France and luxury go hand in hand. From coastlines to mountaintops, the country has a way of doing high-end travel that feels natural. If you’re planning your next upscale vacation or eyeing a long-term investment, these eight spots (plus a little bonus at the end) should be on your radar.
Paris
There’s nothing like Paris. It’s not just the landmarks–though yes, the Eiffel Tower at night is still magic. It’s the mix of everything: haute couture, private galleries, and old cafés where the espresso hits just right. Spend a day wandering from the 7th arrondissement to the Seine, and you’ll see why so many call this the world’s style capital. Luxury is present here at every step. You might pass a three-star Michelin spot tucked between boutiques or catch a quiet glimpse of a celebrity slipping into a private showroom.
French Riviera
In the south, the coastline bends and curves through some of the most expensive square meters in Europe. Places like Cannes, Nice, and Saint-Tropez don’t really need introductions. They’ve been hosting jet-setters for decades. In recent years, the French Riviera real estate market has shifted even more toward high-end properties tucked into the hills and out of sight. Infinity pools mirror the sea, terraces are lined with olive trees, and even in August, there are pockets of silence. And locals know where to find them.
Provence
If your idea of luxury includes olive trees, soft hills, and long lunches under a pergola, Provence is for you. This region has its own rhythm. Markets, rosé, and warm wind in the afternoon—it’s a slower pace, but it feels rich in all the right ways. Plenty of people look for a villa in the south of France here, often falling for the charm of stone walls and lavender fields. And it’s hard to blame them.
French Alps
Courchevel is slick, Megève keeps it classic, and Chamonix still has a bit of a rebel streak. Different personalities, same altitude. The snow is what pulls people in, but the luxury lifestyle is what keeps them coming back. You’ll find fine dining at 6,000 feet, spa hotels that feel like retreats, and private guides who know exactly when the snow is best. And when the snow melts? The trails open up, the air gets unbelievably clean, and the crowds thin out just enough. Summer here feels like a secret the locals don’t advertise on purpose.
Champagne wine region
The stretch between Reims and Épernay doesn’t look dramatic. Until you look closely. Slopes are measured in degrees, plots are divided by family, not fences, and the soil changes every few meters. Homes here often belong to the same families who’ve made Champagne for generations. Cellars are deeper than rooftops are high. Locals speak softly but know everything about acidity, elevation, and timing. And when the corks do pop, it’s often in private, over dinner, with people who know the difference.
Burgundy region
You smell Burgundy before you see it. Earth, smoke, and vine. Unlike Champagne, Burgundy keeps to itself. Dijon has architecture. Beaune has wine. The rest, like Nuits-Saint-Georges or Pommard, offer land and quiet. A luxury residence in France here might not look grand from the road. But inside: vaulted ceilings, limestone floors, and old fireplaces that still work. The wealth is in the walls, in the cellar, and in the view from the window. It’s for those who don’t need to be convinced that France has the best wines in the world.
Bordeaux region
Bordeaux doesn’t try to entertain you. It assumes you know why you’re here. The city is calm and put-together, with long streets, limestone buildings, and waiters who’ll raise an eyebrow if you order the wrong wine with your lunch. Head out of town, and it gets even better. In Saint-Émilion or Fronsac, vineyards stretch for miles, and the roads get narrower by the minute. The estates aren’t flashy, but they’re very professional. You don’t need gold gates when your cellar speaks for itself.
Cap Ferret
Cap Ferret doesn’t advertise a lot, yet it has quite many wealthy fans. On one side: the Atlantic, open and cold. On the other: Arcachon Bay, still and warm. In between: pine forests, wooden homes, and sand paths that don’t always lead where you expect. A house here comes with shutters that don’t match, salt-damaged wood, and a line of bikes outside. That’s the point. Locals buy oysters by the kilo, not by the plate. It’s a different kind of luxury, but if you like the philosophy of slow living, you will fall in love with this region.
Bonus: Monaco
Yes, it’s its own country. No, that doesn’t stop anyone from treating it like France’s most extravagant suburb. Monaco is tiny, steep, and packed with more wealth than seems physically possible. It’s also home to some of the most sought-after properties in Europe. A high-end penthouse in Monaco means full views, full services, and full discretion. It’s the kind of place where the doormen know six languages, and your neighbors probably flew in that morning. And if you want to swim before breakfast, the sea’s right there waiting.