13 Best Hotels in France

Behind a locked gate at this sprawling property five minutes from Châteauneuf-du-Pape center, contemporary, wooden eco-cabanes sit beside, just over, or even on top of a secluded emerald-green lake. Each chic cabin is slightly different, but all have decks at least as large or larger than the indoor space and all provide enough style and amenities (most have a sauna or hot tub) for them to feel like far more than just rustic cabins in the woods. Healthy gourmet dinners (served cold) and breakfasts are delivered to your cabin via golf cart at your desired hour. You can enjoy hiking paths, a large pool, and a treatment room with a full range of spa offerings.

In a complete departure from traditional Provençal chic, each of this contemporary property's individually decorated houses features the work of top designers and artists; all the units also have private terraces, and some have small private pools. The most exotic decor is in the Maison du Voyageur with its stuffed tiger, zebra skin, and antler sofa, while the Maison des Lointains has a barbed-wire chandelier, suggestive black-and-white photos, and stone baths. Perfect for two, the stunning Nature Suites offer seclusion with a private yard, sun deck, and a steam room or sauna. The hotel's two dining options include La Loggia gastronomic dining room and Le Platane bistro for lingering over a gourmet-rustic lunch. Both use the bounty of the hotel's extensive gardens to create dishes expressive of Provence. From the swimming pool and the stepped garden patios, admire dramatic views of the countryside; there is also an indoor pool should the fierce mistral winds strike. Be sure to check the website for last-minute deals, especially in the off-season. 

In the center of town, this Belle Époque hotel has catered to an A-list clientele since it opened its doors in 1878. Riffing on the Swiss-chalet theme, the warm, cozy rooms feel contemporary without being impersonal. It's hard to beat taking a dip in a heated indoor-outdoor pool framed by majestic mountains, but the addition of elegant gourmet restaurant Le Matafan—with acclaimed chef Mickey Bourdillat at the helm—and a gorgeous spa clinch the deal.

Set amid gentle rolling hills, elegant gardens, and 90 sun-drenched acres of vineyards (from which the Aureto estate wine is produced), this upscale hideaway—with several historic country houses restored to designer perfection—is perfect whether you want a relaxing spa or wine-tasting getaway or a more active escape of hiking through vineyards or biking on one of the hotel's Swiss-made mountain bikes. Take in the breathtaking vineyard and mountain views from your private terrace or one of several expansive garden patios, relax in the whirlpool tub, or indulge in a restorative treatment at the state-of-the-art spa before enjoying a sumptuous all-truffle dinner at Le Gourmet restaurant. For more casual dining there's also a gourmet bistro and the Jardin dans les Vignes terrace restaurant in summer.

Nestled in the countryside, this resort is larger than Monaco and comes with an impressive roster of amenities—four pools, two world-class 18-hole golf courses, a two-story spa, and five restaurants including Michelin-starred La Faventia and gourmet restaurant Le Gaudina, both recently refurbished. Each of the suites and villas at this Provençal Xanadu is equipped with a private terrace and marble bathrooms that have both a bath and separate shower, as well as exclusive Fragonard toiletries.

Perched on a cliff overlooking the surf and the narrow Anse de Goulphar Bay, this 1970s-era hotel was François Mitterrand's address when he vacationed on Belle-Île and it still retains presidential glamour, with its renowned spa, saltwater pool, and spectacular views. In the bright, airy restaurant, chef Franck Moisan specializes in seafood, caught just offshore. The herb-crusted turbot and the line-caught sea bass are simple but delicious. Castel Clara's expansive wooden-deck terrace is the perfect lounging spot for cocktails at sundown.

This was reportedly one of Audrey Hepburn's favorites, and you can immediately see why: the neo-Gothic château, sitting atop a vast, sloping lawn, features a pair of fairy-tale towers, Louis Seize public salons, and soigné guest rooms—some in the turrets, others in the smartly converted stables and servants' quarters. Most beds are so comfy that it would be hard to rise in the morning if it weren't for the beckoning vistas, which include a lovely pool tucked onto a grassy terrace. The stylish rotunda restaurant looks out over the lawn and offers such gourmet delicacies as medallions of line-caught sea bass with leeks in aspic and gribiche sauce.

At the tip of the magical Pen Lan Peninsula, this luxurious collection of 15th- and 16th-century Breton stone buildings resembles a tiny village—albeit one surrounded by terraced gardens that promise grand vistas of the Baie de Vilaine (Vilaine Bay). Once you step through the 13th-century \"Portail de la Verité\" entryway, the public areas entice with Baroque ex-votos, Louis Treize chairs, rock-face fireplaces, and plate-glass windows; guest rooms sparkle with checked fabrics, veneered woods, and modern furnishings. Chef Maxime Nouail rules the restaurant, which has a straightforward, classical menu. For a different type of indulgence, head to the spectacular Aqua Phénicia, which has a full spectrum of seawater hydrotherapy facilities and a gigantic indoor pool.

A mix of southern-coast bourgeois and Provençal touches adds a splash of color to the sunlit, airy rooms of this family-owned hotel, where thoughtful service and absolute calm encourage relaxation. Private patios overlook a large secluded park bordered by eucalyptus, pink oleanders, and palm trees. You can hike through forests, swim in the pool, or simply sit on the flower-filled terrace. Diners come to the intimate, simply decorated restaurant from across the island to sample such delicious, hearty Provençal fare as smoked duck salad garnished with grilled tomatoes or rack of lamb with island herbs and ratatouille and to murmur comfortably over a final warmed brandy.

In an unlikely but intriguing series of events, the hoteliers behind the trendy Les Bains hotel and club in Paris acquired this deeply Camarguian property in the heart of the national park and transformed it into a fashionable resort. The local spirit remains in traditional cottages—once housing for the local gardians—that have stylishly rustic interiors, small terraces, and thatched roofs that have been restored to better withstand ferocious winds off the sea. The main building houses a restaurant and cocktail bar (with a mixologist, of course), and the grounds contain two lovely pools and a spa. Resident horses grazing among the scenic marshlands are available for guided tours to spot flamingos and other wildlife inhabiting the surrounding park. For nightlife, lacking in this desolate part of the world, the resort features performances, dances, live music, and DJ nights.

What it lacks in Provençal character, this plush hotel on the green makes up for in modern comforts—each suite, decorated in soothing tones of beige and gray, is an independent apartment that has a separate living room as well as a kitchenette. Most accommodations have vast terraces overlooking the 18-hole golf course, which, with eight lakes, is quite challenging; it's also exclusive, though it's open to guests at the hotel at a preferential rate. The Cinq Mondes spa, set in a 19th-century country house, and the freshwater outdoor pool are steps from the green. The Royal Garden restaurant serves Provençal cuisine with an ethereal modern touch.

Located just 15 minutes from Ajaccio airport, the Sofitel Golfe d'Ajaccio Thalassa Sea & Spa has a French Riviera theme and the sea is the highlight of a stay here—leave your door ajar, and the rhythmic ebb and flow of the sea over rocks outside your bedroom provides a perfect accompaniment to sleep. The white color scheme of the rooms is complemented by beige carpeting and chrome-and-silver lamp fixtures. Another highlight is the well-equipped spa. Other activity options include an outdoor swimming pool and a lawn with leisure seating.