“It keeps on improving” according to a visitor returning to the Larain family”s glamorous hotel (Relais & Châteaux), on the banks of the Yonne.

In a pretty riverside town in northern Burgundy, Pascal and Marie-Jeanne Leclerc run a stylish B&B hotel in a white 1850s mansion.

In a village in rolling Burgundy country between Avallon and Vézelay, Claire and Régis Tatraux”s small white-fronted restaurant-with-rooms (Logis de France) “offers good value in a pleasant environment”, says a visitor.

Near Beaune, this former residence of the Knights of Malta, turreted and creeper-covered, dates in part from the 12th century, but the château itself is 19th-century.

“A truly delightful place. The garden and park provide pleasure from every point,” says a visitor: in 1976, this 18th-century château, a historic monument in a large park near Bayeux, was turned into an elegant hotel (Relais & Châteaux); extensive renovations were completed in March 2016.

Owned by Mme Descaillot and Mme Etievant, this 17th-century post house has been nicely converted into a B&B, and has recently been renovated.

Near St-Germain-des-Prés, this small, luxurious B&B hotel is in a 16th-century building facing the well-known outdoor market (which some rooms overlook) of the narrow rue de Buci.

On the edge of this village, famous for the discovery of the cave of Cro-Magnon man nearby, and very touristy in summer, this 'first-rate' hotel (Relais & Châteaux) stands by the winding River Vézère.

For three generations, since 1968, the Troisgros family, pioneers of nouvelle cuisine, ran their famous restaurant opposite la gare of a provincial town, Roanne earning three Michelin stars.

On the shore of Lake Geneva, in a “delightful” medieval village, Jeannine and Jean-François Kung”s chalet-style restaurant-with-rooms, with its flowery facade, was thought “charming”, and “welcoming” by visitors.

Named after a mistress of Charles VII who was also an enthusiastic cook, this 'sweet, unpretentious little place, astonishingly cheap', has long been loved by Guide readers.

Tastefully converted by its owners Sandra and André Berger, this group of 18th-century stone farm buildings is now an inexpensive B&B hotel.

Owned since 1903 by the Carrier family, this luxury hotel (Relais & Châteaux) is named after the Belgian king who loved this ski resort.

A restaurant-with-rooms (Logis de France) in a village north-west of Rennes, just off the main road to Brest.

Owned by Huw Awada (a former London hotelier) and his Irish wife Geraldine, this hotel is set in a handsome old stone building in a village perché (which has a 12th-century castle, fine views and llamas) located near Mont Ventoux.

In the “charming, quiet setting” of the tree-filled main square of this famous Burgundy wine village, this old hostelry is now part of COMO Hotels and Resorts.

Once the home of a 19th-century wine merchant, this vine-covered building is now a 'charming small hotel', says a visitor. 'The friendly staff were very helpful.'

In a 'lovely, tranquil” setting, this stately, white-fronted 17th-century demeure (Relais & Chateaux) stands amid garden and parkland, between Reims and Soissons.

This “most attractive building” is in a quiet residential area just outside Sarlat: “a peaceful and beautiful setting”. It is a part 13th-century hunting lodge, “truly romantic”.

The location of this boutique four-star B&B couldn't be better: at the entrance to the Place de la Concorde, near the Tuileries gardens, and just steps from the Louvre.

The Jouanny family's handsome, white 19th-century mansion (Relais de Silence). stands in a large flowery garden (where meals are served under parasols and cypress trees).

This traditional country inn (Logis de France) is set on a rocky outcrop in a beautiful part of the Jura. It's run by Nelly Euvrard-Geissler, who is also the chef.

'Pretty close to perfection' was one couple's verdict on this charming hotel in a busy market village near the south Brittany coast.

This lovely medieval village, with its ramparts, half-timbered houses, and cobbled streets, is often the setting for historical films.

Built in 1930 as a radio station, this homage to Art Deco sits on a hillside in this residential suburb of Clermont-Ferrand

Created from an old farm, this unusual hotel is run with brio by its owner, Jérôme Emery. Spacious grounds with mature trees and hedges protect it from the “industrial surroundings”.

'We cannot adequately praise this hotel,' say visitors about this 17th-century mas (Relais du Silence). It stands up a private road on a large estate, outside this beautiful village on the southern slopes of the Luberon.

Just west of the western gate of the “amazingly picturesque”, tiny home town of Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley, is this former 18th-century relais de poste, now Gilles de Crick”s restaurant-with-rooms.

Between woodlands and vineyards on a Burgundy hillside, this holiday hotel stands on a minor road, below an old Neolithic settlement.

“A haven of rural peace and quiet”, this 15th-century red brick château has been owned by the de Ponsay family since 1644 and is currently run by Aurelia and Laurent Ponsay; the “family feel” was enjoyed by visitors.