593 Best Hotels in France

Tucked into a residential neighborhood—on the crest between Antibes and Juan-les-Pins and surrounded by greenery and well protected from traffic noise—this cool, cozy inn feels like the 1920s private home it once was. Rooms, decked in bright colors and floral prints, have either views of the garden or the sea. If you are looking for a bargain, book the double room with bathroom in the hallway. The well-maintained (though unheated) swimming pool is a haven if you don't feel liking hiking down to Plage de la Salis.

In a storybook setting in the heart of Brantôme, this ivy-covered, turquoise-shuttered stone building looks directly over the placid waters of the Dronne, making this the ideal place to sample the watery charms of this little town (and taste its delights, thanks to the Michelin-starred restaurant here). The guest rooms are decorated in a contemporary style, and the more expensive Caractère rooms come with private terraces overlooking the river and Jacuzzis. The one-Michelin-starred restaurant has eight magnificent arched windows with river views—a memorable setting for dishes such as wild turbot in a local walnut wine Sabayon sauce of girolles mushrooms and dried apricots. There's also a handsome bar for a glass of wine and a snack if you don't want to commit to a rather expensive meal or prefer to dine outside the hotel.

On the shores of Lac d’Annecy in Talloires, this contemporary chalet-style hotel set on a tree-lined property provides the perfect getaway for relaxation. Pastel colors, pale wood floors, and tasteful modern furnishings create an atmosphere of homespun repose, with the lake and the surrounding mountains visible from your private terrace. A spa, heated outdoor pool, Jacuzzi, sauna, and a choice of spa treatments complete your stay. The cheerful bar offers snacks and drinks throughout the day.

This little hotel, one block back from the seafront, is cheerfully run by Patricia and Nicholas. The location is right at the center of things, midway between the D-Day museum and the Arromanches 360 movie theater. Guest rooms are prettily decorated and—with the exception of Rooms 4 and 5—quite small, but they’re impeccably clean and a good value overall. One family room can sleep four, plus a child under two. The restaurant serves up locally sourced seasonal dishes with a set menu that changes daily.

An elegant yet laid-back atmosphere defines this stately 18th-century pavilion in the center of Amboise, where airy guest rooms may be done in classic 1930s or contemporary boutique-hotel style; some retain original architectural accents, like exposed beams or heavy wood moldings, and all have refurbished, retro-looking bathrooms. Breakfast can be taken in the salon or on the lovely terrace.

On a rocky promontory overlooking the sea, this fantasy villa was bought from a countess in 1917 and converted to a sleek hotel-restaurant, where the Passédat family has been getting it right ever since—especially in the famous restaurant, which is one of only two in Provence with three Michelin stars. Gérald Passedat helms the kitchen, creating sea-anemone beignets, fresh fish roasted whole, and an entire €390 menu dedicated to Bouille Abaisse (be sure to reserve 48 hours in advance). Most guest rooms are minimalist, with some Art Deco–cum–postmodern touches, while outside the gorgeous heated pool is illuminated at night by antique gaslight fixtures.

This country hotel's beautiful setting, luxurious pool, full-service spa, Michelin-starred restaurant, and guest rooms with every modern convenience assure a high level of pampering. Extensive gardens and proximity to the area's must-see sights are also pluses. Request a room with a terrace and view.

The rooms here may not be huge, but they do give you the chance to have your very own Parisian lodging at the foot of Montmartre, packed with lovely touches like chic contemporary-vintage decor, provocative art prints and books, a record player with vinyl records, a fluffy bed, Le Labo toiletries, and quintessential Parisian views. With only 40 rooms, and food and drinks served from 7 am to 2 am in the in-hotel restaurant and bar (both specializing in locally sourced products), you get a clubby feeling perfect for this eclectic, lively, and très Parisian neighborhood.

Heavenly peace is the theme at this lovely five-star hotel, tucked away behind the walls of a medieval convent amid enchanting gardens, with a pool, shady terraces, and a highly regarded restaurant all of which have undergone a top-to-toe renovation. Spread across three buildings, the rooms are a handsome mix of contemporary luxe accented with elegant Provençal antiques. Some rooms have private terraces; the best accommodations tend to be those in the ancient priory. This sheltered oasis feels worlds away from Avignon's crowds and bustle, but it's close enough to easily come and go.

Once a relay station for weary travelers on an ancient Gallo-Roman path, this grand cru classé property has a choice of comfortable guest rooms, including a unique tree house with a beautiful view over the vineyards. A state-of-the-art seminar room, tasting room, welcome center, and animated tour of their underground cellar (remnants from an 11th-century limestone excavation) make it an interesting base for a few days of wine discovery and relaxation.

Just north of town, Le Richebourg looks so ordinary from the outside that you wouldn’t give it a second glance as you drive by on the busy thoroughfare through Vosne-Romanée, but the good-size guest rooms inside are super stylish. A swanky spa and a garden-view restaurant serving modern Burgundy-based cuisine complete the picture.

Convenience and affordability combine in the most appealing way at this light-filled budget hotel at the center of town, just a stone’s throw from the railway station. Clean, comfortable, and up-to-date, the hotel offers all the services that assure a perfect stay: laundry, fresh healthy breakfasts, a delightful bar, bright rooms (some with small balconies and unobstructed views of Rennes), all in a chic, contemporary decor. What’s more, the on-site spa sets you up with a small pool, steam room, Jacuzzi, fitness room, and Carita spa should you require a massage or facial.

Smack dab in the city center, close to shopping, sights, and the famous market, this summery Provençal hotel is a good bet in a town that's not only best seen on foot, but can, for the most part, only be seen on foot. You can expect a standard well above most other hotels, along with all the amenities: spacious, bright, and beautifully appointed rooms; a well-equipped spa with a fitness room and a hammam; and indoor and outdoor pools for all-season swimming. The huge courtyard is delightful for lounging and alfresco dining during the long Provence summers. The hotel also offersa huge private villa with four double bedrooms and everything you need for independent living but with all the services of a hotel at your fingertips.

On the main drag running through Méribel, Le Savoy has a traditional stone-and-wood facade that leads to a rustic restaurant with wide-plank floors and rough-hewn beams that call to mind an old-time ski lodge. That's where things take an unexpected turn, with a bar where the furnishings are every bit as brightly colored as the creative cocktails. The guest rooms are completely contemporary, with nice details like bedside alcoves where you can leave the book you're reading or charge your iPhone. Each room has a private locker in the ski room where your boots are kept nice and toasty. The sauna and steam room are great places to relax after you hit the slopes.

In the heart of Old Rouen, this cute hotel has practical and comfortable rooms that, while recently refurbished, retain their taste for faraway lands: picture lamps from Egypt, tables from Morocco, and 1940s English armoires. Room 32 has a view of the cathedral; Room 23 is the prettiest. Breakfast and lunch are served in the lovely terrace, weather permitting, or in the cozy little bistro (closed Sunday) off the reception area.

Set in a beautifully restored 18th-century barn next to the village church, this unpretentious hotel offers real, rustic Alsatian charm; quiet, comfy guest rooms have functional dark-wood furnishings and, in some cases, balconies overlooking the street. In good weather, take advantage of the pleasant garden and courtyard.

The convenient location stands out at this warm and welcoming boutique hotel in the chic district between the Eiffel Tower and Les Invalides. From the hotel, it is an easy walk to major monuments and the métro. Wood-floored rooms are cozy, filled with contemporary furnishings, oil-portrait headboards, and rich fabrics in chocolate and plum—some have smashing views of the Eiffel Tower. The small lobby opens onto a dining room and a bar overlooking a private courtyard where a delicious breakfast is served in summer.

Most of the rooms at this memorably eccentric hotel have either frescoes with mythological themes or works that feature an artist's whimsy, but the real draws are the excellent service, the location three blocks from the beach, and the garden—a city-center oasis of lemon, magnolia, palm trees and even exotic birds. Package deals include breakfast or candlelit dinners, but with so many eateries close by, you may not want to tie yourself to on-site meals.

A warm welcome and the simple pleasures of sea and sun align for a delightful stay at this family-owned beachfront hotel a 20-minute stroll along the seaside promenade from St-Malo’s fortifications. Each of the 16 cozy, light-filled rooms is unique, but all take the colors of the sea views outside your door as their theme. The hotel’s spacious terrace bar and restaurant serve a delicious menu of fresh seafood and Breton specialties.

Enjoy the pleasures of both village and countryside at this charming hotel a pleasant 20-minute walk from Versailles. A Relais & Château property, this sophisticated hotel features a large spa, both a bistro and a Michelin-starred gastronomic restaurant, and a magical lakeside setting (where Impressionist artist Corot once lived and worked). Rooms mix contemporary elegance with country touches, featuring elegant black-marble baths, some with spacious terraces. Be sure to request a room with a lake view. The hotel is close to Paris, the fabulous Sèvres museum and porcelain works, and Versailles. It's also a quick bus ride from La Seine Musicale, Paris's newest classical and contemporary music venue set on an island on the Seine.

A good choice for hikers, this family-run lodging—a scenic, mile-long walk from town and set amid woods and vineyards at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail—provides a warm welcome and basic but spacious guest rooms. Before heading to the top-notch restaurant, you can take in views of the countryside while enjoying an apéro or a glass of wine on a sprawling terrace shaded by ancient plane trees.

This typical Burgundy townhouse built in 1763 offers plenty of history and charm. Behind the wisteria-clad facade, you'll find centuries-old hexagonal floor tiles, wood paneling, creaky floorboards, stone fireplaces, and vintage mirrors. The oldest (and best) rooms are on the first floor.

Far from their original role as monastic cells and even further from the Flintstone-influenced idea of cave dwellings, these luxe-prehistoric lodgings—with their limestone walls, chic contemporary style, carved fireplaces, sophisticated lighting, finished marble steps, and riverside setting—exude a quiet luxury amid the soothing elements of stone and water. The 12 cave rooms benefit from large windows and naturally cool temperatures, even in summer. Some guests prefer the three rooms in the regular house—no cave-dwelling drama, but they're comfortable and air-conditioned. The gastonomic restaurant, with an enchanting terrace, offers elegant fare and overlooks the lovely pool and the Loire River. A favored country residence for rich Parisians, the town of Rochecorbon is a treat (once off the main traffic road), thanks to its pretty town center.

With a charming garden overlooking the glistening waters of the bay, this four-star hotel offers great views of the picturesque town of Porticcio. Inside, a bright decor features Art Nouveau wall lamps, Queen Anne chairs, gold-leaf mirrors, colorful ceramic vases, and a spacious lobby that boasts a delightful contrast of crimson and white furnishings. Rooms include Wi-Fi access and flat-screen TVs, and some have sea views. For a day of relaxation in the sun, there are chaise lounges around a heated saltwater pool and hot tub and, a private hotel beach with offshore rocks—a perfect place for snorkeling. There are also two restaurants and a rooftop, open-air spa treatment area.

Barbizon's best hotel offers unusually spacious rooms (all tastefully decorated in a contemporary style), a wellness area (with an extensive menu of spa treatments), and an indoor-outdoor pool, making it a good choice for couples or families. A top dining choice in town, the hotel's restaurant is a draw for both locals and nonguests alike.

One of the fine-white-sand beaches that distinguish the Morbihan coast serves as the perfect backdrop for this spare, modern hotel, which calls to mind a cruise ship. All accommodations have a terrace or balcony facing the sea, where guests can indulge in an ample Breton breakfast or simply enjoy a bracing breeze. One bright suite has enormous windows and a wraparound terrace that seems to jut out over the water; smaller digs, decorated in earth tones, have sleek bathrooms and every modern convenience. Another plus is the on-site restaurant with—what else—plenty of fresh seafood offered either in the handsome dining room or, weather permitting, on a large sea-view terrace.

A 17th-century residence within the ramparts is the setting of this delightful hotel featuring stone, stucco, and terra-cotta details as well as classically simple and antique furnishings. The team at the quaint little restaurant will happily cook a whole side of beef in the fireplace or serve up a perfectly grilled Mediterranean fish. On the ground floor are two small, cozy sitting areas; breakfast, weather permitting, is served in the small flower-filled courtyard.

Matisse, Maillol, Dalí, Picasso, and Dufy used to hang out here, and the current owner, the granddaughter of René Pous (the driving force behind Collioure's art colony), is proud to show off the 2,500-plus original works hanging from every nook and cranny of this celebrated inn and restaurant—universally considered the \"soul\" of Collioure. The bar itself is a work of art, curved like the hull of a skiff and ending with a wood sculpture of a mermaid suckling an infant sailor. Collioure exudes the spirit of French Catalonia, so the food here is mostly Catalan and usually excellent (try dishes that feature the town's fabled anchovies). Guest rooms overlooking the château are cozy, but be sure yours isn't in the annex.

If you’re stopping in Hyères on your way to the islands, consider this bright, airy boutique hotel, where the vaguely Moroccan-style common areas and rooms are as peaceful and soothing as can be, decorated in creamy white and pale ochre, with bespoke furniture and spotless ceramic-tiled bathrooms featuring products from luxury Parisian brand Diptyque. The chic restaurant, open for lunch and dinner, serves a small but well-prepared menu of Mediterranean-influenced dishes, with an emphasis on seafood. You can also dine at the lively bar, featuring small plates to share, craft cocktails, and an eyepopping list of 350 wines, including local gems and French classics, all to enjoy with a program of live music and DJ nights.