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City hotels in France

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Aix-en-Provence

Aix is one of those cities where you seem to spend most of your time doing very little and enjoying it immensely. The warm, Mediterranean climate has a lot to do with this, of course, and life here is lived outdoors as much as possible. The majestic Cours Mirabeau is the city's heart, a long, tree-lined avenue where busy cafés spill out over the wide pavements and along which the entire population appears to spend a significant part of its day strolling and people watching. To the north of the Cours lies Vieil Aix, its narrow, winding streets of 16th and 17th century houses peppered with small squares with fountains. On Saturdays, Tuesdays and Thursdays the squares of Vieil Aix fill with stalls selling a wide range of products, from local cheeses to clothes and from flowers to bric-a-brac. Of all the markets in Provence, these are considered to be the region's best, attracting large numbers of people and creating an animated bustle.
The 3-star Hotel Nègre Coste is an old coaching inn on the Cours Mirabeau, and is a pleasant mix of traditional and new. The interior has plenty of antique furniture and the 37 bedrooms are well-appointed and comfortable.

Carcassonne

Dominating the skyline for miles around, the fairytale town of Carcassonne perches on a hill above the River Aude. Entered via an ancient drawbridge, the turreted, double-walled citadel withstood many attacks and sieges, but is one of the world's best-preserved examples of a medieval town. Take your time to visit the Château Comtal (also worth a visit at night when it is illuminated) and to walk along the walls before exploring the narrow medieval streets lined with tempting cafés and restaurants. Though always bustling, the town is particularly animated during the summer festivals – the Festival de la Cité, when dancers, musicians and theatre groups descend on the town, and Les Mediévales, an elaborate medieval pageant held in the first part of August.
Located right in the heart of the town, the 3-star Hotel du Donjon et des Remparts is a beautifully restored medieval building with all the comforts of the 21st century. Exposed stonework and rich fabrics lend atmosphere to the public areas, while the 63 bedrooms are smart and comfortable. The hotel has its own restaurant, the Brasserie du Donjon (pay locally), as well as a lounge and bar.

Bordeaux

Surrounded by celebrated vineyards, Bordeaux is a city whose history – and obvious wealth – has always been inextricably linked to the wine trade. Throughout the 18th-century Old Town, the elegant streets, the wide, cobbled squares, the grand mansions and the majestic monuments – among them the opulent Grand Théâtre and the imposing Palais de la Bourse – create a rare sense of space. The best place to get a feel for the city's essence is the tree-lined Allées de Tourny, along which are small wine merchants and pavement cafés, while the Rue Ste Catherine and the Cours de l'Intendance offer excellent shopping. The famous Bordeaux vineyards start right on the outskirts of the city. One of the best ways to visit one of the many wine producers that open their doors to the public is to sign up for one of the informative half-day visits (with tastings included) organised daily by the city's excellent Maison du Vin throughout the summer months (pay locally).
The location of the 3-star Hotel Bayonne Etche-ona is excellent, in the centre of the Old Town on the Cours d'Intendance, just a couple of minutes away from the Grand Théâtre and the café-lined Place Gambetta. Behind the elegant 18th-century façade are 64 modern-style, air-conditioned bedrooms.

Toulouse

Capital of Languedoc and a great gastronomic centre, Toulouse is a vibrant city with a distinctly Mediterranean feel – and climate. Here, the streets are always bustling and in the evenings locals converge on the pavement cafés of the Place du Capitole. Amid the Renaissance merchants' houses and narrow medieval streets of the ancient, redbrick centre is the magnificent Basilica of St Sernin, France's largest Romanesque church and the jewel of the city. Other highlights include the imposing, fortress-like church of Les Jacobins, and the two excellent museums: Les Abattoirs, which houses a superb collection of contemporary art, and the Musée des Agustins, devoted to Romanesque and medieval sculpture.
Located just to the north of the historic Old Town, the comfortable 3-star Hotel Jean Mermoz is named after the pioneer of early 20th-century airborne exploration, who became as famous in France as Charles Lindbergh was in the USA. The hotel is modern, with touches of Art Deco furnishings and 52 attractive rooms. It has a small, flower-filled garden and a bar, the Vol de Nuit.

Nîmes

For the best-preserved Roman remains you will find anywhere in France, come to Nîmes. The focal point is the impressive 1st-century arena, but other attractions include the old city gate and the Maison Carrée temple. The beautifully renovated and centrally located 3-star Hotel la Baume is a pleasant mix of modernity and tradition, the latter of which is epitomised by the amazing stone staircase.

Montpellier

Lively and vibrant, Montpellier is another city which invites leisurely strolling, enabling you to admire the mix of 17th, 18th and 19th-century architectural styles and generally soak up the bustling atmosphere, particularly evident in Place de la Comédie, the focal point of city life. It is here that the 3-star Belle Epoque Hotel du Midi is located, offering comfortable accommodation and stylish furnishings.

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