France's tourism development agency, Atout France, has announced the updated list of palace hotels for 2026, with 33 properties now holding the country's most prestigious hospitality designation. The announcement follows the first comprehensive reassessment of the programme in seven years.
Twenty-seven establishments successfully renewed their palace status, while six new hotels joined the elite group. The palace label, created in 2010, sits above the standard five-star classification and is reserved for properties that represent the pinnacle of French hospitality, service, heritage, and luxury.
What Defines a Palace Hotel?
According to Atout France, the palace distinction identifies hotels that offer an "extraordinary hospitality experience," particularly those embodying excellence in service and the French art de vivre in all its forms. The award is granted through a rigorous process overseen by Atout France and the Palace Commission, based on highly selective criteria designed to safeguard both credibility and excellence. The designation is valid for three years.
Serge Papin, France's Minister for Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises, Commerce, Craft Industries, Tourism and Consumer Affairs, said the distinction reflects the excellence of French hospitality and recognises the work of teams behind the country's most prestigious hotels. "If France is a must-visit tourist destination for everyone, it is also thanks to the excellence of French hospitality," he stated.
New Additions to the Palace List
Among the six new palace hotels are three prominent Parisian properties: Bvlgari Hotel Paris, Cheval Blanc Paris, and Fouquet's Paris. The French Alps gained a new entry with Four Seasons Resort Megève, while the Côte d'Azur saw Hôtel Martinez Cannes added. In eastern France, Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa in the Champagne region also secured the coveted title.
The full list for 2026 includes 13 hotels in Paris, such as Four Seasons Hotel George V, Hôtel de Crillon (a Rosewood Hotel), Hôtel Plaza Athénée, La Réserve Paris Hotel and Spa, Le Bristol Paris, Le Meurice, Mandarin Oriental Lutetia Paris, Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris, Shangri-La Paris, and The Peninsula Paris. In the French Alps, properties like Airelles Courchevel (Les Airelles), Cheval Blanc Courchevel, Fouquet's Courchevel, Hôtel Royal in Évian-les-Bains, L'Apogée Courchevel, and Le K2 Palace retain their status. The Côte d'Azur and south-east France feature Airelles Gordes (La Bastide), Airelles Saint-Tropez (Château de la Messardière), Château Saint-Martin & Spa, Cheval Blanc St-Tropez, Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat (a Four Seasons Hotel), Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, La Réserve Ramatuelle Hotel, Spa & Villas, and Villa La Coste. South-west France includes Les Prés d'Eugénie and Les Sources de Caudalie.
Three Hotels Lose Palace Status
The update also saw three luxury hotels lose their palace distinction after failing to meet the commission's standards during the renewal process. According to French newspaper Le Figaro, the properties downgraded to standard five-star status are the Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, the Mandarin Oriental Paris on Rue Saint-Honoré, and Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz. The newspaper described their removal as a "devastating blow to the hushed world of luxury hotels."
The palace programme remains a key marker of France's tourism prestige, distinguishing its finest hotels in a competitive global market. For travellers seeking the highest standards of accommodation, the 2026 list offers a curated selection across Paris, the Alps, the Riviera, and beyond.
