Padel is no longer limited to urban clubs or outlying sports complexes. Today, it is taking over unexpected locations, often steeped in history: castles, manors, wine estates, or heritage hotels. In France, Belgium, Ireland, and the United Kingdom, prestigious venues are banking on this sport to  attract new customers , in search of dynamic, modern and exclusive activities.

This phenomenon is not trivial:  according to Deloitte , padel counts  more than 25 million practitioners worldwide  in 2024, with an estimated annual growth of  15 to 20% In Europe alone, there are more than  30 tracks  in around thirty countries, and massive investments are announced, particularly in the high-end tourism and leisure sector.

Château Brachet: Savoyard luxury, padel style

In Grésy-sur-Aix, in Savoie, Château Brachet is a model of harmonious integration between sport and heritage. This six-hectare estate, completely renovated in 2021, offers padel in addition to many other outdoor sports activities: tennis, golf, badminton, croquet, pétanque, etc. A complete offering, integrated into a Belle Époque-style park, which perfectly illustrates the appeal of padel for establishments positioned on the  active luxury tourism .

Read the article : Château Brachet, the padel castle

Château d'Hélécine: democratizing padel in the heart of a Belgian estate

In Belgium, the Province of Walloon Brabant has decided to invest in padel tennis at the prestigious Château d'Hélécine. In addition to its three clay tennis courts, two padel courts have been built and have been partially covered since mid-2022. The goal? To make this activity accessible to as many people as possible through a public operating concession.

The specifications impose a logic of  affordable prices , integration into the local fabric (clubs, federations, schools), and a strategy for the sustainable development of the site. This approach shows that padel can also be part of a  logic of inclusion and public service , even in a heritage setting.

Read the article : Belgium: Padel at Château d'Hélécine

Adare Manor and Estelle Manor: English and Irish padel

In the west of Ireland, the Adare Manor Hotel – a 19th-century manor house converted into a luxury resort – has acquired two indoor padel courts, located in a dedicated building, the Padel Club. This 840-hectare estate also offers a golf course that will host the 2027 Ryder Cup, a swimming pool, a spa, 104 rooms and suites, and even a padel boutique. This very high-end offering confirms that padel has become a  strategic vector of attractiveness  for 5-star establishments.

The same dynamic is taking place in the United Kingdom, at Estelle Manor in Oxfordshire, where two padel courts have been installed in an 85-acre estate (approximately 34 hectares). The site is reserved for members, with a  annual membership of  3750   pound sterling , or around 4400 euros. This elitist positioning reflects the association between  padel, prestige and belonging to a closed community , in the tradition of English country clubs.

Read the article : Playing padel in a mansion? It's possible!

Château d'Artigny: the entry to padel in the Loire Valley

In France, the Château d'Artigny, located in Montbazon (Indre-et-Loire), will join this movement starting June 21, 2025. Three brand-new courses, set in the heart of nature, will be freely accessible to hotel guests. Each 1-hour slot can be reserved in advance, in a spirit of seamless and high-end organization.

The hotel also plans  initiations every Saturday , in partnership with the  Skinup Academy  as well as  private lessons on demand This program fits perfectly into the already very comprehensive universe of the castle: spa, gastronomy, well-being treatments, French gardens. The ambition is clear:  offer an experience where sport rhymes with the art of living .

More informations: www.chateauartigny.com

Press contact: Pascal Brault – 02 47 34 30 30 – pascal.brault@artigny.com

A sustainable and strategic trend

Behind this proliferation of initiatives lies a real economic logic. Padel, an intergenerational, fun and accessible sport, represents a  tremendous opportunity for historic sites seeking diversification . Less expensive to build than a golf course, more social than tennis, and less restrictive than an aquatic center, padel is becoming the  perfect sport to attract a high-end clientele, but also multigenerational .

According to a study by the Monitor Deloitte firm published in 2023, padel is the  fastest growing sport in Europe , with an estimated turnover of  2 billion  by 2026 for revenues related to sports facilities and equipment alone (sources: Deloitte Padel Study 2023).

And tomorrow?

The trend could well grow. Other French châteaux and wine estates are already exploring the possibility of incorporating padel courts into their tourist offerings. With the rise of  luxury padel courses ,  private events , or even  tournaments in classified locations , a new page of padel is perhaps being written.

Padel is no longer just bouncing back in clubs... it is now flourishing  between the stones steeped in history, the carefully trimmed hedges, and the coffered ceilings A modern sport in exceptional locations: this is perhaps one of the beautiful alliances of the 21st century.

Franck Binisti

Franck Binisti discovered padel at the Club des Pyramides in 2009 in the Paris region. Since then, padel has been part of his life. You often see him touring France to cover major French padel events.

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