France: Normandy’s best hotels

1. Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy | ABelle Époquesettingby the sea 

This imposing manor house, with its green half-timbering, turrets, and unique roof, is a true symbol of Deauville. Le Normandy, a five-star hotel and masterpiece of Anglo-Norman architecture, has attracted the cream of Parisian society since it opened, including Gabrielle Chanel and Gainsbourg, who came here for a breath of sea air. Immortalized inA Man and a Woman, it offers a stay combining glamour and history, just a few hours from the capital. Built at the beginning of the 20th-century to graciously accommodate players from the nearby casino, the Normandy has become part of the luxurious landscape of the seaside resort, like the iconic boardwalk and bathing cabins. Still linked to the world of gambling by an underground gallery, this Normandy hotel shares its prestige with the casino and the adjacent Royal hotel, all three under the aegis of the Barrière group, founded by François André. A visionary of modern tourism, André invented "resorts" in the Roaring Twenties, propelling Deauville to the rank of a fashionable holiday destination.

Hailed as "the most beautiful hotel in the world" when it opened in 1912, the Normandy quickly became a favorite haunt of Parisians. The hotel, the setting for the love affair between Anouk Aimée and Jean-Louis Trintignant in Claude Lelouch's cult film, which won an award at Cannes, has seen a myriad of celebrities pass through its doors. From Laurel and Hardy to Brad Pitt, George Clooney to Harrison Ford, Johnny Depp to Meryl Streep, the Normandy is a veritable red carpet rolled out on the shores of the English Channel, the antechamber to Hollywood! 

This historic flagship of the Lucien Barrière group was renovated in 2016 under the leadership of Alexandre Danan and Nathalie Ryan, after 180 days of intense work. A new lease of life for the establishment, which had never closed its doors since its creation. The renovations have created more spacious areas by combining several rooms and replacing heavy velvet curtains with brighter décor. But don't worry, there's no question of denying its origins here! The 271 rooms, including 40 suites, retain the hallmarks of luxury resort living: walls covered in Toile de Jouy wallpaper, canopy beds and crystal chandeliers, echoing the breathtaking views of the sea or the delightful interior courtyard. If you find it hard to leave your room, don't miss out on a relaxing moment at the spa with its indoor pool, hammam, sauna, and treatments by Biologique Recherche and Algologie, a brand using natural marine ingredients sourced in Brittany. Meanwhile, children can have fun at the Studio by Petit VIP, and those aged 4 to 17 are welcome at the Teen Club.

A culinary journey through the Côte Fleurie

Sheltered under a stunning glass roof overlooking the gardens, La Belle Époque also contributes to the hotel's glory. Guests walk across a huge mosaic depicting a languid naiad to reach the restaurant. Here, they discover traditional cuisine that showcases Normandy's terroir and local producers. Among the dishes on offer are Richelieu pâté en croûte (€29), seared scallops with seasonal truffles (€49), Normandy rib steak (€48), and crispy veal sweetbreads with porcini mushrooms and chestnuts (€49). If you feel like it, opt for one of the restaurant's signature dishes: sole meunière (€80), whose fillets are filleted before your eyes in a mesmerizing display.

The bonus:you don't have to stay at the Normandy to enjoy it. Push open the revolving doors and have a drink in the hotel bar with its British accents, stone fireplace and high mahogany chairs, where Winston Churchill was a regular. Guests can borrow bicycles free of charge to explore the surrounding area.

Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy
271 rooms including 40 suites, prices from €422 per night
38 rue Jean Mermoz, 14800 Deauville
Informations and reservations

2. Château d'Audrieu | Between land and history

4. L'Hôtel du Golf: swinging it up in Normandy

If Parisians and other travelers in search of a sea breeze flock to this ultra-chic seaside resort, it's undoubtedly to tread the famous boards of Deauville or try to hit the jackpot at the prestigious races at the racecourse. But for green enthusiasts, it's unthinkable to miss the mythical golf course perched on the heights of Mont Canisy, a golfing landmark since 1929.

Conceived by François André, the visionary founder of Groupe Barrière, this golf course was designed to entertain English guests who came to Deauville for a good time. The famous course architect Tom Simpson was entrusted with the creation of this hilly 27-hole course. Architect Georges Wybo added the icing on the cake with L'Hôtel du Golf, a magnificent half-timbered building in Normandy, adding a touch of regional charm to an already enchanting setting.

L'Hôtel du Golf, with its 170 rooms, some of which offer breathtaking views over the bay of Trouville, has been completely refurbished by Chantal Peyrat. The new decor, resolutely contemporary, is inspired by Made in Normandy. Giant apple sculptures and horses topped with light fixtures greet guests as they enter, while blond wood furniture and green velvet loungers bring a more streamlined style to the rooms.

For those who prefer to sweat in ways other than hitting a little white ball, the hotel offers a heated outdoor swimming pool, a fitness center, a Spa Diane Barrière x myBlend as well as tennis and padel courts. Children aged 4 to 12 can have fun at the Diwi & Co kids' club, with ping-pong tournaments, bowling, kite-making and postcard-making workshops.

Hôtel Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf Deauville
179 rooms including 10 suites, from €214 per night
Le Mont Canisy, 14800 Saint-Arnoult

5. Domaine de Primard | The jewel of the Fontenille Collection

Fontenille Collection has set up shop on the outskirts of Normandy, on the border between the Centre-Val-de-Loire and Île-de-France regions, creating a true haven of peace in the countryside, about an hour from Paris. Set in grounds featuring 250 varieties of roses, romantic fields and gardens, and water features throughout, Domaine de Primard offers 39 rooms, including suites with private terraces in the main house and its outbuildings. This 18th-century building features a series of salons, each offering a peaceful retreat conducive to reflection or daydreaming.

Here, gastronomy is offered in two locations to delight even the most discerning palates: the Michelin-starred restaurant Les Chemins boasts particularly elegant décor and high-end cuisine featuring vegetables from the permaculture garden and produce harvested in the surrounding area. In the orchard, the Martin bistro showcases more traditional bistro cuisine rich in flavor. Finally, the Table d'hôtes, located in the former kitchen of the Maison sur l'Eure, has been designed as a chef's table seating 2, 4, 6, or 12 guests around the large central table. The menu features home-style cooking (leg of lamb, gratin dauphinois, clafoutis, etc.) executed with brio. In winter, raclette evenings are organized here. It is also here that guests gather at teatime to enjoy sweets and pastries with tea. Well-being is not neglected either, with a Susanne Kaufmann spa from France: four treatment rooms, including a double room, in a cozy 450 m² spa decorated with wood.

Domaine de Primard
39 rooms and suites, from €290 per night
D16, 28260 Guainville

6. Hôtel Le Royal: a century of refinement and celebrity in Deauville

Hôtel Barrière Le Royal, opened in 1913, imposes its silhouette on the Côte Fleurie. This 5-star seaside mansion, which has become an emblem of Deauville, has, since its opening, welcomed major figures from the world of cinema, thanks in particular to its partnership with the Deauville American Film Festival. The hotel suites have welcomed celebrities such as Liz Taylor and Michael Douglas, making Le Royal a veritable sanctuary for the stars.

Backed by an Eiffel structure, Le Royal's 219 rooms (including 29 suites) are decorated with the signature of renowned interior designer Jacques Garcia. This “friend of the house” left his unmistakable mark in the silk drapes of the bed canopy and the crystal chandeliers with their heavy tassels, majestic window settings and paintings framing a splendid view of the English Channel. On request, some rooms can be interconnected, and children staying at the Royal Hotel can join the kids club at the neighboring hotel Le Normandy, free of charge.

But Le Royal doesn't stop at bright, spacious rooms. It also offers a fitness area, an outdoor swimming pool heated to 26°C, a hammam and an infrared sauna. For the ultimate in relaxation, head to the Spa Diane Barrière. In one of seven cabins, expert therapists provide Biologique Recherche and Algologie treatments. The pleasure continues at table with the Le Côté Royal restaurant, run by chef Éric Provost, formerly of the Pavillon Ledoyen. The menu offers well-executed classics: duck foie gras terrine (€29), grilled sea bass fillet (€40), Norman beef fillet (€55). For dessert, don't miss the calvados tatin.

The highlight of the evening? End the evening in the red velvet-clad L'Étrier bar, where you can sip a Signature cocktail to the sound of a piano concert.

Hôtel Le Royal
219 rooms including 29 suites, from €352 per night
Boulevard Eugène Cornuché, 14800 Deauville

7. Maison Ceronne | Contemporary country haven in Perche

Just 150 km from Paris lies the unspoilt Perche region, where the countryside still reigns supreme. It's in this green setting that Maison Ceronne welcomes its guests in a typical 2-hectare building in the heart of nature, and is one of the finest hotels in the Perche region. Peace and quiet await you in rooms spread over 3 buildings, a large garden, two heated swimming pools - one indoor and one outdoor - a sauna, a hammam and a terrace overlooking the Perche countryside. For families, couples or friends, you can also take advantage of the bar, cinema room and country-style restaurant serving gourmet lunches and dinners made with fresh, local, seasonal produce. Perfect for a last-minute weekend getaway.

Maison Ceronne
8 rooms, from €190 per night.
La Gilberdière, 61380 Sainte-Céronne-lès-Mortagne

8. Chez Laurence du Tilly | A private mansion "just like home

As a stylist and art designer, Laurence du Tilly wanted to share her passion for decoration by creating a place where everyone could feel at home in an interior that reflected their personal style. And so, in the heart of Caen's old town, she imagined three guest apartments in a former mansion: the first in a classic style, the second resolutely contemporary and the third atypical enough to be unclassifiable. On the first floor, a cosy atmosphere reigns in the lounge with its library, where you can curl up in a big armchair by the fireplace or share a drink in the Honesty Bar. A warm atmosphere and top-notch service make you feel right at home. What's more, the address is ideally located for exploring Caen and discovering the botanical gardens, Saint-Étienne abbey, William the Conqueror's castle, the World War II Memorial or, further north, the D-Day landing beaches.

Chez Laurence du Tilly
a cottage for 2 to 4 people, prices starting from €239 per night.
9 B Rue Pemagnie, 14000 Caen.

9. Le Grand Hôtel Cabourg - MGallery | Prestige and majesty on the beach

For over a century, this majestic 5-star hotel has dominated Cabourg's beach with all its splendor. Luxurious, spacious rooms and suites open their large windows onto the sea or flower-filled gardens. This elegant building, entirely renovated, has preserved the cachet of yesteryear and inspired Marcel Proust, who so enjoyed staying here. Don't hesitate to ask for room 414, which replicates his room in the purest Belle Époque style. The hotel's proximity to the beach and casino makes it the ideal place to stay with family, friends or for a seminar. Its restaurant, Le Balbec, serves cuisine based on typical Normandy products, while offering panoramic views of the promenade and the sea. Finally, to make your stay as relaxing as possible, the spa offers a range of facial and body treatments.

Le Grand Hôtel Cabourg - MGallery
71 rooms and suites, from €200 per night.
Les Jardins Du Casino, 14390 Cabourg

10. Hôtel Le Saint-Delis | "La Maison du Peintre"

The little brother of Ferme Saint-Siméon, Le Saint-Delis is a Relais & Châteaux where art permeates the premises. This 9-room boutique hotel was the home of Impressionist painter Henri de Saint-Delis (1878-1949), who refused to sell his paintings during his lifetime. Each room, including number 3, where the artist slept, displays a reproduction by the painter - including lovely views of Honfleur beach and still lifes - while the original paintings can be admired at Orsay and the small local Eugène Boudin museum. Belgian architects Jessy Klönhammer and Marc Vander Elst have respected the history of the place, and the charm of Le Saint-Delis unfolds as you pass by the fully restored oak staircase, the comfortable armchairs and the reception area, the painter's former studio. The breakfast room leads to a pretty, romantic, bohemian walled garden, where the 3 buildings that make up this typically Norman hotel are scattered.

There's no restaurant here, just a breakfast featuring local produce: honey and apple juice produced on the property, homemade bread and pastries by the brigade of chef Matthieu Pouleur, who runs Les Impressionnistes, the gourmet restaurant at Ferme Saint-Siméon, which is just a short walk away.

Hôtel Le Saint-Delis
9 keys from €170 per night
43 Rue du Puits, 14600 Honfleur

11. L'Auberge de la Source | In the heart of rural Calvados

In a bucolic, soothing setting between Deauville and Honfleur, this charming red-brick hotel and its magnificent half-timbered farmhouse showcase the distinctive features of Normandy architecture, offering 18 rooms and one suite. All around, nature is omnipresent, expressed in a garden stretching along the edge of the forest, where the murmur of the spring and ponds can be heard. The eponymous restaurant offers menus that pay homage to the region, using fresh, local produce from both land and sea. L'Auberge de la Source is ideally located for exploring the wild and authentic Normandy region, by car, on foot, by bike or even on horseback.

L'Auberge de la Source
19 rooms and suites, from 110€ per night,
Chemin du Moulin, 14600 Barneville-la-Bertran.

12. Les Tilleuls | Nature, sea and mystery in Étretat

Located in the heart of the town of Étretat, this 18th-century bourgeois mansion has been completely renovated and is surrounded by greenery, with access to the garden via an avenue of lime trees. Each of the five rooms and suites has its own name and color, with decorative objects sourced from the four corners of the globe, blending styles and periods. For complete relaxation, the manor has its own home cinema, with private screenings, and offers “wellness” retreats to recharge your batteries. When it comes to gastronomy, the town abounds with small restaurants to suit all tastes, tastes and budgets. The manor is less than 300 meters from the sea, the cliffs of Étretat and the famous Aiguille, which, according to legend, holds a treasure trove. In the town, you'll also find Maurice Leblanc's house, Clos Lupin, with its strange charm, where you can play the gentleman burglar's apprentice.

Les Tilleuls
5 rooms and suites, from €280 per night.
45 Rue Isabey, 76790 Étretat.

13. La Ferme Saint-Siméon | In the light of the Impressionists

Located in the hills above Honfleur, this authentic 18th-century inn is a place steeped in art, where light and calm inspired many 19th-century painters and writers. All 35 rooms and suites overlook the garden or the sea, and the spa offers a full range of treatments and massages to relax the body and soothe the mind. Because Normandy is a rich terroir where land and sea combine to infinity, you can choose between La Boucane, with its refined bistro cuisine dedicated to the flavours of the sea, and Les Impressionnistes, , where chef Matthieu Pouleur gives pride of place to authentic local produce. Enjoy the very best that Normandy has to offer, while admiring the region's characteristic light over the Seine estuary, the source of so much inspiration. For a more intense immersion in the atmosphere of the place, it is possible to take an art course and discover the joys of painting.

La Ferme Saint-Siméon
35 rooms and suites, from €250 per night.
20 Rte Adolphe Marais, 14600 Honfleur.

14. Hôtel Spa Les Pins de César | Nature and well-being just a stone's throw from Étretat

Just five minutes from the sea and the cliffs of Étretat, lies a small, charming hotel nestled in the heart of unspoilt nature. It resembles a typical Norman family home, but with the elegance and amenities of a 4-star hotel. The 14 warmly decorated rooms are spread over three houses, including a chalet, and all benefit from top-of-the-range facilities. If the omnipresent nature of 20 hectares of tranquil woods, green meadows and flower-filled gardens is conducive to soothing and relaxation, relaxation can only be complete thanks to the wellness facilities on offer, with personalized face and body treatments, a heated indoor pool, Jacuzzi and sauna hidden away in the heart of the woods.

Hôtel Spa Les Pins de César
14 rooms, from €180 per night
1 Chemin des Echos, 76280 Saint-Jouin-Bruneval

15. Les Manoirs de Tourgéville | In the heart of the bocage

Nestled in the Normandy countryside, this 4-star hotel combines charm and history. Originally built for an unfinished project by Claude Lelouch, it served as his artists' residence before being taken over by the Floirat group. The director's influence remains evident in the private cinema room, while the hotel continues to welcome guests attending the Deauville American Film Festival.

Spread across a main building and four manor houses scattered throughout a 7-hectare park, its 57 rooms and suites are named after cinema figures. Some feature fireplaces or private terraces. On the gastronomic side, the restaurant Le 1899 celebrates the Normandy region under the leadership of chef Emmanuel Andrieu. A lounge bar and spa with swimming pool, sauna, and Esthederm treatments complete the experience.

Les Manoirs de Tourgéville
57 rooms including 35 suites. From €170 in low season
668 chemin de l'Orgueil - Tourgéville, 14800 Deauville