La Villa Florentine - New Hotel in Lyon, France

A Hilltop Sanctuary Above Lyon

Overlooking the historic heart of Lyon, on the heights of Fourvière Hill, Villa Florentine offers a rare perspective on the city — one that feels almost suspended in time. From this elevated vantage point, Lyon unfolds like a living painting: rivers weaving through the city, Renaissance façades glowing at sunset, and distant horizons fading into light. Here, the atmosphere is serene, almost monastic, yet just minutes from the vibrant streets of Vieux Lyon, creating a unique duality between retreat and immersion.

A Renaissance Legacy Reawakened

Built in the 17th century in the wake of strong Italian influence in Lyon, the property was originally a convent before becoming a place of hospitality — a transformation that still shapes its identity today. Now entering a new chapter under Beauvallon Collection, the hotel embodies a vision rooted in heritage and modernity. Acquired in 2025, it has undergone a complete renovation before its April 2026 reopening, marking a symbolic “passing of the baton” between generations of Lyonnais hoteliers. More than a renovation, this is a renaissance — one that preserves the soul of the place while redefining its role as a cultural and lifestyle destination.

Monastic Simplicity Meets Florentine Warmth

Led by interior architect and curator Joséphine Fossey, the redesign embraces three founding identities: monastic, Florentine, and Lyonnais. The architecture remains faithful to the building’s historical structure, while interiors are softened with natural materials, warm tones, and enveloping textures. The result is an atmosphere that feels both intimate and elevated — where silence, light, and space become essential elements of the experience. This is not ostentatious luxury — it is quiet, intellectual, and deeply atmospheric.

Elevated Living Above the City

The rooms and suites, ranging from intimate retreats to expansive signature spaces, are conceived as sanctuaries of calm. Defined by clean lines, natural materials, and soft textiles, they reflect a balance between restraint and comfort. Some suites open onto sweeping terraces or panoramic views across Lyon, transforming each stay into a visual experience — where mornings begin above the clouds and evenings dissolve into golden light.

A Destination for the Senses

At Villa Florentine, dining is not an offering — it is a language. The gastronomic experience has been entirely reimagined, evolving into a multi-layered culinary destination. A refined fine dining restaurant, a more relaxed bistronomic counter, a hidden speakeasy bar, and an elegant tea room together create a rhythm that unfolds throughout the day. Each space invites a different moment,  from contemplative mornings to intimate evenings, all grounded in a philosophy of seasonality, precision, and respect for time.

A Renaissance of Body and Mind

The new spa, developed in collaboration with the botanical brand Apoticari, draws inspiration from Renaissance bathing rituals and monastic traditions. More than a wellness space, it is conceived as a sanctuary of balance, where hammam, sauna, treatment rooms, and fitness areas come together in a slow, intentional journey. Outside, the iconic panoramic pool — overlooking Lyon — remains one of the most striking features of the property, now fully reimagined as part of the renovation.

A Living Place Between Culture and Hospitality

Villa Florentine is no longer just a hotel — it is envisioned as a living house open to both travelers and locals, where gastronomy, culture, and hospitality intersect. From long lunches overlooking the city to quiet afternoons in the gardens, the experience is designed to be inhabited, not simply visited, a place to linger, reconnect, and rediscover time itself.

A Timeless Retreat Reimagined

With its reopening in April 2026, Villa Florentine reasserts itself as one of France’s most singular destinations. Rooted in history yet profoundly contemporary, it offers a rare kind of luxury — one defined not by excess, but by perspective, silence, and the beauty of time rediscovered.

We love La Villa Florentine for:

– Reopening in April 2026 after a complete transformation
– A 17th-century former convent turned 5-star Relais & Châteaux hotel
– A design blending monastic simplicity and Florentine elegance
– A multi-concept culinary destination with restaurant, speakeasy bar and tea room
– A spa with Apoticari rituals inspired by botanical and Renaissance traditions
– One of the most iconic panoramic views over Lyon