Our incredible rooftop hotels

Lydia Bacrie | 7/31/24, 8:49 AM

One overlooks the Bay of Angels in Nice, another the waters of the Garonne in Bordeaux, yet another a white sandy beach in the Bay of Valinco... Discover our tour of France's most spectacular rooftop hotels, to be enjoyed all summer long.

They can be found all over France, and are among the most sought-after hotels for their location, their charm and, above all, for the priceless privilege of an open-air terrace that's a world unto itself. A place of breathtaking beauty, versatile enough to welcome guests all day long, always fulfilling their deIt's a place of breathtaking beauty, versatile enough to welcome guests all day long, always catering to their desires - lazing in the sun during the day; festive evenings and a grand spectacle as the sun sets the horizon ablaze and the city lights twinkle in the night. Our five not-to-be-missed favorites...

In Paris, Madame Rêve

Transformed into a five-star hotel in 2021, the former Poste du Louvre, Hôtel Madame Rêve has it all... 82 luxurious rooms and suites, the delicious Plume restaurant on the top floor, a chic brasserie on the first floor, and above all one of the most extraordinary terraces in Paris. Firstly, for its view of Montmartre hill, the Centre Pompidou, Notre-Dame and the gargoyles of Saint-Eustache church. Then for its ultra-cosy ambience - sofas and armchairs for lounging in the sun, small or large tables for a romantic dinner or with your friends, trees and plants that give the impression of a real hanging gardenCOPY00 Last but not least, excellent cocktails, a short Japanese menu and, above all, a place large enough (1000 m²) to try your luck without reservations.

Rooms from 420 Euros
Entrance to the rooftop at 43 rue Etienne Marcel, 75001 Paris Tel: 01 80 40 77 70
www.madamereve.com

In Marseille, Les Bords de Mer

Set on the Corniche Kennedy overlooking the Plage des Catalans, Hôtel Les Bords de Mer offers arguably the finest view in Marseille, with the sea at 180° and the Iles du Frioul in the background. Here, we love it all: the 19 ultra-bright rooms, all facing the violet waters, the delicious restaurant led by young Filipino chef Chester Tsaï, the Asian-inspired spa built into the rock and, of course, the extraordinary roof-top that seems to rest on the water. Discover it at dusk, when the setting sun sets the sky, with a glass of wine or a cocktail accompanied by tapas inspired by both Asia and Marseilles (panisses to die for). An exceptional address.

Rooms from 341 euros
52 Corniche Kennedy 13007 Marseille. Tel: 04 13 94 34 00
www.lesdomainesdefontenille.com

Louis Vizet - DR

In Bordeaux, Renaissance Hôtel

It's THE place to be in Bordeaux. Set on the 9ᵉ floor of the Renaissance Bordeaux hotel - in the heart of the port district and a stone's throw from the Cité Internationale du Vin - this immense terrace combines all the pleasures... A swimming pool for laps while admiring the view over the waters of the Garonne and the forest of the city's rooftops, an excellent Italian-inspired table (Gina) and a bar with delicious cocktails. Best of all, throughout the summer, the venue hosts concert evenings, DJ sets and even pool parties. After these festive evenings, enjoy a well-deserved rest in one of the 149 chic, contemporary rooms and suites.

Rooms from 256 euros
16 rue de Gironde 33000 Bordeaux. Tel: 05 19 80 02 00
www.marriott.com

In Nice, Anantara Plaza Nice

Just a stone's throw from the old town of Nice and the Promenade des Anglais, the recently restored Anantara Plaza Nice hotel is now one of Nice's finest palaces, facing the sea. Many of the 113 rooms and 38 suites open onto a terrace or balcony, but most guests come here to enjoy the open-air terrace, unquestionably the most spectacular in the city. The former 50s rooftop has in fact been refurbished to house the bar and the excellent Seen by Olivier table, which serves up a range of Mediterranean cuisine, to be enjoyed by all.Mediterranean cuisine, enjoyed under a shady pergola with a 180° view of the Baie des Anges and the purple waters of the Mediterranean.

Rooms from 418 euros
12 avenue de Verdun 06000 Nice. Tel: 04 93 16 75 75
www.anantara.com

Comback-Air creative - DR

In Montpellier, Jost Hôtel

A newcomer to the Montpellier landscape, this hotel is helping to rejuvenate the Saint-Roch district, just a stone's throw from Place de la Comédie. A new-generation refuge, it features 94 rooms, 2 apartments and 52 dormitories, and is designed as a living space for locals and travelers alike. We come here for the delicious Gabie restaurant, the co-working spaces and, above all, the ultra-cool rooftop. What's on the menu? A 180° panorama - from the city's rooftops to the Big Blue, a swim lane for doing laps and a bar serving Spritz and other delights that you can sip while nibbling on fine Italian dishes and admiring the sunset.

Rooms from 108 euros
50 rue Isabelle Eberhardt 34000 Montpellier. Tel: 04 12 05 19 29
www.jost-hotel-montpellier.com

Louis Vizet - DR

A further escape, between sea and pine forest, A'mare Corsica Seaside Small Resort

In the heart of the Gulf of Valinco, this family-run hotel is a favorite for the charm of its 25 rooms and suites, the many activities on offer (billiards, paddle, boat excursions) and, above all, for its terrace where you can sip a cocktail in the setting sun while admiring one of the most breathtaking views of the sea.

Double room from 350 euros
11 route de la corniche 20110 Propriano. Tel: 04 95 76 06 13
www.amarecorsica.com

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Some have been discreetly integrated into Les Bories & Spa, without breaking the line of the dry stonework. The farmhouse extends over eight hectares of olive and cypress trees, and under the roof tiles are 34 light-filled rooms, some of them in an old farmhouse. Luxury is discreet: plant-covered terraces, an enveloping spa and a glazed pool overlooking the Luberon. A peaceful address, just a few bends from the ochre silhouettes of Gordes and Roussillon. Price: €342 per night Where? 9 Route de Senanque, 84220 Gordes. Tel. 04 90 72 00 51See Gault&Millau's review of Les Bories & Spa Le Bailliage in Salers at the entrance to Salers, a listed village with gray lava houses and sculpted balconies, Le Bailliage has been perpetuating a sincere art of living for three generations. Since 2020, Antoine and Marion Bancarel, heirs to the house, have taken over the reins with discreet elegance. In this 23-room hotel, everything has been thoughtfully redesigned: intimate spa, homemade cuisine, no-frills welcome. The meat comes from the family's own farm, the rooms overlook the old gardens, and the air, at an altitude of a thousand metres, has that taste of meadows that you never forget. A warm and welcoming address, in the image of the village. Price: €124 per night 31 Rue Notre Dame, 15140 Salers. Tel : 04 71 40 71 95See Gault&Millau's review of Les Baillages La Capitelle in Mirmande Behind the light-colored walls of a house once inhabited by painter André Lhote, La Capitelle watches over the rooftops of this Drôme village with its Provencal palette. Eight sober, peaceful rooms, with views of the Ardèche mountains or the Rhône valley, extend the discreet charm of the sloping streets. Just eleven simple, bright rooms, a restaurant with slates that change according to the season, and the quiet attention of Ludivine and Sylvain Croce, who run the house with constancy. Price: €102 per night 1 rue du Boulanger- 26270, Mirmande. Tel : 04 75 63 02 72See Gault&Millau's review of La Capitelle Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa in Bonnieux Set in the heart of a 30-hectare vineyard, this hamlet unfurls its 63 rooms and suites, with their sober, mineral lines, over the landscapes of the Luberon. The Tata Harper spa, 2,000 m² of calm and light, offers lavender and grape treatments in a plant-based atmosphere. In the kitchen, Pierre Marty, a Ducasse disciple with Monaco and Macao experience, orchestrates the Avelan gastronomic table: five-course menu, raw-marinated sea bream from Grau du Roi, poultry Pithiviers... Patisserie by Aurélien Trousse, medallist at the French Dessert Championships. Here, Provence is expressed with precision, right down to the plate. Price: €497 per night Route du Perrotet, 84400 Gargas. Tel. : 04 90 74 71 71 See Gault&Millau's review of Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa Château de Troplong Mondot in Saint-Émilion Restored in 2019, Troplong Mondot cultivates the art of entertaining as an extension of the land. The main building, with its sober, warm lines, houses a communal lounge where the fire crackles on winter evenings. Here you can read, chat or simply watch the day fall over the rows of vines. In summer, the private terrace of each house opens onto the paths lined with low walls, typical of the local landscape. The rooms, divided between several of the estate's buildings, combine blond wood, deep fabrics and unobstructed views as far as the Saint-Émilion bell tower. In the morning, chef David Charrier serves a generous breakfast of seasonal fruit, homemade jams and warm pastries. Nothing ostentatious, but attention to every gesture, in a place that invites you to retreat. Price: €250 per night Château Troplong, Mondot - 33330 Saint-Laurent-des-Combes. Tel : 05 57 55 32 05See Gault&Millau's review of Château de Troplong Mondot Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey in Sauternes Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey watches over the vines like a peaceful old soul. The estate, a famous premier grand cru classé, is now home to a hotel signed Lalique, thirteen rooms and suites subtly laid out in a 17thᵉ century château. Walls in reds and pinks evoking wine, antique beams and chiseled crystal faucets: every detail is a delicate nuance. Settle into the small lounge to enjoy a drink before joining, under the luminous glass roof, chef Jérôme Schilling's gastronomic table. A rare place of discreet elegance. Price: €504 per night 1707 Route des Gourgues, Lieu-dit Peyraguey- 33210 Bommes. Tel : 05 24 22 80 11See Gault&Millau's review of Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey Les Sources de Cheverny in Cheverny Les Sources de Cheverny is a gentle hamlet designed for sharing, in the wine-growing lands of the Loire Valley. at reception, the lacquered green box recalls the forest rangers' kiosks. The 49 rooms and suites, designed by Alice Tourbier and studio be-pôles, feature antiques, a bohemian atmosphere and lush natural views. The Caudalie spa, with its sober lines and recycled materials, has slipped into the old building, like a contemporary echo of the neighboring château's beams. On the terrace, sip a wine from the estate, the prelude to a Michelin-starred dinner in the Favori dining room. An elegant address, anchored in this Sologne village with its rich Loire heritage. Price: €279 per night 23 route de Fougère- 41700 Cheverny. 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