Saint James Hotel

Just a stone’s throw from the beach and Les Planches, the Saint James is a nine-bedroom guesthouse where guests come, above all, to unwind. Here, there’s no impersonal grand lobby or cold reception desk: you feel as though you’re staying with friends, surrounded by weathered wood panelling, English engravings and deep armchairs by the fireside. A guesthouse on a human scale, where we take the time to welcome you, offer advice and have a little chat, because here, conversation is part of the hospitality.

The heart of the house is its lounge-bar, open to all, where you can enjoy a fine cup of tea, a hot chocolate, a house cocktail or a carefully selected whisky at any time of day. As soon as the first chill of winter sets in, the fire is lit and the room takes on the feel of a sanctuary: the fire crackles, books are opened, conversations linger… or silence simply settles in. People come here to read, work, play cards or simply do nothing at all, and no one will rush you to vacate your armchair.

And from Wednesday to Friday, from 3.30 pm to 6.30 pm, this lounge transforms into a quintessentially British haunt for tea time. On the table, you’ll find a selection of teas served piping hot, warm scones, a soft brioche, Normandy jam, homemade hot chocolate and a few sweet treats to round it all off. It’s all served on a mismatched set of English crockery, which gives this afternoon tea an irresistible old-world charm, halfway between an English country house and a Normandy seaside villa. The set menu is priced at €15 per person: just the right amount of indulgence to treat yourself, without spoiling your appetite for dinner.

But tea time at the Saint James is, above all, a moment of respite. You settle down by the fireplace, watch life in Trouville unfold outside the windows, leaf through the book of the week, and savour that rare pleasure of having little else to do. On rainy days, it’s even better: when the Normandy sky is at its most capricious, what could be more comforting than a steaming cup of tea and a scone still warm, whilst the downpour drums away outside? It’s another way to discover Trouville – in peace and quiet, in the warmth, with a few crumbs on your fingers.

What also adds to the charm of the place is the personal attention given to every guest. The team is happy to share their favourite spots: restaurants, bars, walks, markets, ideas for grey days, and even a few secret spots you won’t find in any guidebook. Got a birthday to celebrate, a table to book, or a bouquet to arrange? Just ask.

For those staying here, breakfast is served every morning as a buffet in the lounge, from 8.30 am to 10.30 am, in such a relaxed atmosphere that you could almost pop down in your socks. Dogs are welcome, and the free Wi-Fi even lets you work from home by the fireside – which is certainly more stylish than an open-plan office.

The lounge is small, and that’s precisely what gives it its charm. Seats are therefore limited: do remember to book your armchair, especially on grey afternoons, which are very popular with regulars!

Please note: due to its original architecture, the house is not accessible to people with reduced mobility.