France Expands Elite 'Palace' Hotel Designation to Six New Properties
The 'Palace' label, France's highest hotel classification, now includes 33 properties following a recent review.
France has welcomed six new hotels into its exclusive 'Palace' classification, elevating the total number of properties holding this designation to 33. This marks the first expansion of the list in seven years, recognizing hotels that offer a level of luxury and hospitality above the standard five-star rating.
The 'Palace' label is awarded by the French Ministry of Tourism to hotels that exemplify the pinnacle of French luxury, seamlessly blending exceptional service, sophisticated design, culinary excellence, and deep cultural roots. The designation was initially established in 2010 to formally acknowledge hotels that surpassed the traditional five-star standard.
During a ceremony in Paris on June 2, it was announced that while 27 hotels retained their 'Palace' status, four were removed from the esteemed list. The six newly added properties include three located in the capital city.
Among the new additions is the Bvlgari Hotel Paris, situated in the city's "golden triangle." This hotel features 76 rooms and suites, with a penthouse suite reportedly costing up to £30,000 per night. It boasts a spa inspired by the Baths of Caracalla and a restaurant by three-Michelin-star Chef Niko Romito.
Hôtel Fouquet's Paris, located at the corner of the Champs-Élysées and Avenue George V, has been recognized for its 1920s Art Deco interiors and its strong ties to French cinema and aviation. The hotel hosts the César Awards annually and offers rooms with views of the Arc de Triomphe.
Cheval Blanc Paris, an LVMH flagship, is integrated into the La Samaritaine department store and offers 72 rooms and suites. Its penthouse, known as The Apartment, is priced as high as £39,000 per night. The hotel features marble-clad bathrooms and a Dior-themed spa.
In the Champagne region, the Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa, built around a 19th-century coaching inn, has been recognized for its historic significance, having hosted French royalty. The hotel offers 47 rooms with vineyard views and a 16,000-square-foot destination spa.
Hôtel Martinez in Cannes, known for its Art Deco architecture and role during the Cannes Film Festival, boasts one of Europe's most expensive penthouses, averaging £39,411 per night. The hotel's Michelin-starred restaurant, La Palme d'Or, offers seafood-focused cuisine.
Lastly, the Four Seasons Hotel Megève in the French Alps provides direct access to ski slopes. Developed in collaboration with Baroness Edmond de Rothschild, the resort offers 55 accommodations and is home to the largest spa in the French Alps.
The full list of 33 'Palace' hotels for 2026 includes properties across Paris, the Alps, the South of France, the South West, Eastern France, and overseas territories.