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Maybe it’s March madness…
because I’m about to break one of my own rules.
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I don’t usually share my best-kept finds so openly—
the places I quietly weave into itineraries, the ones that make people say, “how did you find this?”
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But this month, I’m making an exception.
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Because if you’re dreaming about France this year…
these are the kinds of places that can completely shape your experience.
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These aren’t just hotels… they’re experiences.
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My “Secret Stay” Picks in France
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1 - Sleep in a Wine Barrel
Château de Bonhoste
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Just outside Saint-Émilion, Château de Bonhoste invites you to experience unforgettable moments in the quiet of their vineyards.
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You’re invited to stay inside authentic oak foudres (large wine vats), crafted by Seguin Moreau—renowned experts in cooperage—based on an original concept by Charly Chassagne.
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Typically used for aging and vinifying wine, these foudres have been thoughtfully transformed into cozy, modern spaces. Everything you need is carefully arranged in a way that feels both creative and a little whimsical.
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We arrived at our barrel after a lovely afternoon tasting the Château’s wines. Finding another bottle waiting inside, we carried it out to enjoy among the vines. Dinner was delivered to our table, and we lingered over it as the sun slipped quietly behind the rows of grapes.
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Sleep came easily, wrapped in the coziness of our cocoon and the stillness of nature around us. We woke to a light rain tapping gently on the curved roof—soft, rhythmic, and fleeting. By the time our breakfast basket arrived at the door, the clouds had begun to part, and the sun slowly made its return.
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A beautiful start to the day.
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2 - A Stay That Feels Like Pure Indulgence
Les Sources de Caudalie
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From a cozy barrel tucked among the vines… to one of the most beautiful wine retreats in France.
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Set among the vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, Les Sources de Caudalie offers a completely different expression of Bordeaux—one that leans into relaxation, beauty, and pure indulgence.
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Here, everything feels thoughtfully designed to slow you down. Wooden walkways wind through the property, ducks wander along sleepy paths in search of the next pond, and each room feels completely immersed in the surrounding natural beauty.
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We sip a lovely glass of wine on the patio, feeling a world away from Bordeaux. Dinner is served in a spectacular room with soaring wooden beams—the food and wine every bit as memorable as the setting itself.
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But at the heart of it all is the spa—one of the most unique in France—where treatments are inspired by the very grapes growing just outside your window. We wake the next morning with a quiet sense of anticipation for a day of complete pampering.
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We linger by the pool, surrounded by rolling vineyards, waiting for our first treatment to begin. Years ago, when I had my French boutique, I carried the Caudalie line—I had already fallen in love with its thoughtful blend of nature and beauty. Experiencing it here, in its natural setting, feels like everything coming full circle.
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And yet… some of my favorite places in France offer something entirely different—
a sense of stillness and simplicity, tucked away far from the vineyards.
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3 - A Hidden Retreat in the Heart of the City
Hôtel du Couvent
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After vineyards and wide-open spaces, this is something entirely different.
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Tucked quietly within the Old Town of Nice, Hôtel du Couvent feels like stepping into another world—one that exists just beyond the lively streets, yet remains completely removed from them.
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Once a convent, the space has been thoughtfully reimagined into a place of calm and simplicity. Stone walls, soft light, and natural materials create an atmosphere that feels both grounded and elegantly refined.
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Step through the doors and the pace immediately shifts. The sounds of the city fade, replaced by the quiet rhythm of a courtyard garden, shaded walkways, and hidden corners that invite you to pause.
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It’s the kind of place where you return after a day along the Côte d’Azur and feel an instant sense of exhale—as if you’ve discovered a secret within the city itself.
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And then there are the places where that sense of calm doesn’t sit quietly behind a door…but stretches out in every direction around you.
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4 - A Château Surrounded by Lavender
Château les Oliviers de Salettes
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The château itself is stunning, with its turrets and weathered stone walls… but the rows of lavender, olive trees, and sweeping countryside views quietly compete for your attention. I find it impossible to decide which is more alluring.
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What I do know is that this feels like a hidden paradise—tucked away from the noise and demands of the outside world. The kind of place where time softens, and you find yourself wanting to linger just a little longer.
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The attentive staff understands the magic of this setting and gently encourages you to embrace it. An open-air picnic awaits at the edge of the lavender fields, in full bloom. I surrender completely—sampling simple, thoughtful bites, sipping local wine, and watching the sun slowly melt into the purple horizon.
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And yet, some of the most memorable moments in France aren’t found in grand settings at all…but in the quiet rhythm of everyday village life.
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5 - A Village Stay That Feels Like a Way of Life
Lou Calen
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And then there are the places that don’t feel like a hotel at all…
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Lou Calen is woven into the fabric of Cotignac, one of those villages that quietly captures the heart of Provence. Named among the Plus Beaux Villages de France, it offers all the charm you would hope for—and Lou Calen embraces that same gentle simplicity, creating a retreat that flows effortlessly with the rhythm of the village.
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The experience begins the moment you arrive, stepping into a welcoming lobby with a thoughtfully curated bookstore. From the start, you’re invited to slow down, relax, and linger.
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Rooms are tucked throughout whimsical gardens, offering space to wander, to pause, or to retreat into your own quiet corner.
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And when you’re ready to re-engage, Lou Calen offers a variety of ways to awaken the senses: sampling over 74 kinds of pastis in the chic O’Fadoli Bar, enjoying live music, or discovering their own microbrewery. Seasonal experiences—from truffle hunting to art classes—invite you to connect more deeply with the region.
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From there, the transition into village life feels seamless. Step beyond the gardens and into Cotignac itself—where cliffside views, lively cafés, and artisan shops are all part of the everyday rhythm.
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This is a place to settle in… and stay just a little longer than planned.
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If there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years…
it’s that some of the most memorable moments in France aren’t always found in the places you expect.
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New on the Blog: Languedoc Wines
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Not all great wine stories begin in grand châteaux.
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Sometimes, they start in a small garage… with a passionate winemaker, a hidden garden, and a conversation that feels like it could last all afternoon.
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If you’re curious about one of France’s most under-the-radar wine regions, I just shared a story that captures exactly why Languedoc is so special.
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What’s Coming Next
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If this kind of travel speaks to you—the hidden places, the meaningful encounters, the feeling of discovering something just a little under the radar…
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I’ll be sharing more very soon.
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In April, I’ll be featuring my Burgundy & Beaujolais journey (May 2027)—
a trip designed around exceptional wines, unforgettable meals, and the kind of experiences that linger long after you return home.
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Let’s Dream in French Together
Whether you’re just beginning to dream… or ready to start planning,
this is exactly what I love to do—helping you find your own version of France.
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