Where to Stay … For Art-Lovers

From Monet to Le Corbusier, we have a great selection of hotels with artistic connections

La Ferme de Saint-Siméon, Honfleur, Calvados

Set on a hill above the historic port of Honfleur in Normandy and with splendid views of the coast, this five-star hotel was once a favourite of artists attracted by the soft light from the sea and sky. In this restored 17th-century farmhouse, Impressionist paintings adorn the walls of the light-filled rooms, while the public areas have period features such as exposed beams and laminated walls. The hotel hosts painting classes, and there is also a spa and a restaurant.

Hôtel Providence, Paris

Built in 1854, this hotel has witnessed the evolution of the neighbourhood surrounding Beaubourg and the Canal Saint-Martin, which is now part of a trendy arrondissement with plenty of bars and restaurants. The hotel is a work of art in itself: each of the 18 bedrooms is individually decorated with designer fabric, bright wallpaper and vintage furniture, and the rooftop boasts a picture-perfect view of Montmartre and the Parisian skyline. The cocktail bar and restaurant also offer a chic atmosphere with cosy sofas and a fireplace.

Hôtel des Académies et Des Arts, Paris

Situated in the 6th arrondissement, minutes from the Jardin du Luxembourg, this hotel knows the value of art. For starters, this boutique property is directly in front of the Académie de la Grande Chaumiere –once associated with Paul Gauguin and the sculptor Alberto Giacometti – and is adorned with works from Montparnasse-based sculptor Sophie de Watigrant. The 20 bedrooms are individually decorated and feature Jerome Mesnager’s ‘white body’ paintings. You can also watch films of the hotel owners’ favourite artists in the video art lounge. Other facilities include the Chez Charlotte tearoom and a wellness area offering massages and beauty treatments.

Hôtel Vent D’Ouest, Le Havre, Seine-Maritime

In the heart of the Channel port of Le Havre, among Auguste Perret’s Unesco-listed post-war architecture, the four-star Hotel Vent d’Ouest lives up to its maritime connections, with many of the 35 rooms having seaside and seafaring themes. The hotel is perfectly positioned between the sea and the city centre. The port has a special place in the hearts of art-lovers as the birthplace of Impressionism, after Claude Monet painted Impression, Sunrise (1874) here. Another big attraction is the Museum of Modern Art (MuMa), which has one of the biggest collections of Impressionist art in France.

Hôtel Particulier, Paris

Tucked away from the crowds which throng Montmartre, this 19th-century family house has been transformed into a trendy hotel by young entrepreneur Oscar Comtet. The interior has a light, chic and romantic atmosphere, with just five suites across the three floors. Each suite has its own distinctive decor and features works by a different artist to create an atmosphere that oozes style and sophistication. The Vitrine suite focuses on cosiness and warmth with its velvet drapes, padded walls and thick carpets, while the ultra-contemporary Poems and Hats suite is an elegant blend of black and white.

Guests can enjoy a cocktail in the Très Particulier bar before dining in the Mandragore restaurant, where chef Thibaut Spiwack combines colours, textures and flavours according to the seasons in weekly-changing menus.

Le Jardin Des Plumes, Giverny, Eure

As the location of Claude Monet’s house and stunning gardens, as well as the Musée des Impressionistes, Giverny in Normandy is a must-see for any art aficionado, and Le Jardin des Plumes makes a convenient place to stay if you want to prolong your visit. The restored Anglo-Norman manor dates from the early 1900s, and combines art deco and contemporary design. There are eight stylish bedrooms, divided between the main building and the Atelier annexe. Owner/chef Eric Guerin’s Michelin-star restaurant maintains the art-deco theme and is a light-filled space that looks out on to the spacious grounds. Open from 1 April to 31 October 2017.

Hôtel Le Corbusier, Marseille

It’s not often that one gets the chance to stay in a Unesco World Heritage site, let alone a work of art. Part of the architect Le Corbusier’s 1954 Cité Radieuse Unite d’Habitation, one of the most important building projects of the 20th century, the hotel is the only one he designed.

The 21 rooms, which were intended to welcome those visiting residents of the Cite Radieuse, include compact 16m² cabins designed for one or two.

These are the same as those found in the neighbouring ‘machine for living’ apartments and served as a model for the monastic cells of his Couvent de la Tourette in Lyon. Those wanting more spacious accommodation may want to consider one of the deluxe doubles with a sea view and balcony.

The hotel is immaculately designed throughout, featuring furniture by Le Corbusier himself, as well as replica lampshades by his collaborator Charlotte Perriand and colourful modernist artworks. Positioned a little further from the centre of Marseille than many hotels, it is nonetheless only a 15-minute walk to the métro, where there is easy access to the oldest districts. The hotel has its own swimming pool and gourmet restaurant.

Les Étangs de Corot Ville-d’Avray, Hauts-de-Seine

It is hard to believe that this stunning property, in the commune of Ville d’Avray, is only 20 minutes from central Paris. Yet, the hotel offers a haven of tranquillity in a landscape that has attracted artists and writers since the 19th century.

The forests and small lakes were a particular inspiration for the painter Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot – after whom the hotel is named – and the Impressionists. Owner Alice Tourbier has recreated the bucolic atmosphere of the grounds by decorating each of the 43 rooms with a subtle mix of shapes, soft lighting and natural colours.

Budding artists can take part in a three-hour painting class on the banks of the ponds on Sunday mornings, while gourmets can participate in wine tastings with matching food, and more active guests can play a round of golf on the surrounding courses.

In the Michelin-starred restaurant Le Corot, young chef Rerni Chambard creates dishes that are light, fresh and beautifully presented. The dining room has beautiful views over the garden and the ponds, while trophies on the walls reflect the forest’s history as a hunting ground.

In the underground vaults, the Café des Artistes offers simpler, bistro dishes with a wide selection of wines by the glass. For the ultimate relaxing experience, a Caudalie spa provides treatments with grape-based products.

La Maison Sur La Sorgue, L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, Vaucluse

Set in a 17th-century townhouse just off the main square in the antiques hub of L’Isle-sur-la-Sorgue, this boutique hotel is perfectly placed for anyone interested in the Provençal town’s waterside brocantes. There are four individually decorated en-suite rooms, filled with objects that owners and globetrotters Frederic and Marie-Claude have brought back from their travels. This tranquil hotel is also home to a small art gallery and shop where guests can buy objects collected by the owners and listen to regular talks by artists.

Le Manoir Des Impressionistes, Honfleur, Calvados

Tucked away on a wooded hillside overlooking the Seine estuary, this 18th-century manor house offers ten charming rooms with either garden or sea views, each individually decorated to reflect the tranquillity of the property. Several artists are known to have come to this elevated spot to paint the stunning landscape, especially the sunsets over the estuary.

Facing the sea and the setting sun, the restaurant serves delicate dishes that celebrate the Impressionist movement, with aesthetic presentations and the use of local, fresh ingredients, including vegetables from the property’s garden. On the walls are works by Fernand Herbo, who enjoyed painting at the manor and dancing at parties during the 1950s.

The spa, located within the old farmhouse, offers massages, facials and beauty treatments, which can be enjoyed while you gaze out over the the sea. Honfleur’s beach is on the doorstep and the town centre is just minutes away.

La Maison du Frêne, Vence, Alpes-Maritimes

This guesthouse in the quaint town of Vence, just inland from the Côte d’Azur, is an art-lover’s paradise thanks to the wonderful private collection of works and original art books on display. The four bedrooms are spacious and decorated in warming colours that make the property feel like a home from home. The hotel has a privileged location, in a quiet street in the heart of the hilltop town close to the numerous art galleries and with picture-perfect views over the town and the surrounding countryside.