Building on the success of our first article about most beautiful 5-star hotels from the hexagon, and as it wasn't possible to list all the luxury hotels in France in a single paper, here is a complementary selection of the most beautiful establishments in the four corners of the country, all visited and appreciated by our Travellers Society editorial team.
Château Voltaire, hotel with character in Paris
In the heart of historic Paris, nestled between the Opera, The Tuileries and the Louvre, this opulent 18th-century building with its ship's prow architecture – and former headquarters of the Zadig and Voltaire house – has transformed into a charming luxury hotel.
Behind the façade of the listed monument, 32 rooms, including a single suite, designed by the Festen agency, are inspired by the Californian Château Marmont, blending vintage charm, rococo elements, and touches that are both noble and cozy.
At the top of this elegant Parisian inn, a green terrace and an orchard resemble an urban oasis.
L'Émil, a glamorous and retro brasserie, shows its character with its authentic vintage furniture and its cheeky menu: in winter, you can enjoy traditional macaroni with lard and truffles, while in the summer, langoustines with fleur de sel are a hit on the order book.
The must-have? Beneath their stone vaults, the basements hide a swimming pool as secret as it is intimate…
La Villa Calvi, one of the most beautiful luxury hotels in Corsica
A jewel of the Pinelli family, this luxury hotel, a Relais & Châteaux and member of the very exclusive Cercle des Grandes Maisons Corses, overlooks the bay and the Citadel of Calvi in the heart of a park of over 3 hectares.
On the program: 48 rooms and suites showcase a streamlined, contemporary decor with understated luxury. Between the brand-new Dermatologica spa, an infinity pool or indoor pool, a very trendy pool bar, vast gardens with Mediterranean vegetation, a tennis court, and breathtaking panoramic views of Monte Grosso, this human-sized residence has nothing to envy from the grandest palaces.
At Table (by La Villa) with Chef Mylo Levin – overseen by Christophe Saintagne – celebrates the products of a generous local terroir.
The must-have? Jeeps available for guests to explore the region's most beautiful coves with peace of mind!
Learn more about Hotel La Villa Calvi
Le Richer de Belleval, Montpellier Patron and Contemporary Luxury
On the Place de la Canourgue – between the cathedral and the botanical garden – this former Montpellier town hall, a 17th-century building made of blond stone, has been transformed into a luxurious five-star hotel under the guidance of the Pourcel brothers and the Helenis group.
In charge of the monumental renovation work are the architects from the Philippe Prost firm, the set designers from L'Atelier de Ricou, and the experienced decorator Christian Collot.
Nestled within the lair of this Relais & Châteaux member, you'll find 20 rooms – including 5 suites – decorated in a cozy, chic, and unpretentious style. Giant paper crepe flowers by a designer complement the soft or pop colors of the paintings, all beneath the original moldings.
A gastronomic hotspot, Jardin des Sens, already Michelin-starred by the multi-award-winning chefs Jacques and Laurent Pourcel, offers a Mediterranean stroll and sets the bar very high. On the menu, seafood, red tuna, sea bass, mackerel, sun-ripened vegetables, anchovies, and scallops take center stage over local meats and poultry.
Plump and in its original state, the dining room reveals a quattrocento vault adorned with gilding and dressed in a mix and match of antique and contemporary furniture.
The must-have? The establishment houses the GGL Helenis Foundation and permanent artworks, such as the ceiling of its Grand Staircase by Marlène Mocquet, making it a true museum!
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Cheval Blanc Paris, a contemporary and exclusive palace in the heart of Paris
For the first ultra-luxury hotel in its urban collection, LVMH has set its sights on the former Samaritaine. Transformed into a sophisticated and spectacular destination, the house is thinking big!
Within the walls of this new Parisian exclusive hotel, 72 keys open onto spacious rooms and suites (no less than 45 square meters) with a chic and refined decor imagined by world-renowned architect Peter Marino. On the agenda: marble bathrooms opening onto the rooms and panoramic views of the Seine and the Pont Neuf...
Awarded three Michelin stars and already ranked among the Best restaurants in Paris, the Plénitude table from multi-starred chef Arnaud Donckele is already considered a monument of French cuisine. On the sweet side, chef Maxime Frédéric has taken charge of the pastry since his notable stint at George V.
To round out the food and lifestyle offering, the establishment features – in addition to its gourmet restaurant on the 1st floor – three other restaurants:
The ground floor bar, which functions as both a bakery and a cocktail bar, Le Tout Paris on the 7th floor with its hanging gardens and breathtaking views, as well as Langosteria, a trendy and very popular Italian restaurant.
The must-have? The Dior spa, which positions Cheval Blanc as one of the most exceptional. Paris spa hotels 30-meter indoor swimming pool with Michael Mayer mosaics, a virtual fresco by Oyoram, and a Rossano Ferretti hair salon.
Learn more about Cheval Blanc Paris
Villa René Lalique: Luxury, Art, and Gastronomy Honored
In the heart of the Vosges Regional Natural Park, in the traditional Alsatian hamlet of
Wingen-sur-Moder, La Villa René Lalique nestled between the valleys and in the footsteps of the great glass masters of the last century.
Five-star boutique hotel Luxurious since 2015, the building nonetheless blew out its centennial candle in 2020! Even today, it is still marked by the influence of its illustrious former owner, René Lalique, one of the greatest artists of the Art Deco movement.
Beneath the timber framing of the original facade, the sharp interior design is signed by Lady Tina Green and Pietro Mingarelli. On the agenda for the 6 personalized, exclusive, and opulent suites: tailor-made furniture, a unique collection of linens, and exceptional accessories in the form of crystal artworks.
Faithful to its Rhineland roots, marked by elegant locavorism, and boasting one of Europe's finest wine cellars, the cuisine of Chef Paul Stradner, twice Michelin-starred, brilliantly succeeds that of his mentor Jean-Georges Klein.
The must-see: the René Lalique Museum, designed by architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte, which opened its doors in 2011 and is an absolute must!
Le Royal Evian, historic luxury hotel with a view of Lake Geneva
Awarded the title of the most beautiful hotel in the world at the beginning of the 20th century, The Royal Evian Its monarchical surname owes to the King of England Edward VII.
Dominating Évian-les-Bains, this establishment bearing the Evian Resort (Danone group) label and classified as a palace enjoys a clear view of Lake Geneva.
Within the Belle Époque walls of this imposing, history-rich building, 150 keys open onto rooms and suites with breathtaking panoramas, tastefully decorated. Inside, among paintings signed by Gustave Jaulmes, guests come to recharge at the Evian Source Spa and enjoy the legendary (and centenarian!) Evian Resort Golf Club, where each autumn one of Europe's biggest golf events is held: The Evian Championship.
The must-have: the Kid's Resort nestled in the middle of the park, which with its numerous activities for all ages is the best friend of successful family stays!
Lily of the Valley, a Southern luxury hotel dedicated to relaxation
Nestled between pine groves and the beach in La Croix Valmer, this brand-new five-star hotel overlooking the Mediterranean opened its doors in the summer of 2019. Beneath the umbrella pines, the property with its green roof and eco-responsible ethos (a member of the Leading Hotels of the World) is none other than the work of Philippe Starck.
Nestled in the heart of the garrigue, with respect for local biodiversity and natural landscapes, you'll find 38 rooms and 6 suites offering exceptional sea views. Inside, noble and organic materials are juxtaposed with collections of eclectic objects, bearing the signature of a renowned architect and lending the place a warm, timeless atmosphere of travel.
If one stops here for the beauty of the Provençal residence, the place is also dedicated to clients seeking well-being and wishing to regain their fitness. On the menu, refined and healthy locavore cuisine, but above all a Shape Club of over 2000 square meters applying the method of nutritionist Jacques Fricker.
A must-have: the magnificent 25-meter-long swimming pool and its terrace, offering panoramic views of the sea and the Golden Islands...
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Jiva Hill, a nature resort at the foot of the Jura Mountains
Located in the Ain region, just a stone's throw from the beautiful Geneva, this luxury hotel with its modern, well-designed architecture is nestled at the foot of the Jura mountains, in a preserved natural environment and on 50 hectares of parkland.
Imagined by architect Cristina Gherardi Benardeau, this Relais & Châteaux member offers 50 spacious rooms and suites to discover, with chic and accomplished decor that is not ostentatious. Between fireplaces at the foot of the bed, XXL terraces, private gardens, and works of art with contemporary lines, some cozy nests with panoramic views of the landscape reveal hotel rooms with private outdoor jacuzzis.
Epicurean delights at this nature hotel, an Italian restaurant and a gastronomic table led by Chef Jean-François Vasseur, in sync with local harvests.
On the wellness side, a spa branded by the cosmetics company Sothys with an indoor pool – 17 meters long – and an outdoor pool with a solarium.
A must-have? A golfer's haven, the establishment boasts a 9-hole course with 18 tee boxes, set against a backdrop of mountains and lush, tree-lined meadows.
Airelles Courchevel, one of the most beautiful mountain hotels in the world
Counting among the most exclusive alpine hotels on the planet, this Luxury hotel in the mountains With the appearance of an Austro-Hungarian castle – architectural style of the 19th century – it stands out as the must-see in Courchevel, a legendary ski resort.
This palace, classified as a pioneer of its kind since 2011, where one likes to imagine Empress Sisi, reveals the folkloric charms of Tyrol skillfully blended with the very best of luxury, like a fairy tale: staff dressed in traditional costumes, shimmering fabrics and marquetry, bathrooms adorned with mosaics, and generous dimensions for the approximately 32 rooms and 16 suites in the main house.
In addition to direct access to the slopes, the establishment has plenty to charm even the most discerning guests with such choice assets as its La Mer spa with a large indoor pool, its private ice rink, its high-tech cinema room, or its game rooms for kids and teens. When it comes time to eat, there are no fewer than 3 restaurants, two of which are gourmet, now under the direction of Italian chef Marco Garfagnini, succeeding Pierre Gagnaire.
The must-have? For the luckiest, the opportunity to rent a private apartment with 4 suites, a private indoor spa, and a panoramic terrace, or even better, a 10,000-square-foot chalet with 10 bedrooms, a cinema room, and an indoor pool, along with a team of 10 people for ultra-personalized bespoke service.
Learn more about Les Airelles Courchevel
Airelles Le Grand Contrôle, historical immersion at the Palace of Versailles
An unprecedented, exclusive, and intimate hotel experience, this new gem from the Airelles group reveals itself as the ideal alternative for a journey back in time. On the agenda: the splendor of daily life at the court of the Sun King combined with the best of modern comfort.
After 6 years of work and 55 million euros invested, the building constructed under the patronage of Jules Hardouin-Mansart – Louis XIV's favorite architect – which was once the residence of the Controller-General, and then occupied by the army for a time, has been transformed into an unusual luxury hotel with 14 keys opening onto increasingly grandiose decors!
Amidst flamboyant wood floors, four-poster beds, precious fabrics, thick Polish-style mattresses, works of art, very rare paintings, and abundant gilding, Chef Alain Ducasse naturally – and gastronomically – complements this extraordinary offering, at the height of excellence.
The must-have? We're hesitating between renting one of the electric boats touring the Grand Canal or visiting, without a soul in sight, the Trianon Estate and the Hall of Mirrors in complete privacy! For relaxation, the Valmont spa and the 15-meter long swimming pool also prove to be good options...
More info about Airelles The Grand Control
