Hôtel de France reopens after full renovation led by ex-racing driver
By Zak Jackson, MonacoViews Editorial
Monaco's only two-star hotel, the Hôtel de France on Rue de la Turbie, has reopened following a complete renovation overseen by a trio of new owners.
The Hôtel de France on Rue de la Turbie reopened on Thursday 17 September after a full renovation carried out across 2026. The project was led by former racing driver Stéphane Richelmi alongside partners Rui Ribeiro and Anthony Hermenier, who took on one of the Principality's most historically distinct properties.
The hotel holds an unusual position in Monaco: it is the only two-star establishment in a destination more commonly associated with five-star addresses. That positioning was a deliberate part of the new owners' vision, with a stated aim of making the property more open and accessible than its previous iteration.
The Rue de la Turbie address sits at the foot of the rock, close to the train station, making it a practical base for visitors who want proximity to the centre without the rates that come with Monaco's grander hotels. Whether the renovation has preserved that accessibility or nudged the hotel upmarket remains to be seen, but the reopening marks a clear new chapter for a building that has long been part of the fabric of the quarter.