679 Best Hotels in France

This small hotel on a quiet cul-de-sac is perfect for travelers—especially those with children—who need a home base where they can kick back, make their own meals, and feel at home. The elegant rooms have molded ceilings, marble mantelpieces, and kitchenettes equipped with small stoves, dorm-size fridges, and sinks. Apartments have space for up to six guests. Free Wi-Fi is available throughout the hotel. Located steps from the Panthéon, Sorbonne, and Cluny Museum, the hotel is a tranquil and convenient retreat that offers a real Parisian experience. Book online well in advance for substantial savings.

Lovely antiques and tapestries mingle to create a chic contemporary decor with all the modern amenities at this lovely 17th-century manor hotel, a stone's throw from the Lascaux cave and museum. Each of the 16 rooms are unique, but the first-floor deluxe suites, offering giant balconies and river views, are the most popular. Along with a small indoor pool, the spa offers several advanced technologies to melt away body fat and cellulite, if that's your thing. The acclaimed gastronomic restaurant Ro.Bo, helmed by Michelin-starred chef Nick Honeyman, is closed on Sunday and Monday, so if you want to dine in the hotel—a good idea—be sure to book accordingly.

It may not be high luxury, but this welcoming family hotel set in a small village among rolling vineyards about 3 km (2 miles) from Sancerre pretty much checks every other box you can think of for a charming stay. Owned by a ten-generation winemaking family, the attention shown to everything from the impeccably clean and spacious rooms to the top-notch dining in both the bistro and gastronomic restaurant (where you can sample the family wines) demonstrates a deep and abiding connection with the heart and soul of Sancerre. The hotel also offers wine tastings and tours of the family vineyard and picnics.

This beautiful hotel located in a 1929 building at the foot of Montmartre has been returned to its roaring 1920s glory, with everything from the handsome Art Deco–inspired guest rooms (some with Sacré-Coeur–facing balconies) to the dreamy candlelit restaurant and jewel-like Mikado dance hall in the basement recalling a romantic, cosmopolitan Paris. Breathtaking panoramic views of nearby Sacré-Coeur and all of the city from the rooftop bar complete with a tempting list of Jazz-era cocktails (open April to October) only enhance the magic. Contemporary touches include state-of-the-art amenities and a focus on sustainability as well as an excellent oyster bar, Citron et Huitres, that serves fresh oysters and other noshes from the sea with excellent wine pairings.

Besides having one of the town's better restaurants, this alluring stone mansion and its four half-timbered villas' proximity to the famous beach and La Baule's landmark sights make it a top choice for a fun-filled stay. There's old-fashioned charm to spare, but also plenty of contemporary chic in nicely decorated rooms (some with cathedral or ocean views) with spacious bathrooms. Be sure to investigate the hotel's demi-pension offers, with breakfast and dinner included at reasonable rates.

Set back from the port in the heart of the shopping district, this cozy, charming, little hotel offers a warm reception and a homey breakfast-room-cum-bar. Guest rooms are beautifully decked out in homage to various artists—Picasso in red, black, and gilt, for example, with jazzy Cubist curtains or Matisse in gray-backed walls with colorful prints.

An exceptional, adults-only splurge, this hotel is an oasis of elegant calm in the center of bustling Honfleur. The 17th-century building was once home to painter Henri de Saint-Delis; now it offers nine guestrooms, each overlooking an exquisite private garden. Though it does offer (a not cheap) breakfast buffet, meals and spa services are otherwise handled at Ferme Saint Simeon, its sister property. 

"Quaint" is the word that springs to mind at this well-located hotel, bedecked with faux-marble trompe-l'oeil, Renoiresque murals on walls and ceilings, and all those cozy details that remind you of a classic Parisian living room. Wi-Fi is available in each room, about half of which have tiny step-out balconies that give a glimpse of Notre-Dame and the Panthéon. A Montmartre cabaret atmosphere enlivens the breakfast room.

The location on the exceptionally charming Île St-Louis is the real draw of this five-story hotel, which retains many of its original 17th-century stone walls and wooden beams. Tiny balconies on the upper levels have views of the Seine. Corner rooms are brighter and have more spacious bathrooms. Breakfast is served in the vaulted stone cellar. Satellite TV, free Internet, and air-conditioning are welcome amenities. A major plus is the hotel's reasonably priced airport shuttle service—book an airport pickup when you reserve your room.

On the edge of the Old Town overlooking the ramparts and sea, this friendly hotel—housed in a property that was once the home of Napoléon's nanny—offers comfortable rooms that make an ideal base for exploring Ajaccio. Rooms have a simple modern decor, and those on the Golfe d'Ajaccio side get an abundance of morning sunshine—the perfect way to greet the day on the Isle de la Beauté.

The "seven" may refer to the level of heaven you'll find at this boutique hotel, but most likely it means the seven suites, where a team of designers and artists were let loose to riff on themes like Music Lovers, Cinephilia, and Spirituality. These suites break the rules with Plexiglas bathrooms and furnishings, "levitating" beds, and ceilings embedded with fiber-optic lights that make even the smallest rooms seem, well, heavenly. The wine bar has an interesting cocktail selection at night.

Set at one of the Haut Marais's trendiest crossroads, this vintage-theme and jazz-inspired newcomer (its name comes from a tune by guitarist Grant Green) fits perfectly into the beating heart of the neighborhood. You'll feel right at home in the warm and welcoming interiors—highlighting noble materials, plush designer furnishings, and original artworks—from the stylish common areas to the cozy guest quarters. Beautiful jewel colors and lively touches punctuate the spaces, but the overall feeling is a poised tranquillity that feels both relaxing and fun. The coffee shop downstairs has become a neighborhood favorite for its delicious, healthy all-day brunch menu and fine coffees.

This hotel in a traditional 1873 palace overlooking La Pantiéro and the Old Port offers contemporary creature comforts, up-to-date bathrooms, and freshly decorated rooms—small doubles facing the sea are a good choice if you covet a waterfront position but can't afford the grand hotels on La Croisette. Some first-floor rooms have terraces.

Founded in 1734, this eminently comfortable hotel in the center of town is one of the oldest in France and has been run by the same family for five generations (note the Toulouse-Lautrec sketches given to the owner's great-grandfather, a friend of the painter). Modern renovations have brought everything up to speed in terms of comfort. Room 30 has a pleasing view of the garden; pristine white furnishings give it a spacious feel.

This hotel affords spectacular vistas from the top end of the seafront, where the promenade winds around to the port, so it's oh-so worth splurging on a top-floor balcony room for the sight of the turquoise water glittering below. Rooms provide all the modern comforts and have soothing white-and-beige decor with pops of jewel-tone color.

Tucked away on a tiny one-way street between République and Canal St-Martin, Hôtel Taylor offers large rooms (by Parisian standards) at affordable prices in the edgy 10e arrondissement. Contemporary rooms painted in neutral tones are decorated with light-wood furnishings, vibrant wallpapers, and chic furniture. Flat-screen TVs, coffeemakers, and dressers to store belongings make your stay extra cozy. Although the views are somber, the location is great for those who want to stay off the beaten track but still be close to the Canal and Marais neighborhoods; the nearby métro keeps the city accessible.

Friendly and attentive service, bright and spacious rooms, and comfy beds are just a few of the qualities that distinguish this unpretentious hotel, owned by the same family since 1911. Although some rooms could do with an update, they're spotlessly clean, air-conditioned, and check almost every box for a perfectly comfortable stay. On top of all that, the hotel's in-house restaurant is a local favorite and its convenient setting, a 15-minute walk from Cahor's old town, makes it a good choice for exploring the town.

A view over the infinity pool to the (private) beach and sea greets you at this luxury spa hotel two steps from Bandol's port. Rooms are sleek and contemporary, with all the comforts you'd expect from a five-star hotel, but it's the sweeping sea views from your bed and terrace that steal the show. Streamlined bathrooms, some with both a tub and a shower, are ample and stocked with luxury products. The well-equipped thalassotherapy spa has an indoor pool and a full range of seawater therapies—from single treatments to weeklong programs—that can be customized to your wants and needs.

This attractive 19th-century villa has well-priced, comfortable rooms and a lovely garden, where grand palms and pines shade a walk leading to the pretty little swimming pool. Four studios, equipped with kitchens and sleeping two to four guests, are behind the hotel and available for weekly rentals.

Built over the remains of ancient Roman cellars (which also can be visited) on a typically traffic-free street, this small hotel has few frills but a fascinating history. Rooms are compact but well-laid out while the Continental breakfast is more than adequate. Major sights are within walking distance, and there are lots of restaurants and cafés a few steps from the front door.

Dramatic views over Carnac and Quiberon Bay, coupled with a prime location just beneath the famous Tumulus de St-Michel, have been big draws for this modest, family-run hotel from its inception in the 1930s. Many of the comfortable, well-equipped rooms have views to the bay, and those in back overlook the Tumulus chapel. A small spa offers a surprising number of treatments—from thalassotherapy to seaweed wraps and massage—with good-value packages available. Weary travelers can steep in the outdoor hot tub or take an invigorating swim in the pool. An airy dining room with lovely views offers excellent fare (including reasonable prix-fixe menus, replete with fresh seafood) and a sophisticated wine list.

Don't be put off by the bland 1960s exterior: this easy-to-find hotel near the train station has a distinct sense of style. Public areas are decked out with eclectic artwork and assorted objets chosen by the cheerful owner. Each guest room has its own decor, some with parquet flooring and exposed wooden beams, others with colorful carpets and patterned wallpaper. All combine clean lines and crisp white linens with bold accents. 

A glamorous centenary update added 21st-century luxuries while remaining true to the beautiful bones of this boutique hotel, which first opened in the waning years of the Belle Époque.

This city-center boutique hotel is located in a converted Haussmann building, where guest rooms are decorated in a brash black-and-white color scheme. The rooms also offer suspended beds and high-end amenities such as Nespresso machines and giant TV screens equipped with mini-Macs. Posh cocktails are served up in the bar, which doubles as the breakfast room in the mornings.

The urban-chic trendsetting Hoxton brand has transformed an 18th-century mansion in Paris's up-and-coming Sentier district into this hip hostelry with a chic restaurant, three cocktail bars—including the charming Jacques Bar tucked away on the second floor—and a welcoming community vibe. The sleek and contemporary room decor favors moody tones with classic chevron-pattern wooden floors and leather accents. Some upper-floor rooms offer balconies; some on the lower level have garden terraces. The surrounding neighborhood, once the city's old textile center and historic Little Egypt, offers much to explore.

This gargantuan hotel set in a majestic 17th-century building that once housed Lyon's maternity hospital (half the city's population was born here) benefits from soaring volume and gorgeous architectural details, though sometimes the contemporary decor feels dwarfed in comparison. Nevertheless, in typical InterContinental style, the hotel doesn't skimp on luxuries, including the lofty gastronomic restaurant Epona (also where breakfast is served) and the spectacular Le Dôme cocktail bar, the place in Lyon to see and be seen. There's also a Cinq Mondes spa, a 24-hour fitness room, and complimentary sauna and steam room. The hotel benefits from a prime placement on the city's western bank facing the Rhône River, as well as the upscale shopping and gastronomy all contained within the massive Hôtel Dieu complex.

A 10-minute walk from the historic center, this boutique hotel makes an attractive base for sightseeing. The decor throughout the building and rooms is nouveau-chic, with warm accents of powder blue, grey, and mustard. Aim for the top floor's upscale rooms, which have private terraces and old-town views.

This shiny hotel in an up-and-coming neighborhood close to Gare Saint-Jean offers flexible accommodations including bright, compact en-suite double rooms, family rooms sleeping up to four people, and beds and private pods in surprisingly upscale six-to-eight-person dorms. Complimentary self-serve coffee, water, and juice from counters on each floor is a plus, and the rooftop pool terrace (open April through September) is a fun addition. Downstairs, classy Italian restaurant Nonna's doubles as breakfast room in the morning, and on the hotel's doorstep the lively Ateliers des Citernes food hub offers a wide variety of eats.

In an old but thoroughly modernized building, this hotel attracts a varied foreign clientele, drawn by homey guest rooms that are clean, bright, and simple with budget prices. Frédéric Thébaud serves a traditional menu in the long-established Image Sainte-Anne restaurant, stylishly refurbished with plush red carpet, gold-and-red wallpaper, and round-back designer chairs. You can't go wrong with straightforward seasonal specialties like scallops à la Bretonne, grilled sole, and kidneys flambéed in Calvados.

A 16th-century presbytery with stone walls and beamed ceilings houses a charming little hotel and the acclaimed restaurant of the same name. Guest rooms are comfortable and stylish; four rooms and one suite have harbor views—the latter includes a sauna as well. The Classique-level rooms are small, but a bargain; those in search of picturesque timbered ceilings will be in heaven. The adjoining restaurant is a seafood lover's delight, with lobster in an herb butter sauce—and equally good if you prefer a steak tartare with frites. On sunny days request a table on the terrace.