NEW HOTELS

Rosa Enia
Cambo-les-Bains (Aquitaine)
Opened: January 2014
www.rosa-enia.com [2]
Built in 1896 in traditional Basque style with red trim and a large first-floor balcony, this mansion has five guest rooms. Three more rooms are found in the garden, attached like bird cages to the Bird Tree (Arbre aux Oiseaux), a steel sculpture about 40 feet (12 meters) high and 20 feet (6 meters) in circumference. Each cabin has a round bed for two people and a ladder to a small loft sleeping space for a child. Open to all, the library, Jacuzzi and terrace are very conducive to relaxation. Dinner specials can be arranged: 25 euros, including water, sangria and wine.

Fitz Roy Hôtel
Le Mont-Dore (Auvergne)
Opening: 2014
www.hotel-fitz-roy.com [3]
Enjoy a bit of mountain-style art de vivre redefined with a contemporary touch! These apartments, suites and guest rooms are located in the forest between (and with easy access to) the ski areas of Mont Dore and Super Besse. Services include a restaurant, auditorium, bar-lounge and mezzanine terrace, winter garden, and wellness centre with swimming pool, Jacuzzi, steam room and fitness room. Savor the mountains in summer and winter alike.

Domaine de Murtoli golf course
Sartène (Corsica)
Opening: March 20, 2014
www.murtoli.com [4]
The new and exclusive golf course designed by Kyle Phillips is a unique experience. Its exclusivity is a function of its rusticity, one that includes the possibility of playing as if in a tournament – with the course to yourself. The 12 greens can be played in clockwise or counter-clockwise fashion for a total of more than 47 configurations and with holes between 330 and 1,650 feet (100 and 500 meters) in length. Novices have access to a practice area complete with a green and bunkers on which to practice shots. No matter how you play, the special setting thrills, caught as it is between mountain and sea.

Hôtel Version Maquis
Bonifacio (Corsica)
Opening: May 1 to November 30, 2014
www.hotelversionmaquis.com [5]
This four-star wood-and-stone hotel with unique architecture sits amid the maquis at the heart of Corsica's Bonifacio country. Majestic views from its eight suites take in the wild beach of Canetto and the Bay of Sant'Amanza. It's just 10 minutes from the center of Bonifacio and the Sperone Golf Club, or 20 minutes from Porto-Vecchio.

La Toubana Hotel & Spa
Saint-Anne (Guadeloupe)
2014/2015 Winter Season
www.toubana.com [6]
La Toubana Hotel & Spa added 12 new ocean facing luxury suites, two of which have private pools. For the 2014/2015 winter season the luxury hotel will debut 2 ultra-luxe four bedroom villas.

Hôtel Loire Valley Nature
Loire Valley
Opening: April 2014
www.troglododo.fr [7]
From the owners of the famous Troglododo B&B, the nine rooms of this new hotel combine the best of traditional comforts with troglodyte (cave) rooms.

Okko Hotel
Nantes (Loire Valley)
Opened: January 2014
www.okkohotels.com [8]
The first of a chain of four-star hotels, Okko Hotel is located a five-minute walk from the Castle of the Dukes of Brittany. Its 80 rooms are served by a Club where clients can work, relax, eat and drink something fresh and typical, and be advised about local activities and addresses.

La Villa Toscane Hotel
Marciac (Midi-Pyrénées)
March 1, 2014
www.lavillatoscane-marciac.fr [9]
This new 4-star establishment is the latest addition to the hotel offering in Marciac, a Great Tourist Site in Midi-Pyrénées famous for its jazz festival. This little paradise in the 19th century former town school will offer lots of pampering opportunities at its well-being center once it opens in March 2014.

Castel Pierre Boutique Hotel
Lagraulet (Midi-Pyrénées)
April 1, 2014
This 4-star boutique hotel will open in Lagraulet, a village in the heart of the vineyards near Vic-Fezensac, which is famous for its salsa festival. As the owner is a qualified oenologist, Le Castel Pierre is sure to be a hit with wine buffs. It's an ideal place for a quiet, gastronomic break in the heart of the Armagnac vineyards where visitors can learn all about the region's renowned wines.

eklo hotels Le Havre
Le Havre (Normandy)
Opening: February
www.eklohotels.com/hotel-le-havre [10]
This first eklo hotel is the most economical and ecological hotel in Normandy. Just 10 minutes from the center of town via tram, its 98 rooms all have private en-suite bathrooms and a menu of affordable additional services – parking, towels, television, wifi, breakfast. A special emphasis has been placed on eco-responsiblility, from the construction through the operation of the hotel, by limiting or eliminating pollution and energy consumption, using mass transport, and sensitizing about respect for the environment.

AC Hotels Paris Porte Maillot (by Marriott)
Paris
Opening: April 2014
www.marriott.com [11]
This new 166-room hotel by AC Hotels by Marriott, the joint venture and co-brand, is Marriott International’s 14th business in Paris and AC Hotel by Marriott's third in France. It brings modern comfort and urban style to the Porte Maillot area just in front of the Palais des Congrès. It will boast a fitness centre, lounge and bar, wifi and free minibars.

Concorde Opera
Paris
Rebranding: Late 2014
operaparis.concorde-hotels.com [12]
The historic Concorde Opéra hotel, located opposite the Gare Saint Lazare, has a new owner and manager. Now a Blackstone Real Estate Partners Europe IV property, it will be branded as the Hilton Paris Opéra. Although it will not close to the public, the 266-room 124-year-old structure will see some significant refurbishments, including improved business and leisure facilities.

Hôtel de Crillon
Paris
Opening: 2015
www.crillon.com [13]
Since 1758, the Hôtel de Crillon has been one of Paris' unmistakable structures, right on the Place de la Concorde. Now closed for major renovation, its reopening in 2015 will mark the beginning of its new era, albeit one respectful of its traditions and faithful to its character. It will also be under the management of Rosewood Hotels & Resorts, a leading ultra-luxury hotel company.

Hôtel Plaza Athénée
Paris
Opening: May 2014
www.dorchestercollection.com [14]
In May 2014, the luxury Hôtel Plaza Athénée will reopen with new additions: six guest rooms, eight suites, a ballroom and two event spaces. These will be located in three adjacent buildings purchased by the hotel. After the partial restoration to integrate these new facilities, guests can expect to rediscover the warm, refined surroundings as the hotel looks ahead to its next century.

La Réserve Paris
Paris
Opening: Spring 2014
www.lareserve-paris.com/en/hotel-opening-2014 [15]
Ideally located a few steps from the Palais de l’Elysée, the Place de la Concorde and the Champs-Elysées, this new 5-star hotel by Michel Reybier will embody the best of the French art of living.

Lutetia Paris
Paris
Reopening: 2017
www.lutetia-paris.com [16]
This landmark hotel in the 6th arrondissement – now under new owners, Alrov Properties and Lodgings – is set to shutter for three years of renovation starting at the end of April 2014.

M Gallery Molitor
Paris
Opening: Spring 2014
www.mgallery.com [17]
Once the most legendary and popular of Paris' 20th-century pools, the Molitor, closed in 1989 and occupied for many years as a huge urban art space, has a new lease on life. A historic monument, it is being renovated to become one of Paris' most popular addresses. MGallery (Accor Group), the collection for unique and remarkable venues, will take over operations, especially the 124 five-star rooms, 6,600 square feet of meeting space, full-service spa, Yannick Alleno-inspired restaurant and, of course, two historic pools.

The Peninsula Paris
Paris
August 2014
www.peninsula.com/Paris [18]
Like other Peninsula Hotels, notable for their luxurious comforts and impeccable service, the Paris property, the first one in Europe, will bring a new level of distinction to the city's luxury hotel market. It is located in a magnificent historic building on Avenue Kléber in the exclusive 16th arrondissement, just steps from the Champs Elysées and the Arc de Triomphe.

Hotel Chantilly
Avilly-Saint-Léonard (Picardy)
Opening: Late 2014/Early 2015
www.hilton.com [19]
About an hour from Paris, Chantilly will be the location of Hilton's eighth hotel in France. This newest four-star complex will have approximately 200 rooms (including nine suites); substantial meeting and conference facilities, like a 1,000-seat concert hall and 600-person conference hall; one of the region's largest state-of-the-art thalassotherapy and spa centers; and a gastronomic restaurant.

Marriott Renaissance
Aix-en-Provence (Provence-Alps-Côte d'Azur)
Opened: January 2014
www.marriott.com [20]
Marriott's newest five-star hotel is located just steps from the theaters and historic district around the Grand Théâtre de Provence. It has 133 rooms, one spa complete with an indoor pool, hammam, fitness center and treatment rooms, and two restaurants, one of which is helmed by a Michelin-starred chef.

Domaine de Manville
Les Baux de Provence (Provence-Alps-Côte d'Azur)
Opening: Spring 2014
www.domainedemanville.fr [21]
This new five-star hotel-spa is situated on 250-acre grounds at the foot of the medieval village of Les Baux right in the middle of the Alpilles. It boats 30 rooms, two restaurants, a private cinema, nine roomy houses (2,350 square feet / 220 square meters) with hotel services, and an innovative 18-hole eco-certified golf course designed to respect the site's natural environment.

Tiara Miramar Beach Hotel & Spa
Théoule-sur-mer (Riviera)
Opening: March 10, 2014
www.tiara-hotels.com [22]
When it reopens, this fully renovated boutique hotel will let its detail speak for itself: classic furnishings and a welcoming décor dominated by blues, greens and tawny oranges. The pervasive Mediterranean sunshine bathes every room, most of which have magnificent sea views, as does the seaside restaurant, which looks directly out at a private beach set amid the red cliffs of Esterel. For clients' wellbeing, there will be four treatment rooms, including a sauna, steam room, relaxation zone and fitness center.

RECENTLY OPENED HOTELS

Le Grand Hôtel de la Plage
Bicarrosse (Aquitaine)
Opened: July 17th 2013
www.legrandhoteldelaplage.fr [23]
Set on a dune facing the ocean and with direct access to the beach, this modern four-star hotel has an all-white exterior that blends in with its sun-bleached surrounding. The 33 air-conditioned rooms all have sea views, and the bistro-style restaurant is just as ocean-focused with an emphasis on regional classics and seafood, especially oysters from nearby Arcachon Bay. An outdoor infinity pool will soon be complemented by a spa with a sauna, Jacuzzi and massage rooms.

Château des Vallon
Verteuil d'Agenais (Aquitaine)
Opened : May 3, 2013
www.chateau-des-vallons.com [24]
Overlooking an idyllic landscape, this registered Historic Monument has two highly regarded guest quarters, called the Angelic Room and the Room of the Poet. Elisabeth Silvagni, the creative and passionate hostess, also welcomes visitors to her chic and cozy tea room every afternoon, where she serves Mariage Frères teas and homemade pastries. The same careful thought she put into the castle's refined décor can be found in a nearby old village shop she transformed into a two-room family guesthouse.

Mercure Clermont Ferrand Centre Jaude
Clermont-Ferrand (Auvergne)
Opened: October 31, 2013
www.mercure.com [25]
Relax in the heart of the city center at this new hotel. Grab a drink or snack in Augustonemetum, the panoramic bar overlooking the Place de Jaude. Take a break in the fitness room. Or kick back and use the free wifi and other mod cons in the non-smoking rooms with beds designed for taller people.

Privilodge Carré de Jaude
Clermont-Ferrand (Auvergne)
Opened: Mid-November 2013
www.apparthotel-clermontferrand.com [26]
Just off the Place de Jaude, 136 furnished apartments – everything from studios to two-bedroom suites – meet the needs of any travelers, whether on business of pleasure trips. Exceptional views, a private garden, fitness center and free wifi round out the offering.

5 Chambres en Ville
Clermont-Ferrand (Auvergne)
Opened: June 2013
www.5-chambresenville.com [27]
Not quite a boutique hotel or B&B, "5 Rooms in Town" combines the comfort of a prestigious hotel with the cozy atmosphere of a guest house. All five rooms, set in a renovated laundry house in the Port quarter of the historical center, were furnished by a designer to impart a sense of refinement and high-class atmosphere in character with the city and its history.

Pop Appart
Clermont-Ferrand (Auvergne)
Opened: June 2013
www.pop-appart.fr [28]
This independent furnished apartment's most outstanding feature is the unique retro decorations by local artists. Otherwise, the living room, bedroom, kitchen (with oven, microwave and dishwasher) and bathroom are just like a home away from home, complete with an iMac computer and large satellite television. Self-caterers will find supermarkets a short walk away.

Hôtel Liberata
Ile Rousse (Corsica)
Opened: End of 2013
www.hotel-ilerousse.fr [29]
This four-star, Art Nouveau-style, seaside estate at the heart of Ile Rousse promises elegance, luxury, serenity and wellbeing. The key to owners Iwona and Tony Thomas is to perpetuate Corsica's legendary hospitality based on the simple joys of giving and sharing. This happens through the hotel's 22 spacious and luminous guest rooms, all with panoramic views of the sea; the spa service, including a swimming pool, Jacuzzi, hammam, fitness room and massage; and easy access to the fine sandy beach in one direction and Corsican mountains in the other.

Art Hôtel
Rochecorbon (Loire Valley)
Opened: May 2013
www.art-hotel-tours.com [30]
The Art Hôtel is located on the banks of the Loire River just 3 miles (5 kilometers) from Tours and not far from the famous wine cellars of Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire. Set in a 19th-century jewel of a castle, it is a boutique hotel skilfully pairing contemporary design and simple black-and-white colors with the classical architecture of a 100-year-old chateau. A lounge bar and reception rooms likewise convey a sense of pomp.

Suites du Château de Candes
Candes-St-Martin (Loire Valley)
Opened: Spring 2013
www.suitesduchateau.com [31]
This luxurious hotel with pool, spa, large and unusual reception rooms has a spectacular view over the Loire River. It is located in one of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France."

Le Pier
Toulouse (Midi-Pyrénées)
Opened: December 2013
www.piertoulousehotel.com [32]
The hotel, featuring 28 bedrooms and four suites with a small balcony and panoramic view, also boasts a terrace offering an unrivaled view of the city and the Garonne river. Its strikingly original architecture is the perfect setting for a décor, which borrows from Asia and Australia.

The Brit Hotel Eco Sweet
Castres (Midi-Pyrénées)
Opened: May 15, 2013
hotel-castres.brithotel.fr [33]
This stylish new establishment with comfortable bedrooms strongly embraces the principles of environmentally sustainable design, featuring solar panels and energy-saving and rainwater-harvesting systems.

Hôtel des Arts
Nègrepelisse (Midi-Pyrénées)
Opened: May 2, 2013
www.hotelrestaurantmontauban.com [34]
This recently completed hotel offers a modern and family-friendly atmosphere and features 22 bedrooms (some of which have a kitchenette). Ideal for a large family or group of friends.

Le Haricot Noir
Villefranche de Lauragais (Midi-Pyrénées)
Opened: July 1, 2013
sites.google.com/site/penichehotelharicotnoir/ [35]
This barge hotel can hold up to twelve guests and is perfect for exploring the Canal du Midi. The owners, who have been running canal boats for more than 30 years, man the 30-metre barge. When booked as a hotel, meals are eaten together on board in a "table d'hôte" style.

Bellevue d’Aveyron
Ste Eulalie d’Olt (Midi-Pyrénées)
Opened: June 1, 2013
www.bellevuedaveyron.com [36]
Situated in Ste Eulalie d’Olt, officially recognised 'One of the most Beautiful Villages in France', this luxurious restored farmhouse offers top-end facilities and services in verdant grounds of 5,000 m2. Refurbished to high environment quality standards, this establishment boasts the latest eco-friendly technological innovations (floor heating, clothes dryer with heat pump, solar water heater, etc.). The ground floor is accessible to wheelchair users.

Emeraude
Mostuéjouls (Midi-Pyrénées)
Opened: June 1, 2013
www.giteemeraude.com [37]
Set in the heart of the Tarn Gorge and the Grands Causses Regional Nature Park, both UNESCO World Heritage Sites, this 5-star contemporary gîte will impress even the most world-weary luxury traveler. The establishment boasts a range of outstanding facilities including a spa and a private beach on the Tarn river. This superb architect-designed villa of 150 m2 is designed to accommodate between 2 and 9 guests, with the ground floor accessible to wheelchair users.

Hôtel Felicien
Paris
Opened: September 2013
www.hotelfelicienparis.com [38]
Fashion designer Olivier Lapidus, the owner of this new 32-room and two-suite "couture" hotel, believes it is like a whole other world, as it stems from his milieu. A two-year renovation of the 1930s building in the chic 16th arrondissement added a spa, Jacuzzi terrace and the Black Bar, the latter decorated with fiber-optic lighting effects. Best of all, each floor of this newest Elegancia Hotel has its own identity and specific color palette, like ruby, flannel, pearl, sky etc. It is exactly what you would imagine from the mind of a creator.

Buddha Bar Hotel
Paris
Opened: June 10, 2013
www.buddhabarhotelparis.com [39]
The highly buzzed-about Buddha Bar opens up its first boutique hotel in Paris, taking over a 18-century historical residence to be refurbished in a New-Asian Style, boasting 56 rooms, a spa and gourmet restaurant.

St Christopher's Inn
Paris
Opened: July 4, 2013
www.st-christophers.co.uk [40]
Not far from the Gare du Nord train station, this cutting-edge and modern backpacker hostel, the second St. Christopher's in Paris, continues to set high standards for budget accommodation. There are 50 private rooms and a large selection of dorm rooms, the latter featuring sleeper-carriage pod beds with privacy curtains, reading lights, power points and lockers. There's even a Belushi’s bar built into a big basement common room, a street café, free WiFi and more.

Les Lodges de la Sainte-Victoire
Aix-en-Provence (Provence-Alps-Cote d'Azur)
Opened: July 2013
www.leslodgessaintevictoire.com [41]
Set in 2.5 acres (one hectare) of private grounds at the foot of the famous Sainte-Victoire mountain, this establishment features 35 rooms and suites in an 18th-century building formerly nicknamed "The Château." Amenities include a spa and gastronomic restaurant, together with four luxury lodges, each with a private, heated pool – all found between grapevines and olive trees. The restaurant serves premier gastronomic fare and is pending rating in the 2014 guides.

L'Apogée Courchevel
Courchevel (Rhône Alps)
Opened: December 11, 2013
www.lapogeecourchevel.com [42]
L'Apogée Courchevel has pride of location in the Courchevel ski resort, part of Les Trois Vallées, the largest linked ski area in the world, right at the heart of the French Alps. In addition to its 33 suites, 20 double rooms and spectacular penthouse with its own Jacuzzi and private terrace, the hotel offers an exclusive private chalet with five bedrooms, a spa and a built-in home cinema.

Excelsior Hotel Nice
Nice (Riviera)
Opened: November 2013
www.excelsiornice.com [43]
A beautiful 19th-century building is decorated in the sumptuous architectural style of the Belle Epoque. Innovative hotel designer Sandrine Alouf has styled the stunning interiors using iconic images of the city to capture the very essence of Nice.

La Vague de St Paul
Saint-Paul-de-Vence (Riviera)
Opened: March 2013
www.vaguesaintpaul.com [44]
Ideally located in the heart of a wonderful garden, this new 4-star hotel has 50 modern rooms, a gourmet bistro-restaurant, lounge bar, meeting rooms, tennis court, outdoor heated swimming pool and spa with sauna, hammam, Jacuzzi, wellness center and massage room.

RECENTLY OPENED B&BS

Château de Darrech
Plaisance (Midi-Pyrénées)
August 1, 2013
www.charme-traditions.com [45]
This beautiful château, built in the mid-19th century and set in grounds of 6 hectares, featuring a swimming pool and protected by a cedar of Lebanon over 250 years old, is a haven of peace and quiet 15 minutes from Marciac. This is the first 5-key-rated B&Bs in Midi-Pyrénées.

Maison d’Hôtes du Petit Bassin
Auterive (Midi-Pyrénées)
August 1, 2013
www.maison-hote-auterive.com [46]
This 1920s Art-Deco villa featuring beautiful architecture and tasteful decoration has three bedrooms (sleeping a total of six guests) as well as a studio apartment. An elegant address near Toulouse which is perfect for business accommodations.

Chez Mimi et Nico
Gavarnie (Midi-Pyrénées)
June 1, 2013
www.location-chambres-gavarnie-gedre.com [47]
In the little village of Gèdre near Gavarnie, Myrène and Nicolas have just finished renovating a beautiful traditional barn which features four contemporary rooms. Guests enjoy delicious and hearty "table d’hôtes" meals featuring local produce such as lamb, cheese and the famous Pyrenean garbure soup.

La Villa du Parc
Argelès-Gazost (Midi-Pyrénées)
May 15, 2013
www.lavilladuparc.fr [48]
Set in the grounds of the town's spa complex, La Villa du Parc is a fine 19th century gentleman's house with four bedrooms that features a beautiful stone-and-brick façade typical of the architecture of the day. Inside, the atmosphere draws its elegance from the soft colours and warm woodwork, all wrapped up in an irresistible rural style that immediately creates a warm impression.

RENOVATED HOTELS

Hostellerie la Cheneaudière: New Spa Area
Colroy-la-Roche (Alsace)
Opened: January 2014
www.cheneaudiere.com [49]
The four-star La Cheneaudière's new state-of-the art spa area provides guests with the best of French luxury while respecting the surrounding natural environment. Featuring both indoor and outdoor components, along with three terraces, the spa exceeds 16,000 square feet and includes pools, a hammam, a panoramic sauna, dedicated relaxation areas and three private suites offering a full menu of spa pleasures.

Hôtel du Pourtalet
Vallée d'Ossau (Aquitaine)
Opened : May 18th, 2013
www.hotel-pourtalet.com [50]
Also called the “Maison Casadebaig,” this newly renovated, family-run, three-star hotel in the Ossau Valley sits within Pyrenees National Park. Originally opened in 1933, it faces the Pic du Midi d'Ossau, an iconic Pyrenees peak. The hotel's refurbishment held true to its Ossau origins, favoring wood and other natural materials, warm colors and traditional objects from the region. Guests in its 10 rooms have at their disposal a wine bar, restaurant, seminar room and relaxation area, which includes a spa, sauna and massage room. The restaurant, Le Sorbier, features traditional local specialties. The hotel is open all year round and, in winter, offers snow-sport equipment and ski packages.

La Co(o)rniche
Pyla-sur-mer (Aquitaine)
Opened : 2010, Renovated : 2013
www.lacoorniche-pyla.com [51]
Inspired by the success of his five-star hotel, a jewel perched on a dune at the edge of Arcachon Bay, William Téchoueyres, the owner, dreamed of making it bigger. As of June 2013, the work is complete. Nine new wooden chalets have been built behind it, also on the dune. Inspired by huts in the oystering village of L'Herbe on the nearby Cap Ferret peninsula, each cabin has two large bedrooms.

Relais des Trois Châteaux
Cour-Cheverny (Loire Valley)
Opened: 2013
www.relaisdestroischateaux.com [52]
Closed since 2001, the hotel has now been totally renovated as a four-star retreat, complete with a gourmet restaurant part of the Alain Ducasse network and featuring local products and specialties.

Mercure Orléans Centre
Orléans (Loire Valley)
Opened: 2013
www.mercure.com [53]
This hotel was totally renovated in 2013 with a fitness center and 111 rooms and suites, some of them with a view out to the Loire River. Located right in the city centre, it is perfect for a luxury city break or business trip.

Ritz Paris
Paris
Opening: Early 2015
www.ritzparis.com [54]
For the first time since its construction in 1898, the five-star Ritz Paris, located on glamorous Place Vendôme, has closed its doors for a sweeping renovation. Aside enhancements to building works, changes include the subtraction and reconfiguring of guest rooms to allow for larger suites, a retractable glass roof to be built over the outdoor bar and restaurant terrace, and a new French garden. But rest assured, the Ritz's famous style and design schemes won't change.

Thalazur Hotel & Spa
Antibes Juan-les-Pins (Riviera)
Opened: July 2, 2013
antibes.thalazur.fr [55]
The four-star hotel has reopened after 10 months of renovation work. It offers 163 rooms, a restaurant, a lounge bar and its acclaimed sea-water therapy institute and marine spa.

RECENTLY RENOVATED B&BS

Régisserie de Chanteloup
Amboise (Loire Valley)
Opened: Winter of 2013
www.regisseriedechanteloup.com [56]
Housed in an 18th-century building amid five acres (two hectares) of gardens, each of four rooms has a distinct tone and spirit – decorated by a painter, muralist or printer. This rustic guesthouse is a five-minute drive from the center of Amboise and offers a terrace, air conditioning and free wifi.

Auberge de Jable Lémeré (Loire Valley)
Opened: Spring 2013
www.aubergedejable.fr [57]
Already well known for their delicious and unusual restaurant, Le Clos de Jable, proprietors Philip and Carole Schilling have opened two rooms in their special haven of peace and tranquility nestled in the vineyards and beautiful countryside of the Loire Valley.

UNUSUAL ACCOMMODATIONS

Huttopia
Antonne-et-Trigonant (Aquitaine)
Opening: April 2014
www.huttopia.com [58]
Five and a half miles (nine kilometers) northeast of Périgueux, deep within Lanmary National Forest, the community of Antonne-et-Trigonant plays host to Huttopia, a company specializing in luxury nature-conscious camping. This is also where Huttopia has established its seventh site: a forest camp in partnership with the National Forests Office. A selection of nature lodges and tent pitches perfectly integrates with the surrounding woodlands without skimping on the services or comforts of a high-end camp. Still, there are no aquatic centers or spas here, nor air-conditioned cabins, evening shows, televisions or even wifi (except at the central lodge). Instead, it's all about respect for the environment, breaking from the daily routine to explore the setting and discover its plants and animals.

Clairière aux Cabanes
La Bresse (Lorraine)
Opened : May-June 2013
www.bol-d-air.fr [59]
Visitors might need to look for their pillow in the trees. That's where some of Bol d'Air's 13 new cabins are located. From sculpted wood banisters to shaded terraces surrounded by birdcall and the wind in the leaves, everything focuses on a the value of true immersion in nature. If a fear of heights is a dissuading factor, there are also cabins right on the ground.

La Tuilerie du Gay
Saverdun (Midi-Pyrénées)
July 1, 2013
www.latuileriedugay.com [60]
La Tuilerie du Gay near Toulouse offers guests the chance to stay in one of five tepees for a unique and exotic way of getting back to nature.

Le Nid Vert
Brengues (Midi-Pyrénées)
July 1, 2013
www.lenidvert.com [61] A collection of circular tents of 20 m2 boasting all the comforts of a room indoors for a rather different way to relax, in the unspoiled and wild surroundings of the Célé Valley. Each tent stands on its own individual wooden terrace of 45 m2 which overlooks the valley and offers a stunning view of the night sky from the deck chairs on each terrace. A real haven of peace and quiet away from the rest of the world.