The six new Palace hotels in the 2026 selection
The new selection, announced on 2 June 2026, includes six properties receiving the official Palace distinction for the first time.
| Property | Location |
|---|---|
| Bvlgari Hotel Paris | Paris |
| Cheval Blanc Paris | Paris |
| Fouquet’s Paris | Paris |
| Four Seasons Resort Megève | Megève |
| Hôtel Martinez | Cannes |
| Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa | Champillon |
These new distinctions reflect several trends: Paris’s consolidation as a destination for ultra-luxury hospitality, the growing prominence of Alpine properties and the recognition of hotels in resort destinations and wine-producing regions.
The official announcement explicitly distinguishes these six new entrants from the 27 properties whose Palace status was renewed.
Paris accounts for almost 40% of France’s Palace hotels
Geographical distribution of France’s 33 Palace hotels – 2026
| Region | Number of Palace hotels |
|---|---|
| Paris | 13 |
| French Riviera / South-East | 9 |
| Alps | 7 |
| South-West | 2 |
| East | 1 |
| French overseas territories | 1 |
Source: Atout France, official selection of 2 June 2026.
With 13 of the 33 properties, Paris accounts for 39.4% of officially recognised Palace hotels.
The French Riviera and South-East together account for nine properties, followed by the Alps with seven.
These three geographical areas therefore represent 29 of France’s 33 Palace hotels, or almost 88% of the selection.
The South-West has two properties, while the East and French overseas territories each have one.
This concentration reflects the importance of destinations capable of combining affluent international clientele, exceptional real estate heritage and the highest standards of hospitality.
The complete list of France’s 33 Palace hotels
Paris • 13 properties
- Bvlgari Hotel Paris — New
- Cheval Blanc Paris — New
- Fouquet’s Paris — New
- Four Seasons Hotel George V
- Hôtel de Crillon, A Rosewood Hotel
- Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Dorchester Collection
- La Réserve Paris – Hotel and Spa
- Le Bristol Paris
- Le Meurice, Dorchester Collection
- Mandarin Oriental Lutetia Paris
- Royal Monceau – Raffles Paris
- Shangri-La Paris
- The Peninsula Paris
French Riviera and South-East • 9 properties
- Airelles Gordes, La Bastide — Gordes
- Airelles Saint-Tropez, Château de la Messardière — Saint-Tropez
- Château Saint-Martin & Spa — Vence
- Cheval Blanc St-Tropez — Saint-Tropez
- Grand-Hôtel du Cap-Ferrat, A Four Seasons Hotel — Saint-Jean-Cap-Ferrat
- Hôtel du Cap-Eden-Roc — Antibes
- Hôtel Martinez Cannes — Cannes — New
- La Réserve Ramatuelle Hotel, Spa & Villas — Ramatuelle
- Villa La Coste — Le Puy-Sainte-Réparade
Alps • 7 properties
- Airelles Courchevel, Les Airelles — Courchevel
- Cheval Blanc Courchevel — Courchevel
- Fouquet’s Courchevel — Courchevel
- Four Seasons Resort Megève — Megève — New
- Hôtel Royal — Évian-les-Bains
- L’Apogée Courchevel — Courchevel
- Le K2 Palace — Courchevel
South-West • 2 properties
- Les Prés d’Eugénie — Eugénie-les-Bains
- Les Sources de Caudalie — Martillac
East • 1 property
- Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa — Champillon — New
French overseas territories • 1 property
- Cheval Blanc St-Barth Isle de France — Saint-Barthélemy
An official distinction awarded for three years
Introduced in 2010, the Palace distinction is not simply a commercial designation. It is an official recognition regulated by the French government and reserved for selected properties already holding a five-star classification.
The award is based, in particular, on the exceptional nature of the location, historical, architectural or heritage significance, and the quality of facilities and service.
The assessment process involves an initial review conducted by Atout France, followed by consideration by the Palace Commission, including site visits and hearings.
The distinction is awarded for three years. Properties must therefore apply for renewal to retain it.
The 27 renewals announced in 2026 demonstrate this reassessment process, which distinguishes official Palace status from a purely marketing-led position in the ultra-luxury segment.
LTH Analysis | A prestigious distinction, but also a hotel real estate valuation issue
The 2026 selection once again brings into focus questions repeatedly raised by La Tribune de l’Hôtellerie, particularly following the loss of Palace status by Byblos Saint-Tropez, Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme and Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz.
The 2024 reform tightened eligibility criteria, notably setting a minimum guestroom size of 26 sq m, with an allowance for 10% of the room inventory, and reducing the validity of the distinction from five years to three. Yet a fundamental question remains: can a year-round Parisian Palace, a seasonal Riviera property, a small exceptional hotel and an establishment with several hundred rooms reasonably be assessed against identical criteria?
Beyond room sizes, facilities and capital investment, LTH has for several years advocated a broader examination of service continuity, employment policies, outsourcing practices and the preservation of hotel heritage. Should the Palace distinction reward technical compliance, or recognise a genuine culture of excellence sustained by dedicated teams and a distinctive identity?
This question extends far beyond the ranking of the 33 recognised properties.
Read LTH’s analysis of the 2026 Palace distinction and the properties that lost their status.
At a Glance
Official distinction: Palace, awarded by the French government following an assessment coordinated by Atout France.
2026 selection: 33 officially recognised Palace hotels.
New entrants: Six properties, including Bvlgari Hotel Paris, Cheval Blanc Paris, Fouquet’s Paris, Four Seasons Resort Megève, Hôtel Martinez Cannes and Royal Champagne Hôtel & Spa.
Renewals: 27 hotels retained their distinction.
Geographical concentration: Paris accounts for 13 properties, followed by the French Riviera and South-East with nine, and the Alps with seven.
Validity: The Palace distinction is awarded for three years.
