The Palace distinction is not just another star. It is a plaque apart, placed above the five-star classification, meant to embody the French idea of ultra-luxury hospitality. On 2 June 2026, Atout France unveiled its new collection: twenty-seven houses keep their distinction and six new addresses join the circle, bringing the total to 33 palaces for the next three years.
The 2026 edition confirms two trends. First, Parisian dominance, with thirteen palaces in the capital. Then the widening of the French luxury map: the Alps, the French Riviera and, for the first time, Champagne enter or strengthen their place in this very exclusive circle.
Six new addresses join the palace circle
The six newcomers of 2026 paint a broader picture than the capital alone. Three are Parisian, the other three anchor the palace in the regions: the mountains, the Riviera and the Champagne vineyards. Here, address by address, is what makes each one singular.
Cheval Blanc Paris
Set on the riverbank, above the Seine and facing the Pont-Neuf, Cheval Blanc Paris occupies part of the former Samaritaine. Its rooms and suites rank among the rarest in the capital, with head-on views of the river and the monuments. An LVMH house, the address cultivates a contemporary, understated luxury, anchored by Arnaud Donckele’s restaurant and a Dior spa.
Bvlgari Hotel Paris
On avenue George V, a few steps from the Champs-Élysées, Bvlgari Hotel Paris opened a few years ago in the spirit of a Roman jeweller transposed to Paris. Its indoor pool and spa are among the most spectacular on the Right Bank, and its inner garden offers a rare pause in the heart of the golden triangle.
Fouquet’s Paris
On the corner of the Champs-Élysées and avenue George V, Fouquet’s Paris extends the legend of the century-old brasserie into a hotel of the Barrière collection. Its entry among the palaces crowns an address deeply attached to the Parisian art of living, between a rooftop open onto the Eiffel Tower and interiors signed by Jacques Garcia.
Four Seasons Resort Megève
On the heights of Mont d’Arbois, Four Seasons Resort Megève places its recognition within a long history, that of a territory shaped by the Rothschild family. The resort blends the chalet spirit with the service of a grand Alpine palace, with open views of the mountains and an estate designed for skiing as much as for summer.
Hôtel Martinez Cannes
An Art Deco landmark on the Croisette, the Hôtel Martinez, a member of The Unbound Collection by Hyatt, has been part of the Cannes Film Festival scenery for decades. Its private beach and iconic facade make it one of the symbols of the Riviera, completed by penthouse suites opening onto the bay.
Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa
In Champillon, above Épernay, Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa brings Champagne onto the palace map. A former coaching inn on the route of the kings’ coronation in Reims, the house overlooks hillsides listed as World Heritage. Every room opens onto the sea of vines, and the spa facing the slopes is among the finest in eastern France.
How does a hotel become a palace?
The Palace distinction was created in 2010. It is awarded by the State, after the files are reviewed by Atout France and examined by a specialised commission. Five-star classification is a mandatory prerequisite, but it is not enough: location, the history of the place, the quality and personalisation of service, dining, wellness, aesthetics, environmental commitment and international reach are all scrutinised. The distinction is granted for three years, then reassessed.
A luxury map that keeps widening
With thirteen addresses, Paris remains the heart of the French palace. But the 2026 collection extends well beyond western Paris. The Alps line up seven palaces, led by Courchevel, the capital of high-altitude ultra-luxury, while the French Riviera and the South-East count nine, from Saint-Tropez to Antibes. The South-West keeps two, the overseas territories one, and Champagne makes its entrance.
To explore French luxury hospitality further, La Revue des Hôtels devotes several rankings to these destinations, such as our ranking of hotels with Eiffel Tower views in Paris or our selection of the best hotels in Monaco.
More than a label, a landmark
Beyond prestige, the Palace distinction acts as a magnet for the France destination. At a time when luxury is measured more by experience than by comfort alone, these houses become cultural landmarks as much as hotels. They tell the story of a territory, a heritage, a craft, and help position France as the global reference for hospitality. There is a flip side: the distinction is never permanent, and houses that are not renewed may, whenever they wish, submit a new application.
The essentials · French palaces in 2026
- Total: 33 palaces, distinction valid for three years
- New in 2026: Cheval Blanc Paris, Bvlgari Hotel Paris, Fouquet’s Paris, Four Seasons Resort Megève, Hôtel Martinez Cannes, Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa (Champillon)
- Renewed: 27 houses
- Distribution: Paris 13, the Alps 7, French Riviera and South-East 9, South-West 2, East 1, Overseas 1
- The distinction: created in 2010, awarded by the State after review by Atout France and the opinion of a commission
- Prerequisite: five-star classification
The new palace map looks less like a fixed ranking than a snapshot of French ultra-luxury. Paris keeps the leading role, Courchevel the altitude, the Riviera its light, and Champagne finally joins the circle. Proof that in France, a palace is not just a room with a view, but a promise that thirty-three houses now carry for the next three years.
