France

France - the many cliches are so familiar: the romance of Paris, the peaceful rural beauty of Provence, the bounty of the table, the glamour of its coastline. But that doesn't even touch on the art, or architecture, or châteaux, or history, or the country's landscape. Which are all reasons to visit in their own right.

France is also known for a rather arbitrary hotel rating system, so our Gurus are here to help you find the best places to stay in France, whatever the reasons behind your visit.

Top Spots

Just like the song says, Paris is beautiful whatever the weather. The architecture is graceful, the art impressive, whilst the grand boulevards and cafe culture are atmospheric and romantic. Notre Dame, the Eiffel Tower and the Champs Elysee are exciting to see but the real charm and memorable delights of a stay in Paris are usually in the detail. The people of Paris are every bit as diverting as the grand architecture, whether they are in charming, shruggy, flirtatious, dismissive or in garrulous mode.

Many visitors to France are looking for châteaux and grape vines and the Loire Valley, just an hour from Paris, is one of the best places to find both. It can feel like each château you visit demonstrates an increase in extravagance and opulence - the gardens are ordered and majestic and the rows of vines create a neatness to the landscape which you can imagine The Sun King approving. The Loire is also famed for is its produce. Wines, game, cheese and other delicacies fit for a king will grace your palate when you visit this region.

Champagne is an obvious one for wine buffs, whilst the lush Dordogne with its dramatic river valleys and impressive ancient cave art is also a great region for wine, food and impressive chateaux. Then there's Burgundy, another mouth-watering option for foodies and wine-buffs. Rich food and a very rich history; for centuries Burgundy remained independent from the rest of France, ruled by powerful Dukes. This rich heritage can be seen all over the area from the ruins of Cluny monastery to the numerous châteaux dotting the countryside. Then there is the wild wilderness of the Morvan National Park.

If you are looking for the pleasures of rural France, Provence entices with mesmerising straight, fat rows of lavender and picturesque medieval hilltop villages promising long, drowsy lunches with plenty of wine. And, of course, plenty of sunshine. Edged by the spectacular and glamorous blue of the Côte d'Azur, Provence's own shades of green and terracotta have played muse for many artists who have been beguiled by the light, which Matisse described as 'soft and tender, despite its brilliance'. The artists legacy remains, distributed through the region's excellent museums.

Brittany and Normandy are also good options for a seaside break with a bit of flair and hs plenty on offer for foodies.

France also offers great ski slopes in Les Trois Vallées, Chamonix and Val Thorens. Superb skeing is on offer in the winter time.

If you know which part of France you'll be exploring skip through to our French Destination Guides:

• The Best Places to Stay in Paris
• The Best Places to Stay in Provence
• The Best Places to Stay in the Loire Valley
• The Best Places to Stay in Champagne
• The Best Places to Stay on the Côte d'Azur
• The Best Places to Stay in Burgundy
• The Best Places to Stay in the Dordogne

What Not To Miss

• The Eiffel Tower is an absolute must visit if you are in Paris. Originally intended to be temporary, this iconic structure dominates the cityscape and offers marvellous views from the top. Itis surrounded by lovely gardens in which to wander around afterwards.
• The stunning Chateau de Chenonceau, located in the Loire Valley, is a wondrous spot. Rising majestically out of the water, you can head around this architectural beauty with a guide to learn all about its rich history.
• The Chateau de Versailles is a similarly impressive structure, surrounded by beautiful gardens and brimming with opulence. A trip you'll never forget!
• The Puy de Fou theme park in Les Epesses is magnificent family-friendly spot that will transport you back in time to another era. Built in the style of a medieval town, it puts on a number of historical re-enactments and exhibitions that the kids will absolutely love.

Given its immense popularity, be sure to book ahead if you want to guarantee yourself a room in one of the best places to stay in France.

Parisian City Break

• Hotel d'Aubusson has been attracting the literati and glitterati to this Seine-adjacent townhouse since the 17th Century. Arranged around a large courtyard, you can expect exposed beams, huge double doors and grand proportions.
• The Hotel Duc de Saint-Simon in St. Germain is plush, romantic, traditional, elegant and intimate - think overstuffed furniture and cleverly conceived paint effects, TVs only on request and room service instead of a mini-bar.
• Hotel San Régis, with its neoclassical facade, wondrously decorative wallpaper and elegant, country house feel is just off the Champs Elysees in the heart of haute couture.
• Converted from the elegant 19th Century mansion built for the Marquis de Sers, the Hotel de Sers is a prime example of traditional elegance blending with cutting edge design. Located by the Champs Elysees and Arc de Triomphe, the hotel bar, S'Bar, is a cocktail hour magnet for locals in the know.
• It's a rarity to find such a good value hotel in such a superb location, but Hotel Thérèse is just five minutes walk from the Louvre. This chic property oozes eclectic style; the only downside being that some of the standard rooms are a little on the small side.

For a Châteaux

• If you wish to feel like royalty one of the best places to stay in the Loire Valley is Château de la Barre. The decor is sumptuous beyond opulent, collected over the last 600 years by the family who are still the current owners. Twice a week they host a formal Grand Siecle dinner for their guests. This is also a great destination if you're interested in the history of the place.
• The Château de Gixeux has one of the grandest approaches you can imagine, but there's more to this château than acres of beautiful parkland - there's loads to do! With only five suites and one villa, it is also incredibly intimate.
• Provence isn't an obvious choice for châteaux, but Château de Massillan is worth recommending. A beautifully renovated small château with turret bedrooms and elegant interiors. Surrounded by parklands with a lovely lake, it also has an excellent restaurant.
• For the complete château experience book a room in the Dordogne's Château les Merles. A luxurious fairytale château in its own right, it is also surrounded by golf courses, vineyards and forests. In addition to 18 rooms it has two separate villas.

Once in a Lifetime

• Authentic Parisian charm, L' Hôtel was once Oscar Wilde's bolthole in Paris. Louche and decadent in the 60s and 70s, L'Hotel has been flamboyantly re-imagined by Jacques Garcia the opulence has been gloriously restored. Think jewel-box rooms and themed suites (if you can bear the tristesse you can sleep in the room in which Oscar Wilde expired beyond his means) and a candlelit plunge pool.
• The Marquis de la Fayette once lived in the building the Marquis Faubourg St Honore now occupies just a short walk from the Louvre, Notre Dame and the Opera House. The refurbishment is elegant and chic with plenty of museum-grade originals.
• So Parisian-cool the website is borderline unhelpful, Hôtel Costes has done everything to excess but somehow the lavish haute-bordello style works, the A-listers love it. Pool, gym, hammam and spa, fine dining, a very lively bar - all achingly hip.
• With just four exceptionally glamorous rooms, Cap Estel is an exquisite mansion on a cliff top peninsula overlooking a stunning Côte d'Azur bay. There is a private beach, spa, gorgeous infinity pool and gourmet restaurant. True luxury 'A-list'.

For Foodies and Wine Buffs

• The family-run Les Florêts at the foot of the Dentelles de Montmirail is set in the heart of the owners' own vineyards. The Gigondas wine they produce is available in the restaurant where many of the dishes on offer complement it beautifully. Homely furnishings with a delightful terrace for eating outside and excellent French service.
• Hostellerie Berard et Spa is a lovely hilltop hotel with an excellent spa, great wine cellar and a Michelin-starred restaurant in a charming Provençal village with beautiful views over the surrounding valleys.
• Also in Provence, Château de Berne is perfect if you want to eat well, but also learn something about what you're eating. Surrounded by 1,500 acres of private vineyards, they offer wine tastings and cookery classes.
• L'Artemise is a heavenly gastronomic restaurant with rooms on a hillside just outside Uzes, with lovely views and garden. The 'surprise' menu changes daily.
• Just out of the famous wine village of Vouvray, Domaine des Bidaudieres is a great choice if you want to be right amongst the vines. This beautiful 15th century estate has B&B style accommodation, with five rooms, two suites and two villas - one self-catering. And of course they run tastings.
• Also set amongst vineyards, Château de Marcay is ideal for people who want to spend some time 'at home'. Everything you need for a relaxing day can be found here, from cooking classes to wine tastings, to grand gardens and a lovely pool. The restaurant is excellent and the wine list impressive.
• Château d'Igé in Burgundy is wonderfully atmospheric. There are stone-flagged floors, winding staircases, fairytale turrets, huge hearths, a beamed dining room and a well-established, impeccably maintained garden. Food is delicious and distinctly Burgundian in flavour.

For Sunshine in Style

• Sumptuous and luxurious the Hotel Residence de la Pinède, on the Côte d'Azur, is one of the few hotels in the South of France with access to a good beach. As well as beach terraces and elegant suites this hotel has a restaurant with two Michelin stars.
• The Château du Domaine St-Martin is a grand affair in the hills above the Côte d'Azur with classically sumptuous rooms, beautiful suites, private villas, exceptional gardens and two Michelin stars.
• The Château De La Messardiere is too cool even for St-Tropez, instead it peers down from a hilltop overlooking the bay. This is a glitzy and secluded place to relax in where you will feel truly pampered.
• Cannes' Le Cavendish's Belle Epoque façade and open bar in the evenings harks back to a more glamorous era of bright young stars and glamour. The small size, located just a few steps from La Croisette and private beach make this a popular spot, so book ahead.
• Le Ferme d'Augustin is a charmingly converted farmhouse hotel in a beautiful area, only five minutes from St-Tropez's port and surrounded by lemon trees and olive groves.
• Les Rosées, in the hills above Cannes, is a romantic, elegant, five room guest house which serves fantastic home-cooked food.  Michelin-starred restaurants are just a short walk away. Surrounded by lush gardens, this is a peaceful, sunny retreat.

For a Rural Idyl

• The Hotel Crillon le Brave, in the village of the same name, is a particular favourite with tile-floored rooms decorated in cool blues and neutrals which are absolutely perfect for the area and architecture. The accommodation is spread amongst a cluster of old pink stone buildings, linked by atmospheric cobbled alleys and enjoys wonderful views of Mont Ventoux.
• Domaine de la Baume is a picture perfect country house in the hills of Provence, surrounded by vineyards, beehives and olive groves. There are eight Toile du Joy styled bedrooms and suites and the restaurant and wine cellar are known throughout the region.
• Relais de la Mothe, in a small, quaint, Loire village is period-featured charming. It's has an excellent restaurant and the small village has a Michelin-starred restaurant.
• Le Jeu de Paume offers an alpine idyl with a traditional, alpine lodge feel, woody decor, lots of big open fires and generous leather armchairs. This hotel also has its own mini après-ski scene and a restaurant with a reputation for being one of the best in the Chamonix valley.
• For beautiful Dordogne river valley views you can't beat Le Moulin de L'Abbaye. This old mill has 19 charming bedrooms as well as two excellent restaurants.

For Families

• In the heart of the Marais, Paris, Le Petit Moulin has been converted from the oldest boulangerie in the city - this is where Victor Hugo probably bought his baguettes. Cool in itself, what gets this 17-room hotel on the list is that while the facade is original, the interior has been redone by design royalty - Christian Lacroix.
• If you are bringing the family to Provence, La Maison du Paradou is perfect! A stunning sandstone B&B set in beautiful grounds with a separate cottage sleeping six. The rooms are glorious, there are two pools and within walking distance of an excellent little bistro.
• Château Talaud is a château turned B&B which features five stylish rooms decorated with antiques. There are two apartments and a separate self-catering cottage. This is a great spot for visiting both Orange and Avignon.
• Epi Plage on Pampelonne Beach is a collection of ten wooden chalets all surrounding a central pool. Great for families. It is only a short drive to the action of St-Tropez.
• The Hôtel Le Hameau is a Provencal farm house conversion beside the road to St. Paul de Vence. With views over a green valley and a simple elegance to its rooms, this is peaceful and comfortable.

For An Apartment Or Villa

If you'd prefer the privacy of a self-catering option then browse through the wide variety available online with our partner Booking.com.

Travel Information

• The best time to visit France entirely depends on what you're there to do. The ski season generally runs from late November to early April, whilst it's nicest weather-wise in the summer months (though this is when it's busiest and most expensive).
• The main airports for international visitors to fly into are: Paris Charles de Gaulle, Marseille Provence Airport and Nice Airport. There are however smaller airports in Lyon, Geneva, Bordeaux, Avignon, Toulouse, Grenoble and Montpellier, among others.
• These airports are all well served by public transport links to the surrounding areas.
• France is also well connected by rail links with both the high speed TGV and the normal SNCF trains.
• For car hire prices, we recommend you visit our online partner Rentalcars.

Still not sure?

• Browse though our list of all the best places to stay in France.
• Widen the net to search through our recommendations of the best places to stay in Spain or Italy.
• Or feel free to contact one of our friendly Gurus for advice.