A total of 33 luxury hotels have recently been named “palaces” by the French government – here’s the full list
France is a nation whose culture is known for its insistence on rigorous classifications, from its cheeses to its wines. (“If it doesn’t come from Champagne, then it’s not Champagne.”) It makes sense that a nation famed for its culture and being the most popular destination in the world – it welcomed 102 million international visitors in 2025 – should have a very strict naming convention for its luxury hotels.
On June 2, the French Ministry of Tourism has decided to add new hotels and resorts to the exclusive category of “Palace”, after the last time this happened in 2022. This classification highlights a certain degree of hospitality that surpasses what would normally be expected from a five-star hotel according to the Ministry. There are six “palaces” located in metropolitan France: Bulgari Hotel Paris, Cheval Blanc Paris, and Fouquet’s Paris in the capital; Four Seasons Megeve in the French Alps; Hôtel Martinez - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt in the South of France; and Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa in – where else? – Champagne.
Further, Palace designation was reinstated for another 27 hotels that applied again for it, a collection of grande dames of the city and countryside, beach houses, and luxurious Alpine accommodations including such famous names as Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel; Le Meurice; and Airelles Gordes, La Bastide, all three of which have recently been designated with the CNT Triple Crown status, our newest, and most prestigious award ever.
The exact requirements for a Palace hotel are closely kept secret, but the application is assessed according to the hotel’s location, design and appearance, cultural heritage, facilities in the form of spas and restaurants, and the level of service, among many other factors. It is not a lifetime title and it has to be retained every three years after reapplying for it. In 2026, the total number of Palace hotels in France amounted to 33 hotels, the highest number we have seen so far.
All these properties, be they new or having been awarded their Palace statuses once again, were honored at an event which took place at Hôtel Salomon de Rothschild in Paris on June 2.
Absent at this gathering, however, were hotels, which did not have their Palace statuses renewed following the latest country-wide evaluation: Hôtel Du Palais Biarritz - The Unbound Collection by Hyatt; Mandarin Oriental, Paris; and Park Hyatt Paris-Vendome (which won the CNT Triple Crown award). When a question was asked about these hotels, Christian Mantei, president of the national tourism development organization Atout France, said that if a hotel does lose its Palace status, then it would certainly be able to apply again next year. As can be heard from the guests of the event, all these three hotels would probably seek Palace status after some changes to their facilities.
Perhaps that is what France has learned – the entire point of such precise labeling system. No one gets to sit back and relax, and hence the standards, whether they be for cheese, wines, or luxury hotels, are constantly rising – usually to the travelers’ advantage.
