Historic Hotels in France
Hotels, inns and other accommodation connected to famous figures from history.
Paris
Is it the most romantic city in the world? Whatever your view there’s no doubting its extremely colourful past and famous historic sights. What’s more, there are numerous fabulous period places to stay to suit every budget and taste. 
Auvergne
Formed by the departments of Allier, Puy-de-Dome, Cantal and Haute Loire, Auvergne also contains what is referred to as the Central Massif. Its main cities include Aurillac, Clermont Ferrand, Montlucon and Vichy. |
Alsace and Lorraine
Alsace might be the smallest region of mainland France, but given that Strasbourg is home to numerous European institutions, it’s also one of the most influential. Lorraine, meanwhile, contains two important cities in Metz and Nancy. 
Brittany
At the north west tip of France, this culturally distinct region is comprised of four departments: Finistère, Côtes-d’Armor, Ille-et-Vilaine, and Morbihan. The most popular towns and cities for visitors include St. Malo and Rennes. |
Aquitaine
Aquitaine contains much of the popular Dordogne area of France, but it also extends right down to the Spanish border and possesses some of the nation’s most famous cities and towns: Biarritz, Bordeaux and Lourdes among them. 
Burgundy and Franche Comte
Few would dispute that Burgundy is home to some of the most historic towns in France, such as Dijon and Beaune. Franche Comte, meanwhile, possesses an alpine ambience all of its own. And both boast some extremely historic places to stay. |
Centre
Its simple name belies the wealth of beautiful scenery and historic places to be found within. Indeed, much of the Loire valley is to be discovered here, and it possesses some of the country's most heritage-rich chateaux hotels, too. |
Champagne Ardennes
Marne, Haute-Marn, Aube and Ardennes are the departments making up this north easterly region which partly borders Belgium. It is also noted for historic towns such as Troyes and Reims as well as its famous sparkling wines. |
Languedoc Roussillon
France’s most prolific wine producing region, Languedoc stretches from the Spanish border to Provence. Its departments such as Gard and Hérault feature some of France’s most fascinating cities, towns and beautiful old hotels. |
Midi Pyrenees
A truly giant region, Midi Pyrenees is unsurprisingly diverse. Not only does it contain large cities such as Toulouse, but it stretches from the border with Spain right up to the centre of the country. |
Normandy
Comprised of the departments of Calvados, Manche, Orne, Seine-Maritime, and Eure, Normandy boasts numerous historic towns and cities of interest to the visitor, including Rouen, Honfleur, Caen and Bayeux. |
Pays de la Loire
Few history-travellers will tire of what Pays de la Loire and its constituent departments of Maine-et-Loire, Sarthe, Mayenne, Loire-Atlantique and Vendée have to offer. This is true Chateaux country, after all. |
Picardy and Calais
Nord-pas-de-Calais and Picardy often provide the first taste of France for those entering the country by cross channel ferry. Amiens and Beauvais are the primary urban centres of Picardie; Arras and Lille of Nord-pas-de-Calais. |
Poitou Charentes and Limousin
Two of France’s strongest agricultural regions, many travel to Poitou Charentes and “landlocked” Limousin for their off-the-beaten-track appeal. Poitiers and La Rochelle are the main urban centres of the former, but its rural life that attracts most. |
Provence
There’s much more to the south of France than beautiful beaches on the Cote d’Azur. Indeed, it also possesses plenty of villages with glorious step-back-in-time appeal, as well as some truly exceptional heritage accommodation. |
Rhone Alpes
A region of contrast, Rhone Alpes possesses inspiring mountain scenery, lush vineyards and, in Lyon, the second largest city outside Paris. Its departments are Ain, Ardèche, Isère, Rhône, Savoie, Haute Savoie and Loire. |
Pictures on this page: The St. James and Albany in Paris; Hotel de l'Europe in Strasbourg; Chateau d'Urtubie in Aquitaine; Chateau Royal de Saint Saturnin in Auvergne; Chateau de la Ballue in Brittany; Chateau de Villersexel in Franche Comte; Chateau de Pray in Centre; La Maison de Rhodes Hotel in Champagne Ardennes; Chateau des Ducs de Joyeuse in Languedoc Roussillon; Chateau de la Treyne in Midi Pyrenees; Chateau les Bruyeres in Normandy; Chateau de la Barre in Pays de la Loire; La Chartreuse du Val Saint Esprit in Nord pas de Calais; Chateau de Mirambeau Hotel in Poitou Charentes; Hotel d'Europe in Provence; and Chateau de Bagnols Hotel in Rhone Alpes.