#1 French Hotels – Guide and Reviews to Hotels outside Paris
Thanks to our partnership with Chateaux & Hotels collection as well as Excellent hotels, Girls’ Guide to Paris has hand-picked some of the most precious, beautiful yet chic French hotels for your trip beyond Paris.
There is something special that every region has to offer. Browse the various regions below to get some ideas and then have at it. Many of our select French hotels have spas, golf courses and superb restaurants – all are seriously special.
A good number of them are housed in historic Chateaux. You’d’ be surprised how affordable it is to stay in a Chateaux in France. Princesses and Queens, get your crowns on and start booking your royal vacation!
Note: All establishments that have a pink fleur-de-lis are part of our Girls’ Guide Travel Club collection. They are places where you can receive special discounts, VIP treatment or valuable offers exclusive to Girls’ Guide Travel Club members. Find out more here.
Alps & Haut Savoie
One of the great mountain ranges in Europe. This beautiful area is the highest elevated in France and is known for it’s winter sports. Besides skiing and snow shoeing, you can also travel to Lake Geneva in the north, 40% of which is in France, is perfect for water activities in the summer. If you’re not a lake person, you can still enjoy the spa town of Evian, and drinking the famed water straight from the source!
Alsace
Passed back and forth between Germany and France numerous times since the 17th century, Alsace is one of the more unique areas in France. This region is culturally and politically important, with many international organizations located in the capital Strasbourg. Some of the best dry rieslings are found in this region, and it is also the main beer-producing region of France, no doubt some of that German influence!
Bordeaux, Dordogne & the Southwest
Winemaking professionals since the 8th century and today, the world’s winemaking capital. But the Bordeaux area is much more than just wine. The newly revamped city of Bordeaux is a Unesco World heritage site and one of the most beautiful cities in France. The surrounding areas such as the famous Medoc peninsula where the first growth Bordeaux Chateaux are found, St. Emilion and the Dordogne, the Lot and the Basque area south of Bordeaux all have their unique, charming appeal. Just 45 minutes from Bordeaux to the west lies the crashing Atlantic Ocean, famous for its surfing, its trendy resorts such as Cap Ferrat and briny delicious oysters. This area is full of charms, one could spend weeks here and not discover it all.
Read our picks for Bordeaux hotels | Read our picks for Dordogne & the Southwest hotels
Brittany
In the northern part of France, Brittany is completely unique having been more English then French throughout their history. There are walled cities and Chateaux, but what is truly unusual is the pink granite coast. One of only four places in the world where you can see this rare pink rock. Half timbered buildings and the chic seaside resorts of Deuville and Trouville-sur-Mer, there is much to love about Brittany. Famous for its oysters and its crepes and galettes, you’ll eat well in Brittany.
Burgundy
This area has much to offer but is probably best known by it’s main export-wine. The delicious red and white burgundies that are produced here are in high demand all around the world. The capital Dijon, is also known for producing mustard, vinegar, and gingerbread. Many well known famous French dishes originated from this area like coq au vin, beef bourguignon and escargot. After you’re tired of eating and drinking we recommended seeing the old castles and lovely architecture that you’ll find throughout the area.
Centre and Champagne
Just outside of Paris you’ll find picturesque countryside, perfect for a weekend get-a-way. There is a lot to explore outside the city in the “historic heart” of France. Squeezed between Paris and the Loire Valley, Centre has wonderful cathedrals, and is rich with Chateaux from the middle ages and renaissance. Just northeast of the city you’ll find the Champagne region, a historic region known for the bubbly wine we all love. After you’ve had your fill of champagne, exploring cathedrals such as Chartres and fortified cities, stop into the village of Domrémy-la-Pucelle, the birthplace of Joan of Arc.
Cote D’Azur
In the late 18th century British and Russian royalty started “vacationing” here, and created one of the first modern resort areas. The azure blue of the Mediterranean is the perfect backdrop for working on your tan or also spotting a celebrity or two.
Loire Valley
Not only a historic area but quite a delicious one! Artichoke and asparagus fields, Sancerre wine vineyards, and fruit orchards line the banks of the Loire river. The century old Chateaux (over 300!) throughout the rolling hills are picturesque, many you can visit and even better, some you can stay in! An easy day’s trip from Paris.
Normandy
Normandy is a region that has more to offer than one famous battle. Le Mont St Michel is the 2nd most visited site in France. The coast is quite beautiful and the area is known throughout France for fabulous seafood dishes. Although you won’t find much wine produced from Normandy, their special Apple brandy, Calvados is particularly delicious. And let’s not forget the wonderful Norman cheeses- it wouldn’t be a trip to France without some good cheese!
Provence
Perhaps no region in France is more famous than Provence. It’s no surprise that the Provencal landscape influenced so many great artists such as, Van Gogh, Renoir, Monet and Picasso who were in search of the sun after grey winters in Paris. And we shouldn’t forget about the food, the local cuisine here unique to the region and influenced by the nearby Mediterranean and the many local olive trees.