In a rural setting, just outside a small village between Montreuil-sur-Mer and Hesdin, Marie-Hélène Flament runs this “superb” chambres d”hôtes.

Excellently situated, next to the château', this luxurious 18th-century manor house was built on the foundations of an ancient medieval monastery.

Set in the centre of Val Thorn, in the Trois Vallées ski area, this family-run ski-in/ski-out hotel has garnered much praise for both the warm interiors – typically wood-panelled and cozy – and the impressive five course dinners served at night.

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.'

'Excellently located', in the Marais, this 'very friendly' hotel has for three generations been owned and run by Didier Fossiez's family ('he and his wife, Pamela, are delightful').

In a shady garden on the edge of this Rhône valley town, this famous restaurant-with-rooms (Relais & Châteaux) was founded by Sophie Pic almost a century ago.

'Very smart' and 'beautifully situated' (on the Rhône, in a famous vineyard), the Humann-Donet family's hotel is 'still highly recommended.

In a hamlet near Castelnau, this welcoming small B&B hotel stands in a garden facing the Pyranees; from its terrace there are wide views.

“Delightful, “peaceful and idyllic”, say visitors to this long-time Guide favourite.

Between Orléans and Le Mans, outside a village 18 km north of Vendôme, is this handsome, ivy-covered 19th-century former hunting lodge of Duc de La Rochefoucauld, now owned by Maryse and Guy Redon.

'A lovely hotel in a beautiful setting'; 'calm and quiet'. One of the Guide's best-loved hotels, the 'beautiful, old bastide', outside a delightful small town below the Massif de la Sainte Baume, stands in a large walled garden with swimming pool and fountain.

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.

“Pleasant, very convenient.” “A gem! Peaceful, comfortable, relaxing.” The reports on this B&B hotel in a quiet cul-de-sac in the old centre of this busy cit

'A terrific place,' said a recent visitor. Gloriously positioned on a peninsula in a fishing port on the north Brittany coast, this handsome white 1900s hotel is decorated in 'contemporary balnéaire' style: polished floorboards, grey and honey panelled walls, wooden furniture, original wicker chairs, and colourful modern fabrics: 'the apogee of casual chic'.

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

Owned by the Girardon family, this lovely 18th-century mansion, once the country home of the bishops of Lyon, is on the edge of a Rhône valley village.

This 19th century manor house has been converted into a charming country hotel restaurant by its English owners, Hazel and Peter Newington.

“A splendid place, tasteful, comfortable, with exquisite food,” wrote regular correspondents about this famous Burgundian restaurant-with-rooms (Relais & Châteaux).

'Superbly restored' by owners Jean-Yves and Christine Marivin, and with 'furnishings tastefully selected to create an authentic contemporary ambience', this stone-built manor house was found 'delightful' by regular Guide correspondents: 'Our welcome could not have been warmer.'

Beneath the 13th/16th-century château of this village near Brantôme, this 17th-century maison bourgeoise stands by the River Dronne.

“Does one endorse Paradise?” asks a visitor to this handsome, white 18th-century manor house.

In a medieval village between Avignon and Nîmes, this group of ancient stone houses has been turned, 'with charm and imagination' into a luxurious hotel, now part of the small H8 Collection hotels group.

'Between sea and sky' in the hills behind Nice, this well-known village perché is up a winding road, on a rocky spur.

Easily accessible from the A7 Autoroute du Soleil, and just 24 kilometres from Montélimar (which has a TGV station), the Delaitre family's 'exquisite' ivy-covered, ochre-walled auberge is in a Rhône valley village perchéknown for its glazed pottery.

In two buildings, separated by a garden with a swimming pool, is M. and Mme Grasset's 'relatively modern' Logis de France, popular with golfers.

Connected to the mainland at La Rochelle, by a three-kilometre toll bridge, the Île de Ré has sandy beaches, oyster beds and, out of season, “an air of tranquillity”.

Located by the Théâtre des Célestins, this B&B is much used by visiting actors.

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.