The best 5-star hotels for families in France

Being a parent, is wanting the best for our children. So when it is time for holidays, we want to enjoy those who are the most dear to our eye at 200% … Our favorite family destination : France. Our preference : 5-Star hotels. Zoom on the most beautiful adresses of French prestige!

1 – Château d’Audrieu, Audrieu

For the Mont Saint-Michel

In this historical-sites-abundant part of Normandy stands the Château d’Audrieu, an 18th-century classical building turned into a high-end hotel. It’s a journey back in time that awaits family, between the furniture, the tapestries and the classy royalty-like garden. The service provided reflects the high standing of the resort and the guests will leave the place with a feeling of delight.

Parents like: The wellness area, the fitness room, the vintage style, the huge garden, Bayeux and its notorious tapestry (14 km away), the D-Day landing beaches tour (15 km away) or the Mont Saint-Michel (117 km away).

Children love: The playground, the picnic outings, the pingpong tables, the donkeys in the garden or the kids menu

2 – ROYAL EVIAN HOTEL, EVIAN-LES-BAINS

For its Michelin star restaurant

Nestled in the heart of a 19-hectare park overlooking Lake Geneva, the Hotel Royal Evian is a Belle Epoque palace serving excellency. Decorated with frescoes by Gustave Jaulmes, its Michelin starred restaurant « Les Fresques » offers a panoramic view of the lake and an unusual signature menu, to discover with the family.

Parents like: The Michelin star restaurant « Les Fresques », the 1.200 sqm Evian Source spa, free of access to the 18-hole golf course of the resort and the « Bébé Maman » treatment program for young mothers and their infants from 4 to 10 months.

Children love: The Kid’s Resort free for children from 3 to 13 years old, the Baby Resort for babies from 4 to 36 months old, the art workshops and the video game room designed to entertain teenagers and the free skiing lessons for children from 4 years old.

3 – THE DOMAINE DE MANVILLE, BAUX-DE-PROVENCE

For the softness of the South

Located in the heart of the Alpilles Natural Park, in the village of Baux-de-Provence, Le Domaine de Manville is the ideal accommodation for a Provencal family holiday. Renowned for its service of excellency and its kids-friendly services, this rural palace lives to the rhythm of the song of cicadas, the picking of lavender and the maintenance of its vines.

Parents like: The indoor pool at the spa, the mother/daughter and father/son treatments, the eco-friendly 18-hole golf, the cooking classes, discovering the Camargue region on horseback, exploring the area by bike, yoga and Pilates lessons and the « Le Jardin d’Hiver » restaurant.

Kids love: The Kids Club from 4 years old and Rosa, its exceptional animator ; the themed activities of the kids-club (preparation of jams based on the morning pickings, pottery, gardening, etc.), access to the spa from 10am till 1pm and the outings for children organised at the Saint Remy Lake.

4 – THE DOMAINE DES ETANGS, MASSIGNAC

For the nature of the French South-West

The largest 5-star resort in metropolitan France, Le Domaine des Etangs extends over 1.000 hectares of unspoilt nature. At the heart of the estate, there is a superb 13th century castle and around this castle, there are 17 family lodgings with authentic charm.

Parents like: The Michelin star restaurant « Dyades », the spa Le Moulin des Étangs, the pic-knicks and countryside barbecues organised in the park, the heated indoor pool, the 18 holes golf course located 15 minutes away from the hotel and driving convertible electric golf carts made available to join outbuildings.

The children love: The 2.000 sqm playground, The care takers from the hotels babysitting service (25€/h), the walks in the woods, the Spa menu specially made for children, the vegetable picking in the garden, the chef’s baby food for the youngest of gourmets and the 3 service kids menu at restaurant (20€/menu).

5 – THE NEGRESCO, NICE

For its seaside

Erected on the legendary « Promenade des Anglais » for over a century this mythical establishment in Nice is a must to enjoy the sun on the « Cote d’Azur » with the family ! Inaugurated in 1913, the Negresco is one of the most emblematic palaces in Europe.

Parents like: The excellency of the service, the ideal situation on the bay of angels, the private beach, the in room massages, the casinos, the gastronomic excursion « Dans les Nuages » with its transfer by helicopter and the wine cellar.

The children love: their welcome gift, the beautiful little vintage cars, the kids activities organised on the beach (making seashell necklaces, music workshops, yoga, etc.), the cosmetics for the mini divas and the buffet at the restaurant adapted to their size and taste.

6 – Hotel Lancaster, Paris

For its lush green interior patio and connecting rooms

Located between the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde, just a few steps from the prestigious Champs-Élysées avenue, the Lancaster Paris Hotel ***** perfectly blends contemporary luxury with the beauties of royalty. A true Parisian paradise that fills the hearts of families visiting the French capital.

Parents love: its ideal location and the in-home massage. They also love the rooms, all decorated with traditional furniture, paintings and antiques, with generous windows overlooking the city or the inner garden.

Children love it: being spoiled on arrival with the many welcome gifts, enjoying a patio in the heart of the city and being able to play there.

This morning, you have your breakfast at Hotel Lancaster Paris ***** .

7 – TERRE BLANCHE HOTEL SPA GOLF RESORT

For its two golf courses

Cradeled by the scent of lavender and the sounds of the crickets, Terre Blanche is a little paradise on earth. The former property of the actor Sean Connery is a subtle mix of supreme luxury and the preserves provencal charm. Its idyllic environment, its kids-friendly services and high-end facilities promises demanding families an exceptional tailor-made holiday.

Parents love : Its world renowned two 18 holes golf courses the yoga and Pilates lessons in the gardens, the sumptuous spa and its signature massages, the infinity pool with a breathtaking view of the « Pays de Fayence » and the renting of golf carts.

The children adore : splashing around in the pool which is heated at 28C°, the numerous activities offered at the kids-club « Le Royaume des Enfants » (sports, arts and crafts, pic-nicks at the farm, seeing the donkeys, the ducks and the swans, themed evenings, golf initiation, bee-keeping excursion, etc.) and the horseback riding.

Magali, 36, mother of two children (3 and 5), from Waterloo