Europe France Best Castle Hotels in France Experience the life of royalty at Hotel Chateau du Grand-Luce By Laura Itzkowitz Laura Itzkowitz Freelance Writer & Editor Instagram Twitter Columbia University Smith College Laura Itzkowitz is a freelance writer and editor based in Rome. Her writing has appeared in Travel + Leisure, Architectural Digest, Surface Magazine, and other publications. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 12/27/22 Fact checked by Leila Najafi Fact checked by Leila Najafi Instagram LinkedIn Twitter Leila is an L.A.-based luxury travel and lifestyle writer with over five years of experience covering destination guides, hotel reviews, restaurant openings, travel rewards programs, and buying guides. TripSavvy's fact-checking Share Pin Email Our editors independently research, test, and recommend the best products; you can learn more about our review process here. We may receive commissions on purchases made from our chosen links. Sure, you can visit opulent castles like the Renaissance châteaus of the Loire Valley for a few hours, but for an extra-special trip, why not spend the night in one? Some of the most incredible hotels in France occupy châteaus that predate the French Revolution or lavish country estates — often called domaines—built by aristocrats after the monarchy was ousted. From the scenic Champagne region to the glamorous Côte d'Azur, these French castle hotels make for truly unforgettable stays. The Best Castle Hotels in France in 2023 Best Overall: Hotel Chateau du Grand-Luce Best Budget: Chateau de Penfrat Best for Families: Airelles Saint-Tropez, Chateau de la Messardiere Best for Romance: Domaine Les Crayeres Best for Luxury: Airelles Chateau de Versailles, Le Grand Controle Best Spa: Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa Most Literary: Chateau de Courcelles Best for Foodies: Les Hauts de Loire Best Castle Hotels in France View All Best Castle Hotels in France Our Top Picks Hotel Chateau du Grand-Luce Chateau de Penfrat Airelles Saint-Tropez, Chateau de la Messardiere Domaine Les Crayeres Airelles Chateau de Versailles, Le Grand Controle Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa Chateau de Courcelles Les Hauts de Loire See More (5) Final Verdict Compare the Best Castle Hotels in France Methodology Best Overall : Hotel Chateau du Grand-Luce Courtesy of Hotel Château See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It You’ll really feel like the king of the castle at this 18th-century Loire Valley château. Notable Amenities Restaurant and bistro, outdoor pool, extensive gardens, e-bikes Pros and Cons Pros Gorgeous design Excellent food and service Quiet, peaceful setting Cons Very expensive Car needed to explore the area No minibars or TVs in rooms Hotel Overview Though it only became a hotel in 2019, this neoclassical château in the picturesque Loire Valley has been hosting illustrious guests since the 1700s: Mozart, Rousseau, and Voltaire all stayed at the 80-acre estate in its heyday. Following a renovation by the team behind Utah’s Washington School House Hotel, it was reborn in grand 18th-century style, and it’s now a member of the Leading Hotels of the World. Each of the 21 rooms and suites was individually designed with period wallpaper and antiques reupholstered in sumptuous fabrics by Pierre Frey, Jean Paul Gaultier, or Christian Lacroix. Even if the hotel is fully booked, you’ll feel like you have the run of the place on this enormous property. Best Budget : Chateau de Penfrat See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Guests rave about the welcoming hosts at this bed-and-breakfast inside a 19th-century hunting house in rural Brittany. Notable Amenities Breakfast included, free parking, in-room massages Pros and Cons Pros Gracious hosts share stories and recommendations Wallet-friendly rates even in high season Peaceful location near the Atlantic coast Cons Car needed to explore the area Hotel Overview For a peaceful and relaxing vacation, consider a stay at this lovely B&B in a château built as a hunting lodge for a noble family in 1859. Located in rural Brittany, on the banks of a tributary of the Odet River, it’s a short drive from the medieval city of Quimper and the beaches of the Atlantic coast. Inside, the design is a mix of Art Deco, antiques, and midcentury furnishings and accessories, giving the place a charmingly retro vibe. But the property’s greatest strength is its hosts, Patrick and Barbora, who make guests feel at home by sharing stories about the property and recommendations for their favorite restaurants and things to do nearby. Best for Families : Airelles Saint-Tropez, Chateau de la Messardiere Courtesy of Airelles Saint-Tropez See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This glamorous hideaway on the French Riviera is a favorite for families thanks to its Summer Camp program for kids. Notable Amenities Three pools (one for adults only), beach club, complimentary shuttle to the beach, Valmont spa Pros and Cons Pros Great location on the Côte d’Azur 12 restaurants and bars Breakfast and lunch buffet included Cons Only open from April to October Very expensive Hotel Overview Built in the 19th century, this Mediterranean palace on the glamorous French Riviera was turned into a hotel in 1904 and would become renowned for the decadent parties it hosted during the Roaring ’20s. Airelles began renovating the property in 2019 and reopened the hotel in 2021. Among its updates is a variety of restaurants and bars, which serve pan-Asian cuisine, Provençal dishes like tomato tatin, and curated cocktails. The Summer Camp kids’ club has plenty to keep little ones busy, including arts and crafts, a kids-only pool, and arcade games. Adults will revel in the Valmont spa and the château’s private beach club. Best for Romance : Domaine Les Crayeres Courtesy of Domaine les CrayeÌres See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Champagne flows freely at this hotel in Reims, all the better for couples who come to indulge in the two-Michelin-star restaurant and tour the nearby cellars. Notable Amenities Michelin-starred restaurant, extensive gardens, EV charging station, tennis court Pros and Cons Pros Champagne at check-in Excellent cuisine and wine selection Period furniture Cons No gym or spa Rates vary drastically depending on availability Hotel Overview Built in 1904 for Louise Pommery, Marquise of Polignac, this castle in the heart of Champagne country — now a member of Relais & Châteaux — transports you back to the Belle Epoque with opulent decor that includes wood-paneled walls, oil paintings, antiques, and chandeliers. Epicurean couples can enjoy a romantic dinner at Le Parc, the hotel’s two-Michelin-star restaurant, and follow that up with a nightcap at Bar La Rotonde, which feels a bit like an English club. The helpful concierge can arrange tours of the area’s top wineries, as well as activities like horseback riding and golf. Best for Luxury : Airelles Chateau de Versailles, Le Grand Controle Renée Kemps See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It When it comes to living in the lap of luxury, nothing can compete with a hotel that lets you sleep at the Château de Versailles. Notable Amenities Restaurant by Alain Ducasse, Valmont spa, indoor pool, private guided tours of the castle Pros and Cons Pros Exclusive after-hours access to Versailles Each room has a dedicated butler Breakfast and afternoon tea are included Cons Exorbitantly expensive Hotel Overview To say this hotel made a splash when it opened in 2021 would be an understatement. The property is the first ever hotel located on the grounds of Versailles, one of France’s most-visited landmarks. Guests are treated like royalty, with daily private tours of the Hall of Mirrors, the State Apartments, and the queen’s hamlet. The decor is beyond sumptuous, with wallpaper by Pierre Frey, dazzling chandeliers, marble fireplaces, and antique furnishings. Be sure to book the Royal Feast, a five-course meal that world-famous chef Alain Ducasse conceptualized, taking inspiration from the lavish banquets thrown by Louis XVI. Best Spa : Chateau Saint-Martin & Spa See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Set on a hill in Vence, this 12th-century castle has been transformed into a serene luxury hotel by the Oetker Collection. Notable Amenities Michelin-starred restaurant, outdoor pool with pool bar, La Prairie spa, gardens with olive groves Pros and Cons Pros Panoramic views of the French Riviera Wonderful concierge and staff Delicious food and wine Cons Expensive Hotel Overview Perched on a hill and providing breathtaking views of the French Riviera, this stunning château boasts a history that runs through the Romans; Saint Martin, Bishop of Tours; and the Knights Templar. Now a member of the Leading Hotels of the World and the Oetker Collection, it exudes an air of serenity, with beautiful gardens where olive trees and lavender grow. The hotel boasts two superb restaurants — the Michelin-starred Le Saint-Martin and L'Oliveraie, a casual restaurant in the olive garden — but the main draw is the award-winning spa by La Prairie, which has a hammam and sauna and offers treatments ranging from aromatherapy to Ayurveda. Most Literary : Chateau de Courcelles See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It This gorgeous 17th-century castle near Reims hosted French literary figures and still offers warm hospitality. Notable Amenities 61-acre park with canal, tennis court, outdoor pool Pros and Cons Pros Historic castle with literary cred Classic decor with antiques Excellent food and wine Cons No spa Restaurant is very expensive Hotel Overview Step back in time at this elegant 17th-century country estate that once hosted literary greats including Voltaire, Dumas, Rousseau, and Racine. As you walk through the hotel, with its luxurious fabrics, antiques, and patterned wallpaper, it’s easy to imagine what it would have been like back then. The property’s enormous park has a canal lined by centuries-old trees that serves as a peaceful place to contemplate the meaning of life or pen your own essays. Château de Courcelles is a member of Relais & Châteaux, so you can expect a strong commitment to the cuisine and dishes like foie gras rissole and candied pout fish. Best for Foodies : Les Hauts de Loire Courtesy of Domaine des Hauts de Loire See Rates on Tripadvisor.com Why We Chose It Guests at Les Hauts de Loire can both indulge in gourmet dinners at its Michelin-starred restaurant and take cooking classes with the chef. Notable Amenities Michelin-starred restaurant, L’Art des Mets cooking school, outdoor pool, spa by Clarins, fitness center Pros and Cons Pros Beautiful decor in a historic hunting lodge Bucolic location in the Loire Valley Breakfast included in stay Cons Car needed to explore the area Cooking classes are only held on weekends Hotel Overview Built in 1860 as a hunting lodge, this château in the bucolic Loire Valley draws foodies from far and wide with its restaurant helmed by renowned chef Dominique Pépin. The culinary cherry on top, however, is the hotel’s cooking school, which offers guests the chance to learn how to make classic French dishes like foie gras terrine. Just 2.5 hours from Paris, this Relais & Châteaux property makes for a lovely weekend escape for travelers who want to relax in the countryside, tour the nearby wineries and Renaissance castles, and revel in the delights of French cuisine. Choose between the cozy rooms and suites in the castle or the carriage house. Final Verdict From rural Brittany in the north to the glittering French Riviera on the Mediterranean Sea, France has castle hotels to spare. Our advice is to start by choosing the location you want to explore and the kind of trip you want to have. Want to stay close to Paris in one of France’s most opulent palaces? Splurging on a stay at our top overall pick, Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé, or Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle will leave you with unforgettable memories. Looking to tour the best Champagne cellars in France and indulge in Michelin-starred cuisine to boot? Book a room at Domaine Les Crayères. Dreaming of summering on the glamorous Côte d’Azur? Consider Château Saint-Martin & Spa. Compare the Best Castle Hotels in France Property Resort Fee Room Rates Free Wi-Fi Hotel Château du Grand-Lucé Best Overall No $$$$ Yes Château de Penfrat Best Budget No $ Yes Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière Best for Families No $$$$ Yes Domaine Les Crayères Best for Romance No $$$ Yes Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle Best for Luxury No $$$$ Yes Château Saint-Martin & Spa Best Spa No $$$$ Yes Château de Courcelles Most Literary No $$ Yes Les Hauts de Loire Best for Foodies No $$ Yes Methodology We evaluated around two dozen castle hotels in France before settling on the best for each category. We considered each hotel’s overall reputation, guest reviews, location, quality of service, design, dining and drinking options, and amenities such as spas, fitness facilities, and concierge services. We also looked at whether the hotel is new or if it has undergone a recent renovation or update. We relied on firsthand experience but also consulted dozens of guest reviews and considered whether the property has won any awards in recent years. Getty Images / Monty Rakusen Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies