France is one of the most popular tourism destinations in the world. It is renowned from luxury experiences from its palace hotels in Paris to vineyards and of course, the Cote d’Azur. For Francophiles there are a few new luxury travel options focused on private travel. That means you have the entire hotel, ship, train, and so forth. This week we give you some options when you are traveling with family, friends, or business groups that provide both five-star service and enable your total privacy for your trip.
1. Maison Barrière Vendôme
Maison Barrière Vendôme welcomes its guests between Place Vendôme and the Tuileries Garden, offering 26 rooms, suites, and apartments inspired by 26 iconic women. With an exceptional French craftsmanship, each space invites guests to experience a unique stay in their Parisian pied-à-terre. Unlike most hotels that focus on selling individual rooms and suites, this new property is designed for one client to reserve the entire property, including the restaurant, spa, and all of the areas normally open to the public, so you have a 100% private hotel in the middle of Paris.
Luxury Travel Advisor reports, “Housed in a fully redesigned private mansion and comprising 10 rooms and 16 suites, Maison Barrière Vendôme was first conceived by Corinne Evens, owner of the private mansion and head of the Evens Group. It was then brought to life by the Barrière Group. Each room pays tribute to iconic women who left their mark on history. From the George Sand Suite, adorned with 18th-century fabrics inspired by the writer’s bedroom, to the Sarah Bernhardt Suite, where the embossed velvet by Maison Pierre Frey echoes the patterns of the actress’ stage dress, 27 illustrious women are honored by architect Daniel Jibert.”
Paris Select Book adds, “While every element has been rethought, nothing feels new. The beams, the floors, the fabrics – every detail exudes authenticity. This approach reflects the designer’s desire to create a place where you feel good, neither too much nor too little, just enough to dream a little The common areas are brimming with elegant touches: quartz chandeliers, paintings by Atelier de Ricou, Lalique sconces and Pierre Frey fabric-covered headboards. Every detail, even a door handle, tells a story. This luxurious pied-à-terre also offers apartments with fully-equipped kitchens and dining rooms, for an experience that combines home comforts with Parisian elegance.”
2. Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Homes
If you want the privacy of the luxury villa experience combined with the services of staff trained for the attention to detail of a top hotel group, Mandarin Oriental seeks to elevate the residence rental market. The group recently bought 100% of its home rental partnership and has rebranded it as Mandarin Oriental Luxury Homes. While the homes are privately owned, staff are employed and trained by Mandarin Oriental. It will also arrange to bring spa therapists and chefs from its hotels based on request. With plans to expand from 25 homes to over 100, right now there are five residences in France, all located on the French Riviera.
The options range include a four-bedroom villa, three five-bedroom residences, a six-bedroom home, and a 16-room chateau. Château de la Croix des Garde is located above Cannes and can accommodate up to 32 guests. It’s surrounded by 25 acres of Italian-style gardens with panoramic views over the Mediterranean Sea. There is a 36-meter saltwater infinity pool and various terraces that provide the perfect opportunity to soak up the sun.”
Mandarin Oriental Exceptional Residences
3. Belmond L’Observatoire
Fans of train travel have a new private travel option if you don’t want to take over the entire train, something that is also an option. Belmond’s Venice Simplon-Orient-Express is adding L’Observatoire, a private rail car that is attached to one of its scheduled trips. However, you can customize your itinerary from a single night to the full length of the trip.
Belmond says, “Inspired by astronomical observatories, world acclaimed artist JR has designed a carriage-sized suite that encourages you to gaze up, out, and beyond – harmonizing with stunning craftmanship from both old masters and up-and-coming trailblazers.”
The new full-car suite is bookable from March 2025. Facilities and inclusions include a secret tearoom with fireplace and miniature train model, ensuite marble bathroom with shower, and free-standing bathtub, a library with hundreds of Gallimard books, a record player with vinyl collection curated by JR, bespoke marquetry, photography and gifts curated by JR, your own 24-hour dedicated cabin steward service, all beverages, including any wine, champagne and premium spirits, complimentary loungewear and toiletries, and of course private in-suite dining.
Robb Report writes, “Each room in the suite is brimming with hidden wonders, designed to spark curiosity within travelers. The bedroom, which is covered in a green leather scalloping that resembles leafy foliage, features a plush double bed, a free-standing tub, and a stained-glass artwork depicting a surrealist tree. The adjoining bathroom provides another swish place to freshen up. The lounge is adorned with bespoke couches that can be configured to suit the occasion. The space can double as a private dining area for five people, for instance. Guests can also sink into the cocooning day bed and enjoy the passing landscapes.”
For more, head to L’Observatoire.
4. Les Bateaux Belmond
Les Bateaux Belmond, the translation is luxury river barges, has appointed of Chef Dominque Crenn as its first culinary curator. Her tenure begins in the 2025 season. With three Michelin stars, Crenn is known for innovation and sustainability in the kitchen.
Forbes says, “2024 has been a year for the books for Chef Dominique Crenn, currently the most decorated female chef in the U.S. to date. This year alone, she’s maintained three Michelin Stars for Atelier Crenn and received one for her latest endeavor Le Comptoir; she was listed at Number 10 on the Robb Report’s 50 Most Powerful People in American Fine Dining list, and, perhaps the biggest achievement of all as it crosses into the mainstream, she was named one of Times 100 Most Influential People of the Year.”
Her culinary artistry is deeply rooted in her personal journey, drawing inspiration from her French upbringing, particularly summers spent in Brittany, where Crenn developed a connection to water. As part of her role on the rivers and canals of France, Chef Crenn will curate two signature menus for the boats in the Burgundy, Champagne and South of France regions, each featuring a starter, main course and dessert. Chef Crenn’s menus will highlight seasonal ingredients that celebrate the heritage and culture of these regions.
For more on the barges, go to Les Bateaux Belmond.
5. Orient Express Silenseas Corinthian
Accor’s CEO Sebastien Bazin says Orient Express Silenseas Corinthia was originally envisioned to be sold as a typical cruise ship, by the cabin. However, those fixed sailing dates would interfere with the ability to do full-ship charters. It would mean full-charter clients having to start and end their journeys at specific ports and begin and end on fixed dates. With 54 suites and a penthouse in the space that typically would take 200 cabins, Bazin decided Silenseas Corinthia will be sold mainly for private charters, enabling customers to designate the starting and ending points as well as preferred duration. Its first season in 2026 will be in the Med. By doing so, it gives the company the time to reposition the vessel between customers. At $1 million per day that certainly makes sense.
So what about the yacht? Robb Report writes, “the Orient Express Silenseas spans 722 feet and will become the world’s largest sailing yacht upon launch, according to Accor. Silenseas is not a yacht in the traditional sense, with accommodations and amenities more akin to that of a cruise ship. The behemoth has 54 suites, for instance, as well as a speakeasy bar, two swimming pools, two restaurants, and a spa. Silenseas will also be environmentally friendly. The vessel will be equipped with a patented SolidSail system comprising three tilting masts measuring more than 300 feet each and three rigid sails with a surface area of nearly 5,000 square feet. The sails can provide up to 100 percent of propulsion in the right conditions, but the high-tech engines will kick in if more power is required.”
Reservations for the 2026 are already open.
For more, head to Orient Express Silenseas Corinthean.
6. Zephalto
If you want to head aloft, as into outer space, here’s a new way for 2025. Departing from a yet to be disclosed location near Toulouse, Forbes writes, “It seems a new operator will enter the mix, offering luxury flights into space for anyone with deep enough pockets. Founded by aerospace engineer Vincent Farret d’Astiès, French outfit Zephalto is pioneering a slower, more considered and less environmentally damaging way to take its customers on the journey of a lifetime—using a balloon taller than Notre-Dame. Zephalto’s first balloon and pressurized capsule, named Céleste, aims to depart from France in 2025 and carry six passengers to an altitude just over 15 miles over the course of one and a half hours at an ascent rate of 13 feet per second. Spending three hours in the stratosphere, it will then descend for a total journey time of six hours. A significant part of the concept is that it will be accessible to all ages and physical conditions.
The balloon capsule is like a luxe VIP lounge. Forbes notes, it is “designed by the architect Joseph Dirand (and promises) a condensed version of French refinement in three spacious cabins each soundproofed for privacy with a 75-square-foot wide-angle window offering a near-900 mile panorama. There’s even going to be Michelin-starred catering and fine wine tasting, should you get peckish during the flight.”
For more, Zephalto.
