679 Best Hotels in France

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This wood-clad hotel in the middle of the vineyards is an upscale wine-country getaway. Inside, a glass-roofed Champagne bar, complete with a wood-burning stove and floor-to-ceiling windows, welcomes guests with flair. The rooms are decorated in soft gray, beige, and brown tones, and come with wooden floors and panoramic views (minus rooms facing the car park). There is a gleaming spa with a hammam, a sauna, and a heated outdoor pool with a sundeck that has sweeping views of the vineyard slopes. The on-site restaurant L'Horisium serves gourmet dishes showcasing the local produce with hints of the chef's Indian origins. The excellent buffet breakfast is served in the same dining room. 

Ground-floor rooms at this pretty little villa with a pool open onto the flower-filled, manicured garden, where breakfast (€18) is served in the shade of a fig tree. Most rooms have regional-tile baths, quarry-tile floors, and Provençal fabrics.

Exposed beams, a pretty central staircase, antiques, and charm galore are among the draws of this centrally located hotel in an ivy-clad 16th-century manor. Although there's no pool, a cool interior garden and air-conditioned guest rooms offset the heat of Provençal summers. Best of all, the price is right.

Don't let the bland street-front facade of this late-1800s town house deter you—inside, the renovated interior mixes stately original attributes with contemporary edges, and natural light spills in from the quiet gardens and terrace with front-row views of snowcapped Mont Canigou. Although all four rooms are spacious and combine modern style with nice antique details, the upstairs Terrace Suite stands out with its glassed-in Florida room and outdoor terrace.

This fine inn has breathtaking views of the countryside and handsome Provençal-style rooms set in beautifully restored old buildings, including an 11th-century monastery. The on-site bistronomic restaurant Riva offers Mediterranean cuisine and the best of the local wines, and you can soak your troubles away in the pool, perhaps after a treatment in the aromatherapy-focused spa.

Tucked behind the cathedral, this 17th-century former canon’s house combines cutting-edge style with period features to create a boutique bed-and-breakfast. The wrought-iron staircase leads you to the wood-floored, lofty rooms with ultramodern bathrooms. The Mandarine room in particular showcases the owner’s renovating skill with its 1950s-style decor, while handpicked artwork and Art Nouveau pieces deck out the public areas. A wisteria-draped inner courtyard is the perfect setting for alfresco breakfasts. Wine tastings can also be organized in the ancestral cellar on request.

A stone's throw from the Arc de Triomphe, Maison Elle revolves around the three principles that guide the international magazine that is its namesake: "the French art of living" (seen in the crisp black, white, and chrome decor littered with Parisian fashion shots); "smiling beauty" (its wellness area, yoga classes, and organic Dr. Hauschka toiletries and beauty products); and a feminine-centric spirit, inspired by the nearby Parisian fashion addresses beloved by stylish women. They could've added "coziness," as the hotel's 25 rooms range from small to minuscule. Still, its style, friendliness, top-notch amenities, in-hotel shop, and undeniable charm make it a good choice in a neighborhood short on chic and (comparatively) affordable lodging.

Manufacturing hip is this urban chain hotel's claim to fame (not surprising, as it's the brainchild of designer Philippe Starck), and it has the formula down pat—offbeat (preferably artsy) neighborhood, check; plenty of graffiti in the interior design, check; functional, minimalist rooms, check; sexy touches, check. For in-hotel nightlife, with its cool pastis bar, local artisanal beer, and great live music on weekends, this spot is a good bet.

“Mama loves you\" is this Philippe Starck–designed hotel chain's motto, and, to prove it, guests are wrapped in the angular embrace of minimal, gadget-happy rooms that make up for their minuscule size with artsy touches and a general atmosphere of too-cool-for-school fun. From the guitar-and-pool-floatie-adorned restaurant—where you'll enjoy the chain's excellent buffet breakfast—and the Island Bar to the Mama Shop (handy if you've forgotten your toothbrush), the ambience is unrelentingly hip, in a friendly way. The hotel recently converted eight top-floor suites to a partly sheltered rooftop bar for drinks and bar snacks that's open to guests and non-guests alike.

With sleek bedrooms and a hopping rooftop bar, this property in the old town sets out to impress with its hipster vibe. Downstairs is an open-plan bar and restaurant (with live music in the evenings) that serves a top-quality breakfast, drinks and light meals all day, and dinner in the evening. On upper floors, monochrome guestrooms feel just a bit institutional, with very basic desks, open clothes rails, and microwave ovens (some but not all have tea and coffee-making kits). Beds are very comfortable, but bathrooms, though large, lack tubs. The top floor has a lively terrace bar (covered and heated in winter). The big selling point here though is the location less than 200 yards from the city's main shopping areas, the cathedral, the Musée des Beaux Arts, and the airport tram line.

Originally a forge, this old, ivy-covered edifice occupies a pastoral nook by the Coly River—a lovely vista to enjoy from your guest room or the impressive restaurant and less expensive bistro. The modernized lodgings have fabric wall coverings and colorful curtains that match the bedspreads; four duplexes can be found in the old miller's home nearby. The restaurant (no dinner Wednesday; no lunch weekdays) specializes in foie gras; if you're not convinced, check out the array of it at the hotel shop.

This stately hotel in the countryside about 10 minutes from Quimper offers attractive and spacious rooms, a good restaurant with indoor and outdoor dining, a pool, and, lovely grounds. In other words, pretty much everything you need for a relaxing stay, including plenty of peace and quiet. The hotel also offers some unique rooms, like the dovecote, set in the manor's turreted . . . well, dovecote. Guests are encouraged to use the sauna in the relaxation area and the game room is nice for kids.

The beauty of the coastline is embraced by this Relais & Châteaux hotel, where guest rooms are far more than just comfortable; long and cruise-liner-low, the renovated 19th-century Breton manor house has been outfitted with dramatic windows—plate-glass, round, panoramic—so as to frame stirring vistas of the endless sea and the cliffs of the Côte de Granit Rose (all rooms have sea views and some have terraces). The excellent restaurant, with a wood-beam ceiling inspired by a hull, has a delightful model of the St-Yves ship suspended from its ceiling; it mostly serves seafood, but the squab is also good.

Surrounded by extensive forested grounds, this storybook 17th-century granite manor, landmarked by a sturdy tower and filled with lovely antiques, offers enviable lodgings; guest rooms vary greatly in size, but most have terraces overlooking the peaceful country garden. Five duplexes in the charming old stone stables offer all the comforts of a fine hotel, including new bathrooms and skylights. Another high point is its fine restaurant (closed mid-November–March), featuring an acclaimed seafood-centric menu. The hotel is close to Quimper and within walking distance of Locronan, one of Brittany's most charming villages.

Between Dinard and St-Malo on the beautiful Rance Estuary, this newly renovated country estate provides exceptional comfort and style inside and great views outside, courtesy of its promontory perch. Medieval Dinan is 10 minutes away by car, the beaches of Dinard are 15, St-Malo is 20, and looming Mont-St-Michel is 40, making le manoir an ideal base for exploring Brittany's Emerald Coast. Rooms are tasteful, many with timbered ceilings; and the bar, lounge, and terraces ensure that opportunities for relaxation are ample.