Wine tourism in France is present from north to south. No matter which region you’re planning to visit, there are always chateaux nearby – a word that means “castle” and is used to refer to the local wineries, many of which have beautiful hotels to stay.
In the southwest of France, there is Bordeaux, the world-famous wine region; then you’ll find Provence, famous for its rosés; in the northeast, the renowned Champagne, with excellent sparkling wines; in the center and closer to Paris, there is the Loire Valley with its magnificent castles; and in the center east, the renowned Burgundy, another dream destination for wine lovers. And this is to mention only the most popular regions. In addition, Languedoc-Roussillon, Alsace, and the Rhône also have a strong wine tourism culture.
How about immersing yourself in the romanticism of the French vineyards while staying in a winery? Check out our selection for the perfect vacation!
Wine Hotels in Bordeaux
Les Sources de Caudalie
One of the best hotels in the world, the immense property of the French brand Caudalie is surrounded by the beautiful vineyards of Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte, a winery with over 600 years of history and that today invests in organic grand crus. Not surprisingly, the spa, a pioneer in vinotherapy treatments, impresses with twenty different treatment rooms, two swimming pools, saunas, and a jacuzzi. In addition, there are three restaurants, and the main one, La Grand’Vigne, has two Michelin stars. The hotel has 61 rooms arranged in eight houses and is located only 20 minutes driving from the historic center of Bordeaux.
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey
One of the benefits of this five-star hotel is its location. It’s just a few minutes away from Sauternes in southwest Bordeaux, the place with the highest concentration of Premiers Grands Crus Classes wines. There are ten rooms and three elegant suites that offer views of the estate vineyards. The creative cuisine of Chef Jerome Schilling has earned the Lalique restaurant a Michelin star. Bicycle tours through the vineyards, tastings, and wine courses are among the most popular experiences. With 17th century architecture and panoramic views with large windows and glass walls, the Chateau Lafaurie-Peyraguey was voted the most beautiful hotel of 2021 in Southwest France by Yonder magazine.
Le Relais de Franc Mayne
Saint Emilion has almost 8,000 hectares dedicated to viticulture and around 800 different chateaux. Le Relais de Franc Mayne offers a breathtaking rural setting amidst centuries-old trees and accommodation in an 18th-century residence. There are only five suites, all different from each other, perfect for those seeking a more intimate trip. The hotel has a beautiful swimming pool, game room, and, among the wine tourism experiences, are different tours through the estate’s vineyards, including a tour through the underground tunnels.
Wine Hotels in Provence
Château de Berne
This luxurious five-star Relais & Chateaux hotel is located in the heart of Provence, about 90 minutes from Nice. The property specializes in organic wines and dedicates over 170 of its 500 hectares to vineyards. They also produce jam, honey, and olive oil (from its 4,000 olive trees!). It has a Cinq Mondes spa and a Michelin-starred restaurant, Le Jardin de Berne. Guests can enjoy a country vacation with various experiences such as vineyard tours, hiking, yoga, cooking classes, wine tasting, and pairing guided by a courteous team of sommeliers.
Hotel Crillon le Brave
Over time, the property has developed into an extensive maze of stone structures that will take guests on a journey to the past, full of history and luxury. The hotel’s spa was built in 18th-century stables, while the former chapel is now home to a fitness center. The hotel has 16 rooms and 18 suites, two restaurants, two tennis courts, and a heated pool overlooking Mont Ventoux. Among the leisure options, you will find truffle and wine tasting, Provencal picnic, yoga classes, meditation, and balloon flights over lavender fields. It has already been voted the best resort in France by Travel + Leisure magazine in the World Best Awards 2021.
Wine Hotels in Burgundy
Château de Balleure
Château de Balleure is a well-preserved 14th-century monument. A former medieval castle that has been transformed into a charming wine hotel with spacious and well-equipped apartments featuring a kitchen and a terrace overlooking the garden. It is located in the small and lovely commune of Étrigny, in Burgundy, with less than 500 inhabitants. It offers a peaceful environment for immersion in wine tourism, with guided tours of the vineyards and winery and tastings with exceptional labels in the presence of the winemaker. With an emphasis on eco-responsible footprint, it also features a restaurant, a charging station for electric vehicles, and agritourism activities, such as horseback riding, hiking, and mountain biking.
Château de Challanges
In the heart of Burgundy, this winery with a four-star hotel is located in Beaune, a walled town surrounded by vineyards, in a charming 19th-century country house built on the grounds of a Knights Templar farm. Guests can enjoy local wine on vineyard tours, tastings, and candlelit pairings in the winery, guided by the winery owner himself. In addition to wine tourism, you can enjoy experiences that will make your vacation in the countryside even more enjoyable, such as electric bikes, balloons, and helicopter rides. The space also features a heated swimming pool and charging stations for electric cars scattered throughout its 7 hectares of greenery.
Wine Hotels in Champagne
Domaine Les Crayères
Located in Reims, known as the unofficial capital of the historical region of Champagne, the hotel has a privileged location opposite the Champagne Veuve Clicquot Ponsardin. The palace, decorated in a classic French style, was converted into a hotel in the 1980s and features 20 rooms unique to each other. The surrounding 7 acres of nature provide an ideal setting to enjoy a glass of Champagne anytime during the day. The Le Parc restaurant has two Michelin stars and a wine cellar with more than a thousand wines.
Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa
In the commune of Champillon, this luxury wine hotel innovates by offering a concierge service specific to the sparkling wines of the region. At the time of booking, the guest answers a questionnaire that results in a personalized and unique experience, with options such as balloon rides, picnics in the countryside, bicycle tours through the vineyards, horseback riding, boat rides on the Maine River, among other experiences, all accompanied by champagnes, of course. The hotel has 47 rooms with Hermès amenities and a complete spa with dry and steam saunas, outdoor and outdoor pools, and a gym. In addition, its starred restaurant, Le Royal, offers the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive tasting menu at the chef’s table, available to only four people from the same group.
Wine Hotels in the Loire Valley
Domaine de la Soucherie
Located in Beaulieu-sur-Layon in the Loire Valley, this Bed & Breakfast offers a romantic getaway amidst beautiful vineyards in a cost-effective setting. The hotel is set in the middle of 28 hectares of vineyards, to which all nine rooms have spectacular views. It has a terrace with a panoramic view of the Layon valley and offers tasting tours for guests and non-guests.
Wine Hotels in Languedoc-Roussillon
Couvent d’Herepian
As the name reveals, this boutique hotel was once a convent in the 17th century, located in the Hérault countryside, right in the center of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park. The breakfast room, for instance, was the prayer room of the Benedictine nuns. The aura of tranquility remains at this wine hotel offering a spa with a 24-hour heated indoor pool and a solarium overlooking the mountains. In addition to tasting a selection of regional wines such as Faugères and Pic Saint-Loup at the Couvent d’Herepian bar, you can also enjoy organic craft beers produced in the area around.
Château l’Hospitalet
Chateau L’Hospitalet is an eco-friendly getaway surrounded by a lot of greenery, and it is just 5km away from the beaches. This incredible wine resort owned by winemaker Gérard Bertrand underwent a recent revamp. It was remodeled with a brand new wing and boasts 41 rooms, including 28 luxury suites, with a private pool and spa. The guests can immerse themselves in wine tourism in the 82 hectares of vineyards for exclusively biodynamic cultivation on guided tours on foot or by bicycle. Among the must-try labels to taste on site are the ultra-premium Clos du Temple rosé, Ballerine, and Grand Vin La Clape.
