal bistro cooking based on the day's catch, short supply chains and Breton produce. From breakfast to dinner, with homemade afternoon tea by the fire or in the garden, food has always been central to the house. Before or after dinner, Le Baccara bar serves signature cocktails in the hushed atmosphere of the lounge.
How can you celebrate the hotel's 120 years in 2026?
To mark its 120th anniversary, the Grand Hôtel de Courtoisville invites guests to discover the house as it is today: a historic address, recognised by the MICHELIN Guide, that still feels like a family home. A two-night stay is enough to enjoy the spa, a dinner at Restaurant 1906 and a walk along the Sillon to Intra-Muros.
Over 120 years, the hotel has seen the golden age of sea bathing, the rebuilding of Saint-Malo after 1944 and the growth of tourism along the Emerald Coast. What has not changed is the setting: a house a short walk from the Sillon, where people come for the sea, the quiet streets and the welcome. The 2026 milestones, led by the MICHELIN Key, continue that story rather than break from it.
Discover a house that has welcomed guests by the Sillon for 120 years. Book your stay directly on the Grand Hôtel de Courtoisville offers page for the best available conditions.
Key Facts
- The Grand Hôtel de Courtoisville opened in 1906 with 40 rooms and celebrates its 120th anniversary in 2026.
- The hotel received one MICHELIN Key in the 2026 French selection, as a new entry.
- The renovation, which began in November 2022, was led by interior designer Hervé Riaudet (Méridien Zéro).
- The 4-star hotel now has 63 rooms and suites with a contemporary Art Deco design.
- The spa features an indoor pool heated to 30°C, a hammam, a sauna and a private 38 m² Spa Suite.
- Restaurant 1906 seats around 80 guests and serves seasonal bistro cooking.
- Saint-Malo is about 2h15 from Paris by TGV, with an overnight ferry from Portsmouth; the hotel offers secure parking and valet service.
FAQ
Which hotel in Saint-Malo has a MICHELIN Key?
The Grand Hôtel de Courtoisville received one MICHELIN Key in the 2026 French selection, as a new entry. The distinction recognises "a very special stay", judged on architecture, service, character, value for money and local experience. The hotel is a few minutes' walk from Sillon beach.
How old is the Grand Hôtel de Courtoisville?
The Grand Hôtel de Courtoisville opened in 1906, making it one of Saint-Malo's historic hotels, and it celebrates its 120th anniversary in 2026. It is named after Monsieur Courtois, a local military administrator who owned the land in the district in the late 19th century.
Who renovated the Grand Hôtel de Courtoisville?
The renovation began in November 2022 under interior designer Hervé Riaudet and his studio Méridien Zéro. It reinterpreted Art Deco in a contemporary way and expanded the hotel to 63 rooms and suites, with a spa, a bar and Restaurant 1906.
Why is the restaurant called 1906?
Restaurant 1906 is named after the year the Grand Hôtel de Courtoisville opened. It serves seasonal bistro cooking based on the day's catch and Breton produce, in a dining room of around 80 covers. Tables can be booked with the hotel or online.
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