France is known as a place of total luxury, and everyone knows luxury best complements luxury. That’s why a 5 star hotel in any of France’s myriad world-class cities and regions is the best option. In Paris, revel in iconic sights and unabridged opulence. On the French Riviera and the French Atlantic Coast, get a taste of what a beach vacation can be. In Provence, indulge yourself in the natural and culinary feats of the region, and in the dreamy French Alps, find time for yourself, on a holiday that’s all about you and the land.
Where to stay at a 5 star hotel in France? Important locations at a glance:
Paris: Opulence in the City of Light
© Le Narcisse Blanc The best way to experience a city so obsessed with indulgence is at a 5 star hotel. This way, you can soak up all the old-world glamor of Paris while just a stone’s throw from some of the world’s most famous monuments and destinations. Plan a getaway-for-two right on the iconic shopping street, Champs Elysées, or take some time for wellness in the City of Light at a 5 star, spa hotel with a view of the Seine. France’s capital is one of the most visited cities in the world; it’s easy to see why as you slip effortlessly into the French art de vivre. This means: eating well and often, drinking well and often, and generally taking life as it comes. Spend days hopping between some of Europe’s best museums, including the widely-famous and for-good-reason Centre Pompidou and Louvre. The Eiffel Tower, perhaps the most recognizable structure in the world, is even more majestic and imposing when it’s in front of you, and the culture of haute-couture shopping lives up to its name—cutting-edge, expensive, and plenty of it.
French Riviera: Coastal glamor
© Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel & Spa The Côte d’Azur, or the French Riviera, is another destination known for its flagrant opulence. From the sun-drenched beaches of Nice, to the glitzy film city of Cannes, to the star-studded crowds of Saint-Tropez, a 5 star hotel ensures you’ll get the most out of your stay among the world’s elite. With a private beach, breakfast on the sunny terrace, and views off into the blue-green waters of the Mediterranean. Nice has been a holiday hotspot for years thanks to its perfect climate, its artist-friendly cityscape, and its magical Promenade des Anglais, overrun with beaches and even parades during the Nice Carnival in February. The resort town of Cannes has been made world famous for its annual, international film festival. During the other 11 and a half months, the mile-long seaside promenade is filled with shopping, eating, and drinking opportunity, in addition to plenty of places to lounge and watch how the other half lives. A 5 star hotel will have you feeling right at home among the city’s superstar cast, in all the private beaches and poolside bliss. If you’re planning a honeymoon, the resorts lining the rest of the coast, including those in Saint-Tropez, should be high on your list. The Red Cliffs of the French Riviera are where you go to lose yourself in a romantic fantasy, surrounded by nothing but pure, uninterrupted beachy beauty.
French Atlantic Coast: Perfect beach holiday
The French Atlantic Coast, or the Silver Coast, is primed for a classic beach holiday. At a 5 star hotel which successfully fuses the timeless architecture of the early 20th century with today’s standards of luxurious living, take in views of the wild Atlantic from your personal balcony. This dreamy coastline is the pick for those seeking a quiet and rejuvenating holiday filled with amazing cuisine and treks through vine-striped countryside. Bordeaux is the region’s laidback, wine- and shopping-fueled metropolis. Home to the world’s largest urban UNESCO World Heritage Site, which encompasses half the city, Bordeaux’s 18th-century architecture and old-money spirit is breathtaking in its elegance. Surrounded on all sides by vineyards and passed through by the River Garonne, food, drink, and pleasant sights take precedence here. Just south near the border of Spain, the resort town of Biarritz is known for its legendary surf scene. The pristine beaches, sprawling golf courses, and spa centers promise an ideal holiday for those who crave classic recreation. Further up the coast, find romantic, historic establishments right on the beach. In the region of Brittany, expect fairytale coastlines composed of rocky drama dotted with old fortresses and lighthouses. Brittany’s cuisine is fresh and local, and its inland is covered with lush forests fit for exploring.
Provence: Wining and dining
© Baumanière - Les Baux de Provence Provence is known worldwide and centuries-long for its idyllic landscapes of lavender and sunflower fields, olive groves, and lush vineyards spanning as far as the eye can see. Extending from the border of Italy north to the Hautes-Alpes, along the French Riviera past Marseille, this particularly beautiful chunk of the world is dynamic in landscapes yet consistent in its laidback ambiance. An iteration of the utter splendor of the region can be seen at the 14th-century Pope’s Palace in Avignon, one of the world’s largest gothic structures. 5 star hotels in Avignon and its environs provide total luxury and close proximity to Provence’s natural and architectural wonders. Avignon is a medieval town offering historic buildings spanning back to the 12th century, exclusive art galleries, and all the time in the world to luxuriate within picturesque cityscapes. Make sure to schedule pit stops for a glass of that famous Provence rosé while in the city. The villages making up the rest of Provence are walled in by beautiful rock formations and host magnificent 5 star hotels where the sun-bed by the pool starts to feel like home after a couple days. In the Hautes-Alpes, revel in the holiday spirit in the company of out-of-this-world scenery and chefs serving up the finest regional cuisine, like ratatouille and fine tapenade.
The French Alps and Alsace-Lorraine: Rooms with a view
© Hotel Koh-I Nor Val Thorens Just north of the Hautes-Alpes region, discover the peerless beauty and grandeur of the French Alps in the region of Rhone-Alpes. A destination if only for the sights, days here are wasted in your room-with-a-view, on slow hikes around sleepy villages, or with sunset cocktails in the hotel’s stylish lounge. On the flip side, there’s also plenty of opportunity for skiing and yoga or active-based holidays. Some 5 star hotels are situated so as to afford direct access to nearby ski areas as well as views over the dramatic slopes. After a morning putzing around in the snow, settle in for ultimate luxury in spa centers with floor-to-ceiling windows filled with the immensity that is Mont Blanc. Pop west for a stint in the über romantic city of Lyon. Feel the 2,000 years of history as you traverse the renaissance old town and Roman ruins. The 5 star hotels that dot the beautiful streets of the city are some of the most elegant city hotels one can conjure up. Finally, if you’re looking for a dream, head to where France, Germany, and Switzerland meet in Alsace-Lorraine. A one-of-a-kind region with regards to language, cuisine, and culture, the otherworldly landscapes are just the tip of the iceberg in Alsace. In beautiful Strasbourg, witness the historical underpinnings of the city and the legacy that they have left, before switching modes with a dip in one of the marvelous mountain lakes that make up the surrounding landscapes.
The France holiday destination at a glance:
Our Favorite Hotels in France
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