68 Best Hotels in France

Nestled in the middle of 170 acres of private marshland, this quiet, laid-back retreat has simple whitewashed buildings with equally simple guest rooms that feature terra-cotta tiles, jute rugs, white cotton throws, and large picture windows with hauntingly beautiful views of of rose-color reeds. Technology has found its way here, too, as each room has a TV and Wi-Fi. The cavernous dining hall with Provençal chairs and an enormous hand-carved fireplace is a great place to share stories while enjoying local wine and a hearty plate of selected meats, fresh tomatoes, and regional goat cheese.

You’ll enjoy the warmest welcome at this cozy B&B set in an 18th-century mansion in the heart of the city and an easy walk to restaurants and all the major sights. Beamed ceilings, old-fashioned armoires, Oriental carpets, sumptuous wallpapers, and rich colors create an old-world atmosphere equipped with all the contemporary amenities. Rooms offer beautiful views over the old city and the countryside, with large, well-equipped bathrooms. A fresh and copious breakfast is included in the very reasonable price.

Small enough to feel like a home, stuffed with lovely 18th-century decor, and replete with a beautiful river terrace, this overlooked treasure provides an unforgettable experience in the Loire. Other château-hotels may have pomp, but this has something more precious: authenticité. Once the property of the Marquis de Vaudreuil, first French governor of Louisiana, it was purchased by the current owner’s family in 1779. At the end of a long allée, this \"pavillon Mansart\" embraces you in a semicircular layout (the collier, or necklace). Ten family descendants study you from gilded Charles-Dix frames in the comely main salon, a confectionery of white rococo moldings, glittering chandeliers, and furniture that Madame Bovary would have loved. The breakfast room is covered with quaint 16th-century Italian frescoes, and each guest room is a bouquet of antiques and comfy furniture.

It would be hard to dream up a more graceful assemblage of setting, buildings, and decor than that at this elegant countryside bed-and-breakfast set in a beautifully refurbished and exquisitely decorated 18th-century château in the golden triangle between Blois, Chambord, and Cheverny. Your gracious hosts have thought of everything, from the inviting interiors—done up in an oh-so-chic mix of antique and contemporary—to the luxury bedding. Guest rooms offer meticulously restored period frescos and floor-to-ceiling windows, with lovely views of the river and giant bathrooms. Because there are only five rooms (as well as a private apartment), guests feel totally at home and are free to roam the grounds and gardens (complete with an Eiffel bridge), swim in the heated pool, play tennis, or fish in the nearby river. There is no restaurant, but the owners are delighted to arrange meals at the château from a local Michelin-starred chef. It's also within biking distance of the major Loire châteaux, but good luck tearing yourself away.

Though only a two-minute walk from Lacoste, a more captivating country setting would be hard to find, complete with extensive gardens and olive groves, a wooded park with picturesque stone walls, a pool, and breathtaking views everywhere—including from your room. Each of the B&B's five bright, spacious rooms is equipped with all the modern conveniences and its own private terrace, where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast or glass of the local wine while taking in the vistas.

A stay at this lovely restored farmhouse in the tiny hamlet of Les Martins—strategically set between the villages of Gordes, Ménerbes, and Lacoste—lets you enjoy all the wonders of the region without the crushing crowds. There's nothing quite like a meal cooked to your tastes and served alfresco under ancient trees and amid flower gardens. In summer, play pétanque, or cool off in the pool; in chilly weather, enjoy an apéro by the fire. Here, life slows down in the most pleasurable Provençal way.

With a location in a hidden, tree-shaded courtyard off a nondescript street minutes from Père-Lachaise cemetery, no lodging in the capital is quite as unobtrusively fabulous as this trailblazing, 100% sustainable, five-room eco-lodge. No detail was overlooked in designing the ultracontemporary building; spacious rooms are furnished with chic state-of-the-art materials and fixtures that manage to be both cozy and private.

You'll find peace at these three charming cottages (and an elegant manor house split into two apartments) set in several 17th-century outbuildings of the Château de Courances in the château's splendid gardens. Each of these beautifully restored and decorated family-style cottages—a chic mix of antique and contemporary—sleeps between two and eight people and can be rented individually (for a two-night minimum) or together. La Régie, an impeccably refurbished manor house, is split into two light-drenched 1,150-square-foot apartments, complete with period antiques, restored original woodwork and floors, comfy living areas, spacious modern baths, a fully equipped kitchen, fireplace, and an outdoor terrace. Only 8 miles from Barbizon and 12 miles from Fontainebleau, this is an excellent base for visiting the area.

A few miles west of Obernai, this blue-shuttered, flower-bedecked, 18th-century house treats diners to fine meals and accommodates overnight guests in impeccable rooms with sleek contemporary furnishings (opt for one in the main building, not the annex). Hotel amenities include a sauna and an indoor pool. The restaurant (reservations essential; closed Wednesday) is one of the region's top attractions. Here you can savor Patrick Fritz's sophisticated twists on regional specialties, including a delicate choucroute with fresh and smoked fish in beurre blanc. Don't miss the fruity red wine, an Ottrott exclusive.

Often called the most beautiful inn in France, "the golden dove" occupies a rose-stone Renaissance mansion just outside the walls of St-Paul-de-Vence and is so perfect overall that some contend you haven't really been to the French Riviera until you've stayed or dined here. Walk into the dining room and you'll do a double take—yes, those are real Mirós, Bonnards, and Légers on the walls, given in payment in hungrier days when this inn was the cherished retreat of Picasso and Chagall, Maeterlinck and Kipling, and Yves Montand and Simone Signoret (who met and married here). Upstairs, the guest rooms are bewitching, replete with Louis XIII armoires, medieval four-posters, wood beams, Provençal borders, and murals; even rooms in the two annexes are flawless and tasteful.

With exquisitely styled, Provence-chic rooms, each done in soft colors, this property is an ideal respite after a long day of antiques shopping. Even if you don't bed down here, consider using the money you saved bargaining on that chipped Quimper vase to splurge on a lunch of tender duckling with lavender honey at the hotel's delightful restaurant.

Romantic doesn't begin to describe this beautiful eco-friendly B&B set in an 18th-century hunting lodge, where every detail is rendered with taste and refinement without an ounce of snobbery. Your gracious hosts encourage you to make good use of their property: stroll the manicured French gardens—listed by the French ministry of culture—or soak in the Provence sunshine by the spring-fed infinity pool. Two bright, first-floor guest rooms have king-size beds and a lovely interior design with original artwork. A delicious, all-organic breakfast is served in the garden or in the lovely dining rooms. Homemade gourmet dinners, massages, cooking classes, and wine tastings are available upon request.

Your hosts at this welcoming \"chambre d'hôtes\" (basically a charming bed-and-breakfast), set in an 18th-century stone farmhouse, go the extra mile to make an already delightful place completely enchanting. The three guest rooms, two with private terraces overflowing with flowers and greenery, are done up in an pleasing contemporary style all with unique features and lovely views. If your room doesn't have a terrace, you can still take in the scenery: the grounds and gardens—complete with a lovely pool—are at your disposal. The copious homemade breakfast served on the terrace is a particular treat. There is no formal restaurant; your hosts can recommend a terrific place or prepare a cold gourmet plate for you with a few hours' advance notice.

This pilgrimage-worthy inn located in Uriage-les-Bains, 16 km (10 miles) from Grenoble in a verdant mountain-ringed park, offers guests a tranquil, ultrasophisticated gastronomic getaway. The 19th-century half-timbered house was transformed into a masterpiece of contemporary, eco-friendly design, with soaring ceilings in the common spaces and five beautifully decorated guestrooms—complete with vintage design furniture and cloudlike organic bedding—with views over the impossibly green park from your private terrace. But chef Aribert's two-Michelin-star cuisine is the star of the show, and guests have the luxury of dining on sublime dishes that reflect all the richness of the surrounding nature before rolling into bed.

Past residents of this 14th-century stone house on the medieval ramparts served the Avignon popes, including the hotel's namesake, Cardinal Orsini, but today's guests enjoy total relaxation, serenity, and eye-popping views—including from the vaulted breakfast room and spacious terraces—of Mont Ventoux on one side and the Palais des Papes on the other. For a jaw-dropping sunrise over the Avignon skyline, book the Panoramic Suite or the charming Suite Pamparigoust, which has a private terrace. Two antiques-furnished cottages, both with private yards, accommodate families; they're also perfect for couples seeking a romantic getaway.

Using local materials and furnishings, Anna and Abel (a Franco-British husband-and-wife team) have spent more than a dozen years gracefully restoring the 19th-century stone farm buildings on their 10-acre parcel of quietude; in the process, they've brought this refined, family-friendly manor into the 21st century—soothing earth tones set the scene, with light oak floors matching the sand-colored stone walls, which in turn match the blond house dogs. The beautiful barn renovation, comprising more than 1,200 square feet, is a light, ultramodern, self-contained apartment suitable for an entire family. The theme throughout is the art of good living, with Abel providing personalized meals and Anna helping guests drop their city postures as a massage and physical therapist. The hand-picked wine list, television-free rooms, and wide open spaces should appeal to anyone wishing to turn the rest of the world off for a while.

English expatriates Rob and Jason have lovingly turned this 19th-century maison vigneronne into a calm, airy retreat where the subtle color scheme of blues and grays echoes nearby seascapes over the Bassin de Thau. A stone staircase leads to just four air-conditioned bedrooms (one with a sunny penthouse terrace and two with free-standing tubs while the others with walk-in showers) over two upper floors. High-thread count Egyptian cotton linens ensure a cool sleep. Gilt-framed mirrors, original artwork, chandeliers, and big table lamps offset rooms with dark wooden beams. There's a quirky intellectual library of high-brow paperbacks in the open-plan kitchen-lounge, where a rather lavish breakfast of fresh fruit and freshly pressed juices, bread, croissants, and cold cuts is served. Jason can be persuaded to provide eggs to your liking after his morning visit to Mèze's local produce market. There's no bar, but free water and soft drinks are provided in a shared fridge, which you're welcome to stock with drinks of your choice.

Magically set on a circular moat, fitted out with a storybook turret, and cloaked in ivy, this manor house is one of the most charming lodging options to be found between St-Émilion and Bordeaux—and it's also one of the oldest estates: the English warlord Edward, Prince of Wales (aka the \"Black Prince\"), reputedly set up shop here in the 14th century during England's Hundred Years' War with France. The spacious guest rooms are in a range of styles from Empire to 19th-century romantic.

If location and views are your top priorities, then this old auberge poised on a quaint cobbled square in the center of town is just the place. The inn is covered in grapevines and roses; inside, the functional guest rooms are decorated with local art and cozy rugs, while the charming dining room dishes out the expected culinary specialties at lunch daily.

This little inn, 1 km (½ mile) from the center of Sare in one of the town's prettiest and most ancient quartiers, is a beauty—a 16th-century town house complete with exposed wood-beam framework. Breakfast and the choice of lunch or dinner can be included in the room rate if requested.

On a hillside overlooking Calvi Bay, this three-star hotel stands just minutes from downtown, and every room has a balcony with views of the bay. Numerous other amenities include a fitness center, breakfast lounge, rooftop pool, and spa.

This enchanting rustic mansion has traditional home-style cuisine and music of all kinds—including authentic Corsican polyphonic chanting—and a commanding view of the coast. Simple rooms have whitewashed walls and rustic furnishings; they can accommodate up to four people. There is also a restaurant on-site offering lunch and dinner.

Original hardwood floors and conservatively fine interiors make a night at Castell Rose feel like staying with a modern-day French bourgeois family. Complete with tennis courts, swimming pool, and pretty gardens, the atmosphere is genteel yet welcoming—and just a 10-minute walk from Prades' city center. Breakfast is included.

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.

Though this cluster of private stone cottages has had a modernizing face-lift, the antique tiles and faux patinas keep things looking fashionably rustic, and the panoramic views are classics. Amenities include a heated pool, a billiards room, and babysitting services by arrangement. What's more, the atmosphere is surprisingly welcoming and familial for such a sophisticated inn.

It took four years for the two delightful owners, one a fifth-generation antiques dealer, to transform this 18th-century bastide amid farmland and vineyards into a guesthouse of rare elegance and taste. Whichever of the spacious suites you choose, you’ll be treated to museum-worthy antiques and artworks, luxury linens, comfortable contemporary furniture, and all the considerate touches that make you feel at home (the home of your dreams, that is). The private guesthouse next to the bastide is a masterpiece of contemporary design, mixing modern and classical artworks and antiques in the beautiful sleeping and sitting areas. The estate lies on three private acres of manicured gardens, orchards, and olive groves, with a pool and plenty of lovely spots to relax under the shade of ancient trees and take in breathtaking views of Ménerbes.

Named for the faithful general in Napoléon's army, this 19th-century hotel is located on the town's quietest square. There's a cozy lounge where breakfast is served by the fireplace. Hardwood floors, granite countertops, and snowy duvets give the rooms are tasteful feel. Mountain views and balconies are available in Rooms 208 and 209.

In the medieval part of town, this turreted 16th-century former bishop's palace has rooms with rustic charm—delicate fabrics, exposed beams, and wooden bedsteads. The surroundings and the warm welcome have garnered a loyal following among travelers who prefer character over modern luxury.

Six fully equipped luxury houses provide serenity and privacy in the middle of some of Chapoutier's most prestigious vineyards. All come with full self-catering kitchens (and a fully stocked wine rack), a pool, gardens, terraces, and views for miles. Up a winding dirt road, Les Granits, the loveliest of them all, is an old wine-grower's farmhouse that sleeps eight in a totally secluded setting with a pool.