36 Best Hotels in Provence, France

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.

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.

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. The stylish bar, terrace restaurant, and tearoom are popular with local sophisticates.

Perfectly situated in a historic building that's a short walk from Avignon's principal attractions, this chic boutique hotel has quiet, colorful, beautifully designed rooms with every amenity, ample bathrooms, and plenty of closet space. Some rooms also have a balcony or a fireplace. The on-site wine bar is a fine place to sample the regional Rhône wines before heading out on the town. 

This jewel of a hotel—complete with a spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant—is set in two 18th-century buildings and has sleek guest rooms that feature pale wood, ocher walls, colorful kilims, charming art, contemporary designer furnishings, and high-quality bedding. All of the rooms are flooded with light, and you couldn't find better views of the village, castle, and vineyards beyond than from the triplex terrace suite's spacious rooftop balcony. A rejuvenating treatment at the spa is just the thing after a day of sightseeing.

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 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.

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.

Opened by the daughters of the Fragonard perfume family, it’s no surprise that this hotel—set in a vine-clad 17th-century town house with bright, airy guestrooms—has charm to spare. Decor in the rooms and suites, which have fully equipped kitchens and dining areas, evokes the romance of Provence thanks to wicker chairs, walnut headboards, baroque mirrors, marble fireplaces, antique portraits. The Secret Absolu Suite also has a private terrace, though all guests have access to the rooftop terrace overlooking the Arles rooftops. The first-floor Fragonard boutique lets you attempt to replicate you stay at home!

Past residents of this 14th-century stone house on the medieval ramparts served the Avignon popes, including the hotel's namesake, Cardinal Orsini, but today's guests enjoy total relaxation, serenity, and eye-popping views—including from the vaulted breakfast room and spacious terraces—of Mont Ventoux on one side and the Palais des Papes on the other. For a jaw-dropping sunrise over the Avignon skyline, book the Panoramic Suite or the charming Suite Pamparigoust, which has a private terrace. Two antiques-furnished cottages, both with private yards, accommodate families; they're also perfect for couples seeking a romantic getaway.

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. 

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.

This hotel and wine estate in the heart of nature is billed as an “experimental” space, with everything from the joyful, primary-color decor schemes to the configuration and contemporary design of each room to the unconventional touches (skylights, raised sinks, platform beds) expressing uniqueness. Common areas invite conviviality, and a large pool, gardens, and outdoor terraces invite you to relax and enjoy the view. For a more private stay, book one of the three cozy wooden cabins with terraces or the two fully equipped houses, each with three bedrooms, their own grounds, and stellar views.

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.

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.

This picturesque hotel, set amid lovely gardens, is a 10-minute walk to town but far enough from its summer crowds to offer peace and quiet. Handsome, spacious rooms—most with terraces overlooking the pool or gardens—are bright and comfortable and offer every modern convenience. On fine days, a copious buffet breakfast or specially prepared dinner (you must order ahead) is served in the garden.

Consisting of three 17th-century buildings that were restored and combined, this hotel is a stone’s throw from the port and the picturesque old town and within walking distance of most sights. Some rooms have lovely views of the bay (best seen from fourth-floor balconies), old town, and Mont Faron; all rooms are spare and functional, with a maritime design theme featuring uplifting shades of blue and white and spotless white-tiled bathrooms. The in-hotel restaurant, L’Équerre, is a popular neighborhood choice for a classic bistronomic meal or a cocktail. The tiny rooftop pool offers stellar views of the bay and cool respite on a hot summer’s day.

Whether on or off the Lavender Route, arriving by car or by bicycle—as many do—a warm welcome awaits you at this reasonably priced bed-and-breakfast set in a series of 18th-century stone mas (farmhouses) in the midst of lavender fields near Sault. Spotless rooms evoke a Provençal ambience with contemporary touches, and the spacious pool is appreciated on hot summer days. Four independent stone houses, including a 1,500 square-foot farm house with its own private pool, and a picturesque stone cottage adjoining the hotel offer a touch more privacy. If you’re booking for lavender season (mid-June to mid-July) reserve at least six months ahead.

You can unwind in total comfort at this retreat near the village and amid the Luberon Natural Park, where each contemporary villa is done in earth tones and has a private terrace. Take advantage of the indoor or outdoor pools and spa (with a steam room and whirlpool tub), which are set among gnarled olive trees and pretty gardens. Overlooking the hotel's sun-drenched grounds, the Casa Gia restaurant (open for lunch and dinner) serves Mediterranean specialties and seafood.

A mere 2 km (1 mile) from Pont du Gard, a 17th-century coach house on 30 acres of greenery has been lovingly converted into this boutique hotel and gourmet restaurant. The interior is modern, which contrasts nicely with the old stone walls of the exterior. Rooms have all the modern conveniences, including Wi-Fi access, satellite TV, and room service. The restaurant is as contemporary as the rest of the place, and the set menus are reasonably priced. There's an outdoor swimming pool, a river to dip into (just a short walk away), and electric bike rentals for exploring the nearby paths.

Set in a historic mansion on the town’s main street, this bed-and-breakfast has four loft-like rooms with soaring ceilings, contemporary furnishings, ample marble baths, and lovely garden or historic center views. Two of the four rooms can accommodate people with mobility issues, a rarity in historic hotels. Breakfasts are served in the onsite restaurant and tea salon, L’Heure Bleue, or in the greenery-filled garden.

This hotel just steps from the Théâtre Antique lacks nothing in the way of charm or service—indeed, it would be hard to find a more welcoming staff. Rooms are basic and range from small and serviceable to comfortably spacious. Some have tremendous views over the Roman amphitheater, and all have bright if small bathrooms. The steam room and whirlpool in the basement spa are welcome perks after a day on foot. The hotel has a café, and the garden and small terrace are pleasant places to enjoy lunch, dinner, or just a cup of tea or a glass of wine.

Tucked away on a pretty old town side street, this intimate, vine-clad hotel received a makeover by Parisian interiors star India Mahdavi, who preserved the elegant bones of the grand medieval building—once the home for the provost of the Cloisters—but added vivid fabrics and rattan or burnished-wood furniture that contrast with limestone walls and other original details like arches or fireplaces. The cool courtyard restaurant, which is open for lunch daily and dinner on the weekends, serves Arlesian specialties. You can sip a drink under a towering century-old tree or enjoy a coffee in the cozy library. Prices are gentle, but that may be because the hotel does not have air-conditioning, which can be inconvenient during the heat of the Provençal summer.

At this Gîtes de France B&B, guest rooms have carefully chosen antiques and lovely tiled baths, and public spaces feel homey with scrubbed floorboards, a fireplace, and exposed stone. The hotel has a pool and a pretty garden, and it overlooks the valley from the village center.

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.

Two minutes from the famous Avignon bridge, this contemporarily decorated B&B offers a rooftop terrace view of the palace but also tranquillity away from the noisy palace streets. Opaque glass metal doors open into clean and bright guest rooms, with white bedding, white paint, and white furniture, with artwork providing bursts of color. Your friendly hosts offer all the amenities of a hotel, such as soaps, slippers, a welcome bottle of water, and a candy dish at the door, as well as a tasty breakfast (included) on the terrace or by the fireplace off-season.

A good choice for hikers, this family-run lodging—a scenic, mile-long walk from town and set amid woods and vineyards at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail—provides a warm welcome and basic but spacious guest rooms. Before heading to the top-notch restaurant, you can take in views of the countryside while enjoying an apéro or a glass of wine on a sprawling terrace shaded by ancient plane trees.

A 17th-century residence within the ramparts is the setting of this delightful hotel featuring stone, stucco, and terra-cotta details as well as classically simple and antique furnishings. The team at the quaint little restaurant will happily cook a whole side of beef in the fireplace or serve up a perfectly grilled Mediterranean fish. On the ground floor are two small, cozy sitting areas; breakfast, weather permitting, is served in the small flower-filled courtyard.