Travel back in time in these 10 hotels in Hauts-de-France

Formerly a hospice built in the time of Louis XV to take in the sick, beggars, old people and abandoned children from all over the province, the majestic building was transformed into a military hospital in the 19th century. Becoming increasingly dilapidated, it was gradually abandoned before plans to transform it into a luxury hotel were hatched at the turn of the century.

42 suites and 37 rooms in a chic baroque style, two restaurants including a gourmet restaurant, a spa and a generously proportioned swimming pool... The 4-star Royal Hainaut has nothing to envy the biggest hotels in the Hauts-de-France region and is almost worth the trip to Valenciennes in itself.

Only an hour from Paris, the town of Méru is the world capital of mother-of-pearl. In the 18th and 19th centuries, it was a major table-making centre, producing a variety of objects from precious woods, ivory and, of course, mother-of-pearl. Today, the industry has ceased, but the buildings have been restored, and now house the Mother-of-Pearl Museum and the charming 3-star Hôtel de la Tabletterie.

Today, 22 spacious rooms and suites occupy this historic building where calm reigns. The on-site restaurant serves traditional French cuisine of the highest quality, which changes with the seasons. And while you're there, don't forget to visit the mother-of-pearl museum!

At the beginning of the last century, the French composer Fernand Halphen acquired five hectares of meadows and ponds near Chantilly and had a monumental pavilion built there, dedicated to the world of hunting and music. It has since been transformed into a superb 5-star hotel*, the Château Hôtel Mont Royal Chantilly 5*, reflecting theprincely spirit of the region.

A total of 108 rooms and suites, two restaurants, a spa with indoor pool, tennis courts, petanque courts and even a forest walking trail await visitors in search of luxury, nature and history.

Lille's former Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy is the setting for the Marriott Group's 3-starMoxy hotel. Behind the listed facade of this monumental 19th-century building are 127 rooms with a modern, no-fuss style.

After a stroll around the majestic main courtyard, you can enjoy a cappuccino in the bar and telework in the common areas before working out in the gym. Sleep soundly, as a delicious breakfast awaits you the next morning.

Built at the end of the 17th century during the reign of the Sun King, the Château de Courcelles witnessed the lives of Enlightenment philosophers such as Rousseau and Voltaire. After being occupied by the Germans during the two world wars, it was bought by an art dealer with a passion for history before becoming a 4-star hotel in 1989.

The 20 rooms and suites at the 4* Château de Courcelles all have their own atmosphere and decor, and offer lovely views over the 25-hectare estate, the formal gardens or the charming village of Courcelles. The Château's gourmet restaurant is well worth a visit, but the Bistrot de la Vesle also offers delicious cuisine.

Of all the "hors classe" hotels in Le Touquet-Paris-Plage in operation before the Second World War, the 5-starWestminster Hotel is the only one still in business. Built in the 1920s in Art Deco style, it is considered the most "British" of the hotels in Le Touquet.

This emblematic establishment is the only 5-star hotel on the Côte d'Opale and was completely renovated in 2021. The 104 rooms and suites, at the height of comfort, now combine history and modernity. There is also a spa with an indoor pool and two restaurants, one of which is Michelin-starred.

Built in the 14th century in the French Vexin nature park, the Saint-Germer abbey-farm is a place steeped in history, with the Château de Reilly added in the 19th century. With its stone towers and vaulted ceilings, the estate'smedieval architecture is a constant reminder to visitors that they are visiting a historic address.

The 14 rooms at Domaine Saint-Germer have all the comforts of our time, housed in the farmhouse of this medieval abbey, offering a truly anachronistic experience.

Built by a wealthy banking family in the 1930s, the 4-star Château de Montreuil today blends the typical architecture of that era with a modern, colourful decor, making it a friendly, spacious place to stay. Many celebrities have stood on its porch, from Whitney Houston to Roger Moore and the British royal family.

The hotel's 17 rooms, inspired by the decorative trends of the last century, are elegant, spacious and intimate. The La Table du Château restaurant serves inventive cuisine based on local seasonal produce. The staff are exceptionally friendly.

Built in the 18th century by the King's advisor, Château de Cocove stands on a hill in Recques-sur-Hem in the heart of an eleven-hectare park planted with trees. The historic building has since been transformed into a 4-star hotel in a bucolic and relaxing setting.

The 4* Château de Cocove has 22 rooms and three pavilions where charm and authenticity reign supreme. Each room has its own atmosphere and offers a lovely view of the park or gardens, as does the restaurant, whose menu changes with the seasons.

On the banks of the River Thérinet, this former 19th-century flour mill has lost none of its former splendour. Set in verdant surroundings, lulled by the lapping of the water, it's the ideal place for a bucolic stopover at an affordable price.

The rooms are fully-equipped but unpretentious, which is not the house style. We come here to relax for a convivial evening and to discover the gastronomy of the region in the restaurant overlooking the river.