02 June 2026
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The Palace label sits above France’s five-star classification and is awarded by the French Ministry of Tourism to a small group of hotels considered to represent the highest expression of French hospitality and excellence — where service, design, gastronomy and cultural identity come together to create destinations in their own right.
Created in 2010, the distinction was designed to formally recognize a handful of exceptional hotels that had long shaped France’s reputation as a global luxury destination but previously had no official category above five stars.
Following a review by the Palace Commission — the body responsible for awarding and renewing the status — six new Palace hotels across Paris, Champagne, Cannes and Megève have now been added to the list.
In Paris, Bvlgari Hotel Paris (Two MICHELIN Keys), Hôtel Fouquet’s Paris and Cheval Blanc Paris (Three MICHELIN Keys) have been awarded Palace status. Elsewhere in France, Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa (Three MICHELIN Keys) in Champagne, Hôtel Martinez in Cannes and Four Seasons Hotel Megève (Three MICHELIN Keys) join the country’s most exclusive hotel circle.
At the same time, Mandarin Oriental Paris, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, Hôtel du Palais (Two MICHELIN Keys) in Biarritz and Byblos Saint-Tropez in the South of France have lost their Palace designation. Officials reportedly concluded that the properties no longer met the required level of excellence, citing unspecified “insufficiencies” in the evaluation criteria. It marks the first time since the system was introduced that hotels have been formally removed from the list.
Yet the latest reshuffle signals something more subtle: not a contraction of the club, but a recalibration of what France now considers its highest standard of hospitality.
The current Palace collection spans some of the country’s most recognizable names, from Parisian grandes dames like Le Bristol Paris (Three MICHELIN Keys), Hôtel de Crillon (Two MICHELIN Keys) and Le Meurice (Three MICHELIN Keys) to Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat (Three MICHELIN Keys) in the South, alongside other alpine and Riviera icons.
France now counts 33 Palace hotels, about a third of which are located in Paris, underscoring the capital’s continued dominance in the country’s luxury hospitality landscape. All affected properties retain their five-star classification and remain firmly within France’s upper tier of luxury hotels.
The 33 Palace Hotels of France 2026
Paris — 13 Palace Hotels
Bvlgari Hotel Paris — new 2026 (Two MICHELIN Keys)Cheval Blanc Paris — new 2026 (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Fouquet’s Paris — new 2026 (MICHELIN-selected)
Four Seasons Hotel George V (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel (Two MICHELIN Keys)
Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Dorchester Collection Paris (Three MICHELIN Keys)
La Réserve Paris - Hotel and Spa (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Le Bristol Paris (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Le Meurice, Dorchester Collection Paris (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Mandarin Oriental Lutetia Paris (Two MICHELIN Keys)
Royal Monceau - Raffles Paris (Two MICHELIN Keys)
Shangri-La Paris (One MICHELIN Key)
The Peninsula Paris (Two MICHELIN Keys)
Alps — 7 Palace Hotels
Airelles Courchevel, Les Airelles — CourchevelCheval Blanc Courchevel — Courchevel (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Fouquet’s Courchevel — Courchevel (MICHELIN-selected)
Four Seasons Resort Megève — Megève — new 2026 (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Hôtel Royal — Évian-les-Bains (One MICHELIN Key)
L’Apogée Courchevel — Courchevel (Two MICHELIN Keys)
K2 Palace — Courchevel (Three MICHELIN Keys)
South of France — 9 Palace Hotels
Airelles Gordes, La Bastide — Gordes (Three MICHELIN Keys)Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière — Saint-Tropez (Two MICHELIN Keys)
Château Saint-Martin & Spa — Vence (One MICHELIN Key)
Cheval Blanc St-Tropez — Saint-Tropez (Two MICHELIN Keys)
Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel — Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc — Antibes (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Hôtel Martinez Cannes — Cannes — new 2026 (MICHELIN-selected)
La Réserve Ramatuelle Hotel, Spa & Villas — Ramatuelle (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Villa La Coste — Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Southwest — 2 Palace Hotels
Les Prés d’Eugénie — Eugénie-les-Bains (Two MICHELIN Keys)Les Sources de Caudalie — Martillac (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Eastern France — 1 Palace Hotel
Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa — Champillon — new 2026 (Three MICHELIN Keys)
Overseas — 1 Palace Hotel
Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France — St. Barth Isle de France (Two MICHELIN Keys)
What is a Palace hotel in France?
France’s Palace distinction recognizes the country’s most exceptional five-star hotels. It is awarded by the French Ministry of Tourism to properties that go beyond luxury to embody French excellence in service, design, gastronomy and cultural significance.Unlike a standard hotel rating, Palace status is a state-regulated distinction created in 2010 to formally identify hotels that represent the French art de vivre at its highest level. It is awarded for a period of three years following a detailed review process.
Why was the Palace distinction created?
The distinction was introduced to recognize a small group of outstanding hotels deeply rooted in French history, culture and imagination — hotels that had long contributed to France’s global reputation as a luxury destination but had no formal category above five stars.It was designed to safeguard and promote a uniquely French standard of excellence, positioning hospitality as part of the country’s cultural and economic influence.
How do hotels become Palace hotels?
Hotels must first hold a five-star classification and meet strict eligibility requirements set by Atout France (the country’s national official tourism development agency), including minimum room sizes, facilities and service standards such as concierge services, multilingual staff, valet parking, spa and fitness facilities, and continuous dining options.Eligible hotels are then assessed by the Palace Commission, a panel of experts appointed by the Minister for Tourism. Members come from fields including hospitality, architecture, gastronomy and media.
They evaluate criteria such as location, architecture, heritage, service quality, gastronomy, sustainability, digital innovation and the overall character of the property. Hotels are also visited in person before final decisions are made.
The distinction is then awarded by ministerial decision for a three-year period.
How many Palace hotels are there in France?
France currently has 33 Palace-designated hotels following the latest review. About a third are located in Paris.Do Palace hotels lose their status?
Yes. Unlike five-star classification, Palace status is not permanent. Hotels are reassessed regularly and must continue to meet evolving standards of excellence to retain the distinction.Where can I see the full list of Palace hotels?
The current Palace hotels include major Parisian and regional addresses such as Le Bristol Paris, Hôtel de Crillon, Le Meurice, Plaza Athénée, Cheval Blanc Paris, The Peninsula Paris, La Réserve Paris, Four Seasons Hotel George V, Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Les Airelles Courchevel and Cheval Blanc Courchevel, among others. We'll be sharing a full list of Palaces soon with our Inspectors' insights.Hero image: Palace hotel Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière, one of France’s best hotels, also holds Two MICHELIN Keys. © Airelles
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