Top 10 places for an awesome company retreat in France

Bonjour! When it comes to planning the perfect company offsite, France should undoubtedly sit at the top of your list. It has everything, from the snowy Alps to the sun-soaked Riviera, to cosmopolitan cities, to picturesque rural villages. Whether you’re partial to escargots or not, you can’t go wrong with the vast array of world-class cheese, wine, and bread on offer—not to mention its astounding cultural heritage.

Let’s dive in with a list of ideal regions and venues for your next special event in the land of gourmet food, wine, and love.

This region in the south of France is characterized by its stunning Mediterranean coastline, endless fields of lavender, and high-quality gastronomie française. It's a popular destination for team-building activities such as hiking, kayaking, and rock climbing, but the region also boasts world-renowned vineyards making it perfect for company wine-tasting excursions.

A more scenic region would be hard to imagine, with its rolling hills, river valleys, and historic villages. It’s a brilliant place to let your team just breathe, and absorb the surrounding beauty.

This region is the heart of France and is home to Paris, one of the most famous and beautiful cities in the world. This makes it an ideal venue for corporate retreats focused on disconnecting from the workplace, but would also like to spend a couple of days exploring this unique and awe-inspiring city. The region is also home to some of the country's most beautiful chateaux and gardens, providing opportunities for team building and relaxation, just a stone’s throw away from the bustling capital.

Some of the most popular, scenic towns just outside Paris include Hauts-de-Seine, Val-d’Oise, Val-de-Marne, and Essonne. If you do make it to Paris, make sure you visit the Musée d’Orsay, Les Jardins de Luxembourg, Notre Dame Cathedral, and take a boat tour down the iconic River Seine!

Located in the northwest of France, Brittany is known for its rugged coastline, picturesque villages, fascinating cultural heritage, and of course its farming and fishing. It's an ideal location for company retreats that want to combine outdoor activities, such as surfing, sailing, and hiking, with cultural experiences. Its historic sites include the mythical Monte Saint-Michel, and its gastronomical stand-outs include Breton pancakes, cider (or stronger calvados), and fresh fish.

Also known as the Côte d'Azur, the glamorous French Riviera is a luxurious destination on the Mediterranean coast. It’s an ideal location for rest and relaxation with your team: chilling by a swimming pool, days onboard a yacht, or outdoor barbecues.

Not all areas in the French Riviera have the same dizzying prices as Cannes or Saint-Tropez: towns such as Villefranche-sur-Mer, Grasse, and Vence offer the same sun-drenched experience at a slightly lower cost.

La Vallée de la Loire does two things better than anywhere else in the world: castles and wine. There are some 300 fairytale chateaux in this stretch of the River Loire, with recognizable names such as Chambord, Blois, and Chenonceau. Boasting some of the finest vineyards in France, wine tasting in La Loire is a must-do.

Forget seminars and meeting rooms and immerse yourself in the medieval and Renaissance castles, their gardens, and the surrounding nature to get the full French experience.

A chic and elegant hotel in the center of beautiful Nice, The Deck offers an escape from the stresses of office life with its interior design based on the deck of a boat, complete with impressive ensuites, soothing Mediterranean colors, aerobics classes, and snack bar. With 50 attractions and 250 (!) restaurants within a 10-minute walking distance, the hotel could not be better located. It’s a brilliant base from which to explore this popular seaside town.

As a boutique hotel, Tourny is best suited to smaller teams of up to 12 people, but it’s not one to miss if Bordeaux’s on your list (with its world-renowned wine and stunning city center, it certainly should be!).

With all-around positive reviews, free high-speed WiFi, and parking facilities, it’s a chic and convenient hotel ideal for your next corporate trip. For an even more authentic experience, overlap your trip with le 14 juillet, Bastille Day, and watch Bordeaux’s famous firework display on the Place de la Bourse.

A trip to Paris calls for a good base in this incredibly buzzing, popular city. Rated very highly among the best business hotels in Paris, Novotel has excellent transport links to Charles de Gaulle and Orly airports, the major train stations, Disneyland Paris, and other top Paris attractions. Its quiet patio offers a calm oasis in the city, and the hotel boasts a popular (and convenient!) bar and restaurant on-site.

A trip to the mountains is always a great idea to get your team to really switch off and connect with both nature and each other. With its wooden façade, Hotel Macchi resembles a traditional chalet, offering unrivaled panoramic views of the mountains. With a pool, fitness center, and game room, your employees can really get away from it all in this beautiful mountain paradise.

Situated in Tours, right between Angers and Blois, Les Trésorières is a picturesque hotel with excellent facilities, top-quality rooms, and a very authentic feel to it. It’s a brilliant stop-off point if you’re doing a trip around the Loire Valley, complete with a pool, sauna, hammam, and even a meeting room if necessary!