Best Boutique Hotels in France

Get a taste of Italy, right in the heart of France. This villa’s building design echoes the Renaissance style found peppered through the Old Town. Inside there’s a mix of modern and period furnishings with 18th-century frescoes, large french windows, and 32 rooms. Outside, there’s a sleek pool and large jacuzzi with loungers (from here you can take in the surrounding panorama, from the hillside vantage point). Part of the Relais and Chateaux portfolio, the residence is refined and elegant, committed to fine food that’s crafted using the freshest produce. Les Terrasses de Lyon has a Michelin star, along with some of the best views in town.

With just four private luxury chalets to choose from, guests at Hotel Village La Mourra can be sure that they will be treated to an intimate atmosphere and a personalised service. Indulging in treatments in the My Blend by Clarins is the perfect way to unwind after spending the day on the slopes, while guests are also treated to a sauna and steam room to unwind in. the hotel also comes complete with a seventeen-metre pool, while a team of physiotherapists and an osteopath are on hand to pamper guests from head to toe. The chalets feature beautiful marble bathrooms and large bathrooms, while the reclaimed wooden furniture features colourful and cosy touches. Lovers of Japanese cuisine are also sure to love the selection of dishes that are served in the cosy dining room.

Imagine starting your day with breakfast in rose gardens, shaded by chestnut trees, listening to the sounds of nature with a warm gentle breeze. This is morning at Hôtel Le Pigonnet. In the Aix-en-Provence area, the 45-room hotel is a converted 18th-century manor house with contemporary interior design. Its claim to fame is that it’s co-owned by Christophe Lambert, the French-American film star, best known for his role in Highlander. Chef Thierry Balligand produces elegant vegetarian and carnivorous menus, with pastry dishes being a particular speciality.

Perched on a hillside, nestled among medieval buildings, lies this 400-year-old chateau in the south-eastern part of Provence. This is a dream for couples seeking authentic period features and intimacy. Expect stone walls, four-poster beds and fireplaces. It’s almost like holidaying in a fantasy Disney movie. There are just twelve rooms (half with epic sea views), all unique and in different parts of the building. Each turn and flight of stone steps feels like a mini adventure of discovery. In the restaurant and bar, you’ll be treated to Michelin-starred cuisine from chef Axel Wagner, created from local market ingredients – during the day meals can be taken alfresco.

Located in the vibrant Haut Marais district, Hotel Experimental Marais is the new flagship from the Experimental Group, marking its third hotel in Paris. Housed in a reimagined neo-Gothic building designed by Tristan Auer, the five-star boutique property offers 43 rooms and suites, a luxurious spa in collaboration with Susanne Kaufmann, an indoor pool, and a cocktail bar inspired by iconic New York speakeasies. The hotel’s restaurant Temple & Chapon, a 100-seat restaurant led by acclaimed French chef Mélanie Serre, serves a menu inspired by 1950s Manhattan chophouses with French finesse. The interiors are infused with theatrical flair and eclectic charm, reflecting the story of an imaginary well-travelled aesthete, with features such as stained-glass windows, vaulted arches, and curated artwork. Rooted in Experimental’s Parisian origins and global hospitality acclaim, the hotel combines bold design with immersive experiences, all just moments from the Marais’ galleries, boutiques, and historic landmarks.

Marty Hotel Bordeaux, Tapestry Collection by Hilton, offers a hip, boutique experience in Bordeaux’s revitalised Mériadeck district. The hotel’s name reflects its artistic vibe and location, with the lobby resembling a vibrant art gallery showcasing works by contemporary French artists, curated by Nell Caritey-Hergué. The hotel features 61 rooms including Queen, King Deluxe, and Twin Deluxe, with some King Deluxe rooms offering private terraces. Interiors are stylish, with burnt orange or army green wood-panelled walls, midcentury furniture, and plush beds with Gervasoni upholstered headboards. Modern amenities include large-screen TVs and spacious bathrooms with rainfall showers and Soin de Soi toiletries. Le Marty’s cocktail bar boasts a sophisticated aesthetic, a thoughtful wine list, and a diverse cocktail menu, complemented by a selection of shareable plates. Located in a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the hotel is a short walk from the city centre and close to the Bordeaux tram network.

Providing a distinct and different aesthetic to many of the other hotels in the region, Hotel Des Trois Vallées has a post-war and mid-century interior style. Room types are titled: Comfort, Privilege, or Suite, with a Nespresso machine, minibar and balcony in each. Dine on authentic local table d’hôte menus while seated at rustic trestle tables in L’Épicerie. Slow down at the Spa des 3 Vallées, with its Turkish Bath, sauna and Grand Jacuzzi. And escape the crowds in a setting that’s far enough of the beaten track, yet still in the heart of Alpine activity.

Featuring one of the best restaurants, not only in the region but the world, Flocons de Sel has been awarded a rare three Michelin stars for its cuisine. Chef Emmanuel Renaut – himself indigenous to the Haute-Savoie area – is at the helm and invites guests to join him on nearby forest walks, to experience foraging for mushrooms and medicinal plants, while learning more about sustainability. Initially designed to be a family home, this 5-star Relais & Châteaux property is set high up overlooking the village. The hotel incorporates a spa and three restaurants. Bedrooms and suites are spacious, all with either terraces or balconies, some with open fires or wood-burning stoves.

With just 12 suites and a three-bedroom private cottage set across three chalets, Zannier Hotels Le Chalet creates an intimate environment for its residents. Each residence has its own balcony or terrace and suits longer stays – the hotel can be booked in its entirety for extra exclusivity. And with fewer guests, there’s ample opportunity to enjoy a little solitude in the sleek spa, or indulge in a quiet meal. It has ski-in and ski-out access and a dedicated ski concierge, with Patisserie Buffets, served every morning to set guests up for a day on the slopes. Apres-ski, those staying at the hotel can feast on French-style tapas, Alpine gastronomic creations and attend ‘Bistronomique’ evenings.

If you’re travelling with a larger group, take a look at Alpaga. Its three-storey chalets can sleep up to 20, with apartments catering for 6, as well as rooms for singles, couples and families. The restaurant, La Table de l’Alpaga, has been recognised with two Michelin stars and specialises in fine plant-based cuisine and there’s a bistro, L’Onyx, as well as lighter food served in the lobby-side bar. Spa de l’Alpaga offers a little hydro adventure, with an in-pool bubble couch and massage jets, all moodily lit and clad in dark grey stone for atmosphere. Alpaga may be a high-end hotel, but it suits those who prefer a relaxed approach to finery.

Get the perfect night’s sleep in one of 18 fully soundproof suites at the centrally located Hôtel L’hêlios. Most offer double bedded facilities, however, The Duplex Suites and the Helios Suite have an added twin bedroom making them ideal for families. The decor is modern chalet style, taking cues from the local Alpine design and French vintage vibes. This hotel has its own private cinema, a Pro Shop by Lacroix, The Spa by Carita, a dining room and a terrace (the hotel’s refined Savoyarde cuisine can be enjoyed inside or out, with mountain views).

It’s just five minutes from the airport and the staff at Beaumanoir will send a chauffeur-driven Rolls Royce, escorting you to your suite in this neo-baroque mansion surrounded by lime trees. You’ll be tempted, almost immediately, to refresh your thirst post-journey at the boutique hotel’s Dom Pérignon bar. You can also order a bite to eat in the venue, whose menu features Basque Country favourites. The building is nearly a century and a half old, and housing just four bedrooms, two suites and two apartments, a stay here feels personal and intimate. Two outdoor seating areas and a pool with contemporary loungers provide ample opportunity to catch some rays.