France has always been a popular tourist spot, and this has greatly influenced the types of hotels people choose. Luxury Hotels in France offer the most upscale accommodation and hospitality services for guests and locals alike.
Beyond the famous places like the Eiffel Tower, France has diverse attractions including lush vineyards and amazing ski resorts.
Travellers are looking for unique experiences, and this has made hotels step up their game, trying to offer not just a place to stay, but also a taste of the local charm and excellent hospitality services that France has to offer.
The close relationship between tourism and hotels has led to the development of accommodations that are more than just a place to sleep – they’re part of the whole experience of visiting one of the most travelled destinations on Earth – France!
Here are 15 great hotels in France, listed in no particular order.
1. Le Grand Contrôle
Explore Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle located in Versailles, and here’s why it’s special: you get to stay right on the grounds of France’s famous palace!
While millions visit Chateau de Versailles each year, only a lucky few get to sleep on the estate itself. Launched in 2021, this hotel is in a 17th-century building that used to belong to Louis XIV’s finance minister.
They didn’t just clean up the floors during a big restoration – they recreated a royal atmosphere using historical research. The Michelin-starred restaurant, led by Alain Ducasse, serves up a grand feast with waiters in period costumes.
The 13 guest rooms and suites are fancy, with four-poster beds and antique decorations.
Airelles goes above and beyond with special experiences, like horseback riding tours in Versailles gardens and a “Marie Antoinette” day at the Valmont Spa. Don’t forget the special after-hours tour of the palace.
You could place your Booking HERE
2. Ritz Palace, Paris
The Ritz Paris is a luxury hotel in the middle of Paris that’s known for being incredibly luxurious. It has been around since 1898 and is a favourite choice for people who want a super fancy and refined experience.
When you walk into the Ritz, you’ll feel like you’re in a grand place. The lobby is filled with beautiful lights, posh furniture, and classic designs. They pay a lot of attention to making everything perfect for the guests.
The rooms in the Ritz Paris are super comfy and decked out with a mix of classic and modern styles. You get to enjoy fancy furniture, soft sheets, and all the modern stuff you’d expect. It’s like your own peaceful space where you can relax.
If you’re into good food, the Ritz is the place to be. They have several restaurants with Michelin stars, like L’Espadon and Salon Proust. The food is top-notch and made with the best ingredients to make your taste buds happy.
But the Ritz isn’t just about staying in a fancy room and eating good food. They also have a spa called Chanel au Ritz Paris where you can treat yourself to exclusive spa treatments. There’s even a pool and a fitness centre to keep you feeling good.
This hotel has a lot of history too. It has been a part of many important events and hosted famous guests over the years. The Hemingway Bar, named after the famous writer who loved it, is a cool spot to enjoy special cocktails in a cosy setting.
The people working at the Ritz Paris are all about making you feel special. They go out of their way to make sure you have an awesome experience. It’s like staying in a friend’s fancy house.
The Ritz Paris is not just a place to sleep, it’s a symbol of how awesome and refined Parisian life can be. They care about making everything perfect, and staying there is like entering a world of luxury where every little thing is thoughtfully chosen to make your stay extraordinary.
Read Also: The 10 Best Luxury Hotels in Europe
3. Hôtel du Palais
The Hotel du Palais in Biarritz is famous for being in a villa built by Napoleon III for his wife, Eugénie. It’s on the Atlantic coast near Spain, blending glamour with a chill surfer vibe.
The hotel, known for its luxury, was originally Napoleon III and Eugénie’s beachside retreat in the mid-19th century. Later, it became a fancy hotel attracting elite guests. Interestingly, Eugénie had been to Biarritz before, convincing her husband to check it out.
Today, as part of the Leading Hotels of the World Collection, the hotel keeps its historic charm. It is located in Biarritz, Basque Country.
After a four-year renovation in 2021, it got a facelift, restoring the facade, roof, furniture, and special blue carpet with Napoleon III’s bees.
The hotel has a heated pool with beach access, a five-level spa, and a bar with a restored 904-pound chandelier. They even offer surf lessons when the waves are good.
The wellness area with sea views is the kind of place Eugénie would have loved. The rooms are fancy with high ceilings, and the La Rotunda restaurant is a posh spot for special occasions.
4. The Carlton, a Regent Hotel
The Carlton is an important part of Cannes’ past. This elegant hotel, with twin domes rumoured to be inspired by a famous courtesan, became the first luxury spot in 1913, turning Cannes into a popular summer destination located at Cannes, French Riviera.
After a five-year restoration, the 332-room hotel reopened in 2023, bringing new energy to La Croisette. With two new wings, a Mediterranean garden, an infinity pool, a conference centre, and the C Club Fitness and Spa, which boasts the city’s first boxing ring, the Carlton offers a revamped experience.
Designer Tristan Auer worked with skilled French craftspeople to enhance the gold leaf, chandeliers, and extensive marble. For a breathtaking view of the ocean, unwind on the love seats in front of the French windows – 72 rooms have sea views!
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5. Les Fermes de Marie
Since the 1920s, Megève has been renowned for its luxury, originally shaped as a ski resort to compete with St. Moritz by Baroness de Rothschild located at Megève, French Alps.
Les Fermes de Marie, however, stands out for its cosy, family-style hospitality. The Maisons & Hotels Sibuet, a family-operated hospitality company deeply connected to the French Alps, rescued endangered high-altitude farms. These were then relocated and reconstructed into a hamlet on a four-acre estate in Megève.
Established in 1989, Les Fermes de Marie reflects a tribute to heritage, capturing the magical atmosphere for which Megève is celebrated – featuring horse-drawn carriages, cobblestone streets, and traditional Savoyard houses.
This strong connection to the surroundings is evident in the design, incorporating warm woods, fur throws on fireside leather couches, and weavings on the walls. Some of the 70 guest rooms come with terraces offering views of the snow-capped peaks.
After a day of skiing, the Pure Altitude Spa provides Ofuro Baths, an outdoor sauna, and a birch tree–lined relaxation room. The Pure Altitude product line harnesses the natural antioxidant properties of mountain plants like edelweiss.
Additionally, Maisons Sibuet offers a selection of luxury chalets in the area, complete with five-star Fermes de Marie hotel services, including daily breakfasts, afternoon snacks, concierge services, and housekeeping.
You can place your Bookings HERE
6. InterContinental Lyon – Hôtel-Dieu
In 2019, an old and important place in Lyon became the InterContinental Hotel. It’s in the middle of Lyon where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet, and it used to be a hospital for 800 years until it closed in 2010. This place is meaningful for locals, as about one in three people born in Lyon were born here.
It took five years and 800 workers to change the Hôtel-Dieu into a place for the community with restaurants, shops, and a museum about food. They also added a 144-room hotel with modern interiors designed by Jean-Philippe Nuel, who is known for making old places into hotels (like the Molitor in Paris).
The new design respects Lyon’s history, like using silk accents to remember Lyon’s past as a place for making silk. Some rooms, called Duplex Suites, have big windows with views of the Rhône River.
You can relax at Le Dôme, a bar in the old chapel with tall ceilings. They serve a special cocktail called the Panthéon, made with St.-Germain liqueur, vodka, white tea, and a special champagne syrup. It’s a tribute to Jacques-Germain Soufflot, the architect who designed both a famous building in Paris and the 18th-century front of Hôtel Dieu.
7. Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa
In 2018, the Royal Champagne became the first place in champagne country to focus on wellness. It sits in the middle of UNESCO-listed vineyards and has a big 16,000-square-foot wellness centre with pools, Jacuzzis, and treatments by famous brands like Biologique Recherche and Kos Paris. They even offer a candle massage!
This place has a lot of history. It used to be a stop for French kings on their way to coronations, and Napoleon liked staying here in the 19th century. Built into a hill, the Royal Champagne mixes the old property with a modern resort and beautiful terraces.
You can enjoy endless views of the vineyards from your private terrace – every room (47 in total) has one. The design, done by popular designer Sybille de Margerie (connected to the Taittinger Champagne family), has symbols of Napoleon like bumble bees and a fancy ceiling in the Michelin-starred restaurant called Le Royal.
They pay attention to small things here. If you press the “Champagne Please” button in your room, they bring a bottle to you. They even have a Champagne Chauffeur who can set up private visits to Champagne houses that are usually not open to the public. And if you feel like it, you can take an e-bike for a ride through the vineyards.
You can place your Bookings HERE
8. Lily of the Valley
Opened in 2019, Lily of the Valley is a unique hotel by Alain and Lucie Weill, a father-daughter duo. It’s a 20-minute drive from Saint-Tropez and offers a different experience, away from the glitz, surrounded by nature.
Designed by Philippe Starck, this retreat in La Croix-Valmer is on the southern coast known for its stunning views and walking paths. Below, there’s Plage de Gigaro, a quiet three-mile sandy beach you can reach on foot, with the hotel’s free shuttle, or using their electric bikes.
They have 38 guest rooms, 6 suites with private terraces or gardens, 8 pool suites with a big private garden and pool, and a large villa for 6 guests, all overlooking the Mediterranean.
One special thing about Lily of the Valley is its focus on health and wellness, offering retreats from 4 to 21 days. They have a big wellness area with an 80-foot pool, modern fitness rooms, advanced facial treatments, Ayurveda massages, and a plant-based restaurant.
Guests can also work with sports coaches and dietitians for personalized programs. And a nice bonus, Lily of the Valley stays open year-round, which is not common in Saint-Tropez.
9. The Maybourne Riviera
The Maybourne Hotel Group opened its first French hotel in 2021, making a big impression in the renowned French Riviera located in Roquebrune-Cap-Martin on the Côte d’Azur.
Perched about 1,000 feet above Roquebrune-Cap-Martin on a cliff, it gives breathtaking views of Monte Carlo, the Mediterranean, and the coastline reaching Italy.
Whether you’re at the glass-enclosed restaurants, the infinity pool, or the suite terraces, you get to enjoy stunning views.
The hotel, designed by French architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, turned an empty space into a modern and captivating spot adorned with remarkable artwork, including a unique sculpture by Louise Bourgeois in the lobby. The 69 guest rooms and suites showcase a modern style, with suites having furnished terraces that seem to float between the sea and the sky.
The highlight is the Michelin-starred Ceto restaurant, led by the famous Chef Mauro Colagreco of Mirazur. Ceto, celebrating the sea in both its look and menu, emphasizes sustainable fishing. The marine theme continues in the summer Ceto bar, where cocktails with names from Greek mythology, like the Circe, are served.
In 2023, the hotel added a seasonal beach club in Cap Martin.
You can place your Bookings HERE
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10. Hôtel Plaza Athénée
on the prestigious Avenue Montaigne in Paris, Hôtel Plaza Athénée stands as a symbol of luxury, offering lavish accommodations and exclusive amenities.
This opulent palace features the renowned Dior Institute spa, five exceptional restaurants, a stylish cocktail bar, and a seasonal ice-skating rink. Conveniently located just a 5-minute walk from Avenue Champs Elysées, the hotel provides an elegant retreat.
Upon entering Hôtel Plaza Athénée, guests are immersed in refined elegance, with sophisticated accommodations that include marble bathrooms. Complimentary WiFi and free access to the spa enhance the guest experience.
Each room and suite is equipped with a plasma screen TV offering over 200 on-demand movies, a personalized minibar with 80 beverage options, and a choice of five pillow types for a restful night’s sleep. Some rooms also offer enchanting views of the Eiffel Tower.
The hotel’s culinary offerings are a highlight, featuring an indulgent American breakfast, gastronomic French dishes, and a seasonal menu for added variety. Hôtel Plaza Athénée not only provides luxurious amenities but also excels in service with features like a shoe shine service and twice-a-day housekeeping.
Alma Marceau Metro Station is conveniently located 300 meters away, facilitating easy city exploration, while the Eiffel Tower is a leisurely 15-minute walk from the hotel.
You can place your Bookings HERE
11. Hôtel Crillon le Brave
Resting in the Mont Ventoux hills of Provence, this distinctive hideaway offers more than a picturesque escape—it invites travellers to delve into the soul of the captivating 17th-century village it’s affectionately named after, Crillon-le-Brave.
Made up of nine connected stone houses covered in sweet-smelling climbing plants, the hotel feels like a cosy village with intimate squares and cobblestone paths. Designed by architect Charles Zana, the 17 rooms, 17 suites, and private house have a homey Provençal style, featuring things like terra-cotta tiles, wooden beams, antique furniture, and calming colours.
Every room, restaurant (there are two to choose from), and pool spot offers a stunning view of the vineyards and olive groves in Vaucluse below. When guests aren’t exploring the village paths, biking around Mont Ventoux, or relaxing by the pool, they can treat themselves to the Tata Harper spa, found in the old vaulted stables from the 18th century on the estate.
You can place your Bookings HERE
12. Fleur de Loire
Fleur de Loire, on the Loire River, is more than just a hotel with a great restaurant, it’s a superb restaurant that also offers a place to stay.
Chef Christophe Hay, known for La Maison d’à Côté in Montlivault, transformed a 17th-century former hospice into this unique 54,000-square-foot space. It’s both his fine dining restaurant and a Relais & Châteaux hotel & spa.
This food-focused hotel has 44 rooms, two multicourse restaurants, and a pastry shop, all using produce from Chef Hay’s permaculture garden nearby. The Sisley Spa has indoor and outdoor pools. Going beyond eco-friendly practices, the hotel uses a closed water-cooling system, rainwater for the garden, and runs entirely on wind power.
Rooms have amenities from a local soapmaker, Savonnerie des Muids, with products made from local ingredients. Furniture is crafted from wood sourced sustainably.
Designed by Caroline Tissier, the hotel captures the river’s tranquillity with wood, brass, stone, and a soft aquatic-gold colour palette. Rooms have sandy-toned carpets and linens, plus nature-inspired wallpapers—a perfect place to relax after a delicious meal!
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13. The Four Seasons Hotel George V
This luxury hotel in Paris is a very famous place. It’s been around since 1928 and is known for being elegant, stylish and amazingly luxurious. Right by the Champs-Élysées, it’s like a symbol of posh living in the heart of Paris.
Once you step inside, you’ll see a very fancy lobby with marble floors and fancy chandeliers. Everything is super detailed, from the cool art to the comfy and stylish furniture. The rooms and suites are not just nice, they’re over-the-top amazing, mixing classic French style with modern comforts. And the views of Paris are breathtaking.
Eating at the hotel is like a dream, especially at Le Cinq, the main restaurant. The chefs there have Michelin stars, and they make delicious French food. The service is top-notch, and they have a huge wine selection.
If you’re there for work or a special event, the hotel has great spaces for meetings, weddings, and more. They make sure every event is special.
For chilling out, the hotel’s spa is the place to be. They have great treatments and a fitness centre with top-notch equipment.
The service at the Four Seasons Hotel George V is amazing. The staff is trained to think of everything you might need and make you feel special during your stay. They care about making your time there memorable.
The hotel is also into being eco-friendly, doing things like saving energy and using local and organic stuff.
You can place your Bookings HERE
14. Le Bristol
Situated close to Champs Elysées and La Madeleine Place, Le Bristol Paris is a fancy hotel with a rooftop pool offering stunning views of the Eiffel Tower. The rooms are beautifully decorated, some with classic Louis XV or Louis XVI-style furniture, and all have private bathrooms.
The hotel also features a top-notch spa, a swimming pool with great views, and two excellent restaurants – “Epicure” and “114 Faubourg.”
Located on the stylish rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, known for art galleries and high-end shopping, the hotel is near landmarks like Elysée Palace and Place de la Concorde. Plus, they have charging stations for electric cars.
You can place your Bookings HERE
15. Les Sources de Cheverny
After the success of Les Sources de Caudalie spa-hotel near Bordeaux, Alice Tourbier (whose sister founded Caudalie skincare) and her husband have opened an equally impressive place in the Loire Valley. It’s set around a restored 18th-century manor house, covering 110 acres with guest rooms in stone houses, barns, and cabins overlooking a lake.
Guests can do various activities on-site, like biking, horseback riding, and enjoying Caudalie’s famous wine-infused spa treatments. Beyond the property, you can visit Chambord, Château de Cheverny, bike along the Loire à Vélo’s 500-mile paths, and go wine tasting.
Don’t miss dining at Le Favori, the hotel’s Michelin-starred restaurant, where Chef Frédéric Calmel showcases the seasonal flavours of the Loire Valley.
You can place your Bookings HERE
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Why are Hotels in France so expensive?
Hotels in France cost more because of their high-quality services, luxurious reputation, prime locations (especially in Paris), the upkeep of historic properties, and the demand for top-notch experiences from international travellers.
2. Which luxury hotels in France offer panoramic views of iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower?
Luxury hotels like Shangri-La Hotel and Hotel Plaza Athénée in France provide stunning panoramic views of the Eiffel Tower from certain rooms. Other options with excellent views include Le Meurice and InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel.
3. What distinguishes the culinary experiences at the finest luxury hotels in France?
The best luxury hotels in France stand out for their exceptional culinary experiences, featuring top chefs, innovative menus, and a commitment to using high-quality, often locally sourced, ingredients. The emphasis on fine dining, personalized service, and creating a unique, memorable atmosphere sets these experiences apart.
