Must-see hotels in France

  • Hôtel des 2 Îles

    Paris

    A venerable 17th-century building shelters this intimate three-star hotel, where 17 classical rooms sport ancient wooden beams and a punchy new decor that…

  • Inter Hôtel Le Cheval Noir

    Lyon & the Rhône Valley

    This 42-room hotel is a good choice if you want to stay in the centre and not break the bank. Although the rooms are nothing to crow about, they get the…

  • Clos de Rohan

    The Luberon

    There are just two L-shaped suites at this farmhouse B&B, so you're assured of privacy. They're decorated with a light, feminine touch – dried lavender,…

  • Hôtel Le Richelieu

    Le Havre

    Inside one of the architecturally intriguing buildings along the rue de Paris, Le Richelieu offers very clean, bright and often vividly decorated rooms …

  • Royal Hôtel

    Nîmes

    Bedrooms here have modern-meets-heritage decor and a choice of street views or an outlook over the grand place d’Assas – fine for the view, though the…

  • Hôtel Doussière

    Languedoc-Roussillon

    The Doussière wins points for its friendly reception and great location. Its 18 simple yet tidy rooms occupy two buildings overlooking the Jonte River…

  • Hôtel Morand

    Rouen

    This budget-friendly place has a range of simple rooms with wood floors, stiff mattresses and basic furnishings (though the in-room electric kettle is a…

  • Le Grand Jardin

    The Jura Mountains

    Opposite the abbey are three sunny, wood-floored rooms in a 16th-century house, backed by carefully tended gardens.

  • Le Fond de la Cour

    Honfleur

    Watched over by a dog, a cat and some chickens, rooms here (including a studio and a cottage, which sleeps up to four) are light, airy and immaculate. The…

  • Pointe Isabelle

    Chamonix

    Named for 19th-century British mountaineer Isabella Straton, whose grandchildren opened the hotel, this pleasing spot lies just west of Chamonix train…

  • Domaine du Mont Verrier

    Lyon & the Rhône Valley

    If you've dreamed of staying in a romantic countryside château but your budget is tight, you'll be delighted by this affordable mansion in the vineyards,…

  • Hôtel Cassitel

    Cassis

    This Interhotel is all about location – you’re right on Cassis' photogenic harbour-front, with clanking boats and port-side restaurants spread out beneath…

  • La Maison Favart

    Paris

    This peaceful art nouveau hotel facing the Opéra Comique feels like it never let go of the belle époque. It’s an excellent choice if you’re interested in…

  • Oops

    Paris

    Two gigantic pot plants herald the entrance to this colourful design hostel above a pizza restaurant on busy av des Gobelins. Four- to six-bed dorms and…

  • Hôtel Villa Victoria

    Nice

    Regal is the word for this green-shuttered neo-classical edifice four blocks back from the Promenade des Anglais. Rooms are decorated in mauve, gold and…

  • Maison Garnier

    Biarritz

    This corner townhouse has a super location: walk out the door and you'll be right in the thick of the tapas bars around the covered market. It feels…

  • Hôtel Les 3 Luppars

    Arras

    Occupying the Grand' Place's only non-Flemish-style building (it's Gothic and dates from the 1400s), Les 3 Luppars (derived from 'Leopards') has a private…

  • Grand Hôtel Lille

    Lille

    While this well-priced hotel isn't as grand as its name suggests, it has 34 spotless, modern rooms (superior rooms have kettles and safes), 24-hour…

  • Sophie et Patrick Deloison

    Lille, Flanders & the Somme

    In the heart of St-Valery, this welcoming B&B has two traditional-style rooms decorated with flea-market antiques and knick-knacks from yesteryear. Sophie…

  • Auberge de Jeunesse

    Nîmes

    It’s out in the sticks, 4km northwest of the bus and train stations, but this well-managed hostel has lots in its favour: spacious four- to eight-bed…

  • Hôtel du Château

    Brittany

    Wake up to the aroma of freshly baked bread and, on upper floors (choose room 12, 14 or 15), fantastic vistas of the castle at this family-run hotel at…

  • Hôtel Diamant

    Arras

    This epicentral 12-room hotel has a homey, B&B-like atmosphere. You can see the Petite Place from six of the rooms, all of which are themselves quite…

  • Hôtel du Champ-de-Mars

    St-Germain & Les Invalides

    With the bustling, cafe-laden foodie street of rue Cler just around the corner and the Eiffel Tower a 10-minute walk away, 25-room Hôtel du Champ-de-Mars…

  • Nice Excelsior

    Nice

    This 1892 building is a belle-époque beauty. Inside, the hotel has been entirely refurbished, with the designers finding inspiration in Nice as a popular…

  • Hôtel Le Mistral

    Cannes

    For super-pricey Cannes, this little three-star offers amazing value. The 10 rooms are small but decked out in flattering red and plum tones – Privilege…

  • Hôtel La Jabotte

    Antibes

    Just 150m inland from Plage de la Salis and 2km south of the old town towards Cap d'Antibes, this pretty little hideaway makes a cosy base. Hot pinks,…

  • Hôtel Caron

    Le Marais, Ménilmontant & Belleville

    Footsteps from delightful place du Marché Ste-Catherine, this is a solid midrange hotel with comfortable (if smallish) minibar-equipped rooms. Soft…

  • Aux 500 Diables

    Parc Naturel Régional des Volcans d'Auvergne

    Designed for minimum impact on its fragile environment, the rooms adjoining Aux 500 Diables Restaurant are fresh and contemporary. Some feel economic in…

  • Hôtel Monte Cristo

    Latin Quarter

    If you had just escaped from the Château d'If and picked up a shipload of Italian treasure on the way home, perhaps the Monte Cristo is what your Paris…

  • Vertigo Saint-Charles

    Marseille

    This snappy boutique hostel kisses dodgy bunks and hospital-like decor goodbye. Here it’s ‘hello’ to vintage posters, a designer chrome kitchen,…

  • Domaine de Baulieu

    Toulouse, Gers & Vallée du Tarn

    This haven of peace and tranquillity set in a converted farmhouse is situated in glorious countryside 2.5km east of town. There are 19 immaculate rooms,…

  • Pont-Levis Hotel

    Carcassonne

    This is the area's most welcoming hotel, yet its prices are reasonable for the luxury and amenities it offers. The 12 rooms are smart and snazzy (think…

  • Brit Hôtel Bosquet

    The Pyrenees

    For the money, this is one of the best-value lodging options in the historic centre. Rooms are a mix of cheery yellow sponge-painting and exposed stone…

  • La Villa de la Paix

    Troyes

    This stout red-brick villa has a boutiquey flavour in its individually designed rooms, some with ornamental fireplaces and canopy beds. Family heirlooms,…

  • Hostellerie Provençale

    Uzès

    This old-style hotel is a trip back in time: the nine rooms of varying size are a mix of wonky floors, sloping ceilings, antique dressers and exposed…

  • St Christopher’s Gare du Nord

    Montmartre & Northern Paris

    Steps from Gare du Nord, St Christopher's is a modern backpacker hostel with six light-filled floors and 580 beds. Dorms (including women-only dorms)…

  • Les Minotiers

    The Pyrenees

    This affordable hotel in Mirepoix has clean and simple rooms with big windows, just a short stroll to the village centre. Though the design is fairly…

  • Ferme Ladouceur

    Côte d'Azur

    Have breakfast beneath a fig tree at this lovely chambre d’hôte, housed in a 19th-century bastide (country house). The rustic restaurant (menu including…

  • Camping Chantemerle

    Languedoc-Roussillon

    Riverside pitches, a private 'beach' and an on-site grocery store, restaurant and bar are highlights of this secluded campground 4.5km northeast of Florac…

  • A Gauche du Pont

    Languedoc-Roussillon

    A Gauche du Pont has a light, happy feel; your hosts make guests feel utterly at home in this tastefully restored village house. The garden is full of…

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