Where to Stay in France (Best Areas to Vacation)

13 Best Towns, Cities & Areas to Stay in France

France is shaped like a hexagon. Paris is in the north-central area of the country. To its southeast, you’ll find the Loire. Normandy and Brittany are north. The French Alps are in the east. In the south, there’s the Aquitaine and Riviera. To the west, you’ll find the Atlantic coast.

Paris

👉 Best Area For a Home Base | ✨ Best Paris Hotels: Solly Hôtel Paris • Hôtel de Crillon • Les Jardins du Luxembourg • Académie Hôtel Saint Germain

For most travelers, a trip to France isn’t complete without a trip to Paris. The City of Light has a ton of attractions. The top ones for a first visit include the Eiffel Tower, Notre Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, and the Louvre. Paris is also home to some of the best shopping, restaurants, and hotels in the world.

I personally recommend the Marais as the best area to stay in Paris overall. It’s located within the 3rd & 4th arrondissements and offers a convenient and walkable location as well as tons of Parisian charm. The 7th arrondissement is another good choice for first-time visitors.

If this isn’t your first time in Paris, consider staying in a neighborhood outside of the center, such as in Montmartre or Belleville.

The Solly Hôtel Paris is a chic hotel located in the Marais. It’s perfect for travelers who want a sleek but comfortable atmosphere while still being in a convenient location. Another one of my all-time favorite hotels, Hôtel Académie-Saint Germain, offers classical decor and comfort at low prices. You’ll also find yourself in the heart of the Left Bank!

Pros of Staying in Paris:

• Tons of attractions
• Easy train access to other cities
• The capital city of France

Cons of Staying in Paris:

• Expensive compared to other cities
• Driving is difficult

The French Riviera

👉 Best Area For Luxury | ✨ Best French Riviera Hotels: Carlton Cannes • Hotel Le Negresco • Five Seas Hotel Cannes

Look no further than the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) if you want glamor. The major cities of Cannes, Nice, and Saint-Tropez all have their charms. These include designer shops, the famous Cannes Film Festival, and sandy beaches. Be warned, though–the glamor doesn’t come cheap!

For true luxury, I love Hotel Le Negresco. The seafront location, chic rooms, and Michelin-starred restaurant are only the start of its charms. 

Budget travelers should check out hotels in smaller cities, towns, and villages along the coast. These can provide great weather without the crowds and prices of the bigger French Riviera cities. 

Pros of Staying in the French Riviera:

• Warm most of the year
• Glamorous and beautiful surroundings
• Great shopping and beaches

Cons of Staying in the French Riviera:

• Hotels can be pricey
• Summers can be hot and crowded

Provence

👉 Best Area For Relaxation | ✨ Best Provence Hotels: Château de la Gaude • Le Couvent des Minimes Hôtel & Spa L’Occitane • Airelles Château de la Messardière

In the Provence region, you’ll find rolling fields of lavender and vineyards. But you’ll also find the southern Alps, the French Riviera, and cities like Marseille. However, the gorgeous countryside in this region is the best choice when you’re looking for peace.

For true relaxation, green countryside surrounds Le Couvent des Minimes Hôtel & Spa L’Occitane. Its own terraced garden and outdoor pool are peaceful and calm. Meanwhile, the in-house spa can help you relax even more. 

Pros of Staying in Provence:

• Many different landscapes
• Lots of beautiful countryside
• Access to big cities

Cons of Staying in Provence:

• A rental car is necessary outside of big cities
• Driving can be tricky on narrow, hilly roads

Normandy

👉 Best Area For History | ✨ Best Normandy Hotels: Chateau La Cheneviere • Villa Lara Hotel • Château du Boulay Morin

History lovers can’t come to France without a visit to Normandy. This region has everything from the Bayeux Tapestry showing the Norman Conquest to the D-Day landing beaches. With huge rural areas, the region also has vibrant cities that offer shopping and amenities. 

Away from the coastline, the Château du Boulay Morin is one of my favorite hotels in Normandy–and in France. This castle belonged to a former king’s wife. Today, it’s a luxurious accommodation that comes with surprisingly reasonable prices. 

I’ve stayed at the château myself. Read my review of Château du Boulay Morin for a full breakdown of my experience. 

Pros of Staying in Normandy:

• Diverse historical sites
• Lots of green countryside
• Great local food and drink specialties

Cons of Staying in Normandy:

• Weather can be unpredictable
• You’ll need a rental car to get around

Corsica

👉 Best Area For Beaches | ✨ Best Corsica Hotels: Hôtel Marinca & Spa • Hotel Corsica & Spa Serena • Résidence Dary

You can’t miss Corsica if you’re coming to France for its beaches. The island is home to some of the best beaches in France, including the Palombaggia Beach. The water is clear, and the atmosphere is laid back. However, adventurers should bring their hiking boots. There are plenty of challenging trails!

Prices can be high in summer. Consider visiting in the late spring and early fall for bargains. 

True beach lovers should check out the Hôtel Marinca & Spa. The water views are incredible. It has three swimming pools, but it’s also only minutes from the beach.

Pros of Staying in Corsica:

• Gorgeous natural surroundings
• Challenging hiking trails
• Multiple idyllic French beaches

Cons of Staying in Corsica:

• Some places are only open seasonally
• Hard to get to other parts of France
• Hotels can be pricey

The Loire Valley

👉 Best Area For Castles | ✨ Best Loire Valley Hotels: Relais & Château Louise de La Vallière • Château de Maubreuil • Fleur de Loire

You won’t want to miss the Loire Valley if fairy-tale castles are your thing. This region near the Loire River is in central France. This makes it easy to get to from Paris. 

This region has over 300 castles within about 100 square miles! Some are open for tours, including the Château du Clos Lucé, where Leonardo da Vinci lived and worked.

Since you’re in the Loire, you should stay in a castle. Try the Relais & Château Louise de La Vallière for royalty-level amenities. There’s a swimming pool, hot tub, and hammam among many other offerings.

Pros of Staying in the Loire:

• Surprisingly affordable luxury
• Easy access to Paris
• High-quality restaurants

Cons of Staying in the Loire:

• Not many large cities
• You’ll need a rental car to get around

Champagne

👉 Best Area For Romance | ✨ Best Champagne Hotels: Le Château D’Etoges • Hostellerie Briqueterie & Spa Champagne • Armes de Champagne

The Champagne region gets its name from the sparkling wine it produces. This mostly rural area has a few smaller cities within it. This makes the Champagne region perfect for a romantic retreat to a country manor hotel like Le Château D’Etoges. 

Late spring through early fall are the best times to visit. Spend your days walking through rolling hills and your evenings at wine tastings. Because of the quieter nature of this region (and its wine!), it’s best for adults. 

Pros of Staying in Champagne:

• Beautiful countryside surroundings
• Extensive vineyard access
• Good hiking trails

Cons of Staying in Champagne:

• Few large cities
• You’ll need a rental car to get around

The French Alps

👉 Best Area For Winter Travel | ✨ Best French Alps Hotels: Hôtel Mont-Blanc Chamonix • Le Hameau Albert 1er • Four Seasons Hotel Megeve

The French Alps are synonymous with “winter luxury.” If you ski or snowboard, this area should be on your must-visit list. Come during the winter and early spring for the best snow. Experienced hikers can also come in the warmer months for rugged trails. 

Luxury hotels and resorts cover this area. I love hotels like the Hôtel Mont-Blanc Chamonix for its glamor and services. You can get great deals in the warmer months, though the region is much quieter then!

Pros of Staying in the French Alps:

• Many ski slopes
• Luxurious hotel offerings
• Stunning mountain views
• Great deals in the off-season

Cons of Staying in the French Alps:

• Difficult winter driving 
• You’ll need a rental car to get around
• Many businesses close in the off-season

The Aquitaine

👉 Best Area For Wine Lovers | ✨ Best Aquitaine Hotels: Château Hôtel Grand Barrail • Le Palais Gallien Hôtel & Spa • Château Léognan

The Aquitaine region has to be on your list of French places to visit if you love wine. Not only does this area produce the famous Bordeaux wine, but it is also home to Saint-Émilion, Médoc, and Sauternes wines. 

The Aquitaine is the perfect combination of urban and rural. You can find big cities here, like Bordeaux, for top-notch restaurants and hotels. But you can also stay in the countryside at a hotel like the Château Léognan, particularly if the vineyards are calling to you. 

Pros of Staying in the Aquitaine:

• Combination of urban and rural areas
• Large cities like Bordeaux
• Multiple types of wine production 
• Easy access to Spain

Cons of Staying in the Aquitaine:

• You’ll need a rental car outside of big cities
• Summers can be very hot

Poitou-Charentes

👉 Best Area For Hidden Gems | ✨ Best Poitou-Charentes Hotels: Hotel Domaine des Etangs • Hôtel Chais Monnet & Spa • Alexandra Palace – La Maison Younan

Most people flock to the French Riviera or Normandy when looking for a coastal vacation in France. But I love Poitou-Charentes, which includes the Île de Ré island and other gorgeous coastal locations. 

The area is filled with history, from medieval ruins to Renaissance castles. Come in summer for the best weather and beach access.

Just because the Poitou-Charentes region isn’t on many international tourists’ lists doesn’t mean that it’s boring. You can also find amazing luxury here, like at the Alexandra Palace – La Maison Younan. The palace’s decor is the height of French elegance!

Pros of Staying in Poitou-Charentes:

• Fewer international visitors
• Great beaches and coastal access
• Excellent luxury hotels

Cons of Staying in Poitou-Charentes:

• Winters can be cold and windy
• You’ll need a rental car to get around

Brittany

👉 Best Area For Budget Travel | ✨ Best Brittany Hotels: Castelbrac Hotel & Spa • Balthazar Hôtel & Spa • Domaine de Locguénolé & Spa

Brittany, in France’s northwest, has incredible coastlines, seafood, and monuments. Yet it’s farther from Paris than its neighboring Normandy. 

This means that it’s often cheaper than Normandy while offering a lot of the same perks. Meanwhile, it has other attractions, like the gorgeous Rose Coast and Île-de-Bréhat.

Visit in the summertime for amazing seaside views. But be sure to get a rental car to drive through the rest of the region–you won’t be sorry! You can find amazing deals, particularly if you book in advance. At the time of this writing, the Domaine de Locguénolé & Spa luxury hotel has low-season rooms available for 160 euros!

Pros of Staying in Brittany:

• Reasonably priced accommodation
• Stunning natural surroundings 
• Excellent seafood and restaurants

Cons of Staying in Brittany:

• Bad weather in winter
• You’ll need a rental car to get around

Grand Est

👉 Best Area For European Tours | ✨ Best Grand Est Hotels: Hôtel Léonor • Domaine de la Klauss & Spa • La Citadelle Hotel Metz

I’ve already written about my love of Strasbourg, capital of the Grand Est region. And, in my opinion, the city alone is worth visiting! But the Grand Est, in northeast France, offers great opportunities for other adventures. 

This is a great region to stay in if you’re planning on traveling around Europe. On its eastern edge, Grand Est borders Belgium, Germany, Luxembourg, and Switzerland. Foreign policy buffs will also love visiting the European Parliament in Strasbourg.  

The Grand Est is more than just a gateway to other places, though! Great hotels for all budgets abound. The Domaine de la Klauss & Spa is one of my favorites. Close to Luxembourg, the hotel has a luxurious spa and great restaurant. Its prices can be surprisingly affordable in the off-season, sometimes under 300 euros.

Pros of Staying in Grand Est:

• Great connections to other European countries
• Good for lovers of Alsatian wine
• Mixture of urban and rural areas

Cons of Staying in Grand Est:

• Bad weather in winter
• Driving between EU countries may require special rental agreements

Burgundy

👉 Best Area For Foodies | ✨ Best Burgundy Hotels: L’Hotel • Le Domaine des Prés Verts • Hostellerie De Levernois

South of the Grand Est region, Burgundy gets international recognition for its wine. But with cities like Dijon and tons of local eateries, it’s also a wonderful place to go if you love exploring food. In addition to Dijon, be sure to check out Morvan and Charolais for top-notch dishes!

Burgundy specialties include the famous “boeuf bourguignon” (Burgundy beef), a cold-weather favorite. But you should also try the seafood dish, pôchouse. Adventurous eaters should try the specialty Burgundy snails!

The area is full of hotels in small villages. I adore L’Hotel in Beaune for its historic architecture, Hermès toiletries, and luxurious décor. 

Meanwhile, start your Burgundy trip with a visit to the Maison des Climats museum. This will help you learn more about the region’s wine. Then, you can plan your next steps accordingly!

Pros of Staying in Burgundy:

• Excellent food and wine
• Easy to access from Paris
• 4 UNESCO World Heritage Sites

Cons of Staying in Burgundy:

• Few larger cities
• You’ll need a rental car to get around

Tips for Staying in France

Learn French Basics

If you’ve only visited Paris or big cities in France, you may be used to English-speaking locals. This isn’t the case everywhere, and particularly not in rural destinations and smaller towns in France. Learning French basics can go a long way when overcoming language barriers.

Carry a Little Cash

You’ll need a car to get around many regions in France. However, driving in a foreign country comes with risks. Carrying some cash on you to pay for emergency services or even for valet tips is a good idea. 

Prepare for the Roads

Driving is one of the best ways to get around the French countryside, which is something I learned when I tried to get around purely via public transportation.

French roads range from huge highways to tiny rural pathways. If you’re driving in France, be sure to check out your route first. And be aware of French driving regulations, particularly if you’re doing a lot of wine tasting. Driving under the influence carries severe penalties.

Don’t Overdo It When Planning

It’s great to know where you’ll be staying in France, and it’s essential to book hotels and transportation in advance. However, I recommend leaving some wiggle room in your schedule. 

Once you arrive, the hotel concierge or owner will likely have suggestions for you to try. These types of local suggestions are invaluable!

Try Public Transport

Make public transportation your priority if you’re only staying in cities. French trains are fast, efficient, and cheap. This is especially true for the high-speed TGV trains. However, if you’re staying in more rural areas, you will need a rental car. Do not count on rural bus services, particularly when there’s time pressure.

Read my article on how to get around France for a full breakdown of transportation. 

FAQs

What are the best areas to stay in France for first-timers?

The best areas to stay in France for first-timers are Paris, the French Riviera, and the Aquitaine. These are all areas with big cities and lots of visitors. They also have hidden gems in smaller villages surrounding those cities.

What are safe areas to stay in France?

Safe areas to stay in France include Brittany, Normandy, Poitou-Charente, the Loire Valley, and the Champagne Region. Most crime occurs in major cities, so more rural areas tend to be safer. 

What are the best parts of France to stay on a budget?

The best parts of France to stay on a budget include Brittany, Poitou-Charente, and the Loire Valley. These areas offer reasonable accommodation, often in luxurious surroundings. 

What are the best parts of France to stay with kids?

The best parts of France to stay with kids are Paris, the French Riviera, and the French Alps. These areas have tons of outdoor activities and attractions that appeal to both children and adults.

What are the best parts of France to stay for a weekend?

The best parts of France to stay for a weekend include more rural regions, like the Loire Valley and the Champagne Region. You can see the countryside while unwinding and relaxing.

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Deciding where your French vacation will take you can be tricky, but these top choices can help you narrow it down! Need help packing? Read my article on what to pack for France next.

🖨️ Get a free, printable version of my France packing list here!