Romantic Places in France / 100 of the world's most romantic small hotels, inns and places

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France


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	Romantic Places in France
	Brittany/Normandy Brittany is the wild, Celtic, northwestern part of France, known for its seafood and Breton-speaking natives. Normandy is the birthplace of William the Conqueror and home to cows, apple trees, green grass and Camembert. Chateau de Talhouet Rochefort-en-Terre Brittany, France T: +33 297-43-34-72. 8 rooms. US$ 140- www.chateaudetalhouet.com Hidden in a forest, an elegant 17th century chateau. Château de Saint Paterne 72610 Saint Paterne Lower Normandy, France Tél:+33 ) 33 27 54 71. 9 rooms. US$ 200- www.chateau-saintpaterne.com This romantic French hotel sits in 25 acres of parkland and is located southwest of Paris, midway betweeen Normandy and the Loire Valley. Chef Charles-Henry de Valbray and his decorator wife have stylishly restored their family's fifteenth century chateau. The guestrooms are a mixture of styles - some are traditional with antiques and others are strikingly modern. Burgundy Rustic, quiet charm, medieval villages and world renown Grand Cru wineries. Château de Vault-de-Lugny 11 Rue de Chateau Avallon Burgundy, France T: +33 386 34 0786. 12 rooms. US$ 230- www.lugny.fr A luxuriously furnished country house hotel sitting on its own 40 acres. This romantic hotel is located in a rural Burgundian setting near the celebrated medieval village of Vézelay. Loire Valley Chateau country, home of kings. Domaine des Hauts de Loire Route de Herbault Loir-et-Cher, France T: +33 33 254 207 257. 25 rooms. US$ 130- www.relaischateaux.com/hauts-loire Magnificent 1860 hunting lodge set in tranquil parkland. Château de la Bourdaisière 25 rue de la Bourdaisière Montlouis-sur-Loire www.chateaulabourdaisiere.com T: +33 247 45 1631. 20 rooms. US$ 146- Built for the mistress of Francois I, the 15th century chateau is now owned by two princely brothers; they bought it as an organic nursery for their collection of 500 varieties of heirloom tomatoes. Paris, France The most elegant of cities and one of the most romantic places in the world. Left Bank, Paris The soul of Paris, intimate and vibrant. Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Left Bank. Home to Sorbonne students, artists and poets; birthplace of Existentialism. Picasso, Baudelaire, Hemingway, Musset, Sarte and de Beauvoir lived here. Hotel D'Aubusson 33 rue Dauphine Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Paris T: +33 43 29 43 43. 50 rooms. US$ 320- www.hoteldaubusson.com Unusually spacious for a city mansion-hotel, this jewel has oak beamed ceilings and four tester beds. Hotel Madison Le Madison 143, bd St. Germain Paris, France T: +33 140 51 60 00. 51 rooms. US$ 180- www.hotel-madison.com Softly colored l8th century style décor. Breakfast room overlooks a garden. Au Manoir St. Germain des Pres 153, bd St. Germain Paris, France T: +33 142 22 21 65. 32 rooms. US$ 190- www.paris-hotels-charm.com Refined, calm and cozy. Relais Christine 3, Rue Christine Saint-Germain-des-Prés, Left Bank, Paris T: +33 140 51 60 80. 51 rooms. US$ 300- www.relais-christine.com Set back off the street by an attractive courtyard, each room in the hotel is individually decorated by the owner. Right Bank, Paris Haute couture shops and grand museums. Hotel de Vigny 9-11 Rue Balzac Paris, France T: +33 142 99 80 80. 37 rooms. US$ 450- www.relaischateaux.com/vigny Just off the Champs Elysees, the elegant Hotel de Vigny resembles a private townhouse more than a hotel. Has rich woods, antiques, tapestries and English-style décor. Hotel Lancaster Lancaster 7, rue de Beri, Champs Elysees Paris, France T: +33 140 76 40 76. 60 Rooms. US$ 880- www.hotel-lancaster.fr Stylish, luxurious and full of antiques, the hotel embodies Parisien chic. Originally the l9th century home of the Prince and Princess de Hennin. Hotel San Regis 12 rue Jean-Goujon Paris, France T: +33 144 95 16 16. 44 rooms. US$ 450- www.hotel-sanregis.fr A Right Bank classic, this former townhouse has an intimate wood paneled and book-lined restaurant, an English bar, and sumptuous fabrics and antiques. Hotel Daniel 8, rue Frédéric Bastiat T: +33 142 56 17 00. 26 rooms. US$ 600- www.hoteldanielparis.com Stylish and magical with Chinoiserie wallpaper, colonial era toile fabrics and Asian furniture; all rooms different. Champagne Where kings were crowned, Joan of Arc was born, and the world's most famous wine was created. Boyer Les Crayeres 64, bd Henry-Vasnier Reims, France T: +33 326 82 80 80. 19 rooms. US$ 278- www.gerardboyer.com Elegant turn of the century manor house set in English style parkland. Owned by 3 star chef Gerard Boyer and his wife Elayne. Greater South West Dense forests, ancient hillside villages and medieval castles Moulin del'Abbaye Brantome Perigueux, France T: +33 53 05 80 22. 19 rooms. US$ 210- www.relaischateaux.com/moulin Wild and romantic setting in one of France's prettiest villages.Some of the rooms overlook the Dordogne River. Chateau du Clair de Lune 48, ave Alan Seeger 64200 Biarritz, France T: +33 5 59 41 53 20. 17 rooms. US$ 75- www.chateauduclairdelune.com Located two miles outside of Biarritz, the romantic hotel sits in a garden in sight of the Pyrenees. Chambre d'hôtes Aubrac, Auvergne, France T: +33 5 65 48 78 84. 10 rooms. US$ 200- Owned and created by Catherine Painvin, the stylish Parisian founder of the children's clothing line Tartine & Chocolat, the hotel consists of two stone village mansions filled with exotic finds from her Asian trips. Painvin compares the region's emptiness, huge blue sky and beauty to Mongolia. South East The Beaujolais wine country, the Rhone Valley, and the city of Lyon. Beaujolais Vineyards, forests, green hills and golden stones. Chateau de Bagnols Bagnols-en-Beaujolais, France T: +33 474 71 40 0. 20 rooms. US$ 390- www.bagnols.com Lovingly and meticulously restored by its owners, Lord and Lady Hamlyn, Chateau de Bagnols is a magnificent Grade l listed chateau dating back to the medieval period. Set amidst the Beaujolais vineyards and surrounded by a moat. Savoy-Mont Blanc/French Alps Chamonix Legendary ski town & mountain attracts expert skiers. Le Hameau Albert Chamonix, Haute-Savoy, France T: +33 450 53 05 09. 35 rooms. US$ 170- www.relaischateaux.com/albert Known for its gourmet food, this 100 year old chalet is still owned by the family that built it. Megeve Picturesque ski village attracts the chic and well-to-do. Hotel Mont Blanc Megeve, Haute-Savoy, France T: +33 450 930 310. US$ 200- www.hotelmontblanc.com Historic turn-of-the-century hotel enjoyed a post-war boom as a favorite destination of artists and celebrities. Recently taken over by the über stylish Sibuets, noted for their rustic-chic farmhouse hotels. Lodge Park Megeve, Haute-Savoy, France T: +33 450 930 503. US$ 250- www.lodgepark.com Hunting lodge elegance designed by the Sibuets. Provence/French Riviera Sunshine, Roman ruins, lavender fields and sweeping Mediterranean views. La Bastide de Moustiers Moustiers-Ste-Marie Provence, France T: +33 492 704 747. US$ 148- www.bastide-moustiers.com Parisian Michelin 3 star chef Alain Ducasse's romantic farmhouse inn serves country cooking, US$ 42, prix fixes. Overlooks Plateau de St. Croix. Auberge La Regalido Fontvieille Provence, France T: +33 4 90 54 60 22. . US$ 180- www.laregalido-provence.com Rustic chic at its most extravagant, it is light and airy and its upper rooms have views over rooftops towards Les Alpilles. The dining room occupies the barrel vaulted cellar of an early-17th century olive mill mentioned by Daudet. Le Mas de Peint Camargue Arles, France T: +33 490 972 062. US$ 210- www.masdepeint.com Husband and wife, architect and Camargue horsebreeder, stylishly transformed the stable and pigeonnier adjoining their l7th century farmhouse into a romantic hotel. Le Vieux Castillon Castillon-du-Gard, Nr. Nimes Provence, France T: +33 4 66 37 61 6. US$ 195- www.relaischateaux.com/vieuxcastillon A series of medieval buildings with authentically tiny medieval windows in small but charming rooms. Spectacular pool overlooks valley far below. Chateau de la Chevre d'0r Moyenne corniche, rue du Barri Eze, France T: +33 492 10 66 66. 30 rooms. US$ 300- www.relaischateaux.com/chevredor Posh hotel 1,300 feet above the Mediterranean on the French Riviera, with panoramic views. Grand Hotel du Cap-Ferrat Blvd. du General de Gaulle Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France T: +33 493 76 50 50. 59 rooms, US$ 500- www.grand-hotel-cap-ferrat.com This romantic place is a luxurious living legend overlooking the Mediterranean sea on the French Riviera. Royal Riviera Baie des Fourmis Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat, France T: +33 4 93 76 31 00. 77 rooms. US$ 220- www.lhw.com Pink Belle Epoque palace ecletically decorated with neo-Etruscan furnishings, Hellenistic wall friezes and lots of marble. Has a private beach on the sea. Hotel La Mirande 4, place de la mirande Avignon, France T: +33 4 90859393. US$ 320- www.la-mirande.fr Originally a 14th century cardinal's home, this pretty honey-colored stone building is located in the heart of Avignon. You can practically lean out your window and touch the medieval walls of the Palais des Papes. La Bastide de Marie Route de Bonnieux, Quartier de la Verrerie Ménerbes, France T: +33 4 90 72 3020. 14 rooms. $US 440- includes half-board. www.labastidedemarie.com 18th century stone farmhouse, stylishly decorated, and surrounded by 15 hectares of vineyards. Chateau des Alpilles Route D31, 13210 Saint Remy de Provence, France T: +33 4 90 92 03 33. 19 rooms. US$ 180- www.chateau-des-alpilles.com Elegant and comfortable, this early-19th century French romantic getaway has high ceilings, tall windows and pretty gardens. It is approached through a long allee of lime trees. French Islands Corsica With sandy beaches, hidden bays, cascading waterfalls and snowcapped mountain peaks, it's easy to see why Corsica became known as the "Isle of Beauty". Napoleon was born here. La Signoria Nr. Calvi, Corsica T: +33 4 95 65 93 00. US$ 250- http://en.hotel-la-signoria.com 17th century stone house set among pine, eucalyptus and olive groves on the island of Corsica. Sophisticated cuisine. Le Maquis Corsica, France T: +33 4 9525-0555. 25 rooms. US$ 250- www.lemaquis.com Set on a secluded beach, its rooms have pretty bay views. The romantic luxury hotel includes an heated indoor pool.