The South of France has long been synonymous with luxury, beauty, and unparalleled charm. From the glittering coastline of the French Riviera to the rolling lavender fields of Provence, this region offers a diverse array of accommodation options that cater to the most discerning travellers. Whether you’re seeking a glamorous seaside resort, a tranquil countryside retreat, or an eco-friendly hideaway, the South of France has something to suit every taste and preference.
Discovering the perfect place to stay can elevate your French holiday from memorable to truly extraordinary. Let’s explore some of the most exquisite accommodations that dot this enchanting landscape, each offering a unique blend of comfort, style, and authentic Southern French hospitality.
Luxurious riviera resorts: st. tropez to monaco
The French Riviera, stretching from Saint-Tropez to Monaco, is renowned for its opulent resorts that have hosted celebrities, royalty, and discerning travellers for decades. These establishments offer unparalleled luxury, combining stunning locations with world-class amenities and service.
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc: antibes’ celebrity haven
Perched on the southern tip of Cap d’Antibes, the Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc is a true icon of the French Riviera. This palatial hotel, with its striking white façade and lush gardens, has been a favourite among the jet set since it opened its doors in 1870. The hotel boasts 118 rooms and suites, many with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea.
What sets Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc apart is its legendary infinity pool, carved into the rocky coastline. Guests can also enjoy private cabanas, a spa, and Michelin-starred dining. The hotel’s Belle Epoque charm is perfectly balanced with modern luxuries, creating an atmosphere of timeless elegance.
Grand-hôtel du Cap-Ferrat: four seasons elegance
The Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, a Four Seasons Hotel, is another jewel in the crown of Riviera luxury. Located on the picturesque Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat peninsula, this hotel offers panoramic sea views and 17 acres of lush gardens. With 49 rooms and 24 suites, the hotel provides an intimate setting for a truly luxurious stay.
One of the hotel’s most distinctive features is its Club Dauphin, an Olympic-sized infinity pool that seems to merge with the sea beyond. Guests can also indulge in Michelin-starred cuisine at Le Cap restaurant or unwind in the spa, which offers treatments using local ingredients like lavender and olive oil.
La réserve ramatuelle: panoramic mediterranean views
For those seeking a more secluded retreat, La Réserve Ramatuelle offers an unparalleled experience. Perched on a hill overlooking the Mediterranean, this boutique hotel features just 28 rooms and 14 villas, ensuring privacy and personalised service.
The hotel’s minimalist design allows the stunning natural surroundings to take centre stage. Floor-to-ceiling windows in each room frame breathtaking views of the sea and the rugged coastline. La Réserve is also known for its world-class spa, which offers tailored wellness programmes and cutting-edge treatments.
Château de la messardière: st. tropez’s hilltop palace
Overlooking the Bay of Pampelonne, Château de la Messardière is a 19th-century castle turned luxury hotel. Its elevated position provides guests with panoramic views of Saint-Tropez, the surrounding vineyards, and the sparkling Mediterranean.
The château houses 108 rooms and suites, each decorated in a style that blends classic French elegance with modern comfort. The hotel’s expansive grounds include a private art gallery, a Valmont spa, and several restaurants serving locally-inspired cuisine. A complimentary shuttle service to Saint-Tropez’s famous beaches and town centre adds to the convenience for guests.
Charming provençal countryside retreats
While the Riviera dazzles with its coastal glamour, the Provençal countryside offers a different kind of luxury – one characterised by rustic charm, tranquillity, and immersion in nature. These countryside retreats provide an authentic taste of Southern French living, often set against a backdrop of vineyards, olive groves, or lavender fields.
La bastide de gordes: perched village luxury
Nestled in the heart of one of France’s most beautiful villages, La Bastide de Gordes is a stunning example of Provençal luxury. This 18th-century mansion, perched on the edge of a cliff in Gordes, offers breathtaking views of the Luberon valley.
The hotel features 40 rooms and suites, each uniquely decorated with antique furniture and local art. Guests can enjoy Michelin-starred dining, a Sisley spa, and several terraced gardens. The hotel’s infinity pool, seemingly suspended over the valley, is a particular highlight.
La Bastide de Gordes exemplifies the perfect blend of historic charm and modern luxury, offering guests an unforgettable Provençal experience.
Domaine de la baume: tourtour’s artistic oasis
Once the home of French expressionist painter Bernard Buffet, Domaine de la Baume is now an exquisite country hotel. Located near the village of Tourtour, known as the “Village in the Sky of Provence”, this 18th-century mansion is surrounded by 99 acres of olive groves, gardens, and waterfalls.
The hotel offers just 15 rooms and suites, each individually decorated with a mix of antiques and contemporary pieces. Guests can explore the extensive grounds, which include a potager garden, a stable with Camargue horses, and a natural spring-fed pool.
Crillon le brave: mont ventoux panoramas
Crillon le Brave is not just a hotel, but an entire village experience. This unique property comprises a collection of stone houses in a tiny hilltop village, offering 34 rooms and suites with stunning views of the Provençal countryside and Mont Ventoux.
The hotel’s restaurants showcase local produce and wines, while the spa offers treatments using locally-sourced lavender and olive oil. Guests can enjoy activities like cycling, wine tasting, and truffle hunting, immersing themselves in the rhythms of Provençal life.
Château de berne: vineyard estate experience
For wine enthusiasts, Château de Berne offers a unique opportunity to stay on a working vineyard estate. Located in the heart of Provence, this 18th-century château is surrounded by 1,235 acres of private woodland and vineyards.
The hotel features 27 rooms and suites, a Cinq Mondes spa, and a Michelin-starred restaurant. Guests can participate in wine tastings, cooking classes, and vineyard tours, or simply relax by the infinity pool overlooking the estate’s vines.
Coastal gems of the côte d’azur
While the grand hotels of Cannes and Nice often steal the spotlight, the Côte d’Azur is dotted with smaller, more intimate coastal properties that offer a different perspective on Riviera luxury. These hotels combine prime beachfront locations with stylish design and personalised service.
Cap d’antibes beach hotel: secluded seafront escape
The Cap d’Antibes Beach Hotel offers a contemporary take on Riviera glamour. This boutique property features just 35 rooms and suites, many with direct access to a private beach. The hotel’s sleek, modernist design is softened by lush Mediterranean gardens.
Guests can enjoy Michelin-starred dining at Les Pêcheurs restaurant, relax at the seaside infinity pool, or indulge in treatments at the spa. The hotel’s location, away from the bustle of Antibes town, ensures a peaceful and exclusive atmosphere.
Hôtel les roches rouges: modernist charm in Saint-Raphaël
Hôtel Les Roches Rouges in Saint-Raphaël is a celebration of 1950s Riviera style, updated for the 21st century. This adults-only hotel offers 50 rooms and suites, all with sea views and many with private terraces.
The hotel’s standout feature is its seawater swimming pool, carved into the coastal rock. Guests can also enjoy a Mediterranean garden, a boules pitch, and two restaurants showcasing local seafood and produce. The emphasis here is on simple luxury and connection with the natural environment.
La voile d’or: cap ferrat’s historic harbour hotel
Situated on the harbour of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, La Voile d’Or combines old-world Riviera charm with modern luxury. This family-run hotel has been welcoming guests since the 1950s and retains much of its original character.
With just 45 rooms and suites, La Voile d’Or offers an intimate experience. Many rooms feature balconies overlooking the yacht-filled harbour or the Mediterranean. The hotel’s restaurant, with its terrace jutting out over the sea, is a particular highlight.
Hidden retreats in Languedoc-Roussillon
The Languedoc-Roussillon region, often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbour Provence, offers a wealth of hidden gems for travellers seeking authenticity and tranquillity. This area, with its diverse landscapes ranging from rugged coastlines to sun-baked vineyards, provides a perfect backdrop for unique and characterful accommodations.
Château les carrasses: wine estate apartments
Château Les Carrasses offers a different approach to luxury accommodation. This 19th-century wine domaine has been converted into a collection of self-catering suites and villas, perfect for those seeking a home-away-from-home experience in the heart of Languedoc wine country.
The estate features a restaurant showcasing local produce, an infinity pool with views over the vineyards, and a range of activities including wine tasting, cooking classes, and cycling tours. Each apartment and villa is uniquely decorated, blending original features with contemporary design.
Domaine de verchant: montpellier’s vineyard retreat
Just outside the vibrant city of Montpellier, Domaine de Verchant offers a luxurious escape set within its own vineyard. This 16th-century mas (farmhouse) has been transformed into an elegant hotel with 26 rooms and suites.
The hotel boasts a 2,000 square metre spa, two restaurants, and of course, its own winery. Guests can enjoy wine tastings, cycle through the vineyards, or simply relax by the outdoor pool. The proximity to Montpellier means that urban attractions are easily accessible, offering the best of both worlds.
La maison d’ulysse: roman-era boutique in uzès
For those seeking a truly unique stay, La Maison d’Ulysse in the charming town of Uzès offers accommodation in a beautifully restored 16th-century house, built on the foundations of a Roman villa. This intimate boutique hotel has just five rooms and suites, each individually designed.
The hotel’s gardens feature a swimming pool and areas for relaxation, while the surrounding area offers opportunities for hiking, canoeing, and exploring Roman ruins. The owners provide personalised recommendations for local restaurants and activities, ensuring an authentic Languedoc experience.
Eco-friendly stays in the camargue and luberon
As travellers become increasingly conscious of their environmental impact, many hotels in the South of France are leading the way in sustainable luxury. These eco-friendly properties offer high-end experiences while minimising their ecological footprint, often in stunning natural settings.
L’hôtel l’estelle en camargue: sustainable wetland lodge
Located in the heart of the Camargue, a unique region known for its wetlands, wild horses, and flamingos, L’Hôtel l’Estelle offers an eco-friendly luxury experience. This modern lodge was built using sustainable materials and designed to blend seamlessly with its natural surroundings.
The hotel features 20 suites, each with a private terrace overlooking the marshes. Solar panels provide much of the hotel’s energy, while an organic vegetable garden supplies the restaurant. Guests can explore the Camargue on horseback, by bicycle, or on guided nature walks.
La coquillade village: cycling paradise in gargas
Set amidst the vineyards and lavender fields of the Luberon, La Coquillade Village is a haven for cycling enthusiasts and eco-conscious travellers alike. This 63-room resort, spread across several restored stone buildings, has been awarded the European Ecolabel for its commitment to sustainability.
The hotel boasts its own professional-grade cycling centre, two pools (one heated by solar panels), and a spa using organic products. The on-site restaurants serve produce from the hotel’s organic kitchen garden, complemented by wines from the adjacent vineyard.
Le phébus & spa: Solar-Powered luxury in gordes
Perched on a hillside near the village of Gordes, Le Phébus & Spa combines Provençal charm with eco-friendly practices. This Relais & Châteaux property features 30 rooms and suites set in a collection of stone houses surrounded by fragrant gardens.
The hotel utilises solar panels for heating and has implemented extensive water and energy-saving measures. The Michelin-starred restaurant sources ingredients locally, including from the hotel’s own vegetable garden. Guests can enjoy the outdoor pool, spa treatments using organic products, and explore the surrounding Luberon Natural Park.
These eco-friendly properties demonstrate that luxury and sustainability can go hand in hand, offering guests unforgettable experiences while respecting the environment.
From opulent coastal resorts to charming countryside retreats and eco-conscious hideaways, the South of France offers an incredible array of accommodation options. Each property we’ve explored provides a unique window into the region’s rich culture, stunning landscapes, and renowned hospitality. Whether you’re drawn to the glamour of the Riviera, the tranquillity of Provence, or the rugged beauty of the Languedoc, you’re sure to find a perfect base for your Southern French adventure.
Remember, the true luxury of staying in the South of France lies not just in the amenities and services, but in the opportunity to immerse yourself in the region’s enviable lifestyle – the long lunches, the local markets, the sun-drenched landscapes, and the warm, welcoming spirit of the Sud . Whichever accommodation you choose, it’s sure to provide an unforgettable backdrop to your journey through this enchanting corner of France.