Great location, great service, memorable food - all these hotels have that, and more. The list is in no particular order; it made sense to us to let all hotels be viewed as equals. Grand Hotel Barriere had the benefit of being the first hotel we chose for the list this year, so it occupies top slot for no other reason than that. Enjoy! Also, see our "Best Hotels in Paris" and "Best Hotels in the South of France" lists. 1. Grand Hotel Barriere – Dinard The gorgeous Brittany coast is graced with five stars in Dinard. Located on the Côte d'Émeraude of Brittany, the town of Dinard became popular in the 19th century with American and British aristocrats, who built Le...
Great location, great service, memorable food - all these hotels have that, and more. The list is in no particular order; it made sense to us to let all hotels be viewed as equals. Hotel Martinez had the benefit of being the first hotel we chose for the list this year, so it occupies top slot for no other reason than that. Enjoy! Also, see our "Best Hotels in Paris" and "Best Hotels in the Rest of France" lists. 1. Hotel Martinez – Cannes Classic luxury in the middle of Cannes About the Hotel Martinez The Hotel Martinez has been a presence on the Croisette since the 1880s and, with the most event space after the Palais, is still the...
Great location, great service, memorable food - all these hotels have that, and more. The list is in no particular order; it made sense to us to let all fifty hotels be viewed as equals. Hotel des Academies des Arts had the benefit of being the first hotel we chose for the list this year, so it occupies top slot for no other reason than that. Enjoy! Also, see our "Best Hotels in the South of France" and "Best Hotels in the Rest of France" lists. 1. Hotel des Academies des Arts - Paris Amusingly decorated with an art motif, this hotel is very popular with Paris visitors Surrounded by museums and across the street from the studio where Modigliani...
Visit Saint Malo and Mont St. Michel with our one day trip from Paris This charming walled city is France's gateway to the English channel, and an important ferry stop from Portsmouth, Poole and Weymouth in the U.K. Visitors also routinely head to the Channel Islands from the St. Malo port. Proudly Breton, St. Malo even declared itself independent from France for a few short years in the late 1500's. St. Malo has a rough pirate past which also brought wealth to the city, spoils from voyages over many centuries. A typical privateer (pirate) mansion-turned-museum is a must-stop in St. Malo, as are the many seafood restaurants featuring local oysters from nearby Cancalle. During WWII, the city was heavily bombarded,...
As the Loire River runs west towards the Atlantic, the traveler enters a peaceable region of lush countryside, vineyards, long sandy beaches and salt marshes, dotted with many small undiscovered castles, manor houses and hunting lodges. Bucolic pleasures are mixed with fascinating cities, stunning artwork and cultural festivities. Western Loire Highlights Le Mans-Laval: The famous 24-hour car race and "rillettes", a local gastronomic speciality, have, in their different ways, assured the town's reputation. Le Mans is a shop window for progress but it is also knows how to maintain its traditions. While speed rules on the Bugatti racing track, vintage and more recent cars can be found in the Musee de L'Automobile. Enclosed within high gallo-Roman walls outside the town...
