Yes, in the first half of last year, Accor added around twenty new hotels to its portfolio in France, but its momentum appears to have increased in the first six months of 2026. The French group has indeed announced nearly 40 openings for a first half deemed " exceptional » by Katell Bourgeois, VP Development France & Benelux for Premium, Midscale & Economy Brands, Accor. « The volume of openings we are observing today is a direct result of strong and regular signings, as well as the success of our conversion strategy. she explained.
The brands that focus on converting existing hotels, such as Handwritten Collection, Mercure, and greet, have confirmed their appeal to " hotel owners wishing to join a powerful network while valuing their individuality ", highlights Katell Bourgeois. For example, previously known as the Paris Boulogne hotel, this establishment came under Accor's control after renovation to become the Mercure Paris Boulogne – Pont de Saint Cloud, offering business travellers 75 rooms, a lounge bar with a terrace, as well as modular seminar rooms.
Meanwhile, the Handwritten Collection brand, launched in 2023 and which has just passed the milestone of 50 hotels worldwide, has welcomed the Château de Mazan into its ranks, a historic castle nestled in the heart of the Luberon, at the foot of Mont Ventoux, featuring 31 rooms and suites and reception rooms. When the Beau Site hotel in Lourdes became greet Lourdes Pyrénées.
Among other notable openings for all these brands are the Handwritten Collection's Grand Hôtel l'Ermitage in Font-Romeu and the You Hotel de France in Valence, resulting from the development agreement between the brand and the YOU Famille Hôtelière group. Both are boutique hotels suited for business travel, featuring meeting rooms in the mountains or a coworking space in Valence. Meanwhile, with its three seminar rooms, coworking space, and 67 rooms, the Mercure Quimper Kerlic is among the new establishments on offer for business travellers.
Among these openings, some are also the result of internal transfers, such as a former Novotel on the Île d'Oléron which has been redesigned, renovated and upgraded to become the Bel Hôtel Oléron Thalasso & Spa – MGallery Collection. But, alongside this new offering from the MGallery brand for upmarket leisure stays on the Atlantic coast, Accor's development dynamic in its domestic market continues to rely on the ibis family, the pillar of its network with more than 20 openings recorded in the first half of the year.
Since last February, travellers have been able to discover the pop and colourful design of the ibis Styles Metz Centre, following a 19-month renovation period. Located in the heart of the historic district, a few minutes' walk from the train station or the Centre Pompidou-Metz, this renovated hotel offers 86 rooms. Other renovated establishments include the ibis Styles Annecy Le Vieux and the ibis Clermont-Ferrand Centre Stade – a hotel with 96 rooms located opposite the Marcel Michelin stadium, which has three meeting rooms.
