This iconic hotel, in the heart of Arles and overlooking the Place du Forum is steeped in history. It was the place to be seen in the 1950s and 1960s; Picasso lived here and guests included Ernest Hemingway, Jean Cocteau and Fritz Lang. The great matadors of the 20th century also stayed here for the bullfights and there is a room in the hotel dedicated to them. The 24 rooms and two apartments have their original bathrooms and are all individually decorated with an eclectic mix of antique, Art Deco and modern furniture. There is a comfortable salon with leather sofas, adorned with old black and white photographs from a bygone age and a bar. Enjoy the restaurant’s al fresco fayre with its tables spilling onto the town square in fine weather; both the restaurant and wine bar are open from the middle of May until October. Continental breakfast.
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Jack Penny
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Short Break
Grand Hotel Bellevue
Lille, France
superior
Situated right on the Grand Place, the Bellevue is perhaps the best-located hotel in Lille: walking distance from Lille Europe station as well as the Palais des Beaux-Arts, one of the oldest and finest art collections in France.
Short Break
Le Colombier
Colmar, France
superior
Well-situated in the historic centre of Colmar, Le Colombier is within walking distance of the canals of 'La Petite Venise' and the Unterlinden Museum. It has 33 comfortable rooms, some with views of the surrounding streets, and a spiral staircase built in 1543.
Short Break
Cour du Corbeau
Strasbourg, France
superior
The ‘Courtyard of the Crow’ first opened as a hotel in 1528 and has played a role in the history of Strasbourg over the following 500 years: Prussian King Frederick the Great stayed here incognito in 1740.
Short Break
Regent Petite France & Spa
Strasbourg, France
deluxe
Metal, glass, designer and hi-tec furnishings make up the very contemporary interior decoration of this former ice factory on the banks of the river Ill. The historic building’s peaceful location in the heart of the city makes it an ideal base from which to explore Strasbourg.
Short Break
Le Regent Contades
Strasbourg, France
superior
The Contades is housed in a 19th century five-storey manor house with pretty dormer windows and splendid wood panelling. It is in the heart of Strasbourg, approximately ten minutes from the cathedral and it is a good quality and friendly property. There are 48 bedrooms, a Belle Époque style breakfast room, a sauna and a hammam. Rooms are located either in the original manor, or in a connecting, newer wing.
Short Break
Chais Monnet & Spa
Cognac, France
deluxe
A former cognac distillery, perfectly situated in the heart of this historic city, Chais Monnet is just a few minutes’ stroll from the river and the mediaeval old town.
Short Break
Highly Recommended
Pavillon de la Reine
Paris, France
deluxe
This is a truly wonderful and intimate hotel, hidden away just off the Place des Vosges (the oldest square in Paris) in the heart of the fashionable Marais district and five minutes’ walk from the new Bastille Opera House.
Short Break
Relais Christine
Paris, France
Dating back to the 17th century and built on the ruins of the 13th century Grands-Augustins Abbey, this beautiful hotel has an excellent location right in the heart of St. Germain-des-Prés, just a few minutes’ walk from Notre Dame
Short Break
Grand Hotel Nord-Pinus
Arles, France
This iconic hotel, in the heart of Arles and overlooking the Place du Forum is steeped in history. It was the place to be seen in the 1950s and 1960s; Picasso lived here and guests included Ernest Hemingway, Jean Cocteau and Fritz Lang. The great matadors of the 20th century also stayed here for the bullfights and there is a room in the hotel dedicated to them.
Short Break
Balzac
Paris, France
The Balzac recently reopened after a multi-million-Euro renovation, re-establishing itself as one of the most luxurious and romantic boutique hotels in Paris.
Tailor-made Holiday
Paris and Normandy
Paris
This holiday combines a stay in Paris with a round trip cruise down the Seine and back, travelling as far as Le Havre on the Normandy coast. En route through the countryside of Normandy you will sample the delicious local cuisine, as well as Calvados and cider, and have an opportunity to visit Monet's home and gardens at Giverny and Van Gogh's last home at Auvers-sur-Oise.
What's Included
Tailor-made Holiday
Tailor-Made Brittany
Côte de Granit Rose, Dinard
The rugged Brittany peninsula feels far removed not only from its neighbour Normandy, but also from the rest of France, with a distinct and proud Celtic culture.
7 night price from £1,724 per person
What's Included
Tailor-made Holiday
Tailor-Made Normandy
Bayeux, Deauville
Starting in the historic port city of Cherbourg, this seven-night holiday encompasses the coastline of Normandy, from the landing beaches around Arromanches, as far as Le Havre in the east.
7 night price from £1,898 per person
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Gardens of the Riviera
Menton
There are many great gardens dotted along the Côte d’Azur between St-Jean-Cap-Ferrat and the border with Italy. Along with the artists, many gardeners were drawn to the Riviera, attracted by both its climate and its beauty.
5 nights price from £2287 per person
Departs: 4 Oct 2026
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
A Taste of Lille
The elegant Flemish city of Lille is less than 90 minutes from London by Eurostar, and makes the perfect destination for a festive short break.
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
The Spectator Club Tour to Burgundy
Burgundy
Our much-anticipated new tour based in the heart of the historic city of Beaune, will reveal the very best of Burgundy’s acclaimed wines in the company of The Spectator’s drinks editor Jonathan Ray.
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Carcassonne & Albi
Carcassonne
This tour is based at the pinnacle of the mediaeval citadel of Carcassonne where we stay at the historic Hotel de la Cité, built into the ramparts with panoramic views of the countryside. It is from here that we will explore the many distinctive regions of this beautiful part of South West France.
6 nights price from £2998 per person
Departs: 13 Oct 2026
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Art of the Côte D'Azur
Nice
French artists began to discover the attractions of the Côte d’Azur and the iridescent quality of the region’s dazzling light towards the end of the 19th century. Monet was the first artist to be lured to the Riviera, arriving there in 1885.
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
The Western Front
Led by military historian Hugh Macdonald-Buchanan, we will visit the principal battlefields of the British Expeditionary Force, starting in the notorious Ypres Salient which saw intense fighting throughout the war, especially at Paschendaele.
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
The Spectator Club Tour to Alsace
Join Jonathan Ray for a tour which takes in historic towns and villages, delicious Alsatian cuisine and of course the region’s best wines.
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Art, Opera & Ballet in Paris
Paris
The Opéra de Paris presents an extraordinary range of operas and ballets each season – casting, repertory and musical depth are of the highest international calibre.
4 nights price from £3398 per person
Departs: 15 Jun 2026
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
Paris of the Impressionists
Paris
Impressionism was born in Paris where young adventurous artists such as Claude Monet, Pierre Renoir and Edgar Degas developed a new style of painting that would capture and transform the modern, the urban and the everyday. The streets, cafés and bars of the city became vital subjects for their new avant-garde art.
What's Included
Cultural Tours & Music Holidays
The Science of Cheese & Wine in Lyon
Lyon
From master 'fromagers' to acclaimed winemakers, the gastronomic traditions behind wine and cheese in France combine art and science in equal measure.
4 nights price from £3194 per person
Departs: 6 Sep 2027
What's Included
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Our expert reservations team regularly travel to a wide range of destinations to explore new cities, visit hotels and to research museums, galleries and restaurants so that we can offer the most up-to-date advice and recommendations.
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