Imagine the Michelin guide, but for sleeping. The Palace label is awarded by the ministry in charge of tourism for three years, based on the recommendations of a commission made up of personalities from culture, media, business, and international clientele. To qualify for this distinction, a hotel must have been rated 5 stars for at least two years and offer rooms with a minimum surface area of 26 m². Basically: the 5-star rating is level 1. The palace is the final boss.
The «Palace Collection 2026» now includes 33 exceptional establishments across France, marking the entry of six new hotels and the unexpected departure of four historic hotels.
The three new kings of Paris
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The Bulgari Hotel Paris
Located in the golden triangle of the 8th, the Bulgari Hotel Paris has established itself as one of the benchmarks of Parisian luxury thanks to its exclusive location, its gourmet restaurant and high-end spa. This seventh hotel of the jewelry house, after Milan, Bali, London, Beijing, Dubai, and Shanghai, features modern architecture designed by the Italian firm Antonio Citterio Patricia Viel, boasting no less than 76 rooms, of which 75% are suites, most equipped with loggias or terraces. It took almost a year for the hotel to achieve this distinction.
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Le Cheval Blanc Paris
Situated in the historic building of La Samaritaine on the banks of the Seine, it boasts a stunning location at the heart of the capital. Opened in 2021, it quickly rose to become one of the most prestigious addresses in Paris. In just four short years, this LVMH venue has transformed from a "luxury promise" to an "official palace."
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Le Fouquet’s Paris
Behind the legendary brasserie on the Champs-Élysées lies a hotel that has just joined the most exclusive club in France. Le Fouquet’s Paris offers 81 rooms and suites in a Haussmann-style gem in the heart of the 8th arrondissement, complete with a spa, an indoor pool, and restaurants by Barrière. This is a place that exudes leather, velvet, and the rich history of Paris on every floor.
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Who's staying, who's leaving?
The ten other Parisian palaces whose distinction has been renewed are the Crillon, the Bristol, the Four Seasons George V, the Meurice, the Plaza Athénée, the Royal Monceau, the Shangri-La Paris, La Réserve Paris, the Peninsula Paris, and the Lutetia hotel.
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On the side of outings, it’s a bit more painful. The Park Hyatt Paris-Vendôme, located on rue de la Paix, and the Mandarin Oriental Paris, on rue Saint-Honoré, are no longer on the list. This is a first since the label was created in 2010, and it tugs at the heartstrings a little. Both establishments will be able to reapply once their renovation work is completed.
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Paris now has 13 official palaces. Well, let's be honest, a night in one of these places costs more than your monthly rent. But just strolling by is already a bit like paradise.