France Just Crowned 33 Hotels With Its Top Honor—Here’s the Full List
France takes its labels seriously. From cheese to wine, the country has strict rules about what gets called what. So it’s no surprise that the world’s most visited nation—102 million tourists in 2025—has a special designation for its finest hotels.
On June 2, France’s Ministry of Tourism updated its prestigious “Palace” list for the first time since 2022. This honor goes beyond a standard five-star rating, recognizing hotels that deliver an exceptional level of luxury. Six new properties earned the distinction: Bulgari Hotel Paris, Cheval Blanc Paris, and Fouquet’s Paris in the capital; Four Seasons Megève in the Alps; Hôtel Martinez on the Riviera; and Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in Champagne.
Twenty-seven other hotels had their Palace status renewed, including icons like Hôtel de Crillon, Le Meurice, and Airelles Gordes. The criteria for the award—location, design, cultural heritage, spa and dining, service—are closely guarded. Hotels must reapply every three years to keep the title. With the new additions, France now counts 33 Palace hotels, the most ever.
The announcement came at a ceremony in Paris, where select Palaces set up tasting stations. Le Meurice handed out desserts from its famous pastry chef. Hôtel de Crillon served cocktails. Shangri-La Paris offered quick facials. Les Sources de Caudalie poured estate wine. Les Prés d’Eugénie brought honey—and the bees that made it.
Three hotels lost their Palace status: Hôtel Du Palais Biarritz, Mandarin Oriental Paris, and Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme. Christian Mantei, head of France’s tourism agency, said they can reapply next year. Insiders expect them to do so after major renovations.
That’s the point, says Mantei: no one rests on their laurels. Standards keep rising, and travelers reap the benefits.
Here’s the full list of France’s 33 Palace hotels for 2026, including Château Saint-Martin & Spa, Fouquet’s Courchevel, Four Seasons Resort Megève, and Hôtel Les Prés d’Eugénie—each a world unto itself.