The road into Juillac-le-Coq, a quiet commune in southwestern France, winds through some of the most storied countryside in Europe. Limestone walls catch the afternoon light. Vineyards roll across the hills in every direction. Village roads narrow between centuries-old farmhouses, and the air carries the faint, woody sweetness that defines this corner of the Charente department. Nothing about the setting suggests pickleball. Then the courts appear.

Tucked directly among the vines at Le Logis, two private pickleball courts sit within the private luxury estate in the heart of France’s Cognac region. One moment, you are walking through a 16th-century French country manor surrounded by centuries of history and Grande Champagne terroir. Next, you are stepping onto a court with a paddle in your hand while rows of cognac-producing vines stretch beyond the baseline.

The Estate

Le Logis is not a hotel in any conventional sense. The estate operates as a fully private luxury buyout, with one group reserving the entire property at a time. There are no shared spaces, no outside guests, and a level of privacy that allows visitors to experience the estate as their own countryside residence. Located in the heart of the Cognac region near the town of Juillac-le-Coq, the meticulously restored 16th-century manor blends centuries-old limestone architecture with refined interiors, art deco touches, and modern amenities that feel intentionally understated rather than excessive.

The property includes 14 uniquely designed en-suite bedrooms, multiple dining areas, a private cinema, a cocktail bar, a heated saltwater pool, a hot tub, fitness facilities, a pétanque court, and expansive grounds enclosed by medieval walls. The atmosphere feels less like a traditional resort and more like a private countryside residence, where thoughtful hospitality and personalized service are woven into daily life.

Acquired by Bacardi in 2012 and extensively restored as the home of Grey Goose’s invitation-only hospitality and education programs, Le Logis has since evolved into an exclusive private retreat while maintaining strong ties to Cognac culture, local vineyards, and the traditions of the region. That heritage informs everything here, from the food and drink to the pace of the days themselves.

Le Logis is also recognized by Forbes Travel Guide, reflecting its commitment to personalized hospitality and exceptional guest experiences.

The Pickleball Program

Le Logis offers a dedicated pickleball retreat program called Dinking in the Vines, available exclusively as a full-estate buyout for groups of up to 14 guests. The program is designed for all skill levels, whether guests are picking up a paddle for the first time or arriving with competitive experience. Instruction is provided by PICKLESTARS professionals, internationally certified coaches who deliver tailored coaching through small group sessions, individual instruction, and signature clinics.

The centerpiece of the retreat is the two private pickleball courts positioned directly within the estate’s vineyards. A covered open-air lounge adjoins the courts, allowing spectators to watch matches with drinks in hand and turning the playing area into a social gathering space as much as a competitive one. Lighting allows for evening play, meaning rallies continue after dark while the surrounding countryside settles into silence.

The flagship clinics are the DiVine Dinking session and the Paddle Battle clinic, each designed to sharpen different aspects of the game. The retreat concludes with a formal awards ceremony and farewell celebration, giving the program a sense of occasion that extends well beyond the courts themselves.

What Is Included

The retreat is fully all-inclusive. Guests receive daily French country breakfasts, al fresco lunches, and themed dinners prepared by a private chef using seasonal ingredients sourced locally and from the estate’s own garden. House wines and spirits are included from 5 p.m. onward. A guided cognac tasting, a chef-led pizza-making class, and a mixology class are also part of the program, as are housekeeping and turndown service throughout the stay.

On the recovery side, guests have access to a Technogym fitness suite, the saltwater pool, a cold plunge, a hot tub, and a full range of Hyperice recovery equipment. Each guest also receives one pre-scheduled recovery massage during the retreat, making physical restoration as much a part of the program as time on the court.

Four Days in Cognac

SAMPLE ITINERARY

Beyond the Courts

Le Logis leans fully into the landscape and culture surrounding it. Guests can arrange bicycle tours through the Cognac countryside, explore hiking trails and cycling loops across the Grande Champagne vineyards, kayak the Charente River, take hot air balloon rides over the region, or participate in mixology classes and field-to-bottle cognac experiences tied to the estate’s Grey Goose history.

The estate can also organize private pickleball workshops and tournaments, including multi-day coaching sessions through Picklestars professionals, for groups looking to add more structured instruction beyond the standard retreat program.

The town of Cognac itself is less than nine miles from the estate, placing guests within easy reach of the region’s celebrated distilleries, tasting rooms, and vineyard tours. Meals at the estate reflect that same regional identity, with dining shifting naturally between rustic kitchens, elegant dining rooms, and outdoor tables overlooking the grounds depending on the time of day and the mood of the group.

Getting There

Most guests arrive by train at Angoulême Station, roughly 40 minutes from the estate, following a high-speed rail trip from Paris. Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport serves as the closest major international airport, approximately 90 minutes away by car. Private transfers and helicopter arrivals can also be arranged through the estate for guests requiring more bespoke logistics.

Where Pickleball Is Heading

Luxury pickleball travel is evolving quickly. Across the world, resorts, clubs, and retreat operators are beginning to understand that players are not simply looking for quality courts. They are looking for atmosphere, community, and experiences that are meaningfully connected to the places they visit.

Le Logis represents a particular vision of that future. It is intimate rather than large-scale, quiet rather than commercial, and deeply connected to the landscape, history, and culture that surround it. The courts are not surrounded by crowds or rows of fencing. They sit among vineyards, woven into the rhythm of a 16th-century estate that has been welcoming guests for generations.

For further information and reservations, contact Koraly Butikofer.