France: the most beautiful seaside hotels

HOTELS IN NORMANDY

1. Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville

The Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy Deauville is a must-visit destination for a glamorous and authentic getaway on the Normandy coast. Opened in 1912, this legendary seaside hotel embodies elegance and refinement with its distinctive Anglo-Norman architecture, green half-timbering, and charming cottage atmosphere, just two hours from Paris. 

The Normandy's history is rich in celebrities and legendary moments. Coco Chanel opened her boutique here, and figures such as Winston Churchill, King Alfonso XIII of Spain, and the Prince of Wales have stayed here. Today, after a complete renovation in 2016, the hotel continues to charm with its 271 rooms and suites, all carefully decorated by Nathalie Ryan. The rooms, adorned with the famous toile de Jouy in various shades, combine classicism with contemporary touches for optimal comfort.

The facilities offer an unparalleled experience of relaxation and well-being. Pamper yourself at the spa, in collaboration with Algologie and Biologique Recherche, with an innovative treatment in a luxurious setting. Then, after a day exploring Deauville and its surroundings, recharge your batteries at the indoor pool, sauna, or hammam. 

The La Belle Époque restaurant, under the leadership of chef Christophe Bezannier, is renowned as the best restaurant in Deauville. With its magnificent glass roof, crystal chandeliers, and moldings, the establishment specializes in local cuisine and seafood. In addition, Sunday brunches are particularly popular.

At the Normandy bar, a cozy setting decorated in olive green and mahogany, guests can enjoy a peaty whiskey or a signature cocktail. Afternoons become moments of pure indulgence with homemade pastries and rare teas. With its exceptional location in the heart of Deauville, close to the beach, the famous Planches boardwalk, and the racecourse, Le Normandy is much more than a hotel. It is a symbol of French hospitality.

Hospitality that is open to all, even the youngest guests, with three kids' and teens' clubs for all ages. The Studio by Petit VIP offers 4-12 year olds movie poster workshops, beach activities, Olympic games, and lunch and dinner at Les Ambassadeurs. Teens aged 13 to 17 looking for adventure can take part in outings and evening activities with the Teen Club. 

Hôtel Barrière Le Normandy
271 rooms, prices starting at €422 per night
38 rue Jean Mermoz, 14804 Deauville
Information and reservations

2. Le Grand Hôtel Cabourg | The spirit of the Belle Époque and the shadow of Marcel Proust

An iconic destination embodying the spirit of the Belle Époque, Cabourg (Calvados) is one of the most popular towns on the Normandy coast. While there are many establishments where you can lay your head, Le Grand Hôtel, managed by MGallery (Accor), remains the favorite haunt of aesthetes and other avid readers of Marcel Proust's novels. Guests can choose from seven categories of rooms (71 rooms including three suites) with cozy decor: carpets, thick curtains, floral or striped wallpaper... and beautiful terraces with views of the sea or gardens. To complete the Proustian experience, take a seat at the gourmet restaurant Le Balbec for a delicious eight-course surf and turf menu.

Good to know? The hotel offers a large buffet with music (all-you-can-eat) several Sundays a month. 

Le Grand Hôtel Cabourg – MGallery
71 rooms, prices starting at €238 per night
Les Jardins Du Casino, 14390 Cabourg

3. Hôtel Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf, Deauville | For golf lovers

The Hôtel du Golf overlooks Deauville and offers panoramic views of the coast and the Normandy countryside. Recently renovated by Chantal Peyrat, this almost century-old Anglo-Norman establishment is located just a few minutes' drive from Les Planches and the town center. The hotel offers 170 rooms and suites inspired by the Normandy landscape, combining shades of green, gold, and red, with direct views of the sea, golf courses, and surrounding countryside. Many activities are available on site, including two golf courses, tennis and padel courts, an outdoor swimming pool, and a fitness area. 

The myBlend Spa offers treatments, massages, a sauna, and a steam room in an atmosphere designed for relaxation, with sensory protocols that deliver visible results on the skin.

When it comes to dining, the hotel offers several options: Le Lassay restaurant for bistronomic versions of local specialties, the Club House at Golf Barrière Deauville for a relaxed break, and the English club-style Bar Le Green for a wide selection of Calvados.

Children aged 4 to 12 are welcome at Club Diwi & Co, where a dedicated team offers creative and artistic activities, both indoors and outdoors, to help them discover their talents.

Hôtel Barrière L'Hôtel du Golf
170 rooms, prices starting at €215 per night
Le Mont Canisy, 14800 Saint-Arnoult
Information and reservations

HOTELS IN BRITTANY

4. Le Grand Hôtel Dinard | The charm of the Emerald Coast

Completely renovated in 2018, Le Grand Hôtel Dinard offers sublime views of the Atlantic Ocean and the famous Emerald Coast, opposite the historic town of Saint-Malo. Just a 5-minute walk from the beaches and the Barrière casino, this 5-star hotel in Brittany combines tradition and modernity, reviving the spirit of the place that has welcomed participants of the British Film Festival since 1989. The sound of the waves breaking on the Promenade du Clair de Lune below the hotel is instantly soothing.

Easily accessible from Paris in less than 2.5 hours by train, the renovation of the Grand Hôtel Dinard was entrusted to interior designer Alexandre Danan, who has subtly combined Belle Époque heritage with a contemporary spirit. The new decor favors light colors, allowing the magnificent light of the Emerald Coast to illuminate every corner of the seaside hotel. The lobby, adorned with elegant moldings and a period elevator, bears witness to the lavish heritage of the seaside resort, once nicknamed the "Breton Brighton" by the English nobility.

The 86 carefully decorated rooms and suites offer breathtaking views of the sea or the surrounding gardens. Some rooms have private balconies, ideal for enjoying the sea breeze and spectacular views of Vicomté Bay.

When it comes to dining, guests can enjoy cocktails at the 333 Café piano bar before sampling gourmet dishes or seafood at the hotel's restaurant, Le George V, which overlooks the sea from behind its large bay windows. 

In addition, Le Grand Hôtel Dinard offers a full range of services and facilities to ensure an unforgettable stay to the sound of the waves. Visitors can relax in the 29-degree indoor pool, go for a ride on an electric bike, enjoy the benefits of the spa redesigned by Chantal Peyrat, or relax in the sauna and hammam. The spa offers a selection of luxurious body and facial treatments using Shiseido Ginza Tokyo products. The hotel also welcomes families with open arms, with the "Le Studio by Petit VIP" kids club for children aged 4 to 12, focusing on the 10 major arts: from sculpture and photography to tableware, music, and comic books.

Hôtel Barrière Le Grand Hôtel Dinard
86 rooms, prices from €300 per night
46 avenue George V, 35801 Dinard
Information and reservations

5. Hôtel Brittany & Spa, Roscoff | The great outdoors of Finistère

Facing the island of Batz, between the old port of Roscoff and the marina, stands this authentic Breton manor house. A member of Relais & Châteaux, the 4-star hotel has been extended with a new wing featuring more contemporary décor, allowing guests to choose between traditional rooms with a gently old-fashioned atmosphere and designer suites with cleaner lines and large bay windows. To recharge your batteries, enjoy the marine spa overlooking the ocean.

What sets it apart? A Michelin-starred gourmet restaurant, Nori, where you can sample bold seafood cuisine, revisited by chef Loïc Le Bail, including an astonishing rocket salad dessert.

6. Castel Clara Thalasso & Spa, Belle-Île-en-Mer | Well-being and iodine retreat on Belle-Île

The mere mention of Belle-Île-en-Mer makes you long for the open sea. But where? At Castel Clara, a Relais & Châteaux thalasso hotel in Morbihan that almost seems to float above the ocean. Overlooking Goulphar Bay, the hotel has retained its seaside feel, with 63 luminous rooms and suites, decorated with a touch of kitsch and large bay windows to better admire the movement of the tides. For sustenance, you can sit down in the large dining room bathed in natural light, to discover the gastronomic treasures of the Bellilois terroir.

What makes the difference? A thalasso center with overflowing seawater pool and underwater jets, where you can indulge in one of the house's signature cures.

Castel Clara Thalasso & Spa
63 rooms and suites. From 145€ per night.
Port Goulphar, 56360 Bangor

ON THE ATLANTIC COAST

7. Hôtel Barrière Le Westminster Le Touquet

Located in the charming seaside resort of Le Touquet, Le Westminster is the only 5-star luxury hotel on the Opal Coast. This iconic establishment, which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2024, continues to be a popular destination and shines with its majestic pink brick facade and bay windows, typical of the Art Deco style.

Just 500 meters from the beach, Le Westminster is located on the elegant Avenue du Verger. The recent renovation by Bruno Borrione, a collaborator of Philippe Starck, has beautifully preserved the historic elements of the seaside hotel, its woodwork, brass railings, and wrought-iron elevator, while adding warm, golden hues to create a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. Guests come here for a wellness break, enjoying Shiseido treatments tailored to their needs at the spa, followed by relaxation in the heated indoor pool, sauna, and jacuzzi. 

The 104 rooms combine elegance and comfort, with tan leather armchairs, refined furniture, and Roaring Twenties-themed engravings adorning the walls. Each room is an invitation to relax, combining discreet luxury and modern amenities. When it comes to gastronomy, Le Westminster offers two exceptional culinary experiences: the traditional brasserie, La Table du West, and the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Pavillon. With its view of the Canche lighthouse, you are immersed in the atmosphere of an English gentlemen's club, where you can enjoy five-course menus created by chef William Elliott. Saint-Pierre with chanterelle mushrooms and veal sweetbreads with asparagus are the stars of the show. Sunday brunch, served in the Salons les Ambassadeurs on the Parc des Pins side, delights young and old alike.

At the "Le studio by Petit VIP" kids club, children aged 4 to 12 can take part in free art workshops covering photography, comic books, sculpture, and music, and can even build sandcastles, do origami, or take cooking classes. Near the hotel, sports enthusiasts can enjoy a variety of activities such as sailing, horse riding, golf, and tennis. Good to know? This is where Ian Fleming found inspiration for his famous character, James Bond, during a memorable stay. We wish you the same fate!

Hôtel Barrière Le Westminster Le Touquet
104 rooms, prices from €300 per night
Avenue du Verger, 62520 Le Touquet-Paris-Plage
Information and reservations

8. Barrière L'Hermitage Hotel, La Baule

Located opposite Pouliguen Bay on the Atlantic Ocean, the Hôtel Barrière L'Hermitage, now listed among the Leading Hotels of the World, perpetuates the charm of the grand seaside hotels of yesteryear and the sporting holidays associated with sea bathing. The Norman-style building, overlooking La Baule-Escoublac beach, is just a 5-minute walk from the Tennis Country Club Barrière, 8 minutes from the Barrière casino in La Baule for lively evenings, and 15 minutes from the Golf International Barrière.

Recently redecorated by Chantal Peyrat, L'Hermitage cultivates a chic and family-friendly atmosphere, punctuated with Art Deco touches where the simple, refined furniture is combined with gilding, marble, and chandeliers. The 200 rooms and suites of the 5-star seaside hotel, facing the sea or the Baulois hinterland, display a sober and contemporary style. Decorated in shades of beige or blue, they evoke the seaside spirit with a Grand Large decor. Some of the suites on the upper floors have a convertible sofa bed and offer unobstructed views of the gulf. The Prestige Sea Terrace Suite on the first floor offers 75 m² of space with a terrace of almost 100 m² equipped with deckchairs, from which you can laze around and watch the optimists cutting through the waves. The large suites and connecting rooms that accommodate families are complemented by the "Club Babiwi" for children aged 10 weeks to 5 years, where they can have fun with activities designed to stimulate their curiosity and development. The "Le Studio by Petit VIP" kids club is reserved for children aged 4 to 12, where they can have fun making kites, drawing comics, or taking part in a photography workshop.

Foodies can dine in one of the refined restaurants: on the terrace of Ciro's, named after the iconic Deauville establishment located on the beach, or at Le Pavillon. Guests also have access to the restaurants of other Barrière hotels in La Baule: Castel Marie-Louise, where chef Jérémy Coirier's creative cuisine flourishes in a setting decorated by Jacques Garcia, or Le Fouquet's La Baule, offering classic French brasserie fare in a legendary setting.

In terms of wellness, the Hôtel L'Hermitage has an outdoor saltwater pool and an indoor pool that opens onto the outside, a spa equipped with a hammam and sauna, and offering Augustinus Bader treatments. Guests can also enjoy the thalassotherapy facilities at the neighboring Le Royal hotel and borrow bicycles free of charge to explore the avenues lined with beautiful La Baule villas.

Hôtel Barrière l’Hermitage
200 rooms, prices starting at €378 per night
5 Esplanade Lucien Barrière, 44500 La Baule-Escoublac

9. La Co(o)rniche, Pyla-sur-Mer | The iconic hotel of the Dune du Pilat

La Co(o)rniche is undoubtedly the most beautiful hotel in the Arcachon Bay region, just a stone's throw from the Dune du Pilat. This magnificent 5-star neo-Basque style building was constructed in the 1930s and offers a unique view of Europe's highest dune, Cap Ferret, and the Banc d'Arguin. In 2009, the hotel was completely redesigned by designer Philippe Starck. Outside, guests are left speechless by the beauty of the terrace and its breathtaking view of the Atlantic. In 2015, the hotel added nine additional cabins built on the dune behind the main house.

Good to know? After La Co(o)rniche, the Techouyeres couple, still working with Philippe Starck, took on the rebirth of another legendary Pyla address, Le Ha(a)ïtza. Its restaurant, Le Skiff Club, has proudly held two Michelin stars since 2020. Its chef, Stéphane Carrade can also boast a green star, awarded for his commitment to sustainable gastronomy, in the 2021 Michelin Guide. 

La Co(o)rniche
29 keys, prices from €470 per night
46 avenue Louis Gaume, 33115 La Teste-de-Buch

HÔTELS EN CORSE

10. U Capu Biancu, serenity at the end of the road

At the end of a slightly bumpy path winding through the maquis, you come upon 3 immaculate beaches, ribboned in an intimate bay lost between Porto Vecchio and Bonifacio. For over 30 years, the Limongi family has been welcoming guests to this secret paradise, a 4-star seaside hotel that's worth 5 and doesn't take itself too seriously. Its main asset? Its close links with nature: gardens filled with the scent of immortelle trees, where you can swing in a hammock, a chicken coop that supplies breakfast every day, water within reach, the maquis as a backdrop, and the vines of Vanessa Maloyer, former head sommelier and catering manager who trained in oenology and planted a vineyard herself, by hand, on the grounds of the hitel in Corsica.

The sea is always a view from the hotel's infinity pool and straw hut, which opens every season just above the beach and the pontoon where outside guests disembark, attracted by Gadio El Hadji's Mediterranean cuisine infused with inspirations from elsewhere. A fisherman delivers extra-fresh fish every day: denti, scorpion fish, sea bream, lobster... In the main restaurant, the queen of the menu is the black soup with squid ink. A real delight. Don't worry, Corsican charcuterie and cheeses are on every table, made expressly for the hotel by a local breeder.

How are the rooms? Rangein size from small cocoons (16m²) to suites (40m²), each with its own terrace and the most beautiful sea views. Wood and copper, stone and brass, rattan and leather; colors too, from virginal white to turquoise blue, and a range of reds, oranges and yellows. Some suites boast a private heated swimming pool, while in another a jacuzzi frolics and in yet another a crackling fireplace. With family or friends, you can also rent one of the 5 villas with private pool, 3 km away.

Good to know? Tired of idleness? The owners love to share their island, whether it's for a fishing trip, a diving outing or simply a picnic in a wild cove.

5 things we loved about Capu Biancu

• The location, overlooking the sea and buried in the scent of the maquis.
• The fishermen's huts of the rooms and suites, and their sophisticated decor, for an intimacy conducive to rest and relaxation.
• Inventive cuisine that never strays too far from the richness of Corsican produce and the attention paid to producers and short supply chains.
• The beauty of untouched, unspoilt beaches, where you can indulge in activities as much as daydream in complete tranquillity.
• A commitment to sustainability: no non-reusable plastic, dispensers for welcome products and waste composted to feed the permaculture vegetable garden.

U Capu Biancu
39 keys, from €350 per night
Domaine de Pozzoniello, 20169 Bonifacio

11. La Villa Calvi | One of Corsica's finest hotels

In the heart of the Balagne region, nestled high above the town, Villa Calvi is rightly considered one of the island's finest seaside hotels. A member of Relais et Châteaux, the 5-star hotel is surrounded by a three-hectare estate planted with pine and olive trees, offering a magnificent panorama of the citadel and the Monte-Grosso mountains. Comprising 48 rooms and suites, the villa boasts 5 swimming pools, a dreamy 500 m² spa, a heated indoor pool, parkland and the "La Table by La Villa" restaurant. What's on the menu? Seasonal Mediterranean produce served on a terrace with a breathtaking view of the bay of Calvi.

Good to know? Private beach, tennis court, pool bar... This island-style villa has a lot to offer.

La Villa Calvi
49 keys, from €350 per night
La Villa, Chemin Notre Dame de la Serra, Calvi

FRENCH RIVIERA & MEDITERRANEAN

12. Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, Cannes | At the foot of the steps

Facing the Mediterranean Sea and the iconic steps of the Palais des Festivals, Le Majestic is one of the legendary establishments on the Croisette. This five-star hotel, which is almost a century old, embodies Cannes elegance and the French art of living. The rooms and suites offer exceptional views, whether facing the sea or the city. The hotel is home to two signature restaurants: Fouquet's, an iconic brasserie serving French cuisine, and Ciro's Cannes, the new identity of the Plage de l'Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic, which offers a seaside menu. 

To relax, indulge in the expertise of the Biologique Recherche spa and its holistic approach. Covering 450 m², it features a hammam (aromatherapy supplement), a sauna, and several treatment rooms. The outdoor pool, heated to 28 degrees, is open all year round. Guests staying in the Majestic Suite on the seventh floor will have the privilege of enjoying the private pool overlooking the bay of Cannes. 

Families will enjoy the Studio By Petit VIP, a space designed for children aged 4 to 12, where they can take part in creative, fun, and educational activities centered around art and cinema. Sports enthusiasts will appreciate the water sports center accessible from the Majestic Beach pontoon. 

Hôtel Barrière Le Majestic
335 rooms, prices from €251 per night
10 Boulevard de la Croisette, 06400 Cannes

13. Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort | Resort spirit in the heart of Monaco

Built on the Larvotto peninsula, the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort offers a different kind of break in Monaco. Open and fluid, it cultivates a hospitality focused on the sea and light. The rooms open onto the horizon, the gardens lead to a lagoon, and the atmosphere is more reminiscent of a Mediterranean getaway than an urban palace.  

Designed by the Monte-Carlo Société des Bains de Mer, the building juts out over the sea, surrounded by four hectares of Mediterranean and exotic gardens. The hotel stands out for its 1,500 m² freshwater lagoon lined with sand, a technical feat designed as a private beach in the heart of the Principality. With its 334 light-filled rooms and suites, terraces opening onto the Mediterranean, and panoramic views stretching as far as Italy, the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort has restored Monaco's lost seaside dimension.

At the Blue Bay Marcel Ravin restaurant, chef Ravin has made his mark. His two-Michelin-starred cuisine perfectly blends Caribbean and Mediterranean influences. Signature dishes, such as the Monte Carlo Egg, cassava, truffle, and maracuja, or daring creations, such as the Madras Chicken "Boucan d'Enfer," are featured on the menu. "Restaurant within the restaurant", La Table de Marcel extends the experience in an intimate setting. Just a few guests, seated in the heart of the kitchen, share a dinner designed as an encounter with the chef and his teams. A truly exclusive Michelin-starred experience. 

What makes the difference? Between the tables, from Blue Bay Marcel Ravin to L'Orange Verte, to the terrace of Las Brisas, the Blue Gin cocktail bar, the Clarins & myBlend spa, the lagoon and gardens opening onto the sea, the Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort offers a complete experience. A true Mediterranean resort in the heart of Monaco. 

Monte-Carlo Bay Hotel & Resort
334 rooms, prices starting at €640
40 Avenue Princesse Grace, 98000 Monaco

14. Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel | The legend of Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

A mecca of Côte d'Azur glamour, this vast, verdant, seven-hectare setting perched at the tip of Cap Ferrat still attracts stars and royalty to its superb, immaculate interiors, designed by Pierre-Yves Rochon, a leading specialist in palace interiors. 74 rooms and suites - 8 with private pools - and 3 villas, guests come here to admire one of the finest views of the Mediterranean from the sumptuous terrace, and to sample the Michelin-starred cuisine of chef Yoric Tièche's gourmet restaurant Le Cap.

What makes the difference? The Club Dauphin and its 33-metre infinity pool, considered one of the finest in the Mediterranean.

Good to know? Four Seasons has been managing the Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat (a 5-star luxury hotel). It is one of the Canadian brand's four hotels in France (along with the Four Seasons George V in Paris, the Four Seasons Megève and the Chalets du Mont d'Arbois and its restaurant, also in Megève).

Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel
74 rooms and villas. From €825 per night in low season.
71 Boulevard du Général de Gaulle, 06230 Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat

15. Tiara Miramar Beach Resort, Théoule-sur-Mer | A 5-star resort on the French Riviera

At the foot of the Esterel Massif, one of the few places on the Côte d'Azur spared from rampant construction, a small cove with a private beach between two enormous red rocks is home to the Tiara Miramar Beach Resort, perched against the immensity of the Grande Bleue.

A pink-grey façade that blends into the landscape, terraced gardens, a small cove hidden from view... this 1930s resort hotel boasts an oriental-influenced décor: warm hues, moucharabiehs, precious textiles, marble bathrooms... A private beach, where you can enjoy the sea and the sun, far from the crowds.

Vacation and simplicity are celebrated in the Beach Side section, at the MoYa Beach restaurant, where you can enjoy a refreshing break after returning from the pool or beach. Just a few minutes away, the HillSide section celebrates Provençal terroir at the gourmet restaurant L'Or Bleu (1 Michelin star), not to mention its infinity pool. A private shuttle connects the two parts of the resort, and guests have access to all facilities.

The spa is spread over two floors and covers 400m², with a fitness room, sauna and four treatment rooms, one of which is a double treatment room.

80 rooms and suites, most of which have views of the Mediterranean.

The must? A magnificent 170 m² private villa, with oriental-influenced décor.

Tiara Miramar Beach Resort
80 rooms and suites. From €215 per night
47 Avenue de Miramar, 06590 Théoule-sur-Mer