The curved pool of the Château de la Chèvre d’Or looks out over the Mediterranean
Credit: James Pouliot
Château de la Chèvre d’Or, Provence
La Chèvre d’Or is dramatically set high up on the cliffside in the village of Èze. Terraced sculpture gardens wind their way up to the chateau, while a steep, serpentine path connects the grounds to the seaside. The hotel’s particularly scenic outlook is best taken in from one of its many terraces, including those of Les Remparts restaurant, the indoor-outdoor bar and Le Café du Jardin. All rooms are different, set in quaint stone maisons de village clustered around the castle. Simpler rooms peep out on the mediaeval village or the hotel’s terraced gardens. The several pools are joined by a sauna and a hot tub with panoramic views.
Doubles from £705 (00 33 4 92 10 66 66; chevredor.com). Read the full review.
A dish from Ceto, Mauro Colagreco’s restaurant at the Maybourne Riviera
The Maybourne Riviera, Roquebrune-Cap-Martin
A rocky peninsula towering above Roquebrune-Cap-Martin provides the lofty setting for the Maybourne Riviera, which is perhaps set apart first by its far-reaching sea and coastal views. Renowned French architect Jean Michel Wilmotte came up with the design of this sleek, modern structure distinguished by the seemingly gravity-defying glass-sided terraces that jut out from the side facing the sea. Art fills the light, bright and equally as contemporary interiors, which are the work of several world-renowned designers. Also of particular note is the Michelin-starred restaurant, Ceto, led by chef Mauro Colagreco, with other dining venues including La Piscine by the infinity pool.
Doubles from £981 (00 33 4 93 37 50 00; maybourneriviera.com). Read the full review.
The pool overlooking the sea at Grand-Hotel du Cap Ferrat
Credit: Christian Horan
Grand-Hotel du Cap Ferrat, Côte d’Azur
Four Seasons brings its take on luxury to the French Riviera with this grand hotel, which dates as far back as 1908, on the tip of the Cap-Ferrat peninsula. The star-studded coastal retreat lies within a sprawling 17 acres of landscaped grounds affording views over the Mediterranean Sea. Behind a pristine white façade, the high-ceilinged columned lobby leads to generously sized, elegantly styled rooms, an indoor-outdoor spa and sea-view dining spots including maritime-influenced Le Cap. Other stylish venues include Club Dauphin poolside grill and Le Bar for cocktails.
Doubles from £1,279 (00 33 4 93 76 50 50; fourseasons.com). Read the full review.
A guest lounge at Les Hortensias du Lac
Credit: Céline Hamelin
Les Hortensias du Lac, Aquitaine
Luxury comes paired with a laidback Hamptons-style surf vibe at this 25-room lodge between Lac d’Hossegor and the sea. Positioned right on the lakefront, which is encircled by pines, the lodge and its infinity pool in particular overlook the water. The famous surf beach of Hossegor is just a 10-minute walk from here. Within a 1930s-built structure reflecting the architectural style of the area, interiors take on a Basque-Landes seaside style with beachy rooms decorated in wood, white and natural materials. The restaurant occupies a glass-enclosed outhouse and mainlines on fish.
Doubles from £309 (00 33 5 58 43 99 00; lesdomainesdefontenille.com). Read the full review.
The legendary façade of the Carlton Cannes
Credit: Romeo Balancourt
Carlton Cannes, Côte d’Azur
This five-star grande dame on La Croisette beachfront promenade first opened in 1911. Since then, the legendary site has seen everything from Alfred Hitchcock filming To Catch a Thief with Grace Kelly and Cary Grant, to world leaders meeting for the G20 summit. The Belle Époque hotel – with two more recently added wings – is opulent in design. Original elements such as ceiling mosaics and marble columns contrast with contemporary décor thanks to a renovation in 2023. Within these newly decorated walls, highlights of a stay include dining at renowned Turkish restaurant Rüya and unwinding by the pool of the courtyard garden.
Doubles from £727 (00 33 4 93 06 40 06; carltoncannes.com). Read the full review.
The design at Hôtel des Dunes mixes mid-century California with a distinctly Cap Ferrat feel
Hôtel des Dunes, Cap Ferret
Hôtel des Dunes was the first hotel to open in Cap Ferrat back in 1969. Since then, this beach house-style boutique hotel, found between the main road running the length of the cape and the pine forest sloping down to the sea, has been transformed into an eco-minded luxury cocoon featuring 13 designer rooms, a sauna, yoga deck and sandy garden. Inside, décor fuses 1950s California with a distinctly Cap Ferrat beach feel, with custom-made furnishings and surf-themed artworks featured throughout. Time here can be spent in the surf or exploring the local area on one of the hotel’s banana-yellow bikes.
Doubles from £247 (00 33 3 28 21 58 58; hoteldesdunes.com). Read the full review.
This distinctive Brutalist landmark has 34 rooms just above the water
Hotel Sainte-Barbe, Brittany
You can’t get any closer to the sea than at this concrete and glass Brutalist-style hotel on the rocky headland of Pointe Sainte-Barbe in the port town of Le Conquet. The hotel is named after a 16th-century chapel that once stood here and looks out over the golden sands of Plage de Portez. Renovated in recent years, the distinctive landmark now features 34 rooms and suites with light-filled contemporary interiors in soft hues inspired by the coastal surroundings and contemporary artworks by Breton artists. Guests can dine in the panoramic Corniche and Rotunda restaurants, soak up the surroundings from the rooftop and unwind in the sea-view spa.
Doubles from £256 (00 33 2 98 48 46 13; hotelsaintebarbe.com). Read the full review.
One of the private beach cabanas at Hotel du Cap Eden Roc
Credit: JM Sordello
Hotel du Cap Eden Roc, Cap d’Antibes
Undoubtedly one of the Côte d’Azur’s most legendary hotels, Hotel du Cap Eden Roc has long attracted the A List with its old-school glamour. From this majestic chateau-like villa tucked into the pine groves of the southern tip of the Cap d’Antibes, a promenade leads down to the sea. A saltwater infinity pool cuts into the cliffside and restaurant terraces overhang the shore. Opulent rooms occupy the original Villa Soleil, Eden-Roc Pavilion and Les Deux Fontaines residence, with villas also hidden within the lush grounds. Inviting corners are peppered throughout, from the Dior Spa to the stylish pool bar and sea-view Louroc restaurant.
Doubles from £762 (00 33 4 93 61 39 01; oetkercollection.com). Read the full review.
The chic, contemporary dining room at Regina Experimental Biarritz
Credit: Mr Tripper
Regina Experimental Biarritz, Basque coast
This landmark Belle Époque hotel looks out over the sea from its perch high up on a headland of Biarritz. The town centre is around a 15-minute walk from here and Miramar Beach is just five minutes away. Arranged around a galleried and glass-roofed atrium, the hotel has recently undergone a complete renovation inside courtesy of the Experimental group, complementing its original structure and Art Deco details with modern furnishings that revisit Biarritz luxury. The vast dining space spilling out onto a sea-facing terrace is home to creative brasserie Frenchie, with a spa and outdoor pool among its other attributes.
Doubles from £285 (00 33 5 59 41 33 00; reginaexperimental.com).
Château de Chantore is set in a private 47-acre park in Normandy
Credit: Yann Monel
Château de Chantore, Normandy
An 18th-century castle turned characterful hotel. Château de Chantore welcomes guests into grandiose interiors, drawing on the spirit of the Louis XVI era. Expect rugs, chandeliers and other furnishings reminiscent of that period and Toile de Jouy decorating the walls. The hotel has just three rooms and two suites, all lavishly decorated in keeping with the theme, alongside a dining room where breakfast is served. The unique location is equally as impressive, set in a private 47-acre park in a secluded position between Avranches and Granville.
Doubles from £256 (00 33 9 60 52 82 73; chateaudechantore.com). Read the full review.
One of the rustic-chic rooms at Provençal favourite Château de Berne
Credit: Anthony Lannere Tonne
Château de Berne, Provence
A picture-postcard wine estate is the idyllic location for this grand chateau hotel, deep in the Provençal countryside yet still only an hour from Saint-Tropez. The luxury wine resort, which is also a significant producer of rosé, is set around a noble 18th-century castle and accompanying country house now home to a collection of rustic-chic rooms, the sleek Cinq Mondes spa, a gourmet restaurant and relaxed bistro, as well as a food and wine shop showcasing the best of Provence. The extensive activity offering ranges from botanical walks to wine tasting and cooking classes.
Doubles from £558 (00 33 4 94 60 48 81; chateauberne.com). Read the full review.
A grand, contemporary-classic bedroom at Les Source de Caudalie
Les Source de Caudalie, Aquitaine
Pastoral splendour emanates from this five-star rural hotel and spa, which sits by a lake amid the vines of the 600-year-old wine estate still home to Château Smith Haut Lafitte. It was constructed in 1999 out of oak beams and chalky stone reclaimed from local farms. New buildings, designed in reference to the region’s architecture, have been placed within the landscape to create an idyllic hamlet, also encompassing a small farm and rows of vines. Much of the focus here is on the exceptional food and wine but there’s also a spa with both indoor and outdoor pools.
Doubles from £266 (00 33 5 57 83 83 83; sources-caudalie.com). Read the full review.
Les Prés d’Eugénie, Aquitaine
Michel Guérard and his family have made Les Prés d’Eugénie a must-visit for gourmands far and wide. The renowned chef’s three-Michelin-starred eponymous restaurant is naturally the biggest draw of this 19th-century villa turned luxury hotel in the Aquitaine countryside. Guests can dine at this gastronomic go-to or the more casual L’Orangerie, indulge in Sisley treatments at the spa or relax by the outdoor heated pool, with tennis courts, bike hire and cookery classes also available.
Doubles from £216 (00 33 5 58 05 06 07; lespresdeugenie.com). Read the full review.
The orchid-toned Château Troplong Mondot sits within acres of vines
Credit: Romain Ricard
Château Troplong Mondot, St-Émilion
A prestigious winery is at the heart of Château Troplong Mondot estate, where vines have blanketed the landscape since the 19th century. From its vantage point on the hillside at the highest point of the Saint-Émilion wine-growing region, this manor-like hotel commands views over the mediaeval village of Saint-Émilion and the landscape beyond. The 18th-century chateau and a restored outbuilding house elegant rooms decorated in rich fabrics and earthy hues. Michelin-starred restaurant Les Belles Perdrix serves the inspired culinary creations of chef David Charrier in a picturesque setting within the Troplong Mondot vineyard.
Doubles from £224 (00 33 5 57 55 32 05; troplong-mondot.com). Read the full review.
Legendary French restaurant Le Relais Bernard Loiseau currently holds two Michelin stars
Credit: Jonathan Thevenet
Le Relais Bernard Loiseau, Burgundy
A five-star hotel and a two-Michelin-starred restaurant come together at Le Relais Bernard Loiseau. Opened by the late namesake chef, it has been a culinary draw since it first opened in 1982 on a site dating back to the 1870s, where heritage details such as wood panelling now meet more modern design touches. The menu at La Côte d’Or celebrates the terroir, while leisure facilities include a spa, alongside luxurious rooms such as the terraced spa suite featuring its own treatment cabin, hammam and sauna.
Doubles from £306 (00 33 3 80 90 53 53; bernard-loiseau.com). Read the full review.
Airelles Val d’Isère’s stylish interiors greet skiers after a day on the slopes
Airelles Val d’Isère, Alps
This Alpine hotel by Airelles stands out in the mountain resort of Val d’Isère for its slope-side setting and distinctive interiors fusing mediaeval inspiration with contemporary flair. The one-of-a-kind luxury retreat lies on the Front de Neiges, where the pistes meet at the base of Solaise and Bellevarde gondolas. Inside, more than 15,000 antiques are joined by the likes of Ralph Lauren tartan panelled walls. Highlights among the many dining spaces here include outposts of Matsuhisa (the Nobu chef’s first restaurant, in Los Angeles) and Paris’s popular Loulou. A Roman-themed Guerlain spa and pool count among its other facilities.
Doubles from £1,025 (00 33 4 79 22 22 22; airelles.com). Open December to April only. Read the full review.
Château de la Treyne’s dramatic setting places the hotel just above the Dordogne
Credit: Eric Martin
Château de la Treyne, Aquitaine
It’s hard to beat the dramatic setting of this magnificent chateau hotel, which is built on a cliff edge overhanging the Dordogne, with lush forest spanning the picturesque riverbanks. The fairytale castle, complete with turret and backed by formal French gardens, is home to a series of cosy period rooms. The grand dining room is classified as a historical monument and the inspired cuisine of chef Stéphane Andrieux has earned a Michelin star, with diners also sitting out on the impressive riverside terrace. An elegant lounge looks out over the formal garden and an infinity pool and tennis court count among the other facilities found in the grounds.
Doubles from £270 (00 33 5 65 27 60 60; chateaudelatreyne.com). Read the full review.
Le Vieux Castillon, Languedoc-Roussillon
Eighteen ancient village houses have been brought together to create this bewitching hotel found at the heart of the mediaeval village of Castillon-du-Gard. Set around a central patio, each house has been sensitively and stylishly restored, with swathes of exposed stone. The refined rooms include suites with terraces, decorated in natural colours and with cocooning fabrics. The gourmet restaurant takes over a Renaissance building, with dishes also served by a pool looking out over the Languedoc countryside.
Doubles from £203 (00 33 4 66 37 61 61; vieuxcastillon.fr). Read the full review.
The ivy-clad exterior of Les Hauts de Loire
Credit: Fabrice Rambert
Les Hauts de Loire, Loire
The ivy-draped former hunting lodge of Château d’Onzain sets the scene for this luxurious hotel-restaurant in an expanse of forest west of Onzain village. Both the chateau and hunting lodge were destroyed during the French revolution, but just this lodge was rebuilt in the mid 19th century. Today, the site is a part of the Relais & Châteaux collection and interiors reflect its heritage. An array of leisure facilities have been introduced, from a tennis court and an outdoor pool to a helipad, cookery school and Clarins spa. The Michelin-starred restaurant pays tribute to the produce of the Loire Valley.
Doubles from £224 (00 33 2 54 20 72 57; hautsdeloire.com). Read the full review.
Pine-clad bedrooms bring an alpine sense of place to Le Refuge de Solaise
Credit: Christophe Hassel
Le Refuge de Solaise, Alps
Le Refuge de Solaise is intriguingly set in a former cable station in Val d’Isère, the unique setting making it the highest hotel in France. As expected, views are spectacular and you have the benefit of direct access to the slopes. Guests can take in the uninterrupted mountain views from cosy bedrooms and apartments decorated in wood, stone and tartan carpeting, as well as the large open-plan restaurant serving traditional Savoyard dishes. After a day on the slopes, the low-lit spa beckons, with a sauna, steam room and 25m pool adding to the tranquil appeal.
Doubles from £171 (00 33 4 58 83 00 90; lerefuge-valdisere.com). Read the full review.
The gardens at La Chartreuse du Bignac provide guests a peaceful spot to relax in
La Chartreuse du Bignac, Dordogne
This isolated hideaway taking over a 17th-century manor is found a 20-minute drive from Bergerac amid rolling hills home to the vineyards and chateaux of the lower Dordogne. Ideal for a rural weekend retreat, the manor house hotel provides a comfortable base for getting to know this 12-hectare estate and the surrounding area, whether following its meandering walking trails, cycling, fishing and visiting local wineries, or making the most of the hotel’s petanque court and outdoor swimming pool. The hotel has just 12 individually designed rooms and suites with bucolic views and a gourmet restaurant with garden terrace.
Doubles from £201 (00 33 5 53 22 12 80; abignac.com). Read the full review.
The outdoor terrace at Cheval Blanc’s Le Tout-Paris restaurant
Credit: Vincent Leroux
Cheval Blanc, Paris
The first urban location of LVMH’s Cheval Blanc collection is set in the 1st arrondissement’s emblematic Samaritaine building. The art deco site was restored and remodelled by architect Édouard François; its interiors were then designed by Peter Marino with an inside-outside scheme. In the calming bedrooms, floor-to-ceiling bow windows overlook the Seine. Communal areas mix bolder colours with contemporary furnishings and plenty of art. Gastronomic restaurant Plénitude is joined by vibey brasserie Le Tout Paris, a Dior spa and the longest pool in Paris.
Doubles from £1,500 (00 33 1 40 28 00 00; chevalblanc.com). Read the full review.
Grand Powers provides an oasis of Parisian style, not least in its elegant bedrooms
Credit: Romain Ricard
Hôtel Grand Powers, Paris
Opened in 1920 and given a new lease of life 100 years later, Grand Powers has long provided an oasis of Parisian chic in the city’s Golden Triangle. The signature hues of Chanel fuse with 1920s craftsmanship in the stylish rooms of this Haussmannian townhouse, channelling the feel of a private home. Owner Alexandra Marang personally curated the décor, which brings 1940s-style furniture together with design pieces from the 1950s and a series of unique artworks. In this urban sanctuary, 50 spacious rooms feature alongside Spa Thala, a gym and the serene Café 52, which goes from buzzy lunches to more romantic evenings.
Doubles from £586 (00 33 1 47 23 91 05; hotelgrandpowersparis.com). Read the full review.
French art de vivre is embodied at this luxury boutique hotel on Fourvière hill, also known as “praying hill”, in Lyon’s fifth district. In design, the hotel takes inspiration from the historic area and pairs this with the modern craftsmanship and contemporary style of celebrated French designers; architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, landscape designer Louis Benech and interior designer Jacques Grange. Inside, 37 cocooning bedrooms meet the gastronomic Têtedoie restaurant, seasonal La Terrasse de l’Antiquaille rooftop dining spot and Les Thermes spa, which overlooks a courtyard garden.
Doubles from £415 (00 33 4 78 16 01 01; villa-maia.com). Read the full review.
The restaurant at Hotel Rochechouart is full of vintage charm
Credit: Herve Goluza
Hotel Rochechouart, Paris
Jazz Age charm threads through this hotel in Pigalle, which once played host to illustrious guests such as Édith Piaf and was famously the place Parisians came to learn the Charleston. To this day, the hotel retains the building’s 1930s character, with tasteful use of brass, wood and marble throughout and distinctive design details such as the Art Deco staircase intact. A focus of the hotel is the legendary Mikado dancing bar, which today entertains with regular DJ sets. The buzzing Maggie restaurant, a rooftop with 360-degree views complete the experience.
Doubles from £143 (00 33 1 42 81 91 00; orsohotels.com). Read the full review.
The ivory and celadon Jardin d’Hiver at Hôtel de Crillon is a graceful spot for afternoon tea
Hôtel de Crillon, Paris
One of the city’s most legendary hotels. This historic grande dame, now a Rosewood, succeeds in encapsulating classic Parisian sophistication. In recent years the 18th-century landmark has undergone extensive renovation. Set around two leafy courtyard gardens, the lavish hotel encompasses 124 rooms, 36 of which are suites (two designed by Karl Lagerfeld), along with inviting dining and wellness venues including the wine-led fine dining restaurant L’Ecrin, the grand Bar les Ambassadeurs, Butterfly Pâtisserie and Sense spa.
Doubles from £1,634 (00 33 1 44 71 15 00; rosewoodhotels.com). Read the full review.
Tuba’s coastal-chic interiors have made it a must-know address in the south of France
Tuba, Marseille
Marseille’s low-lying, coastal-chic Tuba hotel sits right on the rocks in the fishing village of Les Goudes, by the Calanques National Park. Downtown Marseille is around 20 minutes away by car, with shuttle boats connecting Les Goudes to Vieux Port in summer. The eco-conscious beach club and boutique hotel brings new life to a former 1960s diving club known to have been frequented by French freediver Jacques Mayol. A free-spirited exuberance is felt in the inviting art-filled interiors, which feature five bedrooms, a restaurant opening out to the rocky shore and the second restaurant and bar Bikini. Stand-up paddleboards and boats are available to rent.
Doubles from £211 (00 33 4 91 25 13 16; tuba-club.com). Read the full review.
Panoramic views take in Lyon’s medieval old town at Villa Florentine
Credit: Alexandre Moulard
Villa Florentine, Lyon
Peaceful Villa Florentine occupies a trio of Italianate Renaissance houses in the hilltop neighbourhood of Fourvière. From here, panoramic views take in the city and its mediaeval old town is just a 10-minute walk away. Interiors are in keeping with the architectural style, with period furnishings and artwork that continue the Florence Renaissance theme. Michelin-starred Les Terrasses de Lyon is joined by a lobby bar, spa and panoramic pool on the rooftop, which also features a seasonal poolside bar. Terraced gardens surround it all.
Doubles from £285 (00 33 4 72 56 56 56; villaflorentine.com). Read the full review.
The rooftop restaurant, bar and club at SO/ Paris has become a favourite among the fashion crowd
Credit: Gaëlle Le Boulicaut
SO/, Paris
Far-reaching views over Paris’s skyline capture guests’ attention at this design hotel occupying the top floors of a modernist highrise, recast in 2016 by British architect David Chipperfield, in the unsung neighbourhood of Sully-Morland. The rooftop restaurant, bar and club has become a favourite among the fashion crowd. Guests enter through an eye-catching, open-plan lobby, where water is the main inspiration for the design, before continuing on to the hotel’s chic rooms (housed between the seventh and 14th floors), the Spa Maison Codage and 15th-floor Bonnie restaurant.
Doubles from £376 (00 33 1 78 90 74 00; so-hotels.com). Read the full review.
Additional contributions by Telegraph Travel writers.
Source link : https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/france/best-hotels-in-france/
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Publish date : 2024-07-19 07:00:00
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