Verneuil la Douce: Normandy's House of Art
An 1886 Norman manor ninety minutes from Paris, rebuilt by a fashion designer who drew the furniture and gave seven artists the walls and the pool floor.
2026-10-12
A Splendid Guide to
France
France is the country Splendid returns to most — Paris in the cooler months, the Côte d'Azur in May and September, Provence for the light. Our guides focus on the hotels that define each region's character, from Belle Époque palaces to cliffside summer houses.
Stories from France
Hôtel Costes Review: Jacques Garcia's Paris Icon
Inside Hôtel Costes — Jacques Garcia's red-velvet Second Empire hotel on rue Saint-Honoré, the courtyard restaurant beloved by fashion editors.
2025-10-15
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the best luxury hotels in Paris?
Ritz Paris, Le Bristol, Le Meurice, Hôtel de Crillon, Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Four Seasons George V, Cheval Blanc Paris and Hôtel Particulier Montmartre rank among the city's most celebrated luxury hotels. Le Bristol and Ritz Paris represent the grande-dame tradition; Cheval Blanc and Hôtel Particulier offer more contemporary, design-led alternatives.
What are the best luxury hotels on the Côte d'Azur?
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc in Antibes, Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, La Réserve de Beaulieu, Hôtel Belles Rives in Juan-les-Pins, Château Saint-Martin in Vence, and Monte-Carlo Beach Hotel in Monaco headline the Riviera's iconic hotel scene.
When is the best time to visit France?
Paris is most beautiful from April to June and in September–October. The Côte d'Azur and Provence are best in May, June and September — July and August bring French summer holidays and peak crowds. November through February suits travellers seeking quieter cities, lower hotel rates and Christmas-market Paris.