Michelin Key Hotels in the France: Fora's Picks

Image courtesy of Gregoire Gardette for La Maison d'Estournel

Michelin, that French tire company and global master of culinary taste, announced its eponymous Key, the Michelin Star of hotels, in April 2024. Like the Michelin Star, the Michelin Key began in France, and has since been applied to properties in the US, Spain, Italy, Japan and Mexico.

There are 189 Michelin Key hotels in France: an elite 24 with three Keys, 38 with two Keys and 127 with one Key. Of these, Fora gets perks at over three quarters (although your Fora Advisor can still book your stay at most Key hotels, even if they’re not part of a specific perks program). 

Many of Fora’s favorite and top-booked properties made the cut, and we certainly have our eye on a few swoon-worthy newcomers. That’s the beauty of Michelin: they cover it all. Tiny, under-the-radar gems and regal grande-dames alike are eligible. The company does its due diligence.

Below, a few of our favorite Michelin Key hotels in France, separated by number of Keys. When you’re ready to jet off, connect with Fora to plan and book your Michelin-inspired French getaway. 

Three Keys: “an extraordinary stay”

Michelin’s three-Key hotels are like their three-Star restaurants: bucket-list-worthy, few and far between, exceptional in every way. “It’s all about astonishment and indulgence here,” the company states. 

Cheval Blanc Paris

Image courtesy of Cheval Blanc Paris

It’s no surprise this ultra-luxurious stay — with a privileged location right above the Seine — earned three Keys. Cheval Blanc is under the LVMH umbrella, and the hotel’s furniture, fabrics and amenities are all made by high-end designers. Although, you’d never know it, as discreet luxury reigns. The design is effortlessly chic, with an eclectic aesthetic punctuated by an expertly-curated art collection. The service, too, is unparalleled: staff know each guest by name, as well as their preferences. The dedication to hospitality is clear: there’s an average of six staff members assigned per room.

“The hotel's location, exceptional service, and world-class amenities make it one of the best places to stay in Paris for those looking for a truly indulgent and sophisticated stay in the heart of the city,” Fora Advisor Amna Ismail said (read more of her guide to Paris).

Fora Perks:

• Complimentary round-trip private airport / train station transfer, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Antibes

Image courtesy of Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc

The family-owned Oetker brand never fails to deliver. Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc, in the south of France, is a 150-year-old stunner composed of two castle-like buildings: the hillside Hôtel du Cap and the waterfront Eden Roc pavilion, which houses recently renovated junior suites. As at all Oetker properties, sophisticated luxury drives the aesthetic. Expect classic, clean opulence. And don’t miss the forthcoming Dior Spa, expected to open before the end of the year.

“This exceptional property isn’t just visually beautiful and impeccably maintained; every staff member provided us with friendly, 5-star service from the moment we arrived until we bid our farewells,” Fora Advisor Jessica Eknaian said of her personal visit. “This is an  unforgettable, must-visit destination.”

Fora Perks:

• $100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, upgrade whenever possible and priority access to courtesy car, where applicable.
  
  

Les Sources de Caudalie, Martillac

Image courtesy of Les Sources de Caudalie

A visit to Les Sources de Caudalie’s spa warrants a visit in itself — although we recommend a longer stay, of course. Enjoy the hammam, thermal bath and jacuzzi at your leisure before surrendering to the hands of expert therapists using luxe (and clean) Caudalie products infused with natural, grape-derived compounds. Experience a life of leisure at the property, which is one of our top-booked hotels in the region: bike through vineyards, lounge by the pool, take a booking class or learn the art of oenology from the hotel’s sommelier — activities (and a blissful lack thereof) abound.

Fora Perks:

• $100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

More three-Key hotels to love

Fora Advisors can unlock perks at the majority of these properties. Reach out to learn more.

Airelles Château de Versailles, Le Grand Contrôle
Baumanière
Cheval Blanc Courchevel
Domaine Les Crayères
Four Seasons George V
Four Seasons Megeve
Grand Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat
Hôtel de Paris Monte-Carlo
Hôtel du Castellet
La Bastide de Gordes
La Réserve Paris
La Reserve Ramatuelle
Le Bristol Paris
Le K2 Palace
Le Meurice
Le Royal Champagne
Plaza Athénée
Ritz Paris
Saint James Paris
Villeroy
Villa La Coste

Two Keys: “an exceptional stay”

Two-Key hotels are notable for their distinct character, charm, unique design and “real sense of the locale.” These properties are run with pride and personable care.

J.K. Place Paris

Image courtesy of J.K. Place Paris

On Paris’ chic Left Bank, steps from Boulevard Saint-Germain, is the 29-room J.K. Place Paris, among Fora’s top 10 most-booked hotels in Paris. The five-star hotel is a study in discreet luxury and enviably tasteful modern charm. Each room is unique, but all feature delightful pops of color, eclectic pieces of art, towering ceilings and an overall serene vibe.

“It’s discreet, convivial, super comfortable and truly feels like a home,” Fora Advisor Pam Murphy said. “Don’t miss aperitivo in the living room — you’ll be served some of the best olives you’ll ever have in your life.”  

Fora Perks:

• $100 hotel / resort credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

Domaine de Fontenille, Luberon

Image courtesy of Domaine de Fontenille

Les Domaines de Fontenille’s flagship property, in Provence, combines nature, wellness and luxury. The 19-room hotel is in fact an 18th-century home. Guests stay amid vineyards and organic gardens, which supply much of the ingredients for the hotel’s exceptional restaurants, helmed by renowned French chef Guillaume Goupil. Les Domaine de Fontenille is dedicated to respecting the terroir on which their properties are located; they take l’agrotourisme to a five-star level. 

Fora Perks:

• A complimentary experience, welcome amenities, one-way airport transfer, breakfast daily and an upgrade.
  
  

Domaine des Étangs, Massignac

Image courtesy of Domaine des Étangs

This 13th-century countryside château, in Massignac, is Auberge’s first European property. Guests stay in rustic-chic suites, spacious guestrooms or storybook cottages. The sprawling property is home to a cattle farm, a nearly 22,000-square-foot organic garden, a pond, a forest primed for exploring and a floating tennis court. Dine on seasonal, farm-to-table cuisine, opt for a picnic in the onsite meadows or arrange for a private meal. The spa draws its inspiration from nature, and features a cellar equipped with Roman-style steam rooms and cooling rooms for a rejuvenating dose of contrast therapy. If you’ve been dreaming of the ideal French countryside retreat, this is it.

Fora Perks:

• $100 food / beverage credit, breakfast daily, an upgrade & extended check-in/out whenever possible.
  
  

More two-Key hotels to love

Fora Advisors can unlock perks at the majority of these properties. Reach out to learn more.

Airelles Saint-Tropez Château de la Messardière
Aman Le Mélézin
Bulgari Hôtel Paris
Casadelmar
Castelbrac
Château Richeux - Les Maisons de Bricourt
Château de la Gaude
Château de la Chèvre d'Or
Château de la Mirande
Château de Montcaud
Château du Grand-Lucé
Château Eza
Château Lafaurie-Peyraguey
Coquillade - Provence
Domaine de Biar
Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
Hôtel du Palais
Hôtel Métropole Monte-Carlo
La Ferme Saint-Siméon
L'Apogée Courchevel
Le Château de Beaulieu
Le Domaine du Mas de Pierre
Le K2 Chogori
Le Negresco
Le Royal Monceau
Les Pres d’Eugenie - Michel Guerard
Les Roches Blanches
Les Sources de Cheverny
Lutetia
Nolinski
Shangri-La Paris
The Maybourne Riviera
The Peninsula Paris

One Key: “a very special stay”

Michelin’s one-Key hotels are veritable gems. The service is top-notch, the character is unique and the overall experience goes above and beyond what’s typically offered at a comparable price point.

La Fantaisie, Paris

Images courtesy of La Fantaisie

This 73-room delight on Paris’ Right Bank exudes a bright sense of play, which is especially appropriate considering its location in the youthful, hip Faubourg Montmartre neighborhood. 

There’s a leafy garden, as well as a dreamy spa bedecked with tasteful splashes of green: emerald-green tiling in the steam room, lime-green chairs and floral wallpaper in the common areas. Rooms are bright, colorful and cheerful, courtesy of the designer Martin Brudnizki, who has a knack for adding chic restraint to gleeful eccentricity. 

Fora Advisor Ronit Margolis stressed that the main restaurant, Golden Poppy (helmed by Dominique Crenn, no less) is a must-try for dinner. Afterward, head to the rooftop Bar Sûr Le Toit for a glass of Champagne before retreating to your “plush, airy and cozy” bed.

Relais Christine, Paris

Image courtesy of Relais Christine

This charming, intimate oasis is tucked away on a side street in Paris’ classy Saint-Germain-des-Prés neighborhood. The hotel’s leafy courtyard — and the hotel in general — is an exclusive slice of calm in the bustling city. Rooms are punctuated with bold patterns and a soft elegance. There’s also a subterranean Guerlain Spa, as well as a gym, where guests can sweat it out beneath 13th-century vaulted ceilings. It’s also a community favorite: the hotel is one of our top five most-booked properties in Paris.

Fora Perks:

• €90 spa credit (for 2+ nights), a welcome amenity, an upgrade & late check-out whenever possible.
  
  

We also featured Relais Christine on our list of the top boutique hotels in Paris.

Les Fermes de Marie, Megève

Image courtesy of Les Fermes de Marie

Les Fermes de Marie, in Megève, a village in France’s southwestern Alps, is an alpine wellness destination. Spa treatments incorporate mountain-sourced plants and salts. Japanese hot-and-cold baths and a traditional sauna only add opportunities for some serious rejuvenation. Guests retreat to cabin-like, cozy, rustic-chic rooms. Multi-bedroom chalets are also available, perfect for larger gatherings. The property’s restaurants offer elevated, homemade mountain cuisine (pâté en croûte, arugula salad showered in truffles), prepared with ingredients dictated by the seasons. 

Fora Perks:

• Breakfast daily and a bottle of wine.
  
  

La Maison d'Estournel, Saint-Estèphe

Image courtesy of Gregoire Gardette for La Maison d'Estournel

This 18th-century country estate, about an hour outside Bordeaux, is warm, cozy and undeniably luxurious. The staff go above and beyond to make you feel at home (it is, after all, a home). Handsome, colorful decor — floor-to-ceiling bookshelves dotted with tomes and sculptures, gem-hued upholstered furniture, varied patterns, statement headboards — populate common spaces and rooms alike. Dine on locally sourced food in the onsite restaurant, a brilliant, modern take on a sophisticated bistro. Swim laps in the sleek swimming pool, with views of the surrounding vineyards. Or, hop on an e-bike to explore the green environs up close.

Fora Perks:

• Welcome amenities, breakfast daily and an upgrade whenever possible.
  
  

More one-Key hotels to love

Fora Advisors can unlock perks at the majority of these properties. Reach out to learn more.

Altapura
Annapurna
Anne de Bretagne
Auberge du Jeu de Paume
Auberge La Fenière
Auberge du Père Bise
Belles Rives
Brach
Capelongue
Chateau De Germigney
Château & Village Castigno
Château de Bagnols
Château de Berne
Château de Courcelles
Château de Fonscolombe
Château de la Resle
Château de la Treyne
Château de Valmer
Château de Vault-de-Lugny
Château des Fleurs - Hôtel & Spa
Château du Palanquey
Château Saint-Martin
Château Voltaire
Chez Laurence du Tilly
Clarance
COMO Le Montrachet
Crillon le Brave
Domaine de Manville
Domaine de Murtoli (L'Hôtel de la Ferme)
Domaine de Primard
Domaine de Rymska
Domaine de Verchant
Dominique Colonna
Fleur de Loire
Flocons de Sel
Fontevraud L’Hôtel
Georges Blanc
Grand Hotel de Cala Rossa
Grand Hôtel du Palais Royal
Grand Powers
Ha(a)ïtza
Hôtel de Pavie
Hôtel des Berges (Auberge de l'Ill)
Hôtel des Grands Boulevards
Hôtel Le Ballu
Hôtel Madame Rêve
Hôtel Royal Evian
Hôtel de Tourrel
L'Auberge Basque
La Bastide de Marie
La Bastide de Moustiers
La Bastide en Gascogne
La Borde
La Bouitte
La Bonne Étape
La Chartreuse du Bignac
La Dimora
La Fantaisie
La Ferme HI Bride
La Grée des Landes
La Maison d'Estournel
La Maison d'Uzès
La Maison des Têtes
La Maison du Passage
La Réserve de Beaulieu
La Ferme HI Bride
La Grée des Landes
La Maison d'Estournel
La Maison d'Uzès
La Maison des Têtes
La Maison du Passage
Le Brittany & Spa
Le Burgundy
Le Clair de la Plume
Le Clos des Sens
Le Domaine de la Klauss
Le Grand Mazarin
Le Hameau Albert 1er
Le Kaïla
Le K2 Djola
Le Pavillon de la Reine
Le Petit Nice
Le Phébus
Le Prieuré
Le Relais Bernard Loiseau
Le Vieux Castillon
Le Vieux Logis
Les Bains
Les Barmes de l'Ours
Les Fermes de Marie
Les Frères Ibarboure
Les Hortensias du Lac
Les Lodges Sainte-Victoire
Les Pins de César
Logis de la Cadène
L'auberge Du Cheval Blanc et Spa
Maison Albar Hôtels L’Imperator
Maison Aribert
Maison Delano Paris
Maison Proust, Hotel & Spa La Mer
Maison Soclo
Manoir de Lan-Kerellec
Marquis Faubourg St-Honoré
Moulin de l'Abbaye
Monsieur George
Norman Hôtel & Spa
Origines
Pic
Providence
Regina Experimental Biarritz
Relais Christine
Relais de la Poste
Royal Hainaut
Royal Riviera
Sainte-Victoire
Soho House Paris
Terre Blanche
Toile Blanche
Villa Florentine
Villa Grand Voile Christopher Coutanceau
Villa Maïa
Zannier Hotels Le Chalet

There are many more Michelin Key hotels (179, to be exact) worth exploring. Connect with Fora to discover and book the property that best fits your style.