593 Best Hotels in France

Set amid acres of beautifully landscaped grounds, this luxury property sits in the shadow of mountains near Bonifato Valley. From the minute you step onto the honeycombed terra-cotta tiles of this historic 17th-century country manor—a former Genoese estate bestowed by King Louis XV—you'll see why it's part of the luxurious Relaix & Châteaux collection. Interesting artworks on the grounds include a statue of two women wandering through the garden. All rooms have a balcony or terrace. There are also apartments and villas. Amenities include an outdoor pool, a large indoor hot tub, and a modest sauna, steam room, and gym. The breakfast buffet is generous, ranging from wild strawberries and figs to local cheeses and cold cuts to five varieties of bread, including one made from chestnut flour.

Once a Spanish nobleman's town house, this luxurious retreat dating from 1889 and opened as a hotel in 1930 dazzles with its elegant decor, lush courtyard, and acclaimed Monsieur restaurant and sleek Copper Bay cocktail lounge. Rooms reflect l'art de vivre, with classic French styling, crisp linens, ambient lighting, and the latest technology. There are more than a thousand antiques and 18th-century paintings throughout the hotel, as well as the original wood parquet floors, yet you'll also find Bose speakers and double-paned soundproof windows. The Marlene Dietrich Suite (No. 401), where the actress once lived, has its own grand piano and DVDs of her films.

This darling hotel gained a reputation as one of the more atmospheric budget sleeps in the city, although rates have since crept up. The 19th-century bank building retains its beautiful wood-paneled reception area and a period look between Art Deco and Art Nouveau. The spacious and individually decorated rooms are decked out with glazed-tile fireplaces and antique artworks that make you feel like you've stepped back in time. Breakfast can be served in your room at no extra cost.

Combining boutique-style with up-to-date conveniences and light-filled public spaces adorned with original art, the Hotel le B has an enviable location on Arcachon's promenade, with rooms that look over the mirror-like bay. Supremely comfortable guestrooms are simple and cozy, with perks like fluffy robes and upscale toiletries. It's a five-minute stroll to the Thiers jetty for ferries to Cap-Ferret, and the train station is a quick walk as well. Continental breakfast, served on the mezzanine floor, is lavish. There is no in-house restaurant, but plenty of quality eateries to enjoy nearby.

Lourdes's only five-star hotel perches high above the famous Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes, with fine panoramic views of the town, river, and surrounding hills. The big attractions here are an opulent Ligne St. Barth spa with a huge modern pool and a highly regarded fine dining restaurant. On the downside, attempts to give this classic old hotel a modern twist don't always work, and standard rooms don't live up to the rest of the hotel, with a sterile white-and-grey color scheme and the cheapest of chain store furniture. That said, leave your window open and the rushing sound of the Gave de Pau current will lull you gently to sleep.

A great choice for families and travelers on a budget, this rustic-contemporary hotel just outside the palace grounds fills a much-needed niche in this upscale city. The chic lodge’s 30 raw-wood-paneled rooms—some with spacious garden terraces—are spare, bright, and serviceable and can sleep up to four people. Hostel-like dormers are well-suited for families, solo travelers on a budget, and groups, with shared rooms for up to six people starting at €26. The on-site bistro’s all-day hours and spacious terrace make it a pleasant spot to enjoy a well-priced menu of homemade wood-fired pizzas, copious salads, and traditional French favorites from breakfast to late-night drinks or snacks in a “no-fuss” atmosphere.

Behind the photogenic facade of this 17th-century, half-timber house, you’ll find comfy, clean-lined bedrooms set around a geranium-festooned interior courtyard; the quietest quarters come with a view of the ramparts. Bold color splashes and an art-adorned interior give the place an artsy-rustic appeal.

This charmingly eccentric hotel, decked out in sherbet hues and dreamy furnishings, brings a breath of fresh air to the Marais. But there’s a method behind the whimsy—hoteliers Maisons Pariente engaged top French and European artisans steeped in centuries-old craftsmanship to custom design everything from the lighting and curlicue lamps to the fabrics (Pierre Frey), herringbone floors, carpets, and the elegant Aubusson-style tapestries that cascade over your bedstead. The effect is a magical vintage-meets-contemporary vibe that extends from the rooms to the spa and its luminous swimming pool, adorable bar, and Boubalé restaurant, serving Ashkenazi cuisine.

A fantastic base for exploring Fécamp, the Grand Pavois is directly across from the city's harbor—ask for a room with a view. Accommodating staff welcome guests to sizable and modern rooms; the relaxed piano bar is a great place to lounge after a day on the cliffs.

Centrally located on a quiet street, only a block away from the Canal de la Robine, this hotel in a renovated 1870s town house offers stylish, comfortable rooms where original architectural features blend with chic, modern design. High ceilings and white walls are offset with colorful artwork—the standout room is Le Mosaïque, which features retro-tiled floors and stained glass windows. The ground-floor restaurant (closed Tuesday and Wednesday) serves a menu of Franco-Italian-Argentinian dishes inspired by the multi-cultural family who owns the hotel. There is also an outdoor pool and small courtyard.

In a city filled with over-the-top accommodations, Le Patio stands out as a simple, cozy hotel offering contemporary (but warm) design and a friendly staff. The junior suite offers a sofa bed along with a standard bed, along with a lovely view of the neighboring timbered homes. 

This compact boutique hotel near the Tuileries has a luxe feel, paying homage to Parisian style with rooms split between traditional chambres and Paris-theme suites like the Louvre and Grand Palais. Lingerie designer Chantal Thomass decorated the magnificently whimsical Cabaret Suite in tribute to the Moulin Rouge, while the Opéra Suite brings out every girl's inner ballerina.

On a tranquil street between the Jardin du Luxembourg and Montparnasse's cafés and brasseries sits this pleasant six-story hotel. The homey lobby and breakfast area are bathed in light, showcasing a wood-fire hearth, plump sofas, and Greek Revival columns. A contemporary style dominates uncluttered rooms decorated with wood furnishings. 

This cozy, contemporary haven near the Eiffel Tower, Champ de Mars, and Les Invalides is a comfortable base for exploring Paris, with quiet rooms that have crisp, damask upholstery. Modern furnishings and original artworks make for a clean, fresh look that feels upscale but without pretension. Besides the hotel's ideal location in a fashionable residential district, an accommodating and attentive staff stand out, providing service with a smile whether at the front desk or in the minimalist bar and salon.

With its 19th-century neoclassical façade, this hotel fuses historical architecture with contemporary design. The building housed the city's police station until 2009 and now has smart, spacious guest rooms decked out in mainly neutral beige tones with splashes of ochre and orange, all with gleaming bathrooms. The rooms overlooking the interior courtyard have more verdant views than those on the side and front. The airy, open-space lobby is a tea room, restaurant, and cocktail bar where the chic Strasbourg crowd likes to hang out.

Subtropical gardens and 19th-century architecture are two of Menton's main attractions, and this hotel a few minutes' walk from the train station gives you a taste of both and at prices rarely seen along the Riviera. The owners are green-friendly and use upcycled furniture, organic paint and cleaning supplies, and—a first—recycling in the hotel. Lemon trees and centuries-old palm trees shade the courtyard where a breakfast (€10) made with local and organic products is served.

Set in a typical 19th-century Haussmannian building on a small street lined with food shops, restaurants, and bars, this six-story hotel gets points for its proximity to Montparnasse and the Jardin du Luxembourg, as well as for its sleek decor. Complimentary coffee and tea are served in the salon in the afternoon, and an honor bar is open until late at night.

There's no way to be glum at this chic, colorful hotel in a bustling neighborhood between two of Paris's main railway stations, Gare de l'Est and the Gare du Nord. Vintage furniture and paintings paired with lively prints and brilliant colors create a vibrant mood in rooms and common areas. Rooms are on the cozy side, though upper-floor rooms have great views, especially the ones with balconies, some with superb views of the trains coming and going. The excellent hotel café across the street is a big draw for Parisian foodies and locals.

This contemporary hotel is only a 10- to 15-minute walk from Rocamadour's major sites but feels a world apart from the tourist-clogged town. Tucked away in the midst of a large, leafy park (with a lovely pool) between the upper and lower levels of the town, the hotel's airy, tastefully appointed rooms offer comfortable beds, large baths, and pretty park views. The nearby lift and cable car can take you up to the upper town or down to the cathedral, or you can take the conveniently located path for an invigorating walk and some stunning views of the Rocamadour cliffs.

Only a 10-minute walk from the village, this motel-style property offers excellent value and has tidy, spacious rooms, some of which open onto a terrace and garden. The service is very friendly, and to make your stay ever better, there's a heated pool with a panoramic view. Our verdict: absolutely charming and affordable.

This picturesque hotel, set amid lovely gardens, is a 10-minute walk to town but far enough from its summer crowds to offer peace and quiet. Handsome, spacious rooms—most with terraces overlooking the pool or gardens—are bright and comfortable and offer every modern convenience. On fine days, a copious buffet breakfast or specially prepared dinner (you must order ahead) is served in the garden.

You can walk to many major sights from this small, low-key, budget property located between the Opéra and the Louvre. Rooms are decorated in pastel colors and come with little extras like heated towel racks and feather duvets. The multihue pink-and-purple lobby is distinctive and memorable.

The no-frills decor might seem spartan at first, but this tidy boutique hotel also offers modern amenities like free Wi-Fi, a perfect location a few blocks from the regal Place des Vosges, and outstanding prices for the area. Cozy rooms are calm and quiet and have the kind of high-quality mattresses more often found in a four-star hotel.

Set smack-dab in the middle of Paris's Golden Triangle, just off the Champs-Élysées, this sleek five-star hotel is a paragon of contemporary style that includes fine in-hotel dining and some breathtaking terrace views. In contrast to the lobby's high-minimal design, accented with touches of brilliant color, the rooms are warm and inviting, featuring modern artwork, pale wood, plush woolen carpets, and roomy marble baths. Suites with terraces offer stellar views of the Eiffel Tower and Paris rooftops. A gourmet restaurant and chic bar draw locals, but the 20-seat in-hotel cinema is for guests only. 

A sleek Scandinavian design with lively splashes of color, bright comfortable rooms, and a warm and welcoming atmosphere make this 19-room hotel one of Paris’s best-kept secrets. For a premium experience, try reserving one of the two rooms on the top floor, each of which has a small, private terrace.

In the jumble of streets near Rouen's cathedral—a navigational challenge if you arrive by car—this modern chain hotel has small, comfortable guest rooms decorated in breezy pastels; ask for one with a view of the cathedral. It's handy for exploring the old streets of the city center.

The graceful stone archway of this 17th-century city mansion in St-Germain-des-Prés was the original entrance to the St-Germain Abbey, but now leads to a captivating boutique hotel that's the height of Left Bank style.

With its central lower city location, this hotel isn't only handy to Carcassonne's shops, restaurants, and nightlife; it also has special touches that belie the sweet prices here—many guest rooms feature Louis XV-style and Louis XVI-style  furniture, some of it genuine. Rooms on the second floor are more 19th-century romantic, with gilt-iron bedsteads under sloping oak beams.

A block off Cours Napoléon, this seven-story hotel with wooden shutters and friendly service is quiet enough for a peaceful sleep, yet close enough to stroll to the city's liveliest neighborhoods. Good luck opening your suitcase though—some rooms are extremely small. However, the roughly five dozen rooms each have the necessary amenities, including air-conditioning, flat-screen TVs, and free Wi-Fi access.

This white-stucco slice of classic Riviera extravagance accommodates well-heeled guests in elegant, uniquely decorated rooms replete with swagged drapes, fine antiques, and a few quirky touches (like plastic-glitter bathtubs). Built by Henri Negresco and opened in 1912, the landmark still epitomizes La Belle Époque, thanks to its marble columns, gilded ceilings, and qualité du Louvre collection of Old Master art. Its awe-inspiring glass ceiling has even been listed as a historic monument. Chef Virginie Basselot has added some modern touches to the menu at the Michelin-starred Le Chantecler. For less fuss (though still expensive), try the carousel-adorned La Rotonde brasserie. For a taste of the Old Riviera, retreat to the vintage walnut-and-velour bar (the best on the coast) for the cocktail of the month. Indulge for at least one day at the hotel's private beach (loungers €45 for front row) or at the state-of-the-art N Le Spa.