120 Best Hotels in France

The lobby of this Belle Époque extravaganza feels otherworldly (think the white-on-white, Rococo-ed rooms at the end of Kubrick's 2001: A Space Odyssey), and the white-and-cream guest rooms have things like cascading, diamondlike ceiling lights, sculpted rose door handles, and the very latest in push-button luxury. The hotel's Italian restaurant can be hit and miss, but it has a great terrace, and the basement contains one of the most striking spas around (there are even plasma TVs in the saunas, though you don't get to pick the channel).

This luxury hotel located down a quiet street between the Tuileries and Grands Boulevards brings a touch of Italian flair to the French capital. Behind the relatively understated façade sits a plush interior decked out in colorful velvet and satin. Suites and rooms in the Rivoli wing of the hotel are decorated in a French style evoking the 1930s, while in the Opera wing, more contemporary decor allows the views to do much of the talking. The menu of the on-site restaurant, L'Assaggio, is developed in partnership with Michelin-starred chef Ugo Alciati, with an offering of northern Italian specialties to enjoy in the dining room or the beautiful courtyard terrace.

Like the views from its interconnected hilltop houses, prices at this sumptuous property are elevated—but, in return, you get a rarefied stage-set of medieval luxury. Antiques, bold fabrics, and cozy southern touches inform the book-filled salons and French-country-chic guest rooms, some with terraces looking out onto infinity. Unwind in the heated pool, indulge in the spa, or sample stylish French cuisine in the stone-vaulted dining room. Wine tastings and regional discovery packages encourage longer stays.

This classic, vine-covered 16th-century home once hosted Emperor Maximilian (as well as Victor Hugo and Napoléon Bonaparte), and some of its guest rooms are emperor size. Regally discreet, it is notable for its walled, tree-shaded courtyard and an interior filled with Aubusson tapestries, porcelain, and Provençal antiques. Rooms are not state-of-the-art and can seem more than a little grandmotherly, but it's all part of the old-world experience. Two suites have views onto the Papal Palace. The highly acclaimed restaurant, La Vieille Fontaine, is among Avignon's best.

Set back on a quiet side street off the bustling Champs-Élysées, this opulent hotel's glass facade reveals a private garden and extravagant jewel-toned rooms filled with stylish furnishings favoring splashes of leopard. Swanky marble-clad common spaces, a restaurant, and original artwork are the chic finishing touches.

Once a Spanish nobleman's town house, this luxurious retreat dating from 1889 and opened as a hotel in 1930 dazzles with its elegant decor, lush courtyard, and acclaimed Monsieur restaurant and sleek Copper Bay cocktail lounge. Rooms reflect l'art de vivre, with classic French styling, crisp linens, ambient lighting, and the latest technology. There are more than a thousand antiques and 18th-century paintings throughout the hotel, as well as the original wood parquet floors, yet you'll also find Bose speakers and double-paned soundproof windows. The Marlene Dietrich Suite (No. 401), where the actress once lived, has its own grand piano and DVDs of her films.

This charmingly eccentric hotel, decked out in sherbet hues and dreamy furnishings, brings a breath of fresh air to the Marais. But there’s a method behind the whimsy—hoteliers Maisons Pariente engaged top French and European artisans steeped in centuries-old craftsmanship to custom design everything from the lighting and curlicue lamps to the fabrics (Pierre Frey), herringbone floors, carpets, and the elegant Aubusson-style tapestries that cascade over your bedstead. The effect is a magical vintage-meets-contemporary vibe that extends from the rooms to the spa and its luminous swimming pool, adorable bar, and Boubalé restaurant, serving Ashkenazi cuisine.

Set smack-dab in the middle of Paris's Golden Triangle, just off the Champs-Élysées, this sleek five-star hotel is a paragon of contemporary style that includes fine in-hotel dining and some breathtaking terrace views. In contrast to the lobby's high-minimal design, accented with touches of brilliant color, the rooms are warm and inviting, featuring modern artwork, pale wood, plush woolen carpets, and roomy marble baths. Suites with terraces offer stellar views of the Eiffel Tower and Paris rooftops. A gourmet restaurant and chic bar draw locals, but the 20-seat in-hotel cinema is for guests only. 

This white-stucco slice of classic Riviera extravagance accommodates well-heeled guests in elegant, uniquely decorated rooms replete with swagged drapes, fine antiques, and a few quirky touches (like plastic-glitter bathtubs). Built by Henri Negresco and opened in 1912, the landmark still epitomizes La Belle Époque, thanks to its marble columns, gilded ceilings, and qualité du Louvre collection of Old Master art. Its awe-inspiring glass ceiling has even been listed as a historic monument. Chef Virginie Basselot has added some modern touches to the menu at the Michelin-starred Le Chantecler. For less fuss (though still expensive), try the carousel-adorned La Rotonde brasserie. For a taste of the Old Riviera, retreat to the vintage walnut-and-velour bar (the best on the coast) for the cocktail of the month. Indulge for at least one day at the hotel's private beach (loungers €45 for front row) or at the state-of-the-art N Le Spa.

This glamorous Art Deco gem—opened in 1929 as the Paris hotel of choice for Edward, Prince of Wales (later King Edward VIII)—is a sleek and refined alternative to the area's more imposing palaces. Handsome rooms offer luxe finishings—rich fabrics, lustrous wood, and elegant marble baths—and all the amenities. Some rooms have balconies and sweeping views of Paris. The hotel's sophisticated atmosphere encompasses restaurant and cocktail bar 19.20, the Cognacthèque, stocked with 52 brands of cognac, and Japanese chef Akira Back's Michelin-starred gastronomic dining room. The luxe Wellness Suite private spa and ample steam room further enhance a definitive five-star experience.

This hotel affords spectacular vistas from the top end of the seafront, where the promenade winds around to the port, so it's oh-so worth splurging on a top-floor balcony room for the sight of the turquoise water glittering below. Rooms provide all the modern comforts and have soothing white-and-beige decor with pops of jewel-tone color.

A view over the infinity pool to the (private) beach and sea greets you at this luxury spa hotel two steps from Bandol's port. Rooms are sleek and contemporary, with all the comforts you'd expect from a five-star hotel, but it's the sweeping sea views from your bed and terrace that steal the show. Streamlined bathrooms, some with both a tub and a shower, are ample and stocked with luxury products. The well-equipped thalassotherapy spa has an indoor pool and a full range of seawater therapies—from single treatments to weeklong programs—that can be customized to your wants and needs.

Just past old town, at the foot of the château, this secret treasure cuts into the cliff (an elevator takes you up to reception), and the best rooms—including Raoul Dufy's favorite—not only have views of the azure sea, they also look down into an intimate garden dotted with lemon trees. Enjoy a drink at the patio bar or a dip in the cliff-side pool. The excellent restaurant serves meals year-round in a candlelit garden.

Forget five stars—this toy Mediterranean village, which is grouped around courtyards landscaped with palms, olive trees, and lavender, has a "palace" classification, not to mention access to the exclusive Byblos Beach Ramatuelle. Guest rooms, done à la provençale, have ultramodern comforts. Lounge by the pool, and enjoy Italian fare at the on-site Il Giardino or Japanese cuisine in Zuma. Speaking of food, the kitchens here get produce from le jardin de la Piboule, an agroecological garden with 70 varieties of vegetables, fruits, and aromatic flowers. Lounge by the pool, and enjoy the view with an aperitif from the Sky Bar rooftop. As evening falls, anyone who is anyone goes to the hotel's Caves du Roy—a kitsch disco extravaganza where "squillionaires" order €25,000 bottles of Champagne. It's paparazzi-free and virtually impossible to get in unless you arrive early or reserve a table in advance.

Spectacularly situated at the edge of the pistes and at the heart of the three valleys, this classic chalet-style hotel has playfully appropriated all the Alpine motifs for a contemporary but no less luxurious alternative to the region's more established grand dames. Earthy jewel tones in the rugs and plush furniture harmonize with rustic wood-clad walls and endless views of snowy peaks and blue skies from the private balconies. The hotel's three restaurants (the Beefbar, the Italian Biancaneve, and Le Fumoir) cover all your dining needs (including fondue!) and the on-site ski room, fabulous indoor-outdoor pool, and Tata Harper spa will outfit and pamper you in the glamorous style to which everyone in Meribel aspires. Areas for kids and teens, as well as adjoining rooms and two private chalets, make this a good choice for families.

A stunning transformation has brought a blend of Provençal warmth and chic, retro-Californian style to this once-rural property, thanks to French-Mexican designer Hugo Toro who used ochre tones and bespoke furnishings to create inviting interiors. With two dining options—elegant La Table des Pins and casual al fresco Pool—plus two swimming pools and the Glow House Spa by Clarins offering a sauna, hammam, and gym, the hotel is a luxurious wellness retreat, offering the perfect blend of relaxation and Riviera glamour.

On a rocky promontory overlooking the sea, this fantasy villa was bought from a countess in 1917 and converted to a sleek hotel-restaurant, where the Passédat family has been getting it right ever since—especially in the famous restaurant, which is one of only two in Provence with three Michelin stars. Gérald Passedat helms the kitchen, creating sea-anemone beignets, fresh fish roasted whole, and an entire €390 menu dedicated to Bouille Abaisse (be sure to reserve 48 hours in advance). Most guest rooms are minimalist, with some Art Deco–cum–postmodern touches, while outside the gorgeous heated pool is illuminated at night by antique gaslight fixtures.

This country hotel's beautiful setting, luxurious pool, full-service spa, Michelin-starred restaurant, and guest rooms with every modern convenience assure a high level of pampering. Extensive gardens and proximity to the area's must-see sights are also pluses. Request a room with a terrace and view.

Smack dab in the city center, close to shopping, sights, and the famous market, this summery Provençal hotel is a good bet in a town that's not only best seen on foot, but can, for the most part, only be seen on foot. You can expect a standard well above most other hotels, along with all the amenities: spacious, bright, and beautifully appointed rooms; a well-equipped spa with a fitness room and a hammam; and indoor and outdoor pools for all-season swimming. The huge courtyard is delightful for lounging and alfresco dining during the long Provence summers. The hotel also offersa huge private villa with four double bedrooms and everything you need for independent living but with all the services of a hotel at your fingertips.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

With an admiring wink at the nearby Villa Kerylos, this former residence hôtelière for British aristocrats invites you on an intimate voyage into neo-Hellenic style that features elegant 1950s-retro furnishings and wallpaper and fabrics that provide splashes of turquoise, lemon, aniseed, and red currant. Rooms in the main building (16 rooms are in L'Orangerie private villa) have views of the sea, garden, or mountains. Tropical vegetation surrounds the vast swimming pool and garden. 

The crowd of chic locals and bank of fog rolling out over the bar are the first clues that you've stepped into one of the Marais's trendiest addresses. Designed around a make-believe theme of a naughty Knights Templar (denizens of the neighborhood in the 12th and 13th centuries) abbey, Sinner's friendly, provocative fun extends from the liveried doormen to the erotic prints in the guest rooms. The spacious art-filled lounge, sunken restaurant, lively bar, and cozy spa complete with a "Roman bath" hide dusky hidden nooks and corridors for stolen moments. In a welcome contrast to the shadowy hallways, the chic rooms are bright, colorful, and full of evocative details and vintage touches—vinyl records and players, fluffy mohair throws, mood lighting, heated Japanese toilets, giant showers—all inviting playful indulgence.

Not only does this vast estate 23 km (14 miles) north of Aix have ultracontemporary, pristine-white guest villas—with touches of wood, concrete, marble, and glass for maximum luminosity—but it also has a luxurious spa and pool; a winery; and a sculpture garden with more than 30 installations by the likes of Richard Serra, Louise Bourgeois, and Andy Goldsworthy. There's also an on-site gallery, three restaurants (the gastronomic dining room is headed by three-star chef Hélène Darroze), a chapel, and other buildings designed by five of the world's top architects. Oh, and there's a helicopter pad, too, because that's how guests arrive. But you don't have to be a guest to wander the grounds, which are well worth a look.

With its circa-1930s feel, exposed beams, chic acid-hued walls, and jewel-tone upholstery, this Italian-villa-cum-hotel amid a 7-acre pine forest is impressive. Relax, relax, relax—in the spa, in the garden, by the heated pool, or over a meal in the modern Mediterranean restaurant. It's very peaceful, although some might find the seclusion a little much.

Five 18th-century country cottages house this elegant hotel's unusually spacious guests rooms, where the decor mixes Empire-style wallpapers, Asian carpets, gilt moldings, marble-top desks, and heavy drapery with contemporary velvet chaises longues and modern bathrooms. The quiet, stately grounds transport you to another era and place, as though tucked away in the countryside rather than the heart of Aix. A beautiful gourmet restaurant, lounge, sprawling outdoor terrace and bar area, and a luxurious swimming pool heated year-round make this a true standout and Aix's most stunning hotel.

Located on the edge of Val Thorens, this five-story hotel uses fur and other eye-catching materials in its design, including wooden walls with horizontal planks for a rough-hewn look, cream-color stone lining the bathroom's separate showers and soaking tubs, and furnishings upholstered in rich leather and suede. For modern conveniences, every room has a flat-screen TV with satellite programming, a streamlined desk where you can access speedy Wi-Fi, and in-room electronic safes. You might overlook all of this and head straight for the step-out balcony, where you're treated to views of the surrounding mountains. The ski room, accessed directly from the slopes, is done up in gleaming white. After a day on the slopes, head to the state-of-the-art exercise room, the pair of indoor pools, the sauna, or the steam room.