The Luberon
On a side road off the D149, surrounded by orchards and vineyards, this rural hideaway has three country-charming rooms with a mishmash of rustic antiques…
Must-see hotels in Provence & the Côte d'Azur
Côte d'Azur
It's hard to imagine that Le Bar-sur-Loup’s majestic 13th-century castle, perched right at the top of the village, once lay in ruins. It's now an…
Villa Saint-Exupéry Beach Hostel
Nice
Five blocks in from the beach, this long-standing, centrally located city hostel has plenty of pluses: bar, kitchen, gym, sauna, ping-pong, games room and…
Cannes
This boutique stunner, just a couple of blocks back from La Croisette, is the epitome of Cannes glamour: designer grey rooms with splashes of candy pink,…
St-Tropez
This stunning townhouse-turned-hotel is the brainchild of an English couple besotted with Provence and passionate about modern art. You’ll love the pop…
Nice
At this centrally located, HI-affiliated hostel, some features are distinctively old school: HI membership required, four- to eight-bed dorms only (no…
Aix-en-Provence
The Saint-Christophe is a proper hotel, with a big lobby, a central location, original artwork by Provençal painter Marcel Arnaud gracing the walls and an…
Cannes
A proper old-fashioned hotel, and an architectural landmark, this gleaming white supertanker of a hotel was built in 1871, and it's still an address of…
The Luberon
Apartments evocatively blend northern contemporary cool with earthy Provençal comfort in this sprawling old farmhouse and barn. All have fully equipped…
The Luberon
Half posh B&B, half art gallery, this lovingly renovated 16th-century townhouse on the edge of Saignon’s cobbled centre is run by art enthusiasts Kamila…
Aix-en-Provence
This striking design hotel acknowledges Aix' painterly pedigree with a life-sized Cézanne figure, abstract sculptures and huge panels of modern art. The…
Nice
A peaceful oasis in the middle of the city, this recently renovated three-star offers spacious rooms in a dusky rose villa, along with a pair of jacuzzi…
The Luberon
This sumptuous B&B manages to pull off a tricky balance between contemporary style and traditional architecture, with delightful, feminine rooms…
The Luberon
Beams, stone floors, an orchard and a cracking restaurant make this lovely B&B an enormously attractive stay. The 18th-century farmhouse has been…
Avignon
Avast, landlubbers: how about spending a night on a riverboat? This lovingly restored péniche bobs on the river about 2km from the old town. Two rooms…
Vaucluse
This hotel doesn't look like much from outside, but surprises await inside: all of the 33 rooms have a different feel, some in cool blues and checks,…
Nice
A refined retreat at the fringes of the city, this early-20th-century hillside mansion gazes down over Nice's rooftops and the distant Mediterranean…
Cannes
Completely renovated in 2018, this dusky rose villa just east of the train station offers comfortable, refined digs within easy walking distance of…
Hôtel La Résidence du Vieux Port
Marseille
Externally as attractive as a multistorey car park, this portside hotel scores big on interior design and views. Its rooms are self-consciously retro –…
Vaucluse
This hotel on the narrow streets of the old town wins hands-down for atmosphere, but you might not feel so enthusiastic once you've lugged your luggage up…
Arles
This elegant address across from the amphitheatre is quite a bargain: the standard of design here far outreaches the reasonable price tag. Antiques, rugs,…
Arles
The heated swimming pool, pretty garden and plush antique-decorated rooms are just some of the things going for this hotel; others include a setting…
Var
Occupying an unimprovable central location in Borne-les-Mimosas, the Cigalou offers 20 plush rooms and a dreamy pool, plus a very good traditional French…
Avignon
One of several hotels on a shaded side street off rue de la République, this pleasant, old-fashioned hotel has 15 rooms decked out in art posters and…
Var
Right beside Plage Bona, this Scandi-tinged, palm-fringed hotel is a stylish place to stay, with its cedar-clad exterior, sun-loungers, potted plants and…
Côte d'Azur
Right in the middle of Fréjus' pretty old town, this pink-fronted place is no-frills, but it's good value considering Riviera prices. There are nine…
The Luberon
You’re paying a hefty premium for the view at this attractive hotel in the middle of Roussillon – but, boy, what a view! Rooms overlook your choice of…
Parc National du Mercantour
A longstanding hostelry for cross-border travellers, road-trippers and bikers, this hilltop auberge at the crest of the Col de Bruis makes a pleasant stop…
Côte d'Azur
Far removed from St-Trop’s swagger, this sweet country hideaway sits at the end of a dusty lane near the village of Ramatuelle, 3.5km west of town. It has…
Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
A quietly stylish B&B, with five rooms and a self-contained gîte, all decorated in colourful style. The lavender-blue La Béruguette and two-bedroom Sous…
Avignon
Heritage meets contemporary at this B&B, offering five spacious rooms in a building behind the Palais des Papes. It's stylish, and there are treats like…
Vaucluse
A charming – if rather expensive – hotel in the middle of the village, renovated from a former mill. Rooms are attractive and rather feminine; more…
St-Tropez
This old-school hotel stands in stark contrast to most of the swanky hotels around St-Tropez. Located in an old house shaded by lemon and fig trees, its…
Bouches-du-Rhône
The epitome of classy St-Rémy, this 1750s townhouse hotel is like a design magazine come to life. All five suites have their own eclectic decor – four of…
Vaucluse
A working wine estate and part of the Logis chain, Domaine de Cabasse also offers a good range of rooms in its shuttered lodge building. It's definitely…
Cannes
This cinema-themed hotel is styled after the 'seventh art' (as French people call film), with the rooms divided into three filmic categories (Short Film,…
Avignon
A refined choice: a spacious and well-run hotel in a lovely building near the town hall (and its clock, hence the name), handily placed just off Avignon's…
Var
Run by a friendly Swedish couple, this pleasant little hotel abuts Hyères’ racing track, so you may be able to see (or hear) horses thundering past as you…
Cannes
A breath of fresh air in a town of stars, Noémi and Cédric's hotel offers bright, colourful two-star rooms, original paintings and numerous little details…
The Luberon
There are just two L-shaped suites at this farmhouse B&B, so you're assured of privacy. They're decorated with a light, feminine touch – dried lavender,…
