A unique, unusual, and special hotel, Le Saint-James was founded in 1989 under the leadership of Jean Nouvel. Avant-garde, the architect imagined the place as a cocoon of modernity in the heart of vines and on the heights of Bordeaux , city of cultures and gastronomy.
The Saint James, a bold choice that combines natural and tradition, clean lines and nature, hospitality and cultural heritage.A subtle cocktail that makes Le Saint-James timeless, immutable, while allowing itself to be gently patinated by time.
To best integrate with nature and Bouliac, Jean Nouvel drew inspiration from old tobacco drying sheds. Thus, around the original farmhouse, the architect designed four pavilions modeled after these old drying sheds, recreating their rusty, raw appearance.
A gallery connects these different pavilions, to facilitate circulation. But also to surprise: for example, when you look through the long window that overlooks the kitchen and allows you to observe the bustling brigade.
The four pavilions house fifteen rooms and three suites, spread over three levels. Their common feature: they all feature immense bay windows, offering a unique view of the vineyards, the Garonne, and Bordeaux.
In the rooms and suites, all hotel codes are shattered. With Jean Nouvel, white dominates, symbolizing purity and simplicity. The dressing room is open and the bay windows are bare; their only adornment is the view of nature. On the floor, raw concrete. On the walls: marmorino, reflecting daylight. As for the bed, it delivers a breathtaking spectacle. And for good reason: its height changes from one room to the next, to offer a breathtaking view of the vineyards, once you lie down. Add to this a multitude of thoughtful touches: stereo, minibar, coffee machine, television, air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and Hermès welcome products.
Sleeping at the Saint-James is an experience, something never seen before, something rarely experienced.
Regarding the suites, they have the appearance of lofts and each one – with an area of 70 m2 – asserts its own personality. Like the “Harley-Davidson” suite, located on the ground floor, with a terrace facing the vines and a real “Harley” as a decorative object near the bed. As for the “Jacuzzi” suite, as its name suggests, it has a jacuzzi installed on a huge teak terrace, which overlooks the vines, the park, Bordeaux, without forgetting the unique view of the Romanesque church of Bouliac.
Finally, on the furniture side, there's room for designer creations: Le Corbusier, Charles Eames, Philippe Starck... and Jean Nouvel. The architect designed armchairs exclusively for the Bouliac establishment. These seats, named Saint-James, are now design classics: in 2011, Ligne Roset reissued them under the Jean Nouvel brand.
On the catering side…
Nicolas Magie, Chef de Cuisine at Saint-James (1 Michelin star) has a fabulous playground to showcase its creations. Namely: a restaurant room designed like a terraced garden, which faithfully follows the slope of the hill. Dressed in bay windows, the room faces rows of Merlot and the majestic Bordeaux. All in a refined decor, designedby Jean Nouvel. Finally, at sunset, the marmorino walls and ceiling gently change color: enchanting.
How can we sum up the spirit of Nicolas Magie's cuisine? A bit of a free spirit, his cuisine is like him: it combines accuracy, sincerity, authenticity, but also poetry and fantasy. What drives him? "Arousing emotion." To achieve this, Nicolas Magie doesn't hesitate to rely on bitterness and acidity, including in certain desserts. With him, turbot pairs well with celtuce, radishes, and squid. Milk-fed lamb goes well with anchovies and peas. As for cucumber, he can twist it into a dessert by pairing it, for example, with a crispy fromage blanc mousse.
But Le Saint-James is also a 4-hectare park which shelters 950 vines, and a XNUMX°C covered swimming poolheated. It isof an elegant swimming corridor, 25 meters long,designed by Jean Nouvel and recognizable byits unexpected black liner. A bold choice andavant-garde at the dawn of the 1990s.
All this just 10 minutes from the heart of Bordeaux and its SNCF train station, 20 minutes from Mérignac airport, 40 minutes from Saint-Émilion and an hour's drive from the beaches of Arcachon or Cap Ferret.
The St. James
3, Place Camille Hostein
F-33270 Bouliac (France)
T +33 (0)5 57 97 06 00
F +33 (0)5 56 20 92 58
Claudie V.
