220 Best Hotels in France

Top chef and owner of Jardin des Plumes hotel and restaurant David Gallienne now runs this ultracontemporary six-room bed-and-breakfast in a 19th-century milkman's cottage set in the countryside overlooking the Seine River. The original decor would be quite at home in the pages of a design magazine, but there are still plenty of the cozy touches: fireplaces, antiques, comfy bedding, beautiful baths, well-appointed kitchens, and a charming on-site tearoom and spa. All rooms are bright and cheerful with views over the leafy yards. For privacy, romance, and calm—with your own private yard under pretty trees—this (and its mothership the Jardin des Plumes hotel) is your best bet in Giverny. The B&B is a 45-minute train ride from Paris and a 15-minute walk to Monet's gardens.

Surrounded by canals in the heart of the quaint La Petite France quarter, this centuries-old former ice factory—replete with noble pediment and mansard roofs—is now a boldly modern luxury hotel, where Philippe Starck–inspired sculptural furnishings contrast sharply with the views of half-timber buildings and the roaring river from nearly every window. The preferred choice of Catherine Deneuve, Jacques Chirac, and Sting (to name a few) welcomes you with a spacious marble vestibule, vivid graffiti art, and Le Pont Tournant: an eye-popping modernistic restaurant done up in white, pinks, and reds (enjoy its summer tables over the torrent).

At Relais Bernard Loiseau, lovely lodgings ooze rustic-chic with exposed beams, traditional red-clay tile floors, and elegantly understated furnishings. Rooms vary in size but are charming overall and can come with perks like fireplaces or balconies that face the gorgeous garden courtyard. Many folks who come here, however, are more interested in the chapel-like dining room than the guest rooms. Chef Patrick Bertron turns out a feather-light nouvelle version of rich Burgundian fare pioneered by the late Bernard Loiseau, one of France's culinary superstars. Maximize your dining pleasure by indulging in the superb desserts and libations from the impressive wine list (a large selection can be ordered by the glass).

With a perfect perch overlooking the harbor from the cliffs south of town, this hotel enjoys vistas that are priceless—which is the main reason why staying here is pricey. Guest rooms are small overall but interestingly furnished (headboards, for example, have delightful wooden motifs), and some come with balconies or terraces. Below is a pebbled beach, though you may prefer the small pool (hewn from rock) or the huge Jacuzzi. Meals at Michelin-starred chef Laurent Lemal's La Balette restaurant (closed Monday and Tuesday) can be eaten on the terrace or in the dining room overlooking the harbor. The buffet breakfast is splendid, with stand-out homemade cakes and cookies.

In this hotel on the top floors of one of architect Jean Nouvel's shimmering Duo Towers, guests get an unprecedented view of Paris from one of the city's tallest buildings and its second-tallest hotel. Stylish interiors by Philippe Stark combine contemporary warmth with state-of-the-art technology, like automated window blinds from your bedside touch control. All rooms offer nearly floor-to-ceiling views along with wraparound windows from the bathrooms. The top-notch Asian-inspired TOO restaurant and the TacTac skybar are perched on the building's top floors, and the hotel definitely has Paris's highest spa, with stellar views from the outdoor Jacuzzi. It might be a bit off the beaten path, but prices luckily reflect the up-and-coming neighborhood, and the hotel is a quick and easy métro ride—or a scenic walk along the Seine—to central Paris.

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.

This onetime Cistercian abbey tucked away in the lush Ouch valley, a 30-minute drive west of Nuits-Saint-George, has been converted into a high-end hideaway hotel. The spartan monastic decor has been ousted, and the interior now leans towards a luxury country house feel, with tartan-covered armchairs, stained glass windows, antique furniture, and a wood-burning stove. The rooms, which have oodles of charm, vary in size and style, from flamboyant Baroque to quirky contemporary, and most have whirlpool baths. Walk around the grounds to discover oversized bronze Paul Day sculptures, century-old trees, a lake, and a watermill. There are two eateries, a bistro in the former monk's kitchen, and a fine dining restaurant, Le 1131. The latter are both helmed by award-winning local chef François Pelletier.

This may be Fontainebleau's costliest hotel, but it does promise old-world elegance, graceful service, and oodles of atmosphere. Housed in a 17th-century mansion near the palace, the spacious guest rooms conjure up the past through period furnishings, toile fabrics, and antique engravings, without skimping on any of the modern conveniences. You can't go wrong if you request one overlooking either the garden or the palace.

One of the best things about this comfortable six-story hotel is that it's smack in the middle of Rue de Buci, in the lively St-Germain-des-Prés district. This means you can breakfast at Paul (the well-known French boulangerie), shop at the Marché St-Germain indoor market, and then relax with an espresso at Bar du Marché. The hotel's contemporary rooms are 1950s retro-colorful, while bathrooms are in marble and chrome. Although there's no restaurant, you can enjoy a generous breakfast buffet in the downstairs breakfast room and room service from Café Mabillon next door.

For the feel of an authentic family-run mountain lodge—complete with wood paneling, flower-festooned balconies with delicious mountain views, and a resident golden retriever—this a great choice. As a bonus, it's all within walking distance of the city center. Although on a smaller scale than Chamonix's luxury hotels, this place's cozy lobby, charming rooms, and friendly staff make it a find.

A gracious welcome and infinite sea views greet you at this beachfront hotel, handsomely accented with a terra-cotta facade and stylish mansard roof. Tastefully decorated in pale earth tones, the guest rooms are bright, comfortable, and meant to harmonize with the sea and sky just outside your window or private terrace, should you be lucky enough to nab one of the six on offer; bathrooms are petite but modern and well equipped. Although meals are limited to a bountiful breakfast, a lovely café-bar area, overlooking an expanse of beach and sea, offers wines, teas, and coffees throughout the day. For active types, the famed La Digue promenade just in front is ideal for an early morning jog along the beach.

On Chartres' main square, not far from the cathedral, this Best Western Premier hotel in a converted coaching inn warmly evokes the 19th century; many guest rooms are outfitted with brick walls, attractive antiques, lush drapes, and modern bathrooms (the best are in a separate turn-of-the-20th-century building overlooking a garden, while the most atmospheric are tucked away in the attic). Downstairs, the stylishly decorated—and Michelin-starred—Georges Restaurant serves such delicacies as pheasant pie and offers prix-fixe menus. It's closed Sunday and Monday, but the hotel's brasserie La Cour is open daily.

It's hard to know which is better: the charm of this small boutique hotel or its location, just steps from the Luxembourg Gardens. Renovated with care, the hotel has airy, pleasant rooms with nature themes. Book one of the rooms with a private terrace and you can enjoy breakfast or an evening drink overlooking neighboring rooftops. If you're planning a sudden trip to Paris, check the website for last-minute discounts on room rentals.

One of Lyon's historic hotels, this grand dame, elegantly sheathed in shades of pearly white with miles of gold and silver and pretty pale green and mauve accents, channels an Italian opulence. The creamy white-carpeted guestrooms tend to be more spacious than the usual Lyon hotel room. Facing the Rhône River near the Bellecour district, guests benefit from river views and a central location close to shopping, sights, dining, and transport. The spa boasts a pool (which can be privatized), sauna, steam room, and a full list of spa treatments. There's also a lovely Italian restaurant and bar.

Three blocks from Cours Mirabeau and the train station, this smart, spiffy, and cozily stylish hotel is a very handy option. Just a minute's stroll away is the Quartier Mazarin, an 18th-century district lined with some of Aix's most beautiful buildings and antiques shops. While the hotel is set on a busy avenue, noise and distractions disappear with just one foot inside the glowing red lobby, mightily warmed by the friendliness of staff. Upstairs, the guest rooms are stylishly contemporary with design lighting and comfy beds. A fitness and massage room are great for keeping in shape, and the Aix garden-courtyard has massive trees that would tempt Cézanne's own paintbrush—so try to book a room in the back to ignite your own imagination.

This boutique hotel on a cobbled old town street has 15th-century bones (it was once a private mansion) and a thoroughly contemporary spirit. Though much of its historical character was lost in the transition, you'll appreciate the comfortable, functional, amenities-filled rooms and the small but refreshing pool and sundeck. Enjoy an apéro on the rooftop terrace, which has stellar views of the cathedral and the town's pretty tiled rooftops.

No-frills it may be, but this marine-theme beachfront hotel has everything you need for a more than agreeable stay, including comfortable, functional rooms—many with spacious balconies overlooking the sea—and friendly service that takes pains to assure your happiness. Expect a top-notch breakfast with fresh croissants, jams, fruit, cereals, and good coffee (and delightful Looney-Tunes cartoons projected silently on the wall). At lunch and dinner, the restaurant serves a limited menu of high-quality potted dishes and serviceable pizzas. There’s a nice bar, too, with specialty cocktails. 

This idyllic, palm-shaded 19th-century town house surrounded by a leafy garden feels like an oasis in often-tumultuous Collioure. The main building is more charming than the annex, but all rooms are comfortable and tastefully appointed; if you'd rather relax outdoors, the hotel has its own pool and is just a five-minute walk from the water's edge.

Though the clean-lined, contemporary interior of this 17th-century, stone-faced, wine-producing mansion may not speak to everyone, the vines growing right up to the property, the luxury rooms, and the sommelier's dream of a wine cellar (with more than 200 different Champagnes alone) are definite inducements. The château's own cru bourgeois is a wine worth getting to know over dinner at the hotel's superb partner-bistro, Café Lavinal, a few steps from the front door.

Combine Jazz Age glamour, Renaissance stonework, the most luxe of guest rooms (including the ultra-private houseboat-style floating lodges on the hotel's own lake), and fine dining, and you have this Pays Basque Xanadu—a large, rambling, white-stone manor topped with a Spanish belvedere tower set 4 km (2½ miles) east of Biarritz in Anglet. This was originally the home of Sir Reginald Wright, a host-with-the-most, whose great soirées held here in the 1920s and '30s are conjured up in the main salon. In recent years, interiors have been lovingly restored by Serge Blanco, who has managed to honor the mansion's history while installing state-of-the-art technology and comfort. In summer, dine out under the willows at the edge of the water at the grand restaurant.

Loaded with charm, this refined château by the Vesles River has a Louis XIV facade, and the classic exterior somehow harmonizes nicely with the sweeping brass main staircase attributed to Jean Cocteau. Guest rooms inside the château range from smallish to generously proportioned, while the former outbuildings have been converted into large family-size suites. Wind down in the bar before enjoying excellent fare (including seasonal game) served in the stately, 18th-century-style dining room. A formal garden and outdoor pool are the gateway to 40 acres of parkland and a tree-shaded canal.

Nineteenth-century writers Alfred de Musset, Honoré de Balzac, and Victor Hugo were all once guests at this quintessential Normand château, famed for sophisticated gardens that feature witty sculptures, leafy groves, impressive columns of yew, a fernery, a labyrinth, and a Temple of Diana. Dating from 1620, La Ballue has a rather severe and forbidding exterior. Inside, however, the dynamic English-speaking owners Alain and Marie-Françoise Mathiot-Mathon offer a warm welcome. Gleaming wood paneling and period antiques adorn the main floor, from which a huge granite staircase leads up to the lovely guest rooms—four large, beautifully decorated, fabric-swathed salons (each with a four-poster bed) and a luxury suite.

A 15th-century jewel of a castle, once a retreat of kings François I and Henri IV, is today the country setting for the Prince de Broglie's hotel set on magnificent grounds. Owner Prince Louis-Albert is a famed biodiversity preservationist, who cultivates 650 types of tomatoes in the château's potager (vegetable garden). It's not surprising that the three main public salons are suavely done up in shades of tomato red, offsetting the immense marble fireplace, taxidermied animals (by De Broglie own's Deyrolle, Paris's famed taxidermist), and curio cabinet objects collected by the prince. Inside the neo-Renaissance castle, guest rooms range from the grand—François-Premier is a timber-roof cottage blown up to ballroom dimensions—to more standard-issue. The adjoining 17th-century \"stables\" are fitted out with a gardening shop and a tiny eatery. The enormous secluded pool is welcome on hot summer days.

Ancient meets modern at this 50-acre wine estate and gardens 9 km (5½ miles) from Orange, where you can stay in an elegant beamed aerie in the crenellated 16th-century castle or a chic contemporary abode in the stylish addition. It's not an easy choice as all of the hotel's bright, unusually spacious rooms—many with balconies or private garden terraces—are luxuriously outfitted with state-of-the-art amenities, up-to-date bathrooms, heated floors (in the contemporary side), and the comfiest beds imaginable. Every detail, from the original artwork to the lighting, is immaculate—and designed according to the principles of feng shui. What's more, it's all sustainable and organic, including the restaurant’s meals, which are made with vegetables from the kitchen garden. A beautiful spa and a program of wine tastings (of the estate's wines), culinary experiences, chamber music, and activities make this the perfect getaway for couples or families.

Filled with the mystery of the past—this was once the fabled redoubt of the Protestant plotters in the 1559 Amboise Conspiracy—Château de Noizay is fitted out with Renaissance chimneys and salons, a parterre garden, and guest rooms so regal that you may feel like bowing or curtsying to the staff. The adjacent 19th-century \"Clock House\" is a gracious pastel-hue haven. Noizay itself is a tiny, off-the-beaten-path treasure—don't miss the idyllic countryside hike down Rue François-Poulenc, past the famous composer's pretty 18th-century house, a troglodyte hamlet, and endless poppy fields right out of a Monet painting.

A bit off the beaten track, but only a short drive from Vézelay, this moated château with stellar period decor was built between the 13th and 16th centuries; its regal guest quarters are accented with high ceilings, wooden floors, open fireplaces, and toile de Jouy fabrics. The finest room—Le Roy—has a four-poster bed and direct access to the swimming pool in the vaults. The ancient kitchen is now home to the château's restaurant (open April through mid-November), where chef Franco Bowanee presents delicious dishes using homegrown vegetables from the garden.

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.

Feel royally pampered at this château a few miles from Saumur, where the highlight is the panorama of Loire River and valley majestically spread out before it. The stately, alluring property has lovely grounds, a fine on-site restaurant (Le Castellane) and bar, and spacious rooms done up in Renaissance-era glamour, complete with elegant antique furnishings, large fireplaces, yards of damask, gilding, and other royal touches. Families can opt for one of the property's 15 two-bedroom residences with a private entrance and terrace; there's even miniature golf, and tennis and basketball courts.