Royal Riviera

Located between Amboise and Tours, the Château de Noizay sits within 24 hectares and is surrounded by the vineyards of the Vouvray estate. There are 19 rooms spread across two buildings, the main château and the Pavillon de l’Horloge. They are traditional in style with rich fabrics, period furniture and ornate detailing and many of them look out over the hotel gardens. The restaurant is a real celebration of French cuisine with a menu that follows the seasons and a larder bursting with fresh, local produce. Dishes are immaculately presented and both thoroughly French and modern at the same time. There are bikes for hire and guests can take to the Loire à Vélo trail which runs between Amboise and Tours through the vineyards of Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire. When you’re not out exploring, sink into one of the chairs in the library with a good book, or take a dip in the outdoor heated pool.

Joining Champagne’s already spoiling choice of luxury hotels and retreats is the impressive Royal Champagne Hotel & Spa. Teetering on a hill overlooking the vineyards from every corner, the hotel’s beautifully-appointed rooms and suites elegantly draw upon the verdant valley outside, embracing nature and offering every creature comfort. The hotel is a creation of famous architect Giovanni Pace who is known for his work at the iconic champagne house of Moët & Chandon. Between poolside sessions, you can hop to the spa for a vast range of treatments available from Biologique Recherche. To dine, there is the intimate Salon Fines Bulles. Start the evening with caviar and Champagne and enjoy a 4 course dinner served by your dedicated butler. And to drink, there is the Abysse Bar, a sophisticated venue that serves up delicious concoctions from 12pm to 11.30pm. And when you start feeling a little too isolated, head out to explore the surroundings – electric bikes are available to borrow or sign up for a hot air balloon experience above the vines.

In the renowned vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, around 17km (11 miles) outside of Bordeaux, Les Sources de Caudalie is a rural retreat celebrating the best of this Southwest France’s cultural and culinary heritage. There are 40 rooms and 21 suites split amongst the sprawling property, with most in six buildings that, while looking thoroughly historic, were specially built using huge reclaimed beams from abandoned local properties. Most have a terrace or a balcony with a beautiful view on the Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte’s vineyards or over the lake. There is also the Village des Pêcheurs – or Fishermen’s village – with 12 suites on stilts around a small lake inspire by the oyster-farms of the Arcachon Bay. Additionally, there is the unique Ile aux Oiseaux suite, a wooden pavilion standing out over the water on stilts, adventurously redecorated by a different designer every 3 or 4 years. The spa here comes from the inventors of ‘vinotherapy’, with treatments combining the anti-ageing properties of polyphenols contained in grape-seeds and the spa’s own natural hot-water spring in the most tranquil of settings. The senses will continue to be treated at either of the two restaurants here, whether with fine seasonal French dining and fittingly fabulous wine list at the twice Michelin starred La Grand’Vigne, bistro-style food at Table de Lavoir, or at either of the two wine bars. Activities from Les Sources de Caudalie include wine tasting, wine tasting lessons and cooking classes. Excursions to explore the surrounding sites, such as boat trip into Bordeaux or to rustic Saint-Émilion, can also be arranged.

Housed in a 1928 Art Deco building in the Golden Triangle of Paris, this grand hotel boasts stunning views out over the city, and is filled with gorgeous 19th-century art and furniture. There are 244 luxurious guest rooms and suites to choose from, many of which have private terraces. Décor is elegant and suites spacious, with fresh flowers, carefully chosen artwork and bright Louis XVI styling. This is the first hotel in Europe to offer five Michelin stars across three restaurants. The menu at Le Cinq draws upon classic French culinary techniques using fresh regional ingredients. Savour light and modern Mediterranean-style dishes at Le George in Paris. An extension of the chic bar La Galerie, L’Orangerie serves contemporary French cuisine. On the fourth floor you’ll find the Pop Up Spa by Jeff Leatham which offers a variety of relaxation and beauty treatments. There are also private gym and yoga classes on offer.