When you're in love, any excuse is a good one to treat yourself to a weekend with your sweetheart—especially since France has so many wonderful places to enjoy a romantic getaway. Let yourself be charmed by the editorial team’s favorite hotels. From luxurious hidden gems to intimate, trendy, or gourmet spots—perfect for a peaceful getaway.
Baumanière: Fine Dining in a Legendary Setting
An elegant and cozy retreat set against a breathtaking backdrop of limestone rocks rising like totems, just below the village of Les Baux-de-Provence. Baumanière, a long-standing member of Relais & Châteaux, has been captivating the world’s elite for decades. It’s hard not to fall for this legendary 5-star hotel, passionately run by Geneviève and Jean-André Charial. Spread across five buildings dotted throughout the 20-hectare grounds, the 54 rooms and suites blend authenticity and tradition, featuring designer furniture, antiques sourced from L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, and paintings from the family collection. Let yourself be pampered at the lovely spa during a Sisley phyto-aromatic treatment for two. Then take a seat at L’Oustau, which celebrates French gastronomic excellence with its third Michelin star, regained this spring. Young chef Glenn Viel, with his creative cuisine, showcases local ingredients, particularly vegetables from the adjacent garden. Pure bliss, enhanced by the Provençal sunlight.
Book at -10% through Travellers Society and its partner, Yonder.
La Côte Saint-Jacques: Combining the Art of Living with Fine Dining
What could be more romantic than a relaxing moment in a private hot tub on the terrace of your suite overlooking the Yonne River? An experience to be enjoyed at La Côte Saint-Jacques, a luxurious estate where the Lorain family has been carrying on a tradition of love for fine dining and the art of living since 1945. Located in the wine-growing town of Joigny, this haven of tranquility—a member of Relais & Châteaux—features 22 rooms and suites with fireplaces and exposed beams, fabric-draped walls, designer lighting, and color schemes ranging from chocolate and light brown to purple and plum. After the ritual of tea time in the summer garden and a few laps in the indoor pool, guests can savor Jean-Michel’s generous cuisine. The two-Michelin-starred chef blends colorful, creative dishes with classic family recipes, all paired with a fine Bouguignon vintage. If you weren’t able to book the suite with a jacuzzi, treat yourself to a spa treatment in the VIP duo room, which features a Japanese-style bathtub.
Book at -25% through Travellers Society and its partner, Yonder.
Villa La Coste, a luxury hotel at the heart of contemporary art
The most exclusive destination in the Aix region for lovers of high-end hospitality and fine dining in a setting featuring contemporary art. Located in the town of Puy-Sainte-Réparade, the five-star Villa La Coste—designated a “palace”—embodies all the charms of a romantic retreat. Topped with green roofs, the 28 villas—10 of which feature private pools—boast sleek, minimalist lines. A temple of design and luxury, adorned with family photos and art books, created for a select few by Irish millionaire Patrick McKillen. The dining room—a glass cube bordered by a reflecting pool—is the perfect setting to savor healthy cuisine, mostly locally sourced and organic, paired with wines from the estate. At the ultra-stylish spa, where signature treatments induce a state of total serenity, guests can book a duo treatment room with a private garden. After strolling through the art-filled grounds, which showcase monumental sculptures, guests can relax by the pool with a view of the Luberon.
With Travellers Society, €250 worth of spa treatments are offered at Villa La Coste!
Prieuré Baumanière: an enchanting, chic, and discreet setting
Want to blend the present and the past in a refined, rustic setting? Head to the Prieuré Baumanière, a 14th-century convent renovated by Jean-André and Geneviève Charial, owners of the legendary Hôtel des Baux. Located in Villeneuve-les-Avignon, this 5-star Relais & Châteaux property is a romantic retreat nestled in a garden of century-old plane and linden trees. Spread across three buildings (the Priory, the Chapter House, and the Atrium overlooking the pool), the 38 rooms and suites exude a soft, cozy ambiance in shades of gray and opal. Contemporary furniture blends with vintage pieces, accented here and there with photos of the Avignon Festival and portraits of Jean Vilar and Gérard Philipe. A stroll through the priest’s garden, a relaxing break in the wellness area: the atmosphere and spirit of the place invite you to unwind and find serenity. A romantic dinner for two—under the wisteria, weather permitting—featuring inspired dishes concocted by Michelin-starred chef Marc Fontanne will make this weekend truly special.
Book at -25% through Travellers Society and its partner, Yonder.
Epinay Castle: Experience the Golden Age of Romanticism
For couples who want to feel like lords and ladies of the manor, the 15th- and 18th-century Château de l’Epinay, nestled in Saint-Georges-sur-Loire in the Anjou countryside, offers an intimate, timeless retreat. Restored by the Montuoro family, this charming hotel—affiliated with the Hôtels et Préférence brand—offers cozy luxury. In its 21 rooms, the decor evokes the Romantic era: antique furniture, shimmering fabrics, Persian rugs, and stone fireplaces. Instead of the reading and music lounges, couples prefer the spa’s couples’ treatment room for a Cinq Mondes ritual. And if the natural pool is a bit chilly for the season, they opt for a walk or bike ride through the 17-hectare park or a short canoe trip on a former branch of the Loire River, before sitting down to a meal at the restaurant L’Orangerie. There, Chef Gregorio Sepe prepares delicious Franco-Italian cuisine that showcases fruits and vegetables from the permaculture-based vegetable garden.
Heart of Megève, a design hotel in a temple of tradition
A weekend at a ski resort can also be romantic—as long as you choose the right place. For example, the new Cœur de Megève, part of the Steller Hotels group, is located on the pedestrian street of this beautiful village in Haute-Savoie, nestled among chic boutiques and art galleries, just 150 meters from the gondola lifts. Sybille de Margerie has transformed this iconic establishment into a 4-star designer boutique hotel. The 39 rooms and suites, adorned with linen and walnut and brightened by woolen cushions and tweed ottomans, combine subtle luxury with cozy comfort. After a hot chocolate by the fireplace, head to the spa. In the couples’ treatment room, the treatment Back to the slopes, performed using natural 100% products by Tata Harper, a pioneer in green cosmetics, soothes tired muscles. Other must-dos: try one of mixologist Thomas Bencze’s cocktails at Le Meige bar, before sampling Vincenzo Regine’s cuisine at La Muse restaurant, which blends local ingredients with Italian influences.
Couvent des Minimes, an elegant haven of epicurean peace
Do you dream of a getaway in the Luberon, far from the bustling atmosphere of the Golden Triangle? Choose the Couvent des Minimes, tucked away in the northeastern part of the natural park. In Mane, just outside Forcaquier, this Relais & Châteaux property embodies the peaceful spirit of Provence, a guardian of a centuries-old way of life. Overlooked by terraced gardens, the austere medieval building—whose bell tower is reflected in a water lily pond—retains its authenticity. The renovation work has respected the site’s history. But the hosts, Valérie and Fabien Piacentino, have added contemporary touches: a cloister crowned with a superb wooden roof structure, and new guest rooms that embrace modern design principles. In the kitchen, new chef Gatien Demczyna creates gourmet cuisine that tantalizes the senses at both the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Cloître and the bistro Le Pasquier. To round out this epicurean escape, the L’Occitane Spa offers exclusive treatments scented with lavender, verbena, and honey.
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Tiara Yaktsa, a heavenly getaway right on the water
Couples who fall in love with the 180-degree views° On the Mediterranean coast, no one can resist the Tiara Yaktsa, nestled in Théoule-sur-Mer between the purple cliffs of the Estérel Mountains and the crystal-clear waters of the Mediterranean. A gentle retreat tinged with exotic charm, away from the crowds of Cannes, this Relais & Châteaux property offers a breathtaking view of the Mediterranean. In its 21 guest rooms, as well as in the common areas, this 1920s Provençal mansion features a Moorish style with Moroccan light fixtures and mashrabiya screens, which blend beautifully with Italian earthenware and Provençal terracotta tiles. Relax on the canopy daybeds in the terraced garden, enjoy treatments at the Sothys spa—which feels like a cozy boudoir—sip an aperitif on the terrace at sunset, and delight your taste buds at L’Or Bleu, where Chef Alain Montigny puts a fresh spin on regional ingredients: everything comes together to create a little slice of paradise.
Book at -15% through Travellers Society and its partner, Yonder.
Royal Champagne: An Immersion in the Heart of the Champagne Vineyards
Le Royal Champagne: a name that promises a romantic getaway. In Champillon, in the heart of the vineyards, this iconic Relais & Châteaux property from the 1970s has been reimagined by architect Giovanni Pace. Adjacent to the former coaching inn (where the kings of France stopped on their way to their coronations and, later, Napoleon), a stone monolith shaped like an amphitheater overlooks the prestigious vineyards. Inside, space and light are the hallmarks. The interior design, by Sybille de Margerie, emphasizes sleek elegance and modern design, particularly in the 49 rooms and suites, which combine light oak, stone, and soft tones. In addition to two swimming pools nestled among the vines, the spa offers customized treatments for couples. Here, champagne is enjoyed at every moment: in the room, in the lounge, on the terrace, in the lounge Fine Bubbles dedicated to wine tasting, and to the gourmet restaurant Le Royal. While waiting for the three- or five-course menu created by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Denis Rieubland, guests can peruse excerpts from imperial love letters displayed on the serving plates.
Le Relais Bernard Loiseau,
You’re looking to enjoy a romantic meal at a legendary Burgundian table. In Saulieu, the Relais Bernard Loiseau—an authentic Relais & Châteaux property, masterfully run by Dominique, the wife of the chef who passed away in 2003—can fulfill your expectations. A billiards room, an old-fashioned oak staircase, spacious rooms in warm wood tones, antique furniture, and Burgundy stone all contribute to the refined atmosphere of this estate. In the kitchen, two-Michelin-starred chef Patrick Bertron draws his inspiration from the regional terroir. Dinner is served in the dining room opening onto the garden or in the Alexandre Dumaine Room, featuring painted paneling and arabesque ceiling designs, which was listed as a historic site in 1904. A wine bar offering 40 wines by the glass allows guests to sample several grand crus. In a newer wing, the Villa Loiseau des Sens, the luxury spa features a double treatment room with a view of the Auxois hills. Here, guests can enjoy an exclusive signature treatment made with Burgundy blackcurrants.
