A bit of history
LA CARAVELLE, CENTENARY
Our family has been based at La Caravelle since 1920. Originally a fisherman’s hut, La Caravelle has been transformed over time into the hotel and restaurant you know today.
This chronicle tells the story of La Caravelle, from its beginnings over a hundred years ago to the present day.
Discover the story of a matriarchal family from the Landes region, driven by a desire to share the richness of their region and its landscapes.
From 1920
In the 1920s, Léonce Delest, a resin collector from the Landes region, decided to settle with his wife Jeanne on a sandy strip of land on the southern shore of Lake Sanguinet-Cazaux, north of Biscarrosse.
They started modestly, renting boats with a neighbour in the bay. Then, in a simple wooden shack, they began selling soup and aniseed-flavoured drinks, which they diluted with water drawn directly from the lake. In the kitchen, a pig ruled the roost. Jeanne and Léonce lived there, following the rhythm of this lakeside world. Those were the days of yore. Another time..
Around the 1960s
Their daughter, Léoncia, married Pierre Meurice, an air traffic controller. Exiled to Casablanca, Morocco, for their work, they decided to return to France in 1957 and build the Hôtel La Caravelle in this place that was as idyllic as it was isolated at the time. Nothing was easy back then—the road was merely a dirt track. Pierre and Léoncia chose the name as a tribute to travel, whether by sea, air, or land. The hotel later became a member of Logis de France and was awarded its first star.
In the 1980s
In 1983, following Pierre’s passing, their daughter Nicole brought her husband, Joël Charlotteaux, into the family adventure. They too had returned from afar, having lived in exile on the island of Java, Indonesia, for their work. Together, they improved and enhanced the existing property. Nautical-related shops began to appear, and later a golf course opened nearby.
La Caravelle then became a charming two-star romantic hotel, still a member of Logis de France. Guests felt truly at home there. The rooms, extended by balconies or terraces, offered magnificent, lush views over the lake. For relaxation, a lovely terrace and a solarium were available.
The family legacy continued. Nicole and Joël had two daughters, Marion and Vanessa, whom regular guests watched grow up over the seasons.
In 2006
On November 3, 2006, at the age of 86, Léoncia Meurice, the founder, passed away quietly… She left the place she loved so dearly. She passed on to her descendants the true values she held close: responsibility, love, and dedication to work.
The daughter of Jeanne and Léonce Delest entrusted her legacy to the next generation, leaving them to continue what had inspired her until the very last day of her life: La Caravelle.
Following the passing of her grandmother Léoncia, Marion, daughter of Nicole and Joël, became more deeply involved in the family business. She took over her father’s responsibilities upon his retirement. Driven by a constant desire to enhance the services and appeal of La Caravelle, Nicole and Marion have continued ever since to renovate, innovate, and reimagine the property.
The beautifully preserved surroundings whisper serenity.
Today, the charming romantic hotel proudly holds three stars, still under the Logis Hôtels brand (the new name for Logis de France).
Four generations have now taken the helm of La Caravelle—four generations of passionate locals from the Landes region, deeply attached to their land and their roots.
Our home has always upheld a certain virtue, inherited from the common sense of times past. We strive to respect nature and our environment, favoring sustainable practices whenever possible.
Vanessa and Marion, in turn, have had children of their own—Emma, Morgan, and Louis—deeply connected to this place and its history. We hope that they too will carry on the tradition of welcoming future travelers with all their heart, in the most beautiful setting imaginable!