Travel Journal

Beautiful French Hotels for a Cosy Winter Escape

©Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay

Whether you dream of spending Christmas in a traditional Alpine chalet, relaxing in a spa surrounded by forests or discovering the quieter side of Provence, there are so many beautiful ways to enjoy France during the winter months.

November 3, 2026

There are plenty of reasons to travel to France in winter, and not all of them involve skiing! While we love the atmosphere of the French Alps at Christmas, with their snowy villages and cosy chalets, we also think this is a wonderful time to discover some of the quieter corners of the country.

In Burgundy, the vineyards are resting and the wine cellars are as inviting as ever. In Alsace, the villages are beautifully decorated for Christmas, while in Provence, the winter months bring a completely different rhythm, with fewer visitors, local markets and the start of truffle season.

And then there are the hotels themselves. We all know the pleasure of finding somewhere so comfortable and welcoming that we’re quite happy to spend an afternoon indoors, enjoying a good book, a long dinner or a few hours at the spa.

©Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay

Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay — A Winter Weekend in a Historic Abbey

Vallée de Chevreuse, Île-de-France

Less than two hours from Paris, in the beautiful Vallée de Chevreuse, the Abbaye des Vaux-de-Cernay is one of those places that makes you feel as though you’ve stepped into another world.

Founded in the 12th century as a Cistercian abbey, the property has been transformed into a beautiful country hotel, with its historic buildings, Gothic architecture and peaceful grounds all contributing to its rather magical atmosphere.

The interiors, designed by Cordélia de Castellane, are particularly lovely. Think richly decorated rooms, antique-inspired furnishings, warm fabrics and elegant salons that seem made for spending a winter afternoon with a book.

At Christmas, the abbey takes on an especially festive atmosphere, with seasonal dining and celebrations in its historic spaces, including the former monks’ refectory.

There is also a spa and a heated outdoor swimming pool for those who would like a little relaxation between walks around the estate.

Why we love it for winter: We love the idea of escaping Paris for a couple of nights and finding ourselves somewhere that feels so wonderfully removed from the city. With its grand interiors and extraordinary history, the abbey has all the ingredients for a romantic winter weekend, especially around Christmas.

©Les Fermes de Marie

Les Fermes de Marie — Christmas in the French Alps

Megève, Haute-Savoie

If your idea of a perfect winter holiday involves wooden chalets, snowy mountains, crackling fires and long dinners after a day outdoors, then Les Fermes de Marie in Megève is difficult to resist.

Opened in 1989 by Jean-Louis and Jocelyne Sibuet, this much-loved hotel is made up of nine interconnected chalets, created using traditional Alpine farm buildings. The result feels more like a little mountain hamlet than a conventional luxury hotel.

Inside, everything is designed for comfort, with beautiful woodwork, traditional furnishings, soft fabrics and cosy corners where you can settle in after a day in the snow.

Megève itself is particularly charming during the festive season. Its pretty village centre, boutiques, restaurants and mountain setting make it a lovely place to spend Christmas or welcome the New Year.

Back at the hotel, guests can enjoy traditional mountain cooking, including Savoyard specialities, or spend an afternoon at the Pure Altitude Spa, which has an indoor pool, saunas, steam rooms and a range of treatments inspired by the mountains.

And for those travelling with children, the hotel also has its own dedicated children’s club.

Why we love it for winter: There is something very appealing about a hotel that feels like a family home in the mountains. Les Fermes de Marie has that traditional Alpine character we love, without sacrificing comfort. We think it would be especially wonderful for a family Christmas, but equally lovely for a few days of skiing, good food and evenings by the fire.

©Château de Berne

Château de Berne — A Different Kind of Winter in Provence

Flayosc, Provence

When we think about winter holidays in France, Provence isn’t always the first destination that comes to mind. And yet, this is one of the seasons when I think the region can be particularly lovely.

The villages are quieter, the countryside takes on softer colours, and there is something wonderful about spending a few days enjoying Provence without the summer crowds.

Set among vineyards and olive groves near Flayosc, Château de Berne is a beautiful wine estate and hotel that offers a very different sort of winter escape.

The hotel is open throughout the year, and there is plenty to enjoy without leaving the property. Guests can discover the estate’s wines, take part in tastings, enjoy cooking classes or spend a few hours at the spa.

For those who love food, this is also a particularly interesting time to visit. Winter is truffle season in Provence, and Château de Berne offers experiences dedicated to discovering and tasting this much-loved local ingredient.

During the festive season, the estate also organises special activities and celebrations, bringing a little Christmas magic to the Provençal countryside.

Why we love it for winter: We love the idea of Provence in the quieter months. There is no need to fill every day with sightseeing. A walk through the vineyards, a wine tasting, a delicious dinner and a cosy evening back at the hotel sound like a wonderful way to spend a winter weekend. It’s also a lovely alternative for anyone who prefers a milder climate to a snowy mountain escape.

©Le Refuge de Solaise

Le Refuge de Solaise — A Winter Hideaway Above the Clouds

Val d’Isère, Savoie

For our final address, we’re heading high into the French Alps, to a hotel that offers a rather unusual experience.

Perched at an altitude of 2,551 metres above Val d’Isère, Le Refuge de Solaise occupies a former cable car station that has been transformed into an intimate mountain hotel.

In winter, the only way to reach the property is by gondola, which immediately makes the journey feel like a little adventure. Once the lifts have stopped running for the day, guests can enjoy the extraordinary feeling of being high above the village, surrounded by mountains.

The hotel has just 16 rooms and suites, along with four private apartments and a dormitory for families and groups. The interiors combine natural wood, stone, wool and velvet, creating a warm and contemporary interpretation of a mountain refuge.

There is also a beautiful wellness area, including a 25-metre indoor swimming pool overlooking the mountains, and restaurants serving generous Alpine cuisine.

Of course, skiers will appreciate the location directly on the slopes. But what appeals to us just as much is the idea of staying here without feeling the need to ski all day.

Imagine waking up above the clouds, enjoying breakfast with those extraordinary views, spending the afternoon at the spa and watching the last light disappear over the mountains.

Why we love it for winter: This is probably the most unusual hotel on our list. We love the sense of adventure that comes with reaching it by gondola, and the feeling of being completely surrounded by the mountains. For anyone looking for a memorable winter getaway, it’s a very special address.

Les Sources de Vougeot — A Winter Escape in the Heart of Burgundy

Gilly-lès-Cîteaux, Burgundy

If there’s one region of France that lends itself particularly well to a winter weekend, it’s Burgundy. The vineyards may be bare at this time of year, but the villages are quieter, the restaurants are wonderfully welcoming, and there’s always a good excuse to spend an afternoon discovering the local wines.

One address worth knowing is Les Sources de Vougeot, a five-star hotel set in the historic Château de Gilly, between Dijon and Beaune, in the heart of the Côte de Nuits wine region.

The château was once a residence of the Abbots of Cîteaux, and its history can still be seen throughout the property, from the old stone walls to the vaulted spaces and beautiful architectural details. The hotel is part of the Les Sources collection, created by Alice and Jérôme Tourbier, who are also behind Les Sources de Caudalie in Bordeaux and Les Sources de Cheverny in the Loire Valley.

The interiors bring together the character of the historic building with a more contemporary approach to comfort. There are warm colours, natural materials, antique pieces and plenty of inviting spaces where we’d be very happy to settle in on a cold afternoon.

One of the hotel’s highlights is its Caudalie Spa, housed in a former wine cellar dating back to the 14th century. With treatments inspired by the surrounding vineyards, it’s a lovely way to spend a few hours after a morning exploring the region.

And of course, a stay in Burgundy wouldn’t be complete without some excellent food and wine. The hotel has two restaurants, including the gastronomic Le Clos de la Tour, and its location makes it a wonderful starting point for visiting some of the region’s famous wine estates. The historic Clos de Vougeot is just nearby, while Beaune, with its beautiful old streets, wine merchants and famous Hospices, is an easy excursion.

Why we love it for winter: We particularly like the idea of visiting Burgundy outside the busy summer and harvest seasons. There is something very appealing about spending a morning visiting a wine estate, enjoying a simple lunch in a village restaurant, and returning to a beautiful château for the rest of the afternoon. Les Sources de Vougeot combines everything we look for in a winter weekend: a wonderful setting, a little history, good food and wine, and somewhere lovely to come home to at the end of the day.