Do you dream of an unforgettable stay? There are some fascinating historic hotels in France. Internationally renowned palaces, princely residences, listed monuments or buildings with atypical architecture, here are the 15 best historical hotels in France. Succumb to their charm and offer yourself a trip back in time!
Hotel Lutétia in Paris
45 boulevard Raspail 75006 Paris
This luxury establishment is emblematic of the Left Bank in Paris. Its name refers to Lutetia, the ancient name of the capital. Built in 1910 to accommodate the wealthy clientele of the Le Bon Marché store, the building is in the Art Nouveau style. James Joyce, Samuel Beckett, Josephine Baker and Charles de Gaulle have stayed there. The rooms, from 641 € per night, are luxurious with marble bathrooms. Some have a view of the Eiffel Tower.
Book your stay at the Lutétia Hotel on Destinia
Bar Joséphine at the Hôtel Lutétia in Paris
Hotel Le Ritz in Paris
15 place Vendôme 75001 Paris
Arguably the most famous historic hotel in France, the Ritz has hosted many celebrities. Jean Cocteau, Marcel Proust, Colette, Charlie Chaplin or Ernest Hemingway have stayed there. Coco Chanel occupied a suite on the top floor, opposite her boutique on rue Cambon, for the last 30 years of her life. The hotel has 71 beautiful rooms and suites, starting at €710 per night, 3 dining venues, the Hemingway Bar and a private pool for guests.
Book your stay at Le Ritz Hotel on Destinia
Windsor Suite at the Hôtel Le Ritz in Paris
Sedan Castle Hotel
Porte des Princes 08200 Sedan
Do you dream of sleeping in a castle? The former residence of the Princes of Sedan dates back to the XVᵉ century and is now home to a 4-star establishment. It is the largest medieval castle in Europe. The rooms, starting at €92 per night, are comfortable, with yellow stone walls, exposed beams and wall tapestries. The soul of the castle has been preserved, but with all the modern conveniences. The restaurant serves gourmet and regional cuisine.
Book your stay at the hotel Le château-fort de Sedan on Destinia
Salon of the Hôtel Château de Sedan
Shangri-La Hotel in Paris
10 avenue d’Iéna 75016 Paris
Formerly the home of Roland Bonaparte, Napoleon Iᵉʳ’s grandnephew, this palace is classified as a historical monument. The rooms and suites, from 562 € per night, are decorated in the Napoleon III style, with a touch of Asian inspiration. Some rooms have a breathtaking view of the Eiffel Tower. This beautiful hotel has two restaurants, serving French and Asian cuisine, and the Botanist bar. The pool, with beautiful antique columns and mosaics, is bathed in natural light.
Book your stay at the Shangri-La Hotel on Destinia
Salon at the Shangri-La Hotel, Paris
Grand Hotel de Cabourg
Les Jardins du Casino 14390 Cabourg
This beautiful hotel, in the Belle Époque style, was built in 1907, on the waterfront. Marcel Proust stayed there from 1907 to 1914, in room 414. The writer talks about this place in À la recherche du temps perdu. The rooms are refined and elegant, from €150 per night, with a view of the sea or the gardens. The hotel has a private beach, a gourmet restaurant and a pleasant cocktail bar, where it is recommended to try the White Swann.
Book your stay at the Grand Hotel de Cabourg on Destinia
Room with sea view at the Grand Hôtel de Cabourg
Hotel Negresco in Nice
37 Promenade des Anglais 06007 Nice
Henri Negrescu opened this mythical hotel on the French Riviera in 1913, in Nice. The hotel quickly became the resort of the international jet set. Politicians and artists, such as Salvador Dali, Princess Grace of Monaco, the Beatles and Elton John, have all been there. Today, the rooms, starting at 146 € per night, have an eclectic decoration, with works of art mixing styles and periods, from Louis XV to contemporary art. The establishment houses the Michelin-starred Chantecler restaurant.
Book your stay at the Negresco Hotel on Destinia
Restaurant La Rotonde at the Hôtel Negresco in Nice
Hotel Le Normandy in Deauville
38 rue Jean Mermoz 14800 Deauville
This majestic 1912 hotel is located in the center of Deauville. It is built in the Anglo-Norman cottage style with half-timbering. Gabrielle Chanel set up her first Chanel hat boutique in the hotel in 1913. The rooms and suites, from 271 € per night, are decorated with Toile de Jouy. The suite “Un homme et une femme” is even dedicated to Claude Lelouch’s film, come and relive this love story shot in Deauville.
Book your stay at Le Normandy Hotel on Destinia
Prestige room at Hôtel Le Normandy in Deauville
Hotel du Palais in Biarritz
1 avenue de l’Impératrice 64200 Biarritz
The old palace was built in 1854 for Empress Eugenie. Ravaged in a fire and rebuilt in 1905, it became a luxury hotel. Beautiful and bright rooms, from 180 € per night, overlook the Atlantic Ocean. The 5-star establishment is located 10 minutes from downtown Biarritz. It has three gourmet restaurants, L’Impératrice, Villa Eugénie and Jardin de l’Océan. The hotel has two swimming pools, including a Californian pool filled with seawater at 21°C.
Book your stay at the Hotel du Palais on Destinia
Double room at the Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz
Le Corbusier Hotel in Marseille
280 boulevard Michelet 13008 Marseille
In 1952, the architect Le Corbusier built the Cité Radieuse in Marseille. In order to propose a new way of living, this vertical village included a hotel, stores, a school and even a wading pool. The building is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hotel’s 21 rooms, starting at €77 per night, are decorated in a vintage style, faithful to the 1950s. They have a breathtaking view of the Friuli Islands. Its gourmet restaurant, Le Ventre de l’architecte, offers creative cuisine.
Book your stay at the Le Corbusier Hotel on Destinia
Park-view room at Hôtel Le Corbusier, Marseille
Montenvers Refuge in Chamonix
Montenvers 74400 Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
The Montenvers refuge is the most fascinating historical hotel in France. Built in 1880 for the first mountaineers to discover the Mer de Glace, this hotel is located at an altitude of 1,900 meters. You can get there by the little Montenvers train. This hostel has a dormitory and cosy rooms, all in wood, from 200 € per night. Despite the austere façade, the interior is warm and comfortable. The panorama is grandiose! The view on the Mer de Glace is breathtaking.
Book your stay at the Montenvers Refuge on Destinia
Restaurant overlooking the Aiguille du Dru at the Hôtel Refugio de Montenvers in Chamonix
Hotel Martinez in Cannes
73 boulevard de la Croisette 06400 Cannes
The Hotel Martinez, built in 1929, is emblematic of the Croisette. During the Cannes Film Festival, the directors Quentin Tarantino and Francis Ford Coppola stayed there. Behind its Art Deco facade, this 5-star establishment has beautiful rooms, some with a terrace overlooking the Mediterranean, from €118. You have access to the private beach and its restaurant. The hotel also houses the La Palme restaurant, which has been awarded 2 Michelin stars.
Book your stay at the Hotel Martinez on Destinia
Room with terrace at the Hôtel Martinez in Cannes
Hotel Cour du Corbeau in Strasbourg
6-8 rue des Couples 67000 Strasbourg
This old inn from the XVIᵉ century is definitely one of the most charming old hotels in France. Open since 1528, the establishment has welcomed the German Emperor Joseph II and the Prussian King Frederick the Great. Classified as a historical monument in 1930, the hotel was completely renovated and reopened in 2009. Ideally located in the center of Strasbourg, it offers comfortable and modern rooms from 168 €. Succumb to the charm of this old half-timbered inn, with its exterior wooden walkways decorated with geraniums.
Book your stay at the Cour du Corbeau hotel on Destinia
Double room at Hôtel Cour du Corbeau, Strasbourg
Hotel de Crillon in Paris
10 place de la Concorde 75008 Paris
This illustrious 18th century building, commissioned by Louis XV, became a luxury hotel in 1909. Politicians and celebrities such as Winston Churchill, Richard Nixon, Madonna or Taylor Swift have been there. The Hotel de Crillon is the expression of the French art of living. Completely renovated in 2017, it retains its neoclassical charm. Some suites were decorated by Karl Lagerfeld, former artistic director of Chanel. Rooms, from €882 per night, embody contemporary refinement and Parisian elegance.
Book your stay at the Hotel de Crillon on Destinia
Bar Les Ambassadeurs at the Hôtel de Crillon, Paris
The Hotel in Paris
13 rue des Beaux-Arts 75006 Paris
Succumb to the baroque and bohemian charm of this luxurious hotel in the heart of Saint-Germain-des Prés. This establishment, built in 1828, is the smallest 5-star hotel in Paris, with 20 rooms starting at €180 per night. The last home of the famous writer Oscar Wilde is very popular with artists. Some came only to be “seen”, like Salvador Dali, Frank Sinatra, Jim Morrison or Serge Gainsbourg. Hotel guests enjoy a private pool nestled under the vaults.
Book your stay at the Hotel on Destinia
Room with terrace at Hôtel de Paris
Grand Hôtel des Thermes in Saint-Malo
Grande plage du Sillon, 100 boulevard Hébert, 35400 Saint-Malo/strong>
Ideally located in front of the Sillon beach in Saint-Malo, the Grand Hôtel des Thermes is a 5-star establishment with a neoclassical façade. Since 1881, this luxury hotel has been welcoming guests to its rooms and suites, starting at €108 per night, its majestic staircases and its wide open spaces overlooking the sea. You will enjoy its three restaurants and its bar, with sea view, as well as the Spa.
Book your stay at the Grand Hôtel des Thermes on Destinia
La Verrière restaurant in the Grand Hôtel des Thermes in Saint-Malo
