Best Castle Hotels in France

Restaurant and bistro, outdoor pool, extensive gardens, e-bikes

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.

Breakfast included, free parking, in-room massages

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.

Three pools (one for adults only), beach club, complimentary shuttle to the beach, Valmont spa

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.

Michelin-starred restaurant, extensive gardens, EV charging station, tennis court

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.

Restaurant by Alain Ducasse, Valmont spa, indoor pool, private guided tours of the castle

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.

Michelin-starred restaurant, outdoor pool with pool bar, La Prairie spa, gardens with olive groves

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.

61-acre park with canal, tennis court, outdoor pool

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.

Michelin-starred restaurant, L’Art des Mets cooking school, outdoor pool, spa by Clarins, fitness center

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.