A Different Kind of Pickleball Destination
By The Pickleball Weekly Editorial Team • May 13, 2026 • 7 min read
Dinking through the vineyards in the Cognac countryside
THE ROAD INTO Juillac-le-Coq feels almost cinematic. Vineyards stretch across the rolling countryside, limestone walls catch the late-afternoon light, and quiet village roads wind through one of the most historic regions in France. Nothing about the setting suggests pickleball. Then the courts appear.
Tucked directly among the vines at Le Logis, two private pickleball courts sit inside one of the most exclusive estates in the Cognac region, creating a combination that feels almost surreal the first time you see it. One moment you are walking through a 16th-century French country estate surrounded by centuries of history. The next, you are stepping onto a court with a paddle in your hand while rows of Grande Champagne vineyards stretch beyond the baseline.
It is not the version of pickleball most players are used to. That is exactly the point.
The Rise of Pickleball in France
Pickleball remains an emerging sport in France, but its growth has accelerated rapidly. In just a few years, the player base has expanded from roughly 1,300 players in 2023 to more than 30,000 regular players in 2026. Early 2026 also marked a major milestone when the French Tennis Federation received official ministerial recognition to regulate and develop the sport nationwide.
While the U.S. still dominates the sport globally, France is becoming one of Europe’s more intriguing growth markets. Approximately 50 French Tennis Federation-affiliated clubs now offer pickleball activities, and major events, including activations at Roland Garros and the Winter Pickleball Open in Marcq-en-Barœul, continue pushing visibility higher.
Even so, courts remain relatively limited across the country, with roughly 300 total courts nationwide. That scarcity makes Le Logis stand out even more.
The estate is home to two of the only private pickleball courts in France.
A Château Built for Escape
Le Logis is not a traditional hotel. The estate operates as a fully private luxury buyout experience, meaning one group reserves the entire property at a time. Located in the heart of the Cognac region, 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 estate includes 14 uniquely designed en-suite bedrooms, multiple dining areas, a private cinema, cocktail bar, heated saltwater pool, hot tub, fitness facilities, pétanque court, and expansive grounds enclosed by medieval walls. The atmosphere feels less like a resort and more like a private countryside residence that happens to operate at an exceptionally high level.
Originally known as an invitation-only Grey Goose retreat after Bacardi acquired the property in 2012, Le Logis has since evolved into one of the region’s premier luxury private estates while maintaining strong ties to Cognac culture and vineyard life.
That connection to place is what makes the experience feel authentic rather than manufactured.
Pickleball in the Vines
The courts themselves are stunning, but it is the setting surrounding them that changes the experience completely.
Positioned directly within the vineyards, the pickleball courts are framed by rows of vines and French countryside views that feel impossibly calm compared to the pace most players associate with the sport. A covered open-air lounge allows guests to watch matches with drinks in hand, turning the courts into both a playing space and a social gathering point.
Play does not stop when the sun goes down. Lighting allows for evening matches, where rallies continue under the glow of the courts while the surrounding countryside settles into silence.
It creates a very different rhythm around the game. Instead of squeezing matches between obligations, players settle into full afternoons and evenings built around play, conversation, meals, and the slower pace of the estate itself.
More than Just Court Time
Le Logis leans fully into curated experiences. Some are included in the stay, while others can be arranged privately depending on the group.
Guests can take bicycle tours through the Cognac countryside, explore hiking trails and cycling loops across Grande Champagne vineyards, kayak the Charente River, arrange 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 professional instructors associated with Picklestars.
What emerges is not simply a vacation with courts attached to it. It becomes a full lifestyle retreat built around movement, food, wine, hospitality, and sport.
The Cognac Connection
The location itself matters as much as the estate. Le Logis sits in the Grande Champagne district, the premier cru of the Cognac region and home to some of the world’s most respected spirits producers. The town of Cognac is less than nine miles away, placing guests within easy reach of distilleries, tasting rooms, and vineyard tours.
Meals at the estate reflect the region as well. A private chef prepares three daily meals using seasonal ingredients and produce sourced locally and from the on-site garden. Dining shifts naturally between rustic kitchens, elegant dining rooms, and outdoor tables overlooking the grounds.
The experience feels deeply connected to the landscape around it rather than isolated from it.
A Glimpse at Where Pickleball Travel is Heading
Luxury pickleball travel is evolving quickly. Resorts, clubs, and retreats across the world are beginning to realize that players are not only looking for courts. They are looking for atmosphere, community, and experiences tied to the places they visit.
Le Logis represents a different version of that future. It is intimate rather than massive. Quiet rather than commercial. The courts are not surrounded by crowds or endless rows of fencing. They sit among vineyards, integrated into the rhythm of the estate itself.
For players used to crowded open play sessions and packed tournament schedules, that contrast can feel almost disorienting at first. Then it starts to make perfect sense.
Getting to the Château
Most guests arrive by train through Angoulême Station, located roughly 40 minutes from the estate, after a high-speed rail trip from Paris. Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport serves as the closest major airport, approximately 90 minutes away by car. Private transfers and even helicopter arrivals can also be arranged through the estate.
The trip requires intention. That, too, is part of the appeal.
Pack Your Bags
Pickleball in France is still emerging, but Le Logis shows what can happen when the sport intersects with luxury travel, history, and landscape in a meaningful way.
The result is not simply another pickleball destination. It is one of the most unique settings in the sport.
The Pickleball Editorial Team produces in-depth reporting and cover features that examine the sport’s growth, innovation, competition, and culture. With contributors who understand both the strategy of the game and the forces shaping its future, the team is committed to telling the full story of modern pickleball.
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