Kate Middleton and William’s three favourite French destinations for their summer holidays
Biarritz, the Luberon, the Côte d’Azur… When Kate Middleton and William choose France for their summer holidays, they do not do things by halves. Three destinations across the country have caught their attention over the years, each one revealing a different side of their taste in summer escapes.
Biarritz and the Hôtel du Palais: luxury on the Atlantic coast
In 2016, Prince William and Kate Middleton checked in to one of the most prestigious properties on the Atlantic coastline. Their choice was the Hôtel du Palais, a five-star palace built in the 19th century that once belonged to Napoleon III and his wife Eugénie de Montijo. The history of the place lends the stay a very particular dimension.
Beyond its imperial past, the hotel offers an exceptional setting. Facing the ocean, the couple were able to enjoy a spa, a sauna, a hammam and a heated outdoor seawater pool. Two restaurants helmed by Michelin-starred chef Jean-Marie Gautier round out the experience. By all accounts, it was a genuine luxury retreat.
Château d’Autet in the Luberon: Provence with the family
In an entirely different register, Kate Middleton and William stayed at Château d’Autet, a private 19th-century estate nestled in the Luberon. A former hunting lodge, the property spans 260 hectares of lavender fields and woodland, in a quintessentially Provençal setting.
The estate belongs to Viscount Linley, David Armstrong-Jones, son of the late Princess Margaret. For George, Charlotte and Louis, the heated outdoor pool was undoubtedly a major draw. Their parents, meanwhile, likely made good use of the tennis court on the grounds. The stay perfectly illustrates the couple’s ability to move between grand luxury and the gentle art of French country living.
It was also at Château d’Autet that Kate and William had enjoyed a holiday just months after their 2011 wedding, in what felt very much like a second honeymoon.
Bormes-les-Mimosas and Château de Léoube: a family trip for a wedding
In September 2021, it was a special occasion that brought Kate Middleton and William to the Côte d’Azur. The Princess’s brother, James Middleton, was celebrating his wedding to Frenchwoman Alizée Thévenet in Bormes-les-Mimosas, and the whole family made the trip for the occasion.
The ceremony and festivities were held at Château de Léoube, a 560-hectare wine estate right on the seafront. This exceptional venue belongs to Lord Anthony Bamford, a British industrialist, and his wife Carole. The estate has also welcomed other notable guests, among them the Beckhams and British television presenter Jeremy Clarkson.
- Château de Léoube: 560-hectare wine estate on the seafront in Bormes-les-Mimosas
- Château d’Autet: former 260-hectare hunting lodge in the Luberon, with a pool and tennis court
- Hôtel du Palais in Biarritz: five-star palace with a spa, seawater pool and Michelin-starred restaurants
- Owner of Château de Léoube: Lord Anthony Bamford, British industrialist
- Owner of Château d’Autet: Viscount Linley, David Armstrong-Jones, son of Princess Margaret
What stands out across these three choices is the sheer variety of experiences the royal couple seeks out. From a family wedding on an azure wine estate to a pastoral retreat among Provençal lavender fields and a palace stay facing the Basque waves, Kate and William have found in France a country capable of satisfying very different desires. With its diverse landscapes and exceptional private properties, France clearly holds a regular place in their summer calendar.
