680 Best Hotels in France

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.

Located on a quiet side street in central Epernay, this spot joins together historic and contemporary architecture under the same roof, extending over three different buildings: a former nobleman's mansion, an ultra-modern wing, and an ancient presbytery. In contrast, the guest rooms are all modern and stylish, decorated in muted tones of gray and beige with wooden floors and glossy, well-equipped bathrooms. The buffet breakfast can be enjoyed in the dining room or outside in the courtyard.

At this cozy B&B set in a charming 16th-century half-timbered house, your host goes out of her way to ensure a warm welcome and total comfort. The beautiful decor capitalizes on the historic building's lovely assets, including massive wooden beams, parquet or French-tiled floors, pretty windows, and fireplaces. All of the rooms (there are three guest rooms, a spacious suite, and an apartment for families) have a kitchenette, a sitting area, and contemporary bathrooms. Breakfasts, included in the price, are a highlight.

Occupying two 19th-century buildings, this five-star boutique hotel has a dead-center location, an eco-friendly attitude, and plenty of style to spare. Hip yet historic, the lounge and lobby drip with Belle Époque trimmings, and the generously proportioned guest rooms are superchic; all have immense bathrooms equipped with both a shower and tub—one of the two family-size suites in the modern annex (Le Cube) even has its own private sauna. There is also a high-end modern brasserie (no lunch, closed Sunday and Monday) with an outside terrace on-site.

With stylish rooms and luxurious balconies that overlook a beautiful lagoon, this upscale converted farmhouse, just 2 km (1 mile) from deserted beaches, is a perfect escape from the rigors of horseback riding and bird-watching. Outside are acres of sculpted land, inside is comfort personified: cool elegance, plush carpets, large baths, and efficient service. Every Saturday night Roma musicians play flamenco in the lovely bar area. Sprawl out in front of the large stone fireplace and drink in the splendid views over the Camargue. Dive into a mean leg of roasted lamb or savor the tender catch of the day after a refreshing dip in the large heated pool. And all the while, you can feel consciously green: the Mas is fully equipped with state-of-the-art solar panels and geothermal power.

A fabled getaway, the Langoustier has a lobster-orange building, pink bougainvillea, a choice of California modern or old Provençal–style guest rooms, and a secluded location at the westernmost point of the Île de Porquerolles. The hotel's La Pinède restaurant is a serviceable choice for dining on the island, and Le Bar is a pleasant spot for a cocktail. Room rates include breakfast and dinner; the former can be enjoyed in your room or on the terrace, while the latter is served in the dining room or outdoor terrace in fine weather.

In a prestigious neighborhood a few minutes from the Jardin des Tuileries, Place de la Concorde, Opéra Garnier, and the Louvre, the Meliá Vendôme has handsome and spacious rooms that exude understated elegance. Free Wi-Fi, minibar, and satellite TV are some of the premium perks included in the reasonable rates. Consistent service and an airport shuttle available on request make this Spanish-owned franchise a popular base for international travelers.

Just down the street from the Château-Vieux, this reasonably priced Mercure property offers an old-world feel in a great location. Guest rooms in the 1835 building have been brought up-to-date with 21st-century facilities (though with some inevitable loss of the original character) and come in a variety of styles and sizes.

On 11 acres of streamside greenery, this noble old olive mill has been turned into a lovely country inn—complete with beams, the original millwheel, and a pressoir (olive press) in the middle of the bar. Each room features a hint of Provence, quarry tiles, and Persian rugs. The big attraction is the restaurant, L’Escourtin, which is run by chef Philippe Choisy. Its monthly changing menus at have earned a faithful following of locals.

This converted paper mill in a tree-lined garden exudes rustic charm; its spacious guest rooms—some with views of the river, others looking out over the countryside—have a smart country-luxe decor. All throughout the property, boutique chic meets 17th-century rural elegance to create a beautiful effect, thanks to the stone fireplace, white-painted beams, concrete floors, and modern artwork. Gourmet table d'hôte dinners are organized on Saturdays; be sure to reserve in advance. Expect refined, innovative dishes that are inspired by traditional Burgundian fare alongside hand-picked Burgundy wines.

This elegantly modern hotel in Garavan, east of the town center next to Italy, is hard to beat when it comes to value, given that attentive service, a fitness room overlooking a solar-heated swimming pool, and contemporary furnishings all make it feel like a luxury hotel even though it's not. Although you can have the squeeze-your-own-OJ breakfast from the buffet served in your room (€14), if you want an early start, opt for the express breakfast bar (€6).

Set at the far end of Disneyland Paris’s lake, the nautical-theme Newport Bay Club is the biggest four-star hotel in France—with the largest capacity in Europe—so don’t expect intimacy, but hallways are bright and spacious and rooms are quiet and light-filled (especially those with lake views) and some offer balconies. The hotel has an indoor-outdoor pool and plenty of dining options, including the Cape Cod buffet, the higher-end Yacht Club, and the pleasant Captain’s Quarters bar. Compass Club rooms get VIP passes to skip the lines at most rides, as well as breakfast, complimentary drinks all day, and teatime in the private club dining room included in the price. The park is accessible by shuttle (every 10–15 minutes) or via a 15-minute walk by the lake.

Sleek, with stunning 360-degree views of the bay and the islands, this white-on-white hotel features designs by Starck, Zanotta, and Emu. The huge windows make for a light-filled reception area, the saltwater pool is fed by a natural spring, and the rooms are up-to-the-minute in style. Specialties of the good modern restaurant include rack of lamb basted with olive tapenade and black grain mustard and sea bass baked with Provençal vegetables.

It's hard to believe that this little gem of a hotel, with its own courtyard garden, is smack in the middle of Nice, next to the pedestrian shopping streets and a five-minute walk from the old town. Rooms, with original ceiling molding and chandeliers, are done up in romantic style, and all of them look onto the garden scented with Mediterranean flowers and citrus fruits. This is a find, and owner Marion Hoffman goes out of her way to turn your vacation into a lasting memory.

If you don't need much space, this eco-centric hotel will do the trick just fine, with 106 compact but well-equipped rooms and buzzy common areas.

On a quiet side street a quick jaunt from the Champs-Élysées, this handsome newcomer channels a stylish mid-century aesthetic right out of Mad Men. Cozy into a plush sofa for a cocktail in the art-filled lobby-library before dinner at Thiou restaurant, where you'll dine on upscale Thai cuisine in a dining room right out of a shelter magazine. Sleek, earth-toned guest rooms offer designer furnishings in leather, nubby wool, and velvet, and chic original artworks provide jewel-toned accents. The hotel's intimate size, only 37 rooms, enhances a clubby atmosphere that’s most fitting in this posh-but-welcoming boutique hotel.

In business since 1846, the Anjou has vintage stained glass windows in the Art Deco lobby and spacious, guest rooms featuring high ceilings, double doors and windows, and modern bathrooms. Reasonably priced prix-fixe menus are served in the fine restaurant, Odorico (named for the Italo-Breton artist whose colorful mosaics grace the pretty Art Deco dining room and bar), offering seasonal gourmet cuisine and a generous Sunday brunch. The spa features a sauna, a Nordic bath, and a menu of skincare treatments and massages.

This 17th-century relais, or stagecoach relay station, on Ainhoa's main square and pelota court is one of the loveliest Basque houses in town, with small but adequate guest rooms. The convivial owners are always ready to share their knowledge about the locals and the locale, and the restaurant serves creative interpretations of traditional Basque specialties.

Erected in the 19th century, this rather grand, vine-covered mansion is close to the center of Auxerre, just a short walk from the cathedral. Its unpretentious guest rooms are clean, comfortable, and spacious; those overlooking the rear courtyard are quietest. You can start the day here by enjoying a sustaining (and reasonably priced) buffet breakfast, then cap it by relaxing on the lovely terrace after a long sightseeing session.

Hidden off regal Place des Vosges behind a stunning garden courtyard, this enchanting château has gigantic beams, chunky stone pillars, and a weathered fireplace that speaks to its 1612 origins. The large rooms and suites are decorated in either contemporary or 18th-century style. Many look out on the entry court or an interior, Japanese-inspired garden.

This elegant hotel, in a historic 18th-century mansion a few steps from the château, restaurants, and shopping, offers lovely period decor and expansive views of Paris from some of the rooms and a gastronomic restaurant. A sprawling outdoor terrace, authentic antiques, a pretty park next door, and a spa—not to mention prices far below those in nearby Paris—make this a romantic spot for a weekend getaway.

This little hotel overlooking the River Saône has a winning combination of handy location, charming staff, tasteful rooms, and moderate prices. Its modern style is gracefully juxtaposed with its 16th-century ceiling beams and Renaissance facade. Some rooms have fireplaces, and the smallish but cozy upper-floor rooms are charmingly built into the eaves and rooftop dormers.

As much a resort as a hotel, this modern waterfront complex with soundproofed rooms has deluxe comforts and amenities, including a broad beach terrace, and outdoor (unheated) pool, a casino, a restaurant, and access to the Old Course golf club next door. Guest rooms are white with splashes of color and have balconies and sea views from all sides. At the loungy yet glamorous restaurant-grill you can dine well while you gaze over the floodlit swimming pool.

At the stylish Radisson Blu, well located between the train station and the old town, expect well-proportioned, modern rooms, friendly staff, and the chance for a relaxed nightcap at the Le Jahanne lounge.

Proximity to the fairy tale Château de Chambord (Disney’s model for Sleeping Beauty’s castle) is this fine hotel’s major bragging point, but it’s far from the only one. The handsome decor, by renowned French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, features historic prints (recalling the hotel’s past as the royal kennels) mixed with contemporary artwork and luxe modern furnishings. Rooms and suites overlooking the château and the lovely Cosson River are the top choice but more expensive while those with views of the gardens offer a delightful serenity. In winter, enjoy a crackling fire in the stately lounge or games in the billiards room. In summer, a drink on the restaurant’s sublime terrace with château views is a must. A small spa offers a sauna, a hammam, and two treatment rooms (advance reservations a must), and the estate also has golf carts, biking, footpaths, and boat rides.

This half-timber hotel, in the pedestrian zone near the church of St-Jean, has rooms that are refreshingly done in a sleek modern style; their white-and-pastel-color walls contrast tastefully with the sophisticated, multihue furnishings. Some rooms are connected by a path running through the second floor's tree-filled atrium. The powder-pink velvet upholstery in the bar is worth sinking into for a predinner cocktail.

A five-minute drive from Périgueux, this stately manor, perched on a hill circled by a lush park and ancient trees, feels a world away. Though modern in every way, an old world hospitality prevails in the five chic rooms with comfy beds, giant bathrooms, and views from the park. The hospitality extends to the onsite gourmet restaurant, where hotel guests can partake in lunch or dinner at one of Perigueux’s best dining rooms, not to mention delicious homemade breakfasts served by the chef himself.

Enter into Dinard's seafaring past at this beguiling seafront hotel, each of whose four floors offers an Art Deco–inspired theme that conjures the building's elegant Belle Époque roots. Cozy, carpeted rooms come with quaint touches like shaded fixtures, original art, and wood furnishings polished to a brilliant finish. Some have unobstructed sea views while others come with a private terrace. All the common areas capitalize on its original features to make drinks in the colonial-theme bar or breakfast in the dining room a pleasant experience.

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.