- In France, stars are awarded by Atout France, the state’s tourism agency.
- The classification ranges from 1 to 5 stars, based on a grid of several hundred criteria.
- It is valid for 5 years and requires a control visit by an accredited organisation.
- The “Palace” distinction is separate: it is positioned above the 5-star rating.
Who Awards Hotel Stars in France?
The French hotel classification is issued by Atout France, the state’s tourism development agency, not by booking websites. The stars seen on Booking or Google reflect this official classification (or estimations); only Atout France’s rating has legal value.
What Criteria Are Used for the Classification?
The classification relies on a grid of several hundred criteria, scored in points: room size, amenities, services, languages spoken, accessibility, and environmental approach. The more points an hotel accumulates on mandatory and optional criteria, the higher it climbs in the grid, from 1 to 5 stars.
How Long is a Classification Valid For?
The classification is valid for 5 years, after which the hotel must re-submit an application and undergo another control visit. This visit is conducted by an accredited firm, partly as a “mystery shopper” assessment, to verify the actual quality of services.
What About the Palace Distinction?
Above the 5-star rating, the Palace distinction recognises truly rare and exceptional establishments: France counts 33 of these in 2026. It is awarded by a jury, valid for only 3 years, and assesses intangible criteria (history, service, location) that the star rating system does not measure.
