220 Best Hotels in France

You will not find a hotel in Chartres as charming, welcoming, or well priced as this chambre d’hôtes a 10-minute walk from the cathedral. All three contemporary guest rooms are comfortably furnished and perfectly private, with ample baths and spacious outdoor terraces in a large, attractive garden. Breakfast is included in the price.  

An elegant yet laid-back atmosphere defines this stately 18th-century pavilion in the center of Amboise, where airy guest rooms may be done in classic 1930s or contemporary boutique-hotel style; some retain original architectural accents, like exposed beams or heavy wood moldings, and all have refurbished, retro-looking bathrooms. Breakfast can be taken in the salon or on the lovely terrace.

In a restored 18th-century house on La Palud's only street, this lovely little complex with a B&B, restaurant, and a climbing-gear store is run by charming owners. The rustic, simple rooms, each named after a classic hiking route, include one with a large double bed and another with a double and three singles. A small house is available for larger families or groups. Don't expect a TV, but rooms are furnished with a lot of good books. A healthy breakfast (€8.50) includes homemade jam.

Once a relay station for weary travelers on an ancient Gallo-Roman path, this grand cru classé property has a choice of comfortable guest rooms, including a unique tree house with a beautiful view over the vineyards. A state-of-the-art seminar room, tasting room, welcome center, and animated tour of their underground cellar (remnants from an 11th-century limestone excavation) make it an interesting base for a few days of wine discovery and relaxation.

Convenience and affordability combine in the most appealing way at this light-filled budget hotel at the center of town, just a stone’s throw from the railway station. Clean, comfortable, and up-to-date, the hotel offers all the services that assure a perfect stay: laundry, fresh healthy breakfasts, a delightful bar, bright rooms (some with small balconies and unobstructed views of Rennes), all in a chic, contemporary decor. What’s more, the on-site spa sets you up with a small pool, steam room, Jacuzzi, fitness room, and Carita spa should you require a massage or facial.

In the heart of Old Rouen, this cute hotel has practical and comfortable rooms that, while recently refurbished, retain their taste for faraway lands: picture lamps from Egypt, tables from Morocco, and 1940s English armoires. Room 32 has a view of the cathedral; Room 23 is the prettiest. Breakfast and lunch are served in the lovely terrace, weather permitting, or in the cozy little bistro (closed Sunday) off the reception area.

Set in a beautifully restored 18th-century barn next to the village church, this unpretentious hotel offers real, rustic Alsatian charm; quiet, comfy guest rooms have functional dark-wood furnishings and, in some cases, balconies overlooking the street. In good weather, take advantage of the pleasant garden and courtyard.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

“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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.