10 Hotels Where You Can Live Like Royalty

Medieval fortresses, Cistercian abbeys, Renaissance mansions, and wine châteaux: France offers a hotel heritage unlike any other. From Auvergne to Burgundy, from the Loire Valley to Provence, our selection spans the entire spectrum: from the 13th-century fortified castle at Les Sources de Vougeot—the Tourbier family’s latest addition in the heart of Burgundy’s grand cru region— It also includes a Sauternes estate bearing the Lalique name and a Cistercian monastery transformed into a charming hotel in Meursault.

Château Saint-Jean, Montluçon

A piece of history—and one of the oldest! This 5-star hotel, a member of Relais & Châteaux, is housed in an impressive castle that has preserved its medieval façade and towers, not to mention its^12th-century chapel. Converted into a gourmet restaurant, La Chapelle offers the rare privilege of savoring Chef Olivier Valade’s creative, locally sourced cuisine while admiring its sumptuous stone vaults, on the site of a former Templar commandery. The interior design, masterfully executed by architect Patrick Jouin, blends the legacy of the past with contemporary luxury, as evidenced by the 19 bright and cozy rooms and suites, each offering multiple views of Saint-Jean Park and its pond. A rare gem that pays homage to the past without nostalgia, it also offers the delights of a spa featuring a hammam, swimming pool, and treatment rooms.

• Starting at: €220/night
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Château de Mazan, Mazan

At the foot of Mont Ventoux and just a stone’s throw from Avignon, this estate was once owned by the Marquis de Sade, who organized France’s first theater festival here in the 1770s. Renamed Château de Mazan – Handwritten Collection, the hotel artfully blends 18th-century charm with Provençal style in its lounges, library, and 31 guest rooms and suites, which have retained their Louis XV furniture and antique terracotta tiles. The entire property offers breathtaking views of the park, its sculptures, and its swimming pool.

• Starting at: €143/night
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Château du Vault de Lugny, Vault-de-Lugny

A true fortified castle, just as described in history books, with its keep and fortifications flanked by a moat dating back to the 13th century. Partially rebuilt in the 16th century, this place offers a superb journey back in time with its 16 rooms and suites featuring four-poster beds and coffered ceilings, such as the one in the “Chambre du Roy,” adorned with fleurs-de-lis. Don’t miss: the pool set in an impressive vaulted space, and the beautiful dining room where you can savor the cuisine of Chef Franco Bowanee.

• Starting at: €298/night
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Les Sources de Cheverny, Cheverny

A charming destination that blends castle life with modernity, as the rooms and suites of this 5-star hotel are spread out around the Château du Breuil (a magnificent^17th-century building), its outbuildings, and contemporary additions. Together, they form a charming hamlet: 49 rooms and suites spread across the historic château, the Scandinavian-style cottages of the Hameau du Marais, and the Maisons des Fleurs and des Fruits on the lakeshore. Guests can also enjoy the Caudalie Spa and the estate’s two restaurants: Le Favori, a gourmet restaurant led by Chef Pierre Frindel, and L’Auberge, serving seasonal cuisine by the fireplace. A wine bar showcasing the finest wines of the Loire Valley rounds out the experience, set amidst the magnificent landscape of the Sologne region.

• Starting at: €290/night
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© itshenriette

Château de Villiers-le-Mahieu, Villiers-le-Mahieu

Surrounded by a 12-hectare park, this château—built in 1642 on the ruins of a medieval fortress—has preserved its two majestic towers and its imposing gate. Here, the past blends with a charming modernity that is evident in the 98 rooms and suites—featuring bright color schemes and tasteful furnishings—spread across the château, the barn, and the former farmhouse. This place was designed as a family home, where guests can relax in front of the living room fireplace before heading to the library or the spa, while the children take part in activities at the kids’ club. Certified by Clef Verte, the hotel showcases products from the Île-de-France region and offers a magnificent Sunday brunch.

• Starting at: €273/night
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© Karel Balas

Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey, Bommes

Wine lovers swear by the Lalique collection and its properties nestled in the heart of the most beautiful vineyards. Following the Villa Lalique in Alsace, the group opened this 17th-century château in 2018, situated in the heart of an 18-hectare vineyard, a Premier Grand Cru Classé of Sauternes. The property features 13 suites of rare elegance, each unique and adorned with Lalique crystal, as well as a gourmet restaurant led by Chef Jérôme Schilling, Meilleur Ouvrier de France 2023, who crafts his menus around the Sauternes terroir beneath the glass roof designed by Mario Botta. Choose from the “Le Grain Noble” or “Le Terroir du Sauternais” menus, featuring 3, 4, or 5 courses.

• Starting at: €245/night
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Château de Fonscolombe, Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade

Located about twenty kilometers from Aix-en-Provence, this^18th-century estate—designated a Historic Monument—once belonged to the Marquis Boyer de Fonscolombe and later to the Marquis de Saporta, both humanists, physicians, and botanists. In its vast grounds, they planted no fewer than 180 plant species, including a cedar tree gifted by Queen Elizabeth II during a memorable visit. A member of Relais & Châteaux, this 5-star château features 50 rooms and suites furnished with period pieces in salons that transport guests back in time. La Table de l’Orangerie, located in the château’s historic salons with its south-facing terrace overlooking the grounds, is the domain of Chef Marc Fontanne: seating for just 25 guests, featuring local produce and menus tailored to the seasons. The wellness center, operated in partnership with Esthederm, offers personalized massages (Californian, Ayurvedic, Swedish), Sunday yoga sessions in the park, Qi Gong, sophrology, and sound baths. The heated pool, nestled in a former parish priest’s pond whose stones are designated as a Historic Monument, rounds out Fonscolombe’s status as one of the most charming destinations in the Aix region of Provence.

• Starting at: €331/night
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Château de Pray, Chargé

Just a stone’s throw from Amboise and five minutes from the royal castle, the Château de Pray is a^13th-century manor house remodeled in^{the 16th century} that overlooks the Loire River from its flower-filled terraces. Its 19 rooms and suites feature elegant Renaissance décor, with tuffeau stone fireplaces, carved beams, and period furniture. The Château’s gourmet restaurant, L’Orangerie, led by Chef Arnaud Philippon, serves inventive regional cuisine—including river pike, rillons from Tours, and Touraine strawberries—in a cave-like dining room. The estate also features a wooded park, an outdoor pool, and a Touraine wine-tasting service.

• Starting at: €148/night
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Château de Cîteaux, Meursault

Closed since late 2023 for a complete transformation, the former La Cueillette hotel in Meursault will reopen in July 2026 under a new name, Château de Cîteaux. It joins the Fontenille Collection, a French hotel group backed by LVMH, which already operates properties in the Luberon, the Landes, and Menorca. The 19th-century château, built atop the oldest 12th-century Cistercian cellars, will feature 35 rooms and suites, a gourmet restaurant, an Alaena spa, and exceptional wine cellars. In the kitchen, Chef Christophe Vauthier, originally from the Nièvre region, succeeds Takashi Kinoshita and plans to serve regional cuisine: Bresse poultry, Burgundy snails, freshwater fish, and vegetables from local farmers, all in harmony with the vineyard’s rhythm and the changing seasons. The Alaena Spa, overlooking the gardens and vineyards of Meursault, offers exclusive treatments based on Tui Na, Kobido, and Cistercian herbalism in a space spanning nearly 190 m² that includes a heated indoor pool, a hammam, and a sauna. The opening of the Vieux-Clos annexes is scheduled for 2027.

• Starting: reopening on July 24, 2026 (35 rooms and suites)
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Les Sources de Vougeot, Gilly-lès-Cîteaux

The third property from the duo Alice and Jérôme Tourbier—following Les Sources de Caudalie in Bordeaux and Les Sources de Cheverny in the Loire Valley—this 5-star hotel is located in the former Château de Gilly-lès-Cîteaux. It is situated in the heart of a vineyard whose reputation is well established. Listed as a Historic Monument, the estate traces its roots back to the 6th century and retains its heritage charm intact: vast moats, centuries-old stonework, Gothic vaults, and French formal gardens create a timeless setting. The hotel’s spirit is fully in line with the collection’s ethos: a few modern touches—black-and-white photographs and colorful posters—bring the 49 rooms and suites to life, where exposed beams, antique terracotta tiles, and fireplaces harmonize with contemporary comfort. The hotel’s signature feature is the Spa by Caudalie, housed in the castle’s former vaulted cellar: stone columns, ribbed vaults, and two long swimming pools create a sublime monastic setting, ideal for a wine therapy treatment. The culinary experience offers two complementary approaches.

© Jules Focone

• Starting at: €390 per night
• Where? Château de Gilly, 2 Place du Château, Gilly-lès-Cîteaux