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Le Grand Merci Beach House, Cape San Blas, Florida

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Reviews

9.6 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms4+ bathroomsSleeps 91440 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Onsite parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor barbecue
  • Balcony

Explore the area

View in a map
Port St Joe, FL
  • Place, William J. "Billy Joe" Rish Recreation Park
    ‪1 min walk‬
  • Place, T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Beach
    ‪11 min walk‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

Bedroom 1

+1
1 Single Bed, 2 King Beds and 2 Queen Beds

4 bathrooms, 4 half bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Bathroom 5

Bathroom 6

Bathroom 7

Bathroom 8

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Separate dining area
Garden

About this property

Le Grand Merci Beach House, Cape San Blas, Florida

Enjoy unparalleled peace and quiet within the sound of breaking waves in our professionally decorated coastal cottage. Le Grand Merci is located in Cape San Blas, Florida on the highly prized northern end of the St. Joseph Peninsula with easy, neighborhood-only access to both beach and bay. Our beach was twice rated #1 in America!
Le Grand Merci sleeps up to nine people in three bedrooms (2 with king-sized beds and 1 with queen-sized bed), plus one queen-sized living-room sleeper sofa), and one “beneath the bed” twin mattress that can be placed on the floor. It features three full indoor bathrooms and one full ground level "beach-friendly" bathroom. (Click here for full details.)
Le Grand Merci is located on the St. Joseph Peninsula less than one mile from the entrance to the renowned T.H. Stone Memorial State Park and Wilderness Area. The southern area of the park has re-opened following Hurricane Michael and features pristine beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, a bayside beautiful, "toddler-friendly" beach and snorkeling area with limited wave action adjacent to a small marina and boat launch.
While some area beaches have experienced significant erosion, our beaches on the northern end of the St. Joseph Peninsula are in great shape!  Diagonal across the street from Le Grand Merci is Rish Park with its Olympic-sized swimming that is open to the public for a very small daily fee.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 6:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 9:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher

About the area

Port St. Joe

Cape Breezes, a neighbourhood in Port St. Joe, is home to this holiday home. Cape San Blas Lighthouse and Centennial Building are local landmarks, and some of the area's attractions include Frank Pate Park and Port Theatre Art and Culture Center.
View more Holiday homes in Port St. JoeOpens in a new window
Map
Port St Joe, FL

What's nearby

  • William J. "Billy Joe" Rish Recreation Park - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Beach - 11 min walk - 1.0 km
  • Port St. Joe Beach - 9 min drive - 12.9 km
  • Mexico Beach - 38 min drive - 56.3 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Hunt’s Oyster Bar & Seafood On St. Joe Bay - ‬16 min drive
  • ‪Scallop Republic - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Cape San Blas Coffee & Ice Cream - ‬2 min drive
  • ‪LongBill’s on Cape San Blas - ‬12 min walk
  • ‪Pomodoro Italian Grill and Bar - ‬18 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Le Grand Merci Beach House, Cape San Blas, Florida pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Le Grand Merci Beach House, Cape San Blas, Florida?

As of 12 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Le Grand Merci Beach House, Cape San Blas, Florida on 2 May 2026 start from £250, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.

How much is parking at Le Grand Merci Beach House, Cape San Blas, Florida?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Le Grand Merci Beach House, Cape San Blas, Florida?

Check-in begins at 6:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Le Grand Merci Beach House, Cape San Blas, Florida?

Checkout is at 9:00 AM.

Where is Le Grand Merci Beach House, Cape San Blas, Florida located?

Located in Cape Breezes, this holiday home is within a 10-minute walk of T.H. Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park and William J. "Billy Joe" Rish Recreation Park. Pig Island is 2.3 mi (3.8 km) away.

Reviews

9.6

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 14 out of 15 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 15 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 1 out of 15 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 15 reviews

9.0/10

Cleanliness

9.2/10

Check-in

9.2/10

Communication

8.6/10

Location

8.4/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Josef R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Family Trip

Our family loved our stay. We rented a cart to help haul things to the beach which made things a lot easier. House is well kept and felt like a real coastal getaway.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
Thanks for your review, Josef! We are glad you enjoyed your stay. We look forward to hosting you again in the future! - Mark
Verified

10/10 Excellent

LESLIE "Blake" G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Place

Cape San Blas is Beautiful. The House is very comfortable. 6 minute walk to the beach. Great week all around.
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
Thanks for your review, Blake! I am glad you enjoyed your stay. We look forward to welcoming you again, soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Pam D.

Our best vacation ever! This beautiful beach cottage makes for amazing vacation memories!

We really didnt want to leave!!! beautifully beach theme decorated...maked for a very peaceful and healing time spent with our entire family! We all loved it!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
Thank you for your kind words, Pam. It is especially meaningful to Teresa and me that you used the words, "healing" and "peaceful" to describe your stay. From the time we found Le Grand Merci and saw its location (surrounded by the trees, yet within earshot of the waves), we have had those same feelings about our times there. Teresa and I are so happy that your family made some special memories at Le Grand Merci and we hope to have the privilege of welcoming you again sometime.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Natasha S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Everything I needed to feel like home

The amenities and house was very accommodating for a relaxing vacation. This is the perfect place to go when you want a low key, natural beach vacation. The owners kept in touch to help with any issues that we may have had. The house was clean and the decor was HGTV beach house fabulous.
Stayed 5 nights in Feb 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
It was great to have you! We look forward to hosting you again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Yohan A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Winter Getaway

My Wife and I enjoy finding and experiencing quiet locations, off the beaten path, that we can “home base” out of to explore the surrounding area, that reveals local discoveries worthy of remembering. Our stay here was all of what we look for and more. We found our entire experience rememberable. If you are inclined to do your own thing, and not follow the crowd, this may just be the place for you, it was for us.
Stayed 7 nights in Feb 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
Teresa and I were honored and happy to have you and we are glad you enjoyed your stay!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Trace E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

VERY LOVELY BEACH HOME!!!

We had a great vacation at Cape San Blas! Le Grand Merci is a wonderful place to stay! It is newly updated and very nice! The kitchen is small but it has custom cabinets which were fully stocked with all the cookware and utensils you need and new appliances which were great! The beds were very comfortable to sleep on. The bike path was right outside the house- which we took advantage of several times and St Joseph state park is only about a mile down the road. We went there several days to kayak and snorkel. Mark was very friendly and checked on us a few times to make sure we were doing ok. I would highly recommend staying here if you want a great vacation experience!!
Stayed 7 nights in Jun 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
Thank you for your kind words, Trace! We are glad you enjoyed your stay at Le Grand Merci and we would love to host you again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christy M.

Lovely Beach Cottage

Our family had a perfect long weekend in Cape San Blas. Mark, the property owner, was very helpful and easy to work with. The house is newly renovated, so everything is brand new! The owners have thought of everything: beach chairs and umbrellas, floats, plenty of kitchen supplies for cooking and entertaining, a wonderful outdoor bathroom including shower and toilet, a grill, quality bed linens and towels, and even a rubber ducky in the bathroom for the kids! The home is beautifully decorated but not fussy, and has obviously been designed with comfort in mind. The neighborhood beach is a 6 minute walk and we had it almost to ourselves, even in peak season. The walk to the bay is about 2 minutes along a beautiful shady path through the pine forest. We would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
Thank you for your review, Christy. Teresa and I were honored to host you and your family at Le Grand Merci. The lack of crowds on the beach is one of the reasons we came to love the area so much. We look forward to welcoming you again in the future!
Verified

4/10 Poor

Joshua C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication
Disliked: Location, listing accuracy

No frills and kind of a mess of a stay.

The owner of the house was very easy to reach and very responsive for the record however we did have some issues. The parking area for the private beach to the north on the gulf side has been sold and is now considered private property and you will be towed if you park there. Obviously for a family of 4 that is a huge blow to beach days having to carry a lot of stuff so far. The washer has some mold, we were doing a load of whites, and the shirt I had on at the wedding as well as a dress of Nikki's was stained with mold. I am not sure what is up with the AC or if it's just not big enough for the downstairs but it has yet to cool down to even close to what we set it at 72 (it doesn't seem to be able to get below 76) which makes sleeping in the master pretty rough with this heat. The door to the washer and dryer comes off the hinges quite frequently. The ants and the cockroaches we're sprayed for and bait was put out. There is consistent construction going on every morning at 08:00 next door (as you are looking at the house from the road it's the new house to the left). The TV in the living room has a purple spot covering 1/3 of it on the right side, after looking into it a bit it's a sign the TV is going out. In closing this is a no frills non beach front rental for a pretty high price. It was our first time doing a VRBO and I will be much more picky next time.
Stayed 8 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
I am sorry that your vacation did not live up to your expectations, Josh. I wish you had told us about the problem with our three-year old HVAC unit before the last night of your stay! As soon as you informed me, I contacted our maintenance man. He looked at it the next morning after you had checked out and discovered that a plastic bag had inadvertently been sucked into the HVAC closet and covered the air intake. He removed that and the house was very cool again in less than fifteen minutes! As a point of reference going forward, although the vacant lot where the few people in our neighborhood who ever drive to our neighborhood beach sometimes parked has apparently just been sold, the actual dune walkover access itself will always be open to our guests. For anyone choosing or needing to drive to the beach instead of walk, there is plenty of parking available a few hundred yards up the road at the public beach access point adjacent to the Ovation subdivision. Two additional public beach access points are located about mile away, one down the road at Cape Palms Park, the other up the road at the T.H. Stone Memorial State Park. Both of those locations provide the additional convenience of bathrooms and outdoor showers. The door to the washer and dryer closet unfortunately requires periodic adjustment due the way our house flexes when the wind blows, like all beach properties built on stilts. We have yet to find a permanent fix for that. I am sorry that this was a hassle during your stay. We have not found any trace of mold in the washing machine. The guests since your stay have not mentioned any issues with that. We have the property sprayed every few weeks by Bo Knows Pest Control from Port St. Joe and we normally do not have any problem at all with bugs. It could be that the previous renters carried something in with them or that they refused inside access to the treatment technicians when they came by, or that the weatherstripping under the front door needs to be replaced. None of the guests after you have mentioned any further problem, but I appreciate your calling our attention to it so that our team can keep a close eye on it! Thanks, too, for giving us a “heads-up” about the spot on the TV. In any event, I trust that the courtesy military discount we extended to you after your booking and the additional $250 I sent to you an expression of our regret for the issues you encountered helps mitigate your disappointment. We work very hard to ensure that our guests have a wonderful stay, as indicated by our outstanding reviews on this and other booking portals, and we are truly sorry that your experience did not measure up to everyone else's!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

So relaxing, so fun

This house is lovely and we so enjoyed our stay. The location was perfect - views of both the bay and the gulf, one mile south of the TH Stone park, a short two mile bike ride to the Trading Post and the St. Joe Shrimp Co., and a super easy walk/ride to the beach. Even though the house is right on the main road, the windows are so well sealed that there was zero road noise. The kitchen is well stocked with good quality cookware, dishes, and utensils. The bathrooms were so fresh and nice with beautiful counters, new showers, etc. The beds are the most comfortable I've ever slept in. (I actually took a picture of the tag on the mattress and am now shopping for a similar one for my home.) The week of Aug. 7-14, 2021, we had loads of room on the beach with no crowding. The marine life was so fascinating to see in both the gulf and the bay. Sailing was good.
Stayed 7 nights in Aug 2021
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Sherry C.

Disliked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect vacation

House was lovely, clean and well supplied. Cape San Blas is a great beach....We did not go to the beach close to the house as we had a 2nd house for our family and it had closer beach access , so no experience with getting to beach . We enjoyed the chairs etc. , outdoor shower, and all the games and books. Thanks for hosting us , Mark and Teresesa
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
Hi Sherry! We were very happy to host you and look forward to doing so again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kristan D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Le Grand Merci on the Cape.

Le Grand Merci was just as beautiful as pictured. The property was clean, well stocked with everything you would need. It is beautifully decorated and plenty of space for our family. Cape San Blas was so nice, no large crowds to deal with. Great family vacation!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
Thank you for your kind review, Kristan. We were happy to have you as our guests. We look forward to hosting you again sometime!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jim C.

Beautiful and tranquil

What a wonderful home in such a special location! The house is beautiful and such an amazing transformation (We recommend watching the HGTV episode featuring this renovation). The owners are very responsive. Cape San Blas is a place to which we will return as soon as that is realistic. As you know, Hurricane Michael came ashore nearby, actually only days after our stay ended. Fortunately, Le Grand Merci suffered no major damage. The house is surrounded by trees, providing a feeling of seclusion. In reality, both the beach and the bay are nearby...just a short walk. Inside, there are so many thoughtful touches. The decor is beautiful. From one of the upstairs bedrooms, we could see the sunrise over the bay. The people of the Forgotten Coast need help. One way to do so is to visit and help the local economy, while enjoying a lovely home and the best beaches anywhere. Please book a stay there! You won't regret it.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2018
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
Thank you very much for your kind words, Jim! We are so thankful that Le Grand Merci was spared the devastation that was all around us and will be back on the market just in just a few days as soon as the utility company turns the water back on. Thanks, again, for staying with us. We look forward to welcoming you to Le Grand Merci again very soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ben W.

Best beach home rental EVER!!! Peaceful retreat!

My wife and I wanted a beach getaway with our 4 young children, but we didn't want the stress of being surrounded by masses of people in a typical condo or beach resort. We were looking for peace and quiet without a long drive to get to the beach. From the moment we walked through the door at Le Grand Merci, we knew this would become our usual getaway for years to come. Nestled in a pine grove, Le Grand Merci is a beautifully decorated home with a paved sidewalk that leads to a private beach access spot just 4 or 5 minutes away. Lots of windows and sliding doors allow generous amounts of light to flood the interior of the home. At one point, as I was sitting on the couch with my boys, I said to my wife, "Did you realize we haven't had to use a single interior light all day?" What a peaceful and refreshing experience. Every aspect of this home has been thought through for beach vacationers. A BBQ grill at ground level, very clean, spacious and completely enclosed outdoor shower with toilet downstairs, king bed in the master with screened in patio seating, bonus bunk beds upstairs and fold-out hideaway bed down, smart TVs so we could enjoy a Netflix movie with our kids, and a spacious refrigerator and kitchen space for full meal prep. Cape San Blas also holds some fun little surprises just down the road...fresh, hand-made donuts for an early morning treat, and Shoobies ice cream and soft serve. We'll definitely be back!!
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
Thank you very much for posting these kind and complimentary comments. Teresa and I were happy to have you and we are very glad your children enjoyed Le Grand Merci. One of the main reasons we bought the property was because we could imagine both our own family and our guests making many wonderful memories there. We look forward to hosting you many times again in the years to come!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ellen S.

WOW! WOW! WOW!

WOW! What an amazing and wonderful home. This property is a special jewel of Cape San Blas. The location is ideal for those that want a little privacy and yet still be located near the beach and bay. The pines around the home are so serene. The home is beautifully furnished with designer furnishings and jazzy flair. So many details went into planning and making this a dream beach vacation home. The master bedroom has a lovely porch that is great for relaxing outside and reading a book. The home was spotless and everything you need is provided to make this home a perfect vacation. The host were stellar and reached out several times to see if we needed anything. They went above and beyond and were the best host of anyplace we have ever stayed. We will be back in 2019 and I have been telling everyone about what a great and fun vacation we had.
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
Thank you so very much, Ellen, for your kind review! Teresa and I are glad you enjoyed Le Grand Merci and we look forward to welcoming you all on your next stay!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Gwen O.

Merci Beaucoup for Le Grand Merci!

Very thankful for the opportunity to stay at Le Grand Merci! It is newly renovated (as seen on HGTV) with an open-concept in the living/dining/kitchen area and three spacious bedrooms, plus a bonus Bunk "nook". The furnishings are bright, cheerful and comfortable. The location is great with privacy, yet close to the beach. There are 3 full baths inside the house, with a lower/street level enclosed shower & toilet for use after a day at the beach. The property was very clean and well-stocked with "necessities" (towels, bedding, toilet paper, etc.) There are several good restaurants in Port St. Joe (a short drive away), as well as a few on the highway between the house and town. Also, there are a couple of good-sized grocery stores in town and a small market on the Cape near the house.. The setting of the house is private & peaceful and Cape San Blas is a very nice, non-commercialized beach area. I highly recommend a stay at this BEAUTY!
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Aug 2023
Thank you for taking the time to give us feedback on your stay at Le Grand Merci, Gwen! Teresa and I are glad you enjoyed your stay. We were happy to have you and we look forward to hosting you again in the future!

About the host

Hosted by Mark and Teresa

Host profile image
Mark grew up in Illinois and Peru. Teresa grew up in Kentucky and have been married for more than thirty years. Before relocating to Texas, they lived in Paris where Mark served on the pastoral team in a French-language congregation and trained leaders across the Continent and beyond. Today, Teresa teaches Kindergarten in a DFW area school following a classical curriculum while Mark serves the church they founded in the heart of downtown Dallas and teaches in a ministry training college. Their greatest earthly joy is their two children who were born to them after thirteen years of infertility. They are very grateful to have been able to acquire and renovate Le Grand Merci and they enjoy sharing it with others.

Why they chose this property

We discovered Cape San Blas during a very stressful time in our lives and quickly fell in love with this area that is so different from everything we have seen elsewhere in Florida. Because the residents of Gulf County voted to prohibit the building of high-rise buildings, Cape San Blas and the St. Joseph Peninsula promise to retain the low-key, restful, down-to-earth, and family-friendly atmosphere that attracted us in the first place.

We were drawn to Le Grand Merci because of its unique combination of privacy and accessibility to both beach and bay and also because we saw the potential to turn its rustic charm into a true, French coastal cottage inspired by the many years we lived in France as missionaries. Le Grand Merci literally means, "A big thank-you." We chose this name as an expression of our gratitude to God for entrusting this property to our care. One of our greatest joys is being able to make Le Grand Merci available to some very special people working sacrificially for missionary and other non-profit organizations in remote and urban areas around the world who could never afford a vacation in this beautiful place. The proceeds from your rental help make that possible. Thank you!!!

What makes this property unique

Le Grand Merci is unique among properties on the northern part of the peninsula because it is surrounded by original, Florida short pine trees whose branches grow close enough to the ground to provide a sense of privacy unknown to most all of the other homes nearby. Once the renovations were finished, we were amazed by how its many windows flood the interior with natural light. Looking out from inside, the beautiful trees give the impression of total privacy in a secluded forest campsite while being so close to the beach that the sound of the surf can clearly be heard from our outdoor deck. In fact, our own family spent a month here before any window treatments were installed without any sense of being visible to passersby!

When we began searching for a property to purchase here on the Cape, the national HGTV network got involved in our project in a very unexpected way and featured our renovation in an hour-long episode of their Beachfront Bargain Hunt Renovation program entitled, "Cape San Blas Bliss." They were great to work with and it was a once-in-a-lifetime experience for our family. If you would like to view the HGTV episode of Beachfront Bargain Hunt Renovation entitled "Cape San Blas Bliss" that chronicles the story of Le Grand Merci, you can find in streaming video online via iTunes, Amazon Prime, Youtube, or HGTV.

One last thing- no matter how many times we walk through our neighborhood to the beach, we never grow tired of seeing the dolphins or of watching the sunsets!

Languages:

English, French, Spanish
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