104 Best Hotels in Provence, France

Spectacularly perched on Gordes's hilltop, the 16th-century Bastide has both old-world charm and old-world elegance—it's also one of the few properties in Provence to have earned Palace status, meaning that it's among the best of the country's five-star hotels. Along with a trove of 18th-century antiques, designers brought in 4,000 paintings for the guest rooms. It has several restaurants, including the exceptional La Bastide. Manicured lawns and a broad shaded terrace are geared to relaxation, as is the luxe Airelles Spa, which includes a hammam, a sauna, and an indoor pool with breathtaking views of the Vallée de Gordes. In summer, the hotel has special activities programs for children and teens.

This reasonably priced boutique hotel, in a beautiful historic building across from St-Charles train station, has contemporary rooms done in rich neutral tones and equipped with flat-screen TVs and iPhone docking stations. Breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and the Alex Hotel's pancakes, omelets, croissants, and freshly squeezed orange juice enjoyed in the inner courtyard or the breakfast room should do the trick. And while you’re dining, you can check your email with an excellent Wi-Fi connection. It’s within walking distance from the Vieux Port and Le Panier, which is a good thing because there are no notable restaurants in close proximity.

Once you get beyond the residential surroundings, an oasis of splendid gardens, indoor and outdoor pools, a full-service spa and fitness room, an excellent gastronomic restaurant, and an old-world welcome await. The country-elegant rooms in the 1850s farmhouse are bright and airy with ample bathrooms (some with bath and shower) and all the modern amenities. For the full experience, ask for a room with a terrace overlooking the garden. A dozen suites also are available. Although it's outside the city center, Avignon's sights are within an easy 10-minute bus or car ride, and, for this caliber of hotel, you might opt for tranquility over convenience.

A warm welcome awaits you at this picture-perfect country inn, just five minutes from town and set amid vineyards with sweeping views of Mont Ventoux and the Dentelles mountains. An enchanting mix of ancient and modern animates common rooms (including a billiards room), and the ample and well-equipped guest rooms—some with terraces leading to the large pool and the Bastide's lovely outdoor spaces—come with free tea and coffee, Wi-Fi, and a refrigerator.

Just outside the village, amid terraces and formal gardens sheltered by rocky cliffs, the five buildings of this fabled hotel contain guest rooms that are breezy, private, and chic. It seems as if everyone who's anyone—from Queen Elizabeth to Elizabeth Taylor—has headed to this oasis for some luxe Provençal pampering. The rooms are regularly refurbished, and the property recently added villas that are more contemporary but still sumptuous. At the hotel's two-Michelin-star Oustau restaurant, chef Jean-André Charial, grandson of the founder, continues to attract culinary pilgrims who revel in his updated classics. The food is also fine at the Cabro d'Or bistro, a more casual and affordable option. Unwind with a massage at the spa, enjoy a swim in one of the three pools, or play a round of golf. Other on-site activities include cooking classes, wine or olive oil tastings, and tours of the kitchen garden, where 30% of the restaurant's ingredients are grown.

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 appealing boutique hotel on a charming cobbled street in the Old Town 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.

Previously occupied by a prominent Marseille family, this 19th-century home now holds 20 beautifully designed accommodations. On the first floor there’s just one guest room in what was once the parlor, while the fourth floor is home to two that are sought after for their balconies. Each spacious room is unique, with brick walls, a high ceiling, and impeccably placed lighting. There’s a grand piano by the staircase just waiting for spontaneous fingers. A bountiful breakfast is served in the lounge, and you don't want to go elsewhere for Sunday brunch. Local chicsters join guests for a fun cocktail hour and a regular program of DJ nights, live jazz, and other hip musical moments, which can occur on any night of the week.

Nestled in the middle of 170 acres of private marshland, this quiet, laid-back retreat has simple whitewashed buildings with equally simple guest rooms that feature terra-cotta tiles, jute rugs, white cotton throws, and large picture windows with hauntingly beautiful views of of rose-color reeds. Technology has found its way here, too, as each room has a TV and Wi-Fi. The cavernous dining hall with Provençal chairs and an enormous hand-carved fireplace is a great place to share stories while enjoying local wine and a hearty plate of selected meats, fresh tomatoes, and regional goat cheese.

This gracious 18th-century country château and wine estate combines a deeply Provençal setting with chic yet comfy rooms and suites in either the historic château or a more modern wing. The beautiful Historic Suite, with great views over the park, has a period marble tub big enough for six. Enjoy a glass of the estate's rosé in the beautiful bar or on the wide garden terrace, then dine at the gastronomic restaurant, one of the best in the area. Many of the castle's period details were preserved during its restoration, and, today, it's the perfect place to disconnect, aided by a spa and pool.

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.

Philippe Roussel, a descendant of the 17th-century owners, has filled his château with lovingly polished antique family furniture, buffed the red clay floors to their original shine, and ensured that guest rooms are light and airy and bathrooms are equipped with all the modern trinkets. The restaurant, La Belle Diane, serves tempting set menus and à la carte dishes.

Reached via a lane lined with majestic plane trees and set on 8 acres of luxuriant parkland, this gracious five-star manor (it's not exactly a château) dates from the Middle Ages and is one of St-Rémy's dreamiest spots—and that's saying a lot in this château-saturated territory. Stay in one of the sophisticated, beautifully decorated rooms in the mansion or in one of the smaller outbuildings—including a chapel and farmhouse—some large enough for just two people yet all done up tastefully and lovingly with a modern-elegant style. The heated pool, clay tennis courts, spa, sauna, and hammam are welcome amenities, as are the excellent restaurant and spectacular dining room, with a large terrace under ancient sycamores. The châtelaine of this family-run establishment, lovingly maintained by three generations of women, is warm, gracious, and always ready to go the extra mile for her guests.

Behind a locked gate at this sprawling property five minutes from Châteauneuf-du-Pape center, contemporary, wooden eco-cabanes sit beside, just over, or even on top of a secluded emerald-green lake. Each chic cabin is slightly different, but all have decks at least as large or larger than the indoor space and all provide enough style and amenities (most have a sauna or hot tub) for them to feel like far more than just rustic cabins in the woods. Healthy gourmet dinners (served cold) and breakfasts are delivered to your cabin via golf cart at your desired hour. You can enjoy hiking paths, a large pool, and a treatment room with a full range of spa offerings.

Though only a two-minute walk from Lacoste, a more captivating country setting would be hard to find, complete with extensive gardens and olive groves, a wooded park with picturesque stone walls, a pool, and breathtaking views everywhere—including from your room. Each of the B&B's five bright, spacious rooms is equipped with all the modern conveniences and its own private terrace, where you can enjoy a delicious breakfast or glass of the local wine while taking in the vistas.

Luxury and privacy reign at this majestic lodging perched above the rolling hills of a 300-acre wine estate and backed by the jagged peaks of the Dentelles de Montmirail and the azure Provençal sky. The very spacious guest rooms have state-of-the-art technology, cream palettes punctuated by colorful pillows and art, secluded terraces, and giant windows that offer endless views. On the half-wild, half-manicured grounds, the tranquility is broken only by birdsong, and you can enjoy an enormous heated pool, several sunning terraces, a spa, a hammam, and scenic trails. The bistro serves top-quality fare, and the tasting room pours samples of the estate's fine wines.

Settling into this gracious retreat under the dappled shade of tall trees deep in the Provençal countryside is the easiest thing you'll ever do. Inside, a rare attention to detail was paid to the elegant-country room decor—each one unique but all with a sophisticated contemporary vibe, original artwork (the owners are art dealers), and giant bathrooms. Outside, lounge at the grassy poolside, stroll the lush gardens, hike through the nearby woods and vineyards, or sample the estate wines along with local gourmet treats at the state-of-the-art tasting room. At the gastronomic restaurant and separate bistro, locally sourced gourmet cuisine is paired with the domaine’s fine wines, produced on the premises. And if that’s not pampering enough, a small spa with a steam room offers a range of massages and treatments.

Though this cluster of private stone cottages has had a modernizing face-lift, the antique tiles and faux patinas keep things looking fashionably rustic, and the panoramic views are classics. Amenities include a heated pool, a billiards room, and babysitting services by arrangement. What's more, the atmosphere is surprisingly welcoming and familial for such a sophisticated inn.

With sumptuous decor, an idyllic setting amid olive groves and gardens, impeccable service, a spa, an 18-hole golf course, a pool, and a choice of rooms and suites or villas, the Domaine de Manville is as ideal for a romantic getaway as it is for a family retreat. The hotel's two, beautifully restored, 18th-century buildings contain haute Provençal–style rooms and suites (more like small apartments), most of which have a private terrace or balcony that takes advantage of magnificent views. The duplex family suites also have multiple bathrooms, and each of the ultracontemporary, full-service villas—large enough for eight—comes with a private pool and a golf cart for getting around the property. You don't have to leave the grounds for a fantastic meal, thanks to the Michelin-starred L'Aupiho restaurant, well-priced bistro, garden bar, and glassed-in winter garden (for breakfast or afternoon tea). Golfers will love the boutique, which has everything they could need for a day on the green.

In a complete departure from traditional Provençal chic, each of this contemporary property's individually decorated houses features the work of top designers and artists; all the units also have private terraces, and some have small private pools. The most exotic decor is in the Maison du Voyageur with its stuffed tiger, zebra skin, and antler sofa, while the Maison des Lointains has a barbed-wire chandelier, suggestive black-and-white photos, and stone baths. Perfect for two, the stunning Nature Suites offer seclusion with a private yard, sun deck, and a steam room or sauna. Brilliant young chef Julien Bontus concocts a stellar set menu that changes daily in the 7th Element restaurant, and, in the bistro, chef Maurice Alexis, a veteran of Paris's Elysée Palace, uses the bounty of the hotel's extensive gardens to create gourmet-rustic dishes expressive of Provence. From the swimming pool and the stepped garden patios, admire dramatic views of the countryside; there is also an indoor pool should fierce winds strike. Be sure to check the website for significant last-minute deals, especially in the off-season.

A stay at this lovely restored farmhouse in the tiny hamlet of Les Martins—strategically set between the villages of Gordes, Ménerbes, and Lacoste—lets you enjoy all the wonders of the region without the crushing crowds. There's nothing quite like a meal cooked to your tastes and served alfresco under ancient trees and amid flower gardens. In summer, play pétanque, or cool off in the pool; in chilly weather, enjoy an apéro by the fire. Here, life slows down in the most pleasurable Provençal way.

In the medieval part of town, this turreted 16th-century former bishop's palace has rooms with rustic charm—delicate fabrics, exposed beams, and wooden bedsteads. The surroundings and the warm welcome have garnered a loyal following among travelers who prefer character over modern luxury.

Chopin spent the night and George Sand kept a suite in this historic hotel overlooking the Vieux Port. Public rooms still have real antiques, burnished woodwork, Provençal style, and plush carpets, all comprising a convincing part of this intimate urban hotel's genuine old-world charm. Guest rooms are in the same style but have been updated to include all the modern comforts. Harbor-view rooms, with balconies high over the fish market, more than justify the splurge.

Tucked away in an 18th-century town house on a quiet city center street, just minutes from the Théâtre Antique, this chic boutique hotel—part of Best Western's Signature Collection—has stylishly furnished rooms; a wellness area with a fitness room, sauna, and steam room; and a spacious rooftop pool. The hotel's Le Garden restaurant, with an outdoor terrace, is open for lunch and dinner. Breakfast is served buffet style indoors or on the terrace.

Set on sandy Les Sablettes Beach, part of the Saint-Mandrier-sur-Mer Peninsula across the harbor from Toulon, this fully restored, Belle Époque–era hotel has bright, casually elegant rooms with a few classic nautical touches and lots of modern amenities. The ocean view from some rooms is spectacular, and nine suites have terraces with a private whirlpool. You can swim in the sea out front or in the hotel pool—perhaps before or after a treatment in the lovely Nuxe spa. The ferry to Toulon is a 10-minute walk away.

With bright, airy rooms and suites decorated with vintage and antique treasures, soothing contemporary color schemes, and chic carpets, the refurbished Grand Hôtel Henri has lots of panache that's matched by an utter lack of pretension, as evidenced by the friendly staff. The stylish bar, terrace restaurant, and tearoom are popular with local sophisticates.

This well-loved family-run hotel reopened in late 2015 after a total gut renovation, emerging butterflylike from its old-fashioned chrysalis. The new Grand Hotel Henri is the best thing to happen to the L'Îsle-sur-la-Sorgue lodging scene in a while, adding a dash of high style and panache to outdo even the chicest boutique hotels in the region. Each of the hotel's bright, airy rooms is done up in a different style, mixing vintage and antique treasures (this is the Isle) with yummy contemporary color schemes, wallpapers, and sumptuous murals in the two suites. The stylish bar (which doubles as a breakfast room), restaurant, and lounge area were instantaneous hits with local sophisticates. All topped off by friendly service and an utter lack of pretension.

Master chef René Bérard is as celebrated for his haute cuisine as he is for his elegant country inn with breathtaking views of the countryside and everything required for a pampered weekend on the hotel premises. The handsome Provençal-style rooms are scattered throughout a cluster of beautifully restored old buildings, including an 11th-century monastery. Michelin-starred chef Bérard offers much-coveted gourmet cooking classes (€159, including lunch and drinks), and you can soak your troubles away in the pool, perhaps after a treatment in the aromatherapy-focused spa.

Chef Alain Ducasse put this beautifully restored property—part of a convent once charged with shaping the future queens of Provence—on the map when he took over both the restaurant (now headed by chef Nicolas Pierantoni) and the inn, where guest rooms mix Louis XVI furnishings with regional accents, and the grounds have private gardens and vineyard views. The kitchen is still formidable, with creations that superbly balance flavor and texture—perhaps hake with sweet-almond purée and gnocchi or saddle of lamb with squash and fried chickpea panisse.

You might not guess that this friendly, family-run, shabby-chic hotel, convenient to both the train station and the Palais des Papes, is a budget option. It's full of welcoming touches like vintage art and colorful linens, and it's comfortable, functional, and easy on the wallet.