The Web’s Premiere Guide to Historic Hotels and Accommodation in the UK, France, Italy and Western Europe
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~ France Historic Hotels ~
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~ Special Sections ~
Chateau de Mazan. Mazan
This eighteenth-
The Chateau is the former residence of none other than the Marquis de Sade, and where, in 1772, he organised the first ever Theatre Festival in France. Booking.com |
Hotel Gounod. Saint Remy de Provence.
One for enthusiasts and aficionados of opera given that it was here that Charles Gounod wrote Mireille in 1863.
A former post house and relay station, the building dates from the early 1800‘s. Today, however, it operates as a 3 star hotel and offers over 30 guest rooms and suites. Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Grand Hotel Beauvau Vieux Port. Marseilles
Without question, The Hôtel Mercure Beauvau Vieux-
It is said that Chopin, Georges Sand and Musset all stayed at the Beauvau Vieux Port during the nineteenth century.
More hotel details are available via Booking.com
Chateau de la Pioline. Aix-en-Provence
Located on the banks of the River Arc and only a few minutes away from the centre of Aix-
Charles V of France is known to have stayed at the Chateau during August 1536, as did Catherine de Medici in July 1579 when she visited Provence to broker a truce in the fighting between the Duke of Retz and Count of Carces.
Hotel d’Europe. Avignon
Built towards the end of the 1500‘s and originally the private residence of the Marquess of Graveson, the building was transformed into a hotel in 1799. It may be located on Avignon’s Central Square, but it remains a secluded and tranquil retreat for its guests.
One of the earliest historical figures to enter the proverbial guest book was Napoleon Bonaparte, after which literary figures such as Tennessee Williams, Charles Dickens, Robert Browning, Elizabeth Browning, Victor Hugo and Henry James all came to stay. Artists Picasso and Salvador Dali also feature amongst its extremely impressive visitor list. Expedia | TripAdvisor
More period accommodation throughout Provence and along the French Riviera
Aix en Provence
Hoteldes Augustins. Although many of the rooms have been given a more contemporary feel than a period one, there’s no doubt that this is a very old building. Indeed, the place is reputed to date from the 12th century and is said to have been visited by Martin Luther following his excommunication and return from Rome. Booking.com
Citea La Bastide du Roy René. Apartment and studio accommodation in historic 16th and 17th century building. Booking.com | Lastminute.com
Hôtel Château l'Arc. This Provencale chateau is located just a few miles outside the city in the medieval village of Fuveau. Four-star rated and possessing only 12 guest rooms in all, it is surrounded by parkland and the Sainte Victoire golf course. Chateau l’Arc was formerly the home of the 20th century artist, Bernard Buffet. Expedia | TripAdvisor
Hotel Le Pigonnet. A pretty 18th century mansion house close to the centre of Aix. Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Villa Gallici. A luxury hotel housed within a beautiful period residence, Villa Gallici belongs to the distinguished Baglioni Hotels group - a name synonymous with romantic places to stay. Extremely highly rated by guests, it offers 23 rooms in total. TripAdvisor | Lastminute.com
Citea La Bastide du Roy René. Apartment and studio accommodation in historic 16th and 17th century building. Booking.com | Lastminute.com
Hôtel Château l'Arc. This Provencale chateau is located just a few miles outside the city in the medieval village of Fuveau. Four-
Hotel Le Pigonnet. A pretty 18th century mansion house close to the centre of Aix. Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Villa Gallici. A luxury hotel housed within a beautiful period residence, Villa Gallici belongs to the distinguished Baglioni Hotels group -
Arles
L’Hotel Particulier. A boutique hotel which exudes Provencale style, this pretty residence blends chic with period charm. Dating from the 18th century, L’Hotel Particulier offers fourteen guest rooms in all, and four star hospitality and facilities. Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Hotel du Musee. There’s plenty of the building’s architectural fabric on display at this 28-
Le Mas de la Chapelle. (Near Arles). Located in countryside out-
Hotel de l’Amphitheatre. Recently restored seventeenth century hotel located conveniently close to the historic centre of Arles. Expedia | TripAdvisor
Hotel d’Arlatan. A fascinating building whose history is not merely confined to the present structure, but also the the Roman Empire: excavations have found the presence of a villa on-
Avignon
La Mirande. A striking eighteenth century townhouse built on the site of a Cardinal’s Palace, this 4-
Auberge de Noves. Located a few miles outside the city, Auberge de Noves is a stone manor house dating from the 1800s. Set amid extensive grounds, the hotel even has its own helipad (which should provide some clue as to the type of clientele it attracts). Expedia | TripAdvisor
Best Western La Magnaneraie. Located in the village of Villeneuve Les Avignon, the hotel is a country house dating from the XVth century. Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Chateau de Varenne. Situated a few miles outside the city, Chateau de Varenne is a splendid little property dating from 1738. Booking.com
Hotel Cloitre St Louis. ‘Noviciate’ is a word one hears rarely (if at all), but this 16th century hotel once was one. 4-
Le Prieure. A beautifully restored 14th century priory which, strictly speaking, is just over the border in Languedoc Rousillon. Booking.com
Brignoles
Hostellerie de l’Abbaye de la Celle. Four-
Cagnes sur Mer
Villa Estelle. A former 14th century inn, this chic guesthouse is located in the charming medieval village of Haut-
Le Cagnard. Said to date back to the 13th century, this 4-
Carpentras
Best Western Le Comtadin. Recently renovated 18th century property. Booking.com | TripAdvisor
Chateau du Martinet. Originally constructed in 1712 and later re-
Embrun
Chateau de Picomtal. Without doubt one of the finest pieces of chateau architecture in the south of France, this genuine fortified house boasts towers built in 1270, 1380 and 1510. Moreover, the furnishings and interior remain true to their heritage with guest reviews being extremely favourable. Ideal for those wishing to explore the Hautes-Alpes department, the border with Italy is within easy reach. Booking.com
Gemenos
Relais de la Magdeleine. A creeper clad country house that has been operated by the same family for three generations. Both Aix en Provence and Marseilles are easily reached by car. TripAdvisor
Gordes
La Bastide de Gordes & Spa. In the beautiful village of the same name, this 4 star luxury hotel is housed within a substantial old mansion dating from the 16th century. Of course, back then it wouldn’t have had a “wellness centre”, but discerning modern travellers are more demanding creatures than their medieval counterparts. Booking.com
Grasse
Bastide Saint Mathieu. When this farmhouse was built over 200 years ago, no one would have imagined it would ever become a luxury boutique hotel. Family-
La Roque sur Pernes
Chateau la Roque. A truly historic 11th century chateau -
La Turbie
Hostellerie Jerome. They say that Napoleon Bonaparte stayed here in one of its five guest rooms in 1796. Dating in parts from the XIII century, this former presbytery is set in a lovely medieval village from which the bay of Monaco is visible. Booking.com
Le Cadiere d’Azur
Hostellerie Berard. Less than half an hour from Marseilles, this collection of ancient buildings, including an 11th century convent, offers a total of 37 guest rooms. LateRooms | Lastminute.com
Les Beaux de Provence
Oustau de Baumanière. 4-star rated accommodation within a series of old Provencal buildings (some from the sixteenth century). Also features a 2-star Michelin restaurant. Booking.com
Meyrargues
Chateau de Meyrargues. This 4-
Moustiers Sainte Marie
La Bastide du Paradou. A little 2-
Nans Le Pins
Domaine de Chateauneuf. There certainly wouldn’t have been a fine 18-hole golf course outside when this place was built in 1780. Booking.com | Expedia
Opio
Chateau de la Begude. Only a short drive to the Cote d’Azur seaside, Chateau de la Begude is a seventeenth century country manor which will appeal to those seeking relaxation and golf alike. Booking.com
Orgon
Le Mas de la Rose. Some twenty miles to the south of Avignon on the A7, La Mas de la Rose has been extensively restored to blend its historic heritage with the facilities the modern traveller requires. Booking.com
Salon de Provence
Abbaye de Sainte Croix. The guest rooms at this four-star hotel have been created from the former living quarters of Benedictine monks. Reputed to date, in parts from the 12 th century, this former abbey is ideally located for those hoping to explore Provence by car – Avignon, Arles and Aix en Provence are all within easy reach. Booking.com
St Paul De Vence
Le Grande Bastide. A relatively small hotel – it has only 14 rooms – Le Grand Bastide is a highly-
Saint-Remy-de-Provence
Hotel Domaine de Valmouriane. A little bit of Provencale period charm amid a garden of Mediterranean flora. Booking.com
Chateau de Roussan. Set amid its own parkland, this seventeenth century chateau offers 20 guest rooms and 4-
Le Chateau des Alpilles. In a rural setting on the outskirts of St. Remy (birthplace of Nostradamus, no less), this is one of the most highly rated hotels in Provence (if independent reviews are anything to go by). Booking.com | Expedia
Hotel Villa Glanum. Alphonse Daudet once lived here, and the building was also drawn by none other than Vincent Van Gogh. Booking.com | LateRooms | Lastminute.com
Trigance
Chateau de Trigance. The extensive renovation of recent years has undoubtedly restored this hilltop castle to its former glory. Originally erected in the 11th century and home to the Counts of Provence, this three-
Vence
Le Chateau du Domaine St Martin. Approximately five miles inland from Cagnes sur Mer (and little further than that to Nice), this 5-star hotel provides a high-class option for those wishing to explore the French Riviera without having to stay amid its more bustling resorts. Alas, it isn’t in itself that old, having been largely built during the early 20th century. However, we feel it qualifies for inclusion on Nights In The Past on account of its siting on the foundations of a Knight’s Templar residence from the 12th century. Expedia
Please get in touch if you believe there’s a special place to stay of historic importance that we haven’t included in this section. We appreciate that despite extensive research and thousands of hours putting Nights In The Past together, there will be many more period hotels, inns and possibly unusual accommodation we’ve overlooked. We are keen to learn of places of heritage in all of the region’s departments: Bouches du Rhone, Vaucluse, Var and Alpes de Haute-Provence. Romantic hotels are, of course, most important. Thank you for visiting.
Please get in touch if you believe there’s a special place to stay of historic importance that we haven’t included in this section. We appreciate that despite extensive research and thousands of hours putting Nights In The Past together, there will be many more period hotels, inns and possibly unusual accommodation we’ve overlooked. We are keen to learn of places of heritage in all of the region’s departments: Bouches du Rhone, Vaucluse, Var and Alpes de Haute-
Copyright. Nights In The Past 2007 - 2011
Historic Hotels in Provence and Riviera
If you can’t find it below, see all Provence hotels at Booking.com, Hotels.com, Lastminute.com, LateRooms
Hostellerie Berard
L'Hotel Particulier, Arles
Villa Gallici, Aix en Provence