679 Best Hotels in France

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.

One of Avignon's loveliest hotels is in an 18th-century mansion not far from the Palais des Papes and set amid lush gardens with towering plane trees, flowers, and palms, as well as a koi pond, swimming pool, and spa pavilion. Splendid antiques and contemporary art and design (including 200 paintings) create a setting that's as opulent and luxurious as it is witty and poetic.

Entering this hotel set in a lively, lightly touristed quarter of Paris is like stepping into an enchanted garden. Using elements such as the bar’s flowered ceilings, birdsong in the elevators, and cheerful guest rooms (some with private terraces) in sunny pastel yellows, blues, and greens, Swedish designer Martin Brudnizki has conjured a bucolic getaway complete with two garden terraces: one adjacent to the eponymous restaurant and another outside the rooftop cocktail bar (with stellar views of Paris). There's more enchantment in the Holidermie spa, with its quartet of mosaic Roman baths—in the order of salt, hot, cold, and whirlpool—and a sauna and hammam too. The more casual café, overlooking bustling Rue Cadet, serves a menu of sweet and savory dishes plus coffee, cocktails, and drinks from 7:30 am until 11:30 at night.

Once the home of a marquis, this splendid Provençal property, tucked away under towering plane trees—with lovely gardens, a swimming pool, picturesque walkways, and a pétanque court—combines a serene natural setting with gracious lodging and outstanding dining thanks to its owners, the Michelin-starred chef Mathias Dandine and his wife. The chef's motto, "a beautiful place, for beautiful moments around a beautiful table," pretty much sums it up. Just off the lavender route—a 20-minute drive from Cassis and the Calanques National Park and just 10 miles from Marseille center—it's perfectly situated (and perfectly equipped) for a restorative Provençal retreat.

Each of the spacious rooms in this exquisite hotel—created by merging three buildings of a 17th-century mansion—is unique, but they all have beautiful decor, high ceilings (many beamed) and other elegant architectural details, enormous baths, modern amenities, and typical Uzès charm. Rooms on the top floors benefit from views over the rooftops, and, in some instances, of the nearby Saint-Théodont Cathedral and its famous Fenestrelle Tower. The hotel also has a L'Occitane spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant.

Obliging innkeepers Frédéric and Marie-Claude did their architectural homework before transforming a 17th-century home into this elegant B&B, where the unique suites feature tasteful color schemes, original historical details, antique and vintage items, and modern fixtures. Each suite has its own configuration and unique attribute, such as a courtyard terrace, a library, or a window that perfectly frames a niche containing a statue of the Virgin Mary in a church across the way. Other amenities include air-conditioning, a gallery and boutique—perfect for last-minute art or antique finds—and a heated swimming pool.

For a touch of the Riviera in Brittany, this light-drenched boutique hotel is just the ticket. Greeted by towering palms and a sweeping staircase that enhance the hotel's Art Deco–era splendor, once inside, the bright, beautifully decorated interiors are a pleasure to behold. Ditto for the splendid Volère restaurant, complete with murals that recall the Belle Époque, elegant banquettes, pristine linens, and a gastronomic menu created by chef Maxime Bobin. You can't go wrong with any one of the hotel's nine spacious, beautifully appointed rooms, all with bright, contemporary baths, some with a balcony and free-standing tub. Just three minutes from the beach, this cheerful family-friendly hotel is your best option in the area.

With exquisitely styled, Provence-chic rooms, each done in soft colors, this property is an ideal respite after a long day of antiques shopping. Even if you don't bed down here, consider using the money you saved bargaining on that chipped Quimper vase to splurge on a lunch of tender duckling with lavender honey at the hotel's delightful restaurant.

Set in a splendid 19th-century mansion just steps from the presidential palace and the American embassy, this aristocratic lodging is one of the city's most elegant small hotels. Rooms are sumptuous, done up in a mix of period antiques and deluxe contemporary design, with silk-damask walls, large marble baths, and herringbone parquet floors. Enjoy a cocktail by the fire in the magnificent lounge or fine dining at the gastronomic restaurant Le Gabriel. The full-service spa and pool cater to your total relaxation.

The romantic guest rooms at Le Chêne Bleu wine estate—set in a magnificent medieval priory amid a UNESCO nature preserve—have antique furnishings, beamed ceilings, tiled floors, spacious baths, and heart-stopping views from the crest of the Dentelles de Montmirail. A stay includes access to everything this picture-perfect property has to offer, including a library; a pool; tennis courts; biking; and, bien sur, tastings of award-winning reds, whites, and rosés. Take a gourmet picnic for a day of exploring the lavender fields and vineyards, stroll through the kitchen gardens, or lounge by the duck pond or pool.

On a meandering cobbled street in the heart of Sarlat's Cité Médiévale, La Villa des Consuls lets you bed down in either four guest rooms or nine self-service apartments; some are on two floors, and all boast soaring beamed ceilings, modern bathrooms, and charming views over the Old City's rooftops. Most apartments also have furnished private terraces, fireplaces, and well-appointed kitchens—a distinct advantage when you’re just steps from Sarlat's farmers' market and artisanal bakeries. Added perks like the free laundry area and affordable parking (€12 for your stay) make the package hard to resist.

This hotel sits on a manicured hill with marvelous views of the town and citadel and feels like a private Mediterranean villa. Beyond are panoramic vistas of surrounding mountains and sparkling waters. Most rooms are within the central hotel complex, but there are also hacienda-style villas, each filled with apartments opening onto breezy patios. The ambience is au naturel, with sweet-smelling foliage and flora including olive, fig, and pine and cedar trees, as well as sage, rosemary, and lavender. Terra-cotta roof tiles, traditional-style dwellings, and stone pathways blend seamlessly into the environment.

Tin chandeliers, Nantes silk and calico hangings, antique scrollwork panels, and other traditional luxe touches make lodgings in this trio of vine-clad, pink-and-yellow 15th- and 16th-century houses especially alluring. The guest salon is set in a vaulted cave-wine cellar fitted out with the latest in soigné furniture. From the name (for the city's centuries-old roosting haunts of storks) to the daub-and-wattle facade abuzz with the pattern of timbered logs, a storybook courtyard, and a fairy-tale staircase, this is a truly magical retreat.

An eccentric late-19th-century castle that blends baroque style and English elements, this Relais & Châteaux property welcomes guests who want to enjoy its tranquil mountain setting or soak in the healing waters of Molitg-les-Bains. The on-site restaurant showcases micro-locally sourced products grown using sustainable, organic or biodynamic farming, with dishes inspired by the region's bounty.

Set in a 1930s former France Telecom exchange, the Art Deco–era building's streamlined contours create the ideal setting for spaces that mix modern elegance with high-tech advances, while making the most of some very Parisian views of nearby Les Invalides and the Eiffel Tower a few blocks away.

Perched on a dreamy setting in the heights of Annecy, overlooking the city, the azure lake, and the mountains beyond, this Relais & Château property's magical atmosphere extends from the chic design hotel—set in an 1866 schoolhouse—to the three-Michelin-starred restaurant on-site. Along with the views, guests enjoy spacious, light-filled rooms that harmonize with the setting and convey a rustic luxury in the contrast between raw wood beams, marble, wicker, leather, terraces, and natural organic bedding (suites Melisse and Signature have gas fireplaces and there's a duplex for families of up to five). The small outdoor pool is set among a gorgeous terraced kitchen garden whose herbs and flowers will appear later on your dinner plate.

In Biarritz's golden age, this is where the wealthy patrons of Le Regina (the Garage's sister-hotel across the street) kept their limousines, but the ultra-hip Experimental group has transformed it into Biarritz's coolest hotel, with a mix of impeccable rooms (some with private garden-terraces) and lavish suites. In summer, the full-sized, heated outdoor pool is fabulous, especially thanks to the outdoor DJ sets. The buffet breakfast is Biarritz's best, with bacon, eggs, and cornbread offered alongside cold cuts, cheeses, yogurt, four kinds of juices, multiple muesli and cereal choices, and tangy dips and pickles.

Set in the 17th-century quarters of Louis XIV's finance minister, this exquisite hotel—which actually abuts the château grounds—faithfully re-creates the "palace" experience, from bathing (your personal butler will draw your bath for you) to dining (with Alain Ducasse--designed menus) to the staff (dressed like footmen and -women). The gorgeous common areas and guest rooms—all with period antiques and bespoke fabrics and wallpapers—hew to the epoch, with the exception of the state-of-the-art amenities. Rooms are blessedly TV-free, but anything seems to be available for guests if you just ask (yes, that includes a television). The lovely Valmont spa includes a 50-foot indoor pool, sauna, hammam, and a small fitness area. France is full of château hotels, but this is the only one that offers views of Versailles's orangerie gardens from your bathtub and exclusive before- or after-hours visits to the palace minus the crowds.

This neighborhood institution has been restored to its former Art Nouveau glory, complete with a great restaurant and semi-private bar. The decor is cozy and elegant, and there are a variety of rooms, including a handful with Eiffel Tower views. Open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, the restaurant Annette sports a classic French menu and is quickly becoming the go-to place for locals and guests.

Home to one of France's most beauteous châteaux, Azay should rightly have a hotel that befits the town jewel, and this landmark—a three-minute walk from the château gates—nicely fits the bill. Some complain that its fame brings a captive audience, which can result in offhand service. However, guest rooms, which vary in size and style, have character; most are simple, with an antique or two, and many have exposed beams. Public salons are elegant and comfortable, and the excellent wine bar offers gourmet snacks (heavy on the charcuterie, but salads are available too) to accompany two dozen wines by the glass and more by the bottle. Though opening hours are brief (6:30 pm until 8 pm seven days a week), you can order everything from the wine bar menu, plus some hot meals to enjoy in your room until 9:30 pm. 

One of the island's finest hôtels de charme, this graceful, ivy-covered Genoese-style retreat rambles down through terraced gardens to a private beach overlooking the Golfe d'Ajaccio. The best rooms have direct views of the sea from private balconies; some have whirlpools. At the candlelit restaurant L'Arbousier, a blend of traditional and nouvelle cuisine is served in the cozy interior room with ancient beams recycled from what was once the Ajaccio prison. Try fish tartare, scrambled eggs with truffles, or lobster specialties. On warm days you can dine on the terrace and enjoy the panoramic views.

Sitting on roughly 1,250 acres of Camargue ranch land, this 17th-century farmstead is a study in country elegance, with several buildings containing rooms done in soft Provençal colors and featuring wooden beams, polished stone floors, brass beds, dreamy linen fabrics, and bathrooms with claw-foot tubs. The Elegance Suite, outfitted like a modern loft, has soaring ceilings, contemporary art, and an enormous bathroom with a separate tub and shower. The refined-rustic restaurant serves sophisticated dishes made with homegrown ingredients and is decorated with starched linens, discreet lighting, paysanne (country-style) chairs, and fresh roses on every table. The hotel also has a lovely pool, and the staff can help you arrange activities like horseback riding, hiking, and guided bird-watching expeditions.

Alexandra Bacquié and three-star Michelin chef Christophe Bacquié left the famed Hotel & Spa du Castellet in late 2022 to create this quintessentially Provençal idyll, where five farmhouse guest rooms, an apartment suite, and a separate cottage are set amid lavender fields and rolling vineyards and are sheltered by olive and fig trees. When it comes to being pampered, you're in the best of hands, whether you're enjoying an ultrasophisticated meal in the unpretentious dining room, sunbathing by the pool, or strolling to nearby Bonnieux, one of the Luberon's prettiest villages.

Set in an old farmhouse and walnut-oil mill 8 km (5 miles) from Brantôme, there is very little about this hotel that doesn't charm, enchant, or delight, from its location on the Dronne River to its superb gastronomic restaurant Ròda (whose chef voluntarily \"returned\" his Michelin star in order to stay true to his vision). Family-owned and run since the 1970s, the hotel has spotless rooms that combine old-fashioned elegance with a contemporary touch and consistently impeccable service. The hotel's beautiful grounds include a pool and tennis courts, and spa services can be booked upon request. All meals here are an absolute pleasure; in warm weather, guests can dine on the riverside terrace.

Set in a 19th-century Haussmannian mansion, Le Narcisse Blanc covers all the bases in luxury accommodations with a top-notch gastronomic restaurant (Cléo), stylish common areas including a pretty garden terrace, and a full-service spa with a swimming pool and fitness, sauna, and steam rooms. The hotel's 30 spacious rooms are all unique: some flooded with light from floor-to-ceiling windows, others with private terraces and sweeping panoramas of Paris and views of the Eiffel Tower. All are elegantly decorated in relaxing hues. The hotel's Left Bank location is a quick walk from the Musée Rodin, the Seine, and the Eiffel Tower, as well as great dining and shopping.

Romantic doesn't begin to describe this beautiful eco-friendly B&B set in an 18th-century hunting lodge, where every detail is rendered with taste and refinement without an ounce of snobbery. Your gracious hosts encourage you to make good use of their property: stroll the manicured French gardens—listed by the French ministry of culture—or soak in the Provence sunshine by the spring-fed infinity pool. Two bright, first-floor guest rooms have king-size beds and a lovely interior design with original artwork. A delicious, all-organic breakfast is served in the garden or in the lovely dining rooms. Homemade gourmet dinners, massages, cooking classes, and wine tastings are available upon request.

Set in the tiny, picturesque perched village of St-Saturnin-lès-Apt, 9 km (5½ miles) north of Apt, this peaceful, beautifully restored 18th-century inn opened by two talented chefs encompasses contemporary guest rooms, a laid-back café–wine bar, and a gourmet bistro with fantastic views from picture windows and a terrace. Designed with cocooning in mind, rooms have comfy beds, quality linens and furnishings, spacious bathrooms, and sensitive lighting.

Despite its undeniable sophistication, Le Strato manages to convey a delicious coziness that extends from the contemporary dining room to the beautifully appointed guest rooms and pristine-white marble baths. This melange of several chalet-style buildings includes some truly splendid private apartments as well as suites with balconies overlooking the snow-covered pines, slopes, and mountains in the distance, thanks to a privileged spot at the top of the Courchevel 1850's glamorous Rue de Bellcote. The Sothy's spa offers a range of customized treatments, as well as a pool with jaw-dropping views. The chic ski boutique features everything you need to ski in style, as well as private access to the slopes. Under the guidance of Michelin star chef Thomas Prod’homme, the restaurant is just one more reason to make this your opulent Courchevel home.

A five-minute drive from Pont du Gard, in a charming village setting with panoramas of vineyards and olive groves, this onetime residence of the bishop of Uzès is an excellent choice for rest and relaxation. No less than 18 medieval buildings were joined to create the hotel, and its period details and intriguing nooks and crannies create the perfect backdrop for its casual elegance, which extends to the pool, bar, and spa. The adorable resident parrot is as friendly and welcoming as the staff.