As Paris prepares to host the Olympics this summer, the spotlight is on the city. … [+]
As Paris prepares to host the Olympic Games this summer, the spotlight is on the City of Light. But even if you're not a sports enthusiast, there are plenty of reasons to head to France this summer. From summer wellness retreats and luxury beach clubs on the French Riviera to exploring the famous wine regions of Champagne and Bordeaux, France offers a wealth of unforgettable adventures for travelers looking for the vacation of a lifetime.
A Newly Starred Dining Experience
In 2024, the Michelin Guide awarded new stars to over 60 restaurants across France. One of the restaurants to receive the coveted star is La Gabrielle at La Réserve in Paris, which earned the restaurant three Michelin stars, making it one of only 10 fine dining restaurants in the city to receive this honor. La Gabrielle's menu draws inspiration from places around the world, including Japan and Turkey, where Brittany-born chef Jérôme Banquetel honed his skills in cooking with limestone. Now he has mastered the technique and developed his own unique approach.
“These quality menus stimulate a wide range of senses and tastes… and [Banctel’s] “His talent as an international alchemist allows him to bring everything together harmoniously,” a Michelin review said.Elsewhere in Paris, the posh Monsieur Georges hotel boasts Galanga, a newly Michelin-starred restaurant overseen by 32-year-old chef Thomas Damingo, who uses fermentation to add depth to his plant-based dishes.[Damingo] “It evokes delicate and aromatic cuisine, pleasing the palate with its elegance and technically perfect craftsmanship,” the review reads.
Hot Springs Worth a Pilgrimage
You definitely don't need an Olympic-sized pool to make some waves in Paris: many of the city's most beloved wellness facilities are smaller in size but just as good in health benefits. The newly opened Hotel Hana's design pays homage to its Little Tokyo location, and its spa menu features many treatments based on Japanese rituals, including Reiki, Kobido, and reflexology.
Hotel La Reserve in Paris
Ahead of the Olympics, La Réserve Paris' Nésence Spa is offering special training programs for both guests and locals. For those looking for an intense cardio workout, Punch Boxer Justin Rojat will be hosting a boxing bootcamp class at the hotel on June 12th, providing a sweat-inducing, full-body workout.
The renowned Spa Néssence, located in La Réserve Ramatuelle in the south of France, will be offering exclusive three- and five-day Better Ageing Retreats for Women for the summer season of 2024. The retreats are designed to promote physical and mental wellbeing through nature walks, yoga, pilates, holistic treatments and an exclusive menu created by two-star Michelin chef Eric Canino in collaboration with Néssence nutritionists.
The Cote d'Azur is famous for its beaches and beach clubs
Cote d'Azur
The South of France is famous for its beaches with sparkling waters, clean sands, and some of the most luxurious beach clubs on the planet. Want to experience the legendary beach culture of the Côte d'Azur? Then head to Cap d'Antibes Beach Hotel, an iconic 1950s building renovated in 2023 under the direction of Belgian architect Bernard Dubois. Balanced on a rocky promontory between Cannes and Nice, the hotel is the same location used as the backdrop for Hitchcock's “Catch a Thief” and Jacques Deray's “The Sea Baths,” and has 35 rooms. It has a private beach with pastel pink loungers and parasols. Notably, it is one of the few hotels on the Côte d'Azur with beach access without crossing a road, providing a seamless and exclusive beachfront experience.
Located near Saint-Tropez, seaside beach club La Réserve à la Plage was designed by Philippe Starck and exudes a quintessential French Riviera atmosphere. The restaurant is overseen by Michelin-starred chefs Eric Canino and Nicolas Cantrelle of La Réserve Ramatuelle. With breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea as a backdrop, the beach club hosts live concerts, DJ sets and photography exhibitions.
Paris is a family-friendly destination
Family Friendly Vacations
Paris isn't just for adults, especially when you stay at La Reserve Paris Apartments, which offer an enchanting family experience in the quiet 16th arrondissement. These spacious apartments feature fully equipped kitchens, stocked pantries and wine cellars, large balconies, home gyms and Eiffel Tower views. Oh, la, la! The kids can also join a pastry workshop with the hotel chef or visit the Paris Aquarium across the street.
For nearly 70 years, family-run Hotel La Ponche in Saint-Tropez has been steeped in the glamorous history of the French Riviera. Families can stay in the famous Prestige Tropezian Suites, once favored by Brigitte Bardot and Bernard Buffet, with large private terraces overlooking the sea and the Château. For longer stays, spacious apartments sleep 4 to 6 people and feature separate living rooms, fully equipped kitchens and stunning sea views. Family-friendly experiences include private boat rides, luxury picnics and exclusive access to some of the best local museums, ensuring families will create memories that will last a lifetime.
A splurge-worthy acquisition
Suck up on crowds? Enjoy a private voyage along France's waterways with Belmond Private Boat Experiences. Belmond's newly refurbished Coquelicot Barge offers a luxurious private charter experience for up to six guests in the Champagne region. In partnership with Maison Ruinart, the country's oldest Champagne house, guests will have exclusive access to the historic Tessy Vineyard, where they can enjoy a guided tour and tasting of the iconic cuvée, truly immersing themselves in the tradition and savoir-faire of this renowned Champagne producer.
Belmond recently expanded its reach in France with the launch of the Belmond Boat “Pivoine, Camargue”. The four-cabin barge sails between Avignon and Sète, exploring the stunning nature reserves and wetlands of the Camargue region. Highlights include private trips to the salt marshes to see nesting pink flamingos, bird watching and lavender field tours.
In Bordeaux, La Maison d'Estournel reopened for the season in mid-April. Located next to the famous Château Cos d'Estournel winery, this intimate property has just 14 rooms. Guests can use the complimentary electric bikes to explore the rolling hills of the surrounding area, and there are also Grand Cru wine tastings, fishing, oyster farming and boat tours available.
