Escape to the French Countryside
There is nothing quite like the French countryside in the spring and summertime. Whether you’re a lover of picnics in meadows, keen to sample the best cuisine the country has to offer, or counting down the days until you can stroll through lavender fields, a trip to bucolic France is always a good idea.
Unique Accommodations in 2024
With holiday season on the horizon, Euronews Travel has rounded up a list of the most unusual and special places to stay in France’s glorious countryside in 2024.
Indulge yourself at the Michelin-recognised Loire Valley Lodges
A contemporary boutique hotel located in 300 hectares of private forest in Esvres, Loire Valley Lodges is currently celebrating its acceptance of a Michelin Key. It’s a particularly special nod, as the Michelin Guide has only just started ranking hotels.
Set in the iconic ‘Valley of the Kings’, Loire Valley Lodges is made up of 18 private lodges, deep in the forest. Each individual residence is built as a treehouse, meaning you’re right in the middle of the surrounding natural wonders.
Perfect for art lovers, every lodge contains a collection of work from contemporary artists, and there is a sculpture trail on offer, too.
Get in touch with your inner equestrian at Domaine de Prestal
The Paris Olympics are fast approaching, and Domaine de Prestal is a historic, five-bedroom guest house right next to a stud farm at Haras du Pin in the Pays Bocage west of the capital.
Horse fans can explore the stables, tack rooms, and museum as well as marvel at weekly equestrian parades set to music at the farm. In the summer, they add a special program for children to their offerings.
Rooms are unusual and memorable, with unique features such as a room set in a 17th-century dovecote.
Sample fine wine from the source at Le Château de Candie near Chambéry
Le Château de Candie, just five kilometers from the center of Chambéry, offers spacious rooms and a tower suite, ideal for a romantic retreat. The highlight for wine lovers is the vineyard located on the property.
The 14th-century castle has been growing grapes and selling wine for hundreds of years, with guests able to visit the vineyards and try the wines on-site.
Live the château life en famille at Domaine des Etangs in Massignac, western France
Domaine des Etangs is a hotel in a stunning 13th-century lakeside château, located just outside the charming town of Massignac. It’s situated in 2,500 acres of preserved nature and offers a range of accommodation options.
From May to September, a heated outdoor swimming pool is unveiled, and there are various activities available for guests, including farm tours, rowboating, and horse riding.
Explore Belle Époque era architecture at Le Château du Gué aux Biches in Bagnoles de l’Orne
Le Château du Gué aux Biches hotel in the spa town of Bagnoles de l’Orne boasts buildings from the Belle Époque era. The property offers traditional but light and airy guest rooms, with a separate gite available for more privacy.
The owners are working on making the property more sustainable, rewarding guests who travel by train with free transfers and shuttles.
Immerse yourself in wine country at The Keys of Troplong Mondot near Bordeaux
Château Troplong Mondot, a renowned wine estate in Bordeaux, opened a boutique hotel, The Keys of Troplong Mondot, in 2020. Guests can enjoy exclusive vineyard tours, wine tastings, and spectacular views of the Dordogne Valley.
Foodies can indulge in the property’s Michelin Star restaurant, Les Belles Perdrix, serving up delicious cuisine along with an extensive wine list.
