Relais de la Poste

The story

Relais de la Poste – Michelin-Starred Classic Cuisine in Magescq, Landes

A Family Dynasty in the Landes

In the quiet village of Magescq, the Relais de la Poste has been a beacon of hospitality for over half a century. What began as a 19th-century staging post for travelers was transformed by the Coussau family into a four-star Relais & Châteaux hotel with a restaurant that has held two Michelin stars since 1971 – an extraordinary 55-year run of excellence. Chef Jean Coussau, a Maître Cuisinier de France, leads the kitchen alongside his niece Clémentine Coussau, representing the fourth generation. His wife Annick oversees the hotel and guest welcome, while his brother Jacques manages the dining room and the exceptional wine cellar.

The Dining Experience

The restaurant’s classic cuisine is rooted in the traditions of the Landes region, drawing on local produce from the surrounding pine forest and Atlantic coast. Jean Coussau’s cooking is described on the restaurant’s own site as “made of diversity linked to all the local products that this beautiful department offers.” Dishes such as the legendary hot foie gras, civet of blue lobster, and Landes capon stuffed with truffles feature on seasonal menus. The restaurant also produces its own wine, La Petite Lagune, from an experimental vineyard on the 7-hectare estate.

The atmosphere is one of understated luxury – a haven where “luxury rhymes with simplicity,” as the Coussaus put it. The dining room looks out onto a splendid park with a heated pool, spa, and even a padel court. For a more casual meal, the restaurant Côté Quillier offers an alternative just steps away.

Recognition and Legacy

The Relais de la Poste’s two Michelin stars are a testament to the family’s unwavering commitment to quality. In 2021, the restaurant celebrated 50 years of holding the award, a milestone that inspired the documentary La Dynastie Coussau, featuring interviews with fellow chefs Alain Ducasse and Alain Dutournier, as well as Michelin inspectors. This long-held distinction, paired with the warm, personal service of the Coussau family, makes dining here a genuine experience of French art de vivre.

Whether you come for the classic cuisine, the remarkable wine list, or simply to soak up the serenity of the Landes, the Relais de la Poste offers a meal that feels both timeless and deeply personal.