The Oldest Hotels in France
Ancient chateaux, inns, and other places to stay
La Maison de Rhodes, Troyes
During the creation of Nights in the Past we’ve come across many places to stay that are of an extraordinary age. Should you know of any old hotels, inns or other accommodation which applies to this section, please get in touch. It should be noted, however, that the list below reflects only a small proportion of the overall number of historic hotels listed on the site.
Inclusion in this Oldest Hotels in France section is based on there being some of the original structure still in existence rather than those places that have been entirely rebuilt. Naturally, in many cases this will apply to a relatively small section of the present-day building, though in some instances it applies to the majority. Please bear in mind that Nights in the Past can make no guarantees as to the veracity of the reputed age of any of the properties here or elsewhere on the site and cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies. The date information we supply has, however, been previously documented and is in the public domain either on the internet or in print.
Also see our main historic hotels section for France.
It is important to stress that this isn’t a definitive list, and has been compiled from some of those we have encountered during research.
Inclusion in this Oldest Hotels in France section is based on there being some of the original structure still in existence rather than those places that have been entirely rebuilt. Naturally, in many cases this will apply to a relatively small section of the present-day building, though in some instances it applies to the majority. Please bear in mind that Nights in the Past can make no guarantees as to the veracity of the reputed age of any of the properties here or elsewhere on the site and cannot be held responsible for inaccuracies. The date information we supply has, however, been previously documented and is in the public domain either on the internet or in print.
Also see our main historic hotels section for France.
It is important to stress that this isn’t a definitive list, and has been compiled from some of those we have encountered during research.
Hostellerie Berard, Provence
11th Century. Chateau de Goudourville. Near Toulouse, Midi Pyrenees. Patently of great age, this imposing castle is supposedly almost a thousand years old. Which parts can be dated to this time is unclear. Discover more about Chateau de Goudourville
11th Century. L’Hostellerie du Chateau. Briquebec, Normandy. Alongside the early medieval chatueau itself, the oldest part of the hotel is almost certainly the Knight’s Hall in which the restaurant is situated. See our main historic hotels entry for L’Hostellerie du Chateau
11th Century. Hostellerie Berard. La Cadiere d’Azur, Provence. The hotel itself is actually a group of buildings which includes a former monastery that is supposed to be of exceptional antiquity. Reservations for Hostellerie Berard can be made online at LateRooms.com
11th Century. Chateau de la Flocelliere. La Flocelliere, Pays de la Loire. The country house that forms the bulk of this Vendee hotel may well be seventeenth century, but it sits amid the ruins of an imposing fortress which is over 900 years old (including a spectacular tower still in use today). Information concerning rates and reviews can be found at Booking.com
11th Century. La Terrasse. Meyronne, Midi Pyrenees. The origins of this manifestly old building are thought to be early XI century, and photographic impressions suggest there is no reason to dispute the claim. Discover more about La Terrasse
12th Century. Chateau de Vollore. Vollore-Ville, Auvergne. Admittedly, much of the existing structure is of the 17th century, but the Romanesque keep is known to date back a further 500 years. See our main entry for Chateau de Vollore
11th Century. L’Hostellerie du Chateau. Briquebec, Normandy. Alongside the early medieval chatueau itself, the oldest part of the hotel is almost certainly the Knight’s Hall in which the restaurant is situated. See our main historic hotels entry for L’Hostellerie du Chateau
11th Century. Hostellerie Berard. La Cadiere d’Azur, Provence. The hotel itself is actually a group of buildings which includes a former monastery that is supposed to be of exceptional antiquity. Reservations for Hostellerie Berard can be made online at LateRooms.com
11th Century. Chateau de la Flocelliere. La Flocelliere, Pays de la Loire. The country house that forms the bulk of this Vendee hotel may well be seventeenth century, but it sits amid the ruins of an imposing fortress which is over 900 years old (including a spectacular tower still in use today). Information concerning rates and reviews can be found at Booking.com
11th Century. La Terrasse. Meyronne, Midi Pyrenees. The origins of this manifestly old building are thought to be early XI century, and photographic impressions suggest there is no reason to dispute the claim. Discover more about La Terrasse
12th Century. Chateau de Vollore. Vollore-Ville, Auvergne. Admittedly, much of the existing structure is of the 17th century, but the Romanesque keep is known to date back a further 500 years. See our main entry for Chateau de Vollore
Chateau de Vollore
Notes: Chateau de Lignan
near Beziers in Languedoc Roussillon claims to be a “9th century
fortress”. How much veracity there is in this claim is difficult to
ascertain, although the existing building - while certainly historic - is visibly not of such extraordinary age.
The oldest hotel in Paris that we are currently aware of is the Hotel de Buci which dates from the 16th century. Rates, online booking and more details are available via Booking.com
Also reputed to be 12th century: La Maison de Rhodes (Champagne Ardennes); Chateau Lamothe du Prince Noir (Aquitaine); Chateau d’Etoges (Champagne Ardennes); Abbaye de la Bussiere (Burgundy)
The oldest hotel in Paris that we are currently aware of is the Hotel de Buci which dates from the 16th century. Rates, online booking and more details are available via Booking.com
Also reputed to be 12th century: La Maison de Rhodes (Champagne Ardennes); Chateau Lamothe du Prince Noir (Aquitaine); Chateau d’Etoges (Champagne Ardennes); Abbaye de la Bussiere (Burgundy)