679 Best Hotels in France

This family-run hotel and restaurant over the Nive is a vintage venue (note the 200-year-old oak staircase)—it's also the best value in town. The owners speak Basque, Spanish, French, English, and some German, so communicating is rarely a problem. The cuisine is nourishing, especially the lamb and duck breast.

Though the clean-lined, contemporary interior of this 17th-century, stone-faced, wine-producing mansion may not speak to everyone, the vines growing right up to the property, the luxury rooms, and the sommelier's dream of a wine cellar (with more than 200 different Champagnes alone) are definite inducements. The château's own cru bourgeois is a wine worth getting to know over dinner at the hotel's superb partner-bistro, Café Lavinal, a few steps from the front door.

With princely opulence, overstuffed chairs, wall sconces, and antiques, this family-owned château and its elegant 18th-century facade fulfill the Hollywood notion of a palatial property. Guest Rooms 19 and 20 have peaked ceilings with exposed wood beams, and the enchanting restaurant has white wainscoting, crystal chandeliers, and gilt accents. One unexpected offering is a 750-square-foot luxury tree-house suite, complete with air-conditioning, bathroom with bathtub, and a terrace overlooking the gardens. At Le Séran, chef Samuel Gaspar highlights local ingredients in dishes like Culoiseau chicken with local morels and wild garlic or scallops with spinach and sorrel, which are complemented by an extensive wine list.

Combine Jazz Age glamour, Renaissance stonework, the most luxe of guest rooms (including the ultra-private houseboat-style floating lodges on the hotel's own lake), and fine dining, and you have this Pays Basque Xanadu—a large, rambling, white-stone manor topped with a Spanish belvedere tower set 4 km (2½ miles) east of Biarritz in Anglet. This was originally the home of Sir Reginald Wright, a host-with-the-most, whose great soirées held here in the 1920s and '30s are conjured up in the main salon. In recent years, interiors have been lovingly restored by Serge Blanco, who has managed to honor the mansion's history while installing state-of-the-art technology and comfort. In summer, dine out under the willows at the edge of the water at the grand restaurant.

Loaded with charm, this refined château by the Vesles River has a Louis XIV facade, and the classic exterior somehow harmonizes nicely with the sweeping brass main staircase attributed to Jean Cocteau. Guest rooms inside the château range from smallish to generously proportioned, while the former outbuildings have been converted into large family-size suites. Wind down in the bar before enjoying excellent fare (including seasonal game) served in the stately, 18th-century-style dining room. A formal garden and outdoor pool are the gateway to 40 acres of parkland and a tree-shaded canal.

This gracious 18th-century country château and wine estate combines a deeply Provençal setting with chic yet comfy rooms and suites in either the historic château or a more modern wing. The beautiful Historic Suite, with great views over the park, has a period marble tub big enough for six. Enjoy a glass of the estate's rosé in the beautiful bar or on the wide garden terrace, then dine at the gastronomic restaurant, one of the best in the area. Many of the castle's period details were preserved during its restoration, and, today, it's the perfect place to disconnect, aided by a spa and pool.

Nineteenth-century writers Alfred de Musset, Honoré de Balzac, and Victor Hugo were all once guests at this quintessential Normand château, famed for sophisticated gardens that feature witty sculptures, leafy groves, impressive columns of yew, a fernery, a labyrinth, and a Temple of Diana. Dating from 1620, La Ballue has a rather severe and forbidding exterior. Inside, however, the dynamic English-speaking owners Alain and Marie-Françoise Mathiot-Mathon offer a warm welcome. Gleaming wood paneling and period antiques adorn the main floor, from which a huge granite staircase leads up to the lovely guest rooms—four large, beautifully decorated, fabric-swathed salons (each with a four-poster bed) and a luxury suite.

A 15th-century jewel of a castle, once a retreat of kings François I and Henri IV, is today the country setting for the Prince de Broglie's hotel set on magnificent grounds. Owner Prince Louis-Albert is a famed biodiversity preservationist, who cultivates 650 types of tomatoes in the château's potager (vegetable garden). It's not surprising that the three main public salons are suavely done up in shades of tomato red, offsetting the immense marble fireplace, taxidermied animals (by De Broglie own's Deyrolle, Paris's famed taxidermist), and curio cabinet objects collected by the prince. Inside the neo-Renaissance castle, guest rooms range from the grand—François-Premier is a timber-roof cottage blown up to ballroom dimensions—to more standard-issue. The adjoining 17th-century \"stables\" are fitted out with a gardening shop and a tiny eatery. The enormous secluded pool is welcome on hot summer days.

Estate hotels are a dime a dozen in Provence, but this one, set in an 18th-century château nestled on a vineyard a few miles from Aix, goes the extra mile to distinguish itself with a mix of historic and contemporary elements. Guest rooms in the château are sleek and modern, with vast marble bathrooms, and freestanding accommodations include a charming stone house (a bargain in the off season) and three space-age, wood-and-glass “lumipods” that open up to the surrounding trees and vineyards. The grounds also feature manicured French gardens strewn with contemporary sculpture. For cuisine you’ll be spoiled for choice, with four gourmet restaurants, including a fine Japanese bistro and a Michelin-starred gastronomic dining room. The world-class spa has several top-of-the-line skin-care regimens.

Ancient meets modern at this 50-acre wine estate and gardens 9 km (5½ miles) from Orange, where you can stay in an elegant beamed aerie in the crenellated 16th-century castle or a chic contemporary abode in the stylish addition. It's not an easy choice as all of the hotel's bright, unusually spacious rooms—many with balconies or private garden terraces—are luxuriously outfitted with state-of-the-art amenities, up-to-date bathrooms, heated floors (in the contemporary side), and the comfiest beds imaginable. Every detail, from the original artwork to the lighting, is immaculate—and designed according to the principles of feng shui. What's more, it's all sustainable and organic, including the restaurant’s meals, which are made with vegetables from the kitchen garden. A beautiful spa and a program of wine tastings (of the estate's wines), culinary experiences, chamber music, and activities make this the perfect getaway for couples or families.

Filled with the mystery of the past—this was once the fabled redoubt of the Protestant plotters in the 1559 Amboise Conspiracy—Château de Noizay is fitted out with Renaissance chimneys and salons, a parterre garden, and guest rooms so regal that you may feel like bowing or curtsying to the staff. The adjacent 19th-century \"Clock House\" is a gracious pastel-hue haven. Noizay itself is a tiny, off-the-beaten-path treasure—don't miss the idyllic countryside hike down Rue François-Poulenc, past the famous composer's pretty 18th-century house, a troglodyte hamlet, and endless poppy fields right out of a Monet painting.

The impeccably restored Château de Saulon blends late-18th-century authenticity with 21st-century comfort. The stylish rooms are decorated in soothing beige and gray tones and come with all modern amenities. Some have views over the grounds and pool, while others are tucked under the eaves with dormer windows. Aim for the rooms in the main château or the suites in the converted barn, but avoid the rooms in Le Pavillon annex if you can. The restaurant, located in one of the converted outbuildings, is excellent, showcasing creative Burgundian cuisine.

A bit off the beaten track, but only a short drive from Vézelay, this moated château with stellar period decor was built between the 13th and 16th centuries; its regal guest quarters are accented with high ceilings, wooden floors, open fireplaces, and toile de Jouy fabrics. The finest room—Le Roy—has a four-poster bed and direct access to the swimming pool in the vaults. The ancient kitchen is now home to the château's restaurant (open April through mid-November), where chef Franco Bowanee presents delicious dishes using homegrown vegetables from the garden.

Set in a flower-bedecked building on a quiet street a block from the Champs-Élysées, this Belle Époque–style hotel brings a welcome touch of whimsy to an often-imposing neighborhood. Warm colors and lush fabrics in the cozy lobby bar and restaurant invite lingering over a coffee or a cocktail at any hour of the day. In the pretty salon, guests repose on pillowed banquettes around the fireplace and tuck into delicious small plates of French comfort food (think veggie omelette, seasonal soup, Caesar salad, and truffled raviolis). Well-appointed rooms are compact, with handsome bathrooms done up in rich russet tiles and gleaming chrome. It's the perfect spot for cocooning, or a spa treatment, after a visit to the Arc de Triomphe or the Champs-Élysées, both a quick walk from your front door.

Occupying the site of an ancient Knights Templar fortress and set amid 34 acres of private greenery designed by Jean Mus, this hilltop domain has 180-degree panoramas and is complete with a helicopter pad. Inside are light, airy public salons, where afternoon tea and rare Champagnes are offered, and luxurious guest quarters; there are also two- and three-bedroom villas accented with beautiful antiques. The superb Le St-Martin restaurant (yup, there's a dress code!) has an 8,000-bottle wine list and features sublime creations by chef Jean-Luc Lefrançois. The terrace views over Old Vence to the Baie des Anges are eye-popping. On the last Friday of every month, there's a wine tasting at the underground Les Canthares.

If you're wondering what it would be like to live in a manor, look no further than this stately private castle—said to be one of the most handsome in the Dordogne—with vestiges dating back to the 11th century. You'll feel the traces of history climbing the 14th-century tower stairs to reach two giant guest rooms: suite Vincent, complete with stone walls, antiques, tapestries, silk draperies, and Oriental carpets; or suite Jenny, done up in 18th-century floral print and Chinese silks with views over the château's pretty park. Meals can be taken out or taken in your room if arranged in advance.

This Belle Époque château turned postmodern B&B was once the mayor's residence and surrounded by sprawling vineyards. Now encased by a quiet residential neighborhood, it offers luxury repose within walking distance of Perpignan's center; guest rooms range from a romantic converted chapel to a tri-level tower promising 360-degree views of the revered Canigou peak, and in-room perks include minibars stocked with bottles of the locally prestigious Château Valmy. A scrumptious breakfast is available at extra cost.

On a sprawling wine estate, far from Carcassonne's madding crowd, this serene retreat is owned by ever-hospitable hosts who happily share their best vintages and fine countryside lifestyle with guests. Self-catering accommodations are in cottages, including one cozy retreat for two, some that sleep 2–4, and a couple that are ideal for large family groups and sleep 8–10. They're decorated in neutral tones and accented with exposed barn beams and lime-washed plaster walls; the 314 surrounding acres are wrapped in rolling hills with grapevines and a few olive groves. 

Feel royally pampered at this château a few miles from Saumur, where the highlight is the panorama of Loire River and valley majestically spread out before it. The stately, alluring property has lovely grounds, a fine on-site restaurant (Le Castellane) and bar, and spacious rooms done up in Renaissance-era glamour, complete with elegant antique furnishings, large fireplaces, yards of damask, gilding, and other royal touches. Families can opt for one of the property's 15 two-bedroom residences with a private entrance and terrace; there's even miniature golf, and tennis and basketball courts.

In a grand park with towering trees planted by Champagne legend Madame Pommery, this celebrated hotel remains the showplace of Reims—a stylish, late-19th-century château featuring guest rooms bedecked with antiques, boiseries, and couture fabrics, plus the finest Champenoise restaurant of them all, Le Parc. There are currently plans to open an ultra-modern spa with a lap pool, sauna, and hammam.

A nice way to experience the lovely rolling countryside just outside Bergerac, this handsome château offers everything you need for a relaxing visit, including a large pool, fine dining, golf, and charming paths for lovely walks. Rooms are pleasingly spare and modern and common spaces invite lingering, which the friendly staff heartily encourage. The hotel has gone the extra mile for families, with a kids' park and four luxurious family villas—each with three bedrooms and a self-service kitchen—on the property. Check the website for special food and wine packages (some with cooking classes).

If touring the châteaux of the Loire doesn’t quite satisfy your taste for luxury, come live like a royal at this supremely romantic estate, set among stately French gardens and woods, where even the staff dresses the part. Extravagant even by French interiors star Jacques Garcia’s standard, these sumptuous rooms—named after royal mistresses and queens—sport precious tapestries, original oil paintings, gorgeous antiques, gilded mirrors, and miles of silk damask and velvet, much of it in Garcia’s signature scarlet. As indulgence here is a way of life, the gastronomic restaurant’s multiple courses (served according to 17th-century protocol) equals its lavish decor with a wine list to satisfy persnickety connoisseurs. Spa treatments with sought-after French beauty brands, a sauna, a hot tub and outdoor pool, a 1940’s Morgan touring car and e-bikes at your disposal, and gourmet picnic baskets for romantic escapades complete your royal visit.

This foursquare street-corner establishment—close to the train station, a 10-minute walk from the cathedral, and served by a shuttle bus from the airport—is perhaps the most convenient choice in central Beauvais. Guest rooms are light and soberly decorated, if on the small side; they're gradually being revamped, so request newly redone digs.

Perhaps the most opulent of St-Tropez's luxe hangouts—with its balustraded white villa built in 1936—is now an LVMH property, where French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte refreshed the interiors, with the predominant theme being light. The spa (featuring hammam, snow shower, and ice fountain experiences) transforms you with Guerlain facial or body treatments, pedicures, manicures, and hair or beauty makeovers, leaving you ready to linger over dinner at chef Arnaud Donckele’s three-Michelin-star restaurant, Vague d'Or (set menus from €415). You're already dropping some serious cash here, so it's worth paying extra for a seaside room where you can lean over the balcony and take in the coastal views.

A distinctly bohemian vibe reigns in this oh-so-Parisian hotel in a 19th-century Haussmannian building that's just a stone's throw from the Opéra Garnier. Here, it's all about good, chic fun, with DJ sets, comedy nights, and karaoke on the bar's central stage; yoga classes; and the on-site market restaurant and oyster bar, featuring a menu of traditional French seafood, charcuterie, and cheese plates and desserts. The fun continues in the 60 smallish rooms (and three fabulous spacious suites, all with musical themes: Gainsbourg, Piaf, Vian)—some with balconies and stunning Opéra views—featuring vintage-chic plush chairs and pillows, sea-blue walls, and spacious bathrooms.

This bright-blue-shuttered, white-walled establishment ranks among the least expensive \"good\" hotels in pricey La Baule. Once past the Formica-clad front desk, the lobby reassures with its elegant Louis Treize–style chairs, antique armoires, and solid wood beams. Upstairs, guest rooms are calm, comfortable, and modernized—faux Louis XV furniture lends a nice grace note.

In an elegant 1840 town house near the Grand Théâtre, this hotel has sober but well-kept rooms of varying sizes, all with air-conditioning. Believe it or not, Richard Wagner once stayed here—unfortunately, you'll never know it from the uninspired furnishings.

No stranger to five-star prices, Disneyland has actually never had a five-star hotel until it opened this 487-room confection, a cross between a Victorian mansion and a fairy-tale castle. Set at the entrance to the park, it’s the most convenient Disney lodging, and many rooms overlook Main Street and Sleeping Beauty Castle (which the hotel resembles more than a little). Room themes draw from 11 Disney princesses and princes, from Cinderella to the Snow Queen and Rapunzel in colors like powder blue, silvery grey, and, yes, pink, but with a glittery sophistication other park hotels lack. Some deluxe suites sport fireplaces and outdoor terraces in the courtyard garden. Facilities like the indoor pool, Jacuzzi, and full-service spa—which pampers kids as young as six—round out the high-end experience. Other highlights include a trove of fun activities for kids, including a wandering troupe of Disney princesses and princes that appear regularly at La Table de Lumière gourmet restaurant, the Fleur de Lys lounge, and the Royal Banquet (you can also book a meet-and-greet by appointment). 

Minutes away from Carcassonne, this seriously elegant 19th-century manor has one of the best restaurants in the region, and the entire building oozes grace and old-world charm; rooms vary in size, with the largest of them offering views over a magnificent park and vineyards. Next to a terrace planted with mulberry trees, a Michelin-starred chef prepares superlative regional cuisine, which is served in a Provençal-style salon festooned with copper pots. Here you can savor truffled pigeon, John Dory in blueberry wine, and game dishes (in season), accompanied by rare regional vintages. If you need a break from formality, dine in the casual Bistrot D'Auriac—or take advantage of the year-round golf.