The new generation of legendary hotels in France

Of course, there is always the Martinez , the Eden Roc or the Colombe d'Or : mythical. But for more than 10 years, the codes of luxury have changed and a new generation of more contemporary establishments has emerged. Out of fashion, these dream places have established themselves as cult references for Generation Y who, if they have not already slept there, dream of putting down their suitcases. At least one night in his life… Even if it means spending the summer in France, maybe it's the opportunity to afford a room?

There is no wriggling. This 5-star, newly bought by businessman Patrick Pariente (founder of Naf-Naf) and his two daughters, is seen as the most popular weekend destination in Provence, 50 minutes from Avignon TGV. Location of the kif? Crillon Le Brave, a sublime village that is both more picturesque and less touristy than Gordes. It was the architect and decorator Charles Zana who knew how to create a luxury and cool feeling without betraying the history of these 17th century buildings and fortresses, located on the village square. Highlight of the show: the stepped rooftops facing Mont Ventoux with an amazing restaurant (thank you Adrien Brunet), a cocktail garden orchestrated by mixologist Julien Andrieu and a wow pool!

Crillon Le Brave Rooms from € 350.

It is a true paradise on earth suspended between the dune of Pilat, the basin and the ocean, facing the tip of Cap Ferret . It goes without saying that when William, Sophie and their son Thomas Téchoueyres , its owners, entrusted Philippe Starck with the construction of the first luxury hotel on the Arcachon basin, he made it a dream in an ultra-preserved environment! Infinity pool in oyster park style, cabin suites like in a fishing village, uninhibited seaside rooms with mirrored ceilings, bar and outdoor restaurant facing the sunset and a concept store that rivals The Webster. Surprise: Starck has made a clean sweep of the old restaurant to create a 2.0 dining room that will be the table of the summer… And of course the Ren spa , the David Lucas hair salon , the family pastry shop with chef Antony Prunet and above all the two-star restaurant with a brand new private terrace where chef Stéphane Carrade is a stone's throw away, the latest addition to the Haaitza family.

La Co (o) rniche , from € 610 per room.

Impossible to have escaped an Instagram post of their extraordinary swimming pools built into the rock under the Esterel. A treasure trove of sophistication and good taste in a furiously 50's style, the Hôtel des Roches Rouges is a reference as a symbol of the 2.0 radiance of the French Riviera . Post-confinement, it will be possible to enjoy the moonlight cinema, the pan bagnat to be enjoyed on the deckchairs, the Provencal garden to chill or take a yoga, pétanque, paddle or treatment course at the Esthederm spa. There is an air of perfection in this paradise between heaven and earth.

Les Roches Rouges , rooms from 450 €.

© the farms of mary

You can work a fondue there and have a slimming treatment at the spa, climb a mountain bike and drink a grand cru, all in the same day. If we had to summarize: the Sibuet family has reinvented chic and coolness in the mountains with Les Fermes de Marie in Megève, created just 20 years ago. Constantly copied but never equaled, their avant-garde vision of mountain lifestyle through relaxed luxury makes it an ultra-popular destination in winter as a trendy spot in summer: grocery store in the village with a sourcing of crazy local products. , yoga retreats, without forgetting their last baby, the Bacré farm , an alpine buron which you can access via a hike (or not ...) for a traditional Savoyard dinner and return with torches. The Heidi spirit as cool as we like.

Les Fermes de Marie , rooms from € 340, breakfasts included.

© Serge Chapuis

A true southern Eden, the Domaine de Fontenille is the new benchmark of Provençal chic, owned by the founder of Maje - Sandro - Claudie Pierlot associated with the Eric Frechon food guarantee for the group. Anti-bling, this extraordinary farmhouse thought of as a “ better ” family house appears as the promise of a perfect weekend in honeymoon or smala mode, with the song of the cicadas in the background and incognito people to enjoy the magical swimming pool, gardens as far as the eye can see, the vineyard where local vintages and Provençal prosecco are harvested, electric bikes to go for a stroll in the neighboring villages, a perfect bistro placed on the gravel of the garden and of course the starred restaurant. Life.

Domaine de Fontenille , rooms from 305 €.

The architect Giovanni Pace has created the glamorous and contemporary HQ that Champagne has been waiting for: rooms designed by Sybille de Margerie, an infinity pool overlooking vines as far as the eye can see, spa considered one of the most beautiful in the world, starred restaurant and bistronomy . Highlight of the show: the 1500 m² rooftop laid out like a garden built around a rose garden, apple trees and a vegetable garden whose herbs are used in cocktails.

Royal Champagne , the room from 650 €.

A notion of “ barefoot luxury ” and “ wild paradise ” claimed. It is the new benchmark that makes lovers of discreet and wild elegance dream, nestled in Cap Corse . In this case: a very green area in a scrubland on the side of a cliff, in an environment beyond the spectacular. Instead, aim for: a private beach with a locavore food truck all summer long , an olive grove, sunset yoga classes, an extraordinary spa overlooking the river, gardens and patios, not to mention a permaculture estate to fuel the kitchen. in the chef's short circuit. The sexy novelty of the year? Their Forest Bar nestled in the countryside to sip a cocktail in the middle of a field of strawberries and herbs to pick yourself to pimp your cocktail to the sound of an ultra-festive DJ set.

Domaine de Misincu , rooms from 350 €.

Real foodies only have this place in their mouths and would tell you that this is THE sexiest and most cutting-edge meeting in France. The 2-star chef Alexandre Gauthier took over the family estate in 2003 to make it the most poetic and avant-garde place of his generation, obviously with his restaurant that we come to discover from all over the world, built by Patrick Bouchain . But the architect was not satisfied with a table and designed a total and unique place by building in the garden huts for hunters worthy of the craziest rooms of Relais et Châteaux , which merge with nature ... Without forgetting the suites of the houses with walk-in tubs in front of the fireplace. In short: an experience to test!

La Grenouillère , rooms from € 180. Lunch menu at € 115.

© D-Delmas

The promise of the most beautiful view of the creeks of Cassis with an infinity pool at the level of the Mediterranean , that puts its man… Les Roches Blanches is a jewel of an Art Deco hotel placed on the sea and signed by Monika Kappel, who took care to respect as closely as possible its environment in the heart of the rock and the umbrella pines. We can obviously organize a hike in the creeks or tastings in the vineyards. But the highlight of the show is the sunset over Cap Canaille , the bistronomic table set up on the terrace orchestrated by Alexandre Auger to enjoy this cinema setting. Wow!

Les Roches Blanches , rooms from € 2,600 for three nights ( 2 nights St-Tropez / 1 night Cassis) .

Also discover the new French hotels where you have to put your suitcases and Plage Palace , the new seaside hotel by Jean-Louis Costes in Palavas.