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

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

In a large park with statues, benches, and lily pond with fountain, this 18th-century manor house, former home of the Marquis de Germigney, is now a luxury hotel (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.'

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.

'Lovely looking and efficiently run,' say visitors. At the château gates, this l8th century post house (Relais du Silence) has been owned by the Jeudi family since 1902.

By the rocky shore, the Delion family”s pink, Florentine-style villa was a favourite of prewar Riviera society: Garbo and Scott Fitzgerald were among its habitués.

In a picturesque village in the forest of Compiègne, Yves Giustiniani”s restaurant-with-rooms was liked by visitors: “A lovely suite with large bedroom, very nice bath and shower, large sitting room. Lovely food too.”

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

Near the centre of a quiet village, and close to the télésiège which serves the ski areas of Les Saisies and L'Espace Diamant, Anne-Christine and Frédéric Boulanger have since 2003 run their alpine hotel/restaurant.

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.

In this famous medieval wine town, surrounded by vineyards, is this popular B&B hotel. “Staff were helpful, breakfast was good,” is one visitor comment.

“Slap bang between the seafront and rue d”Antibes (great for shopping)”, Jerry Duburq's “little gem” of a hotel, decorated in Provençal style, is warmly recommended.

In a village midway between the town and the Mont Blanc Tunnel entrance, this cheerful chalet-style hotel (Logis de France) is owned and run by Bernard and Martine Farini.

By the harbour entrance and near Boulogne”s “odd little beach”, the Lestienne family”s restaurant-with-rooms is in two converted 1930s houses.

This sympathetically converted 16th-century presbytery “felt more like a home than a hotel” to visitors. Central, but “with no extraneous noise at night”, it combines traditional style with contemporary touches.

Owner/chef Olivier Roellinger and his wife, Jane, preside over their collection of maisons (Relais & Châteaux) in and around this picturesque fishing port renowned for its oysters.

In open country south of Montélimar, this creeper-covered 14th-century bastide was once an overnight stop for pilgrims.

On a pilgrim route, this 'magical village', spectacularly situated on a wooded hillside above a gorge, is one of the most romantic in south-west France.

“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.

A long-time Guide favourite, the Chazal family's 'seriously good' small hotel/restaurant is on the main street of a pleasant market town in the Auvergne.

“Our visit could not have been more enjoyable,” says a regular Guide correspondent, returning to Pierre and Isabelle Bertranet”s 16th-century mill house, now an elegant small hotel.

Though not particularly attractive, apart from its splendid Gothic cathedral, Reims has some excellent restaurants and hotels, including this one, owned by the Lallement family

Cahors, in a famous wine region, has some characterless modern buildings but also some interesting old ones, eg, the fortified 14th-century Pont Valentré over the Lot.

In a “delightful position” on the edge of a tiny, historical village in the valley of the Aspre near Salers in the Cantal, this simple auberge is efficiently run by its owners, Brigitte and Christophe Landau, say nominators.

On the west bank of the Rhône, this historic little town above Avignon has a splendid charterhouse and other noble buildings, including this 14th-century priory, now a luxurious hotel (Relais & Châteaux).

Spectacularly situated above the Marne, this hilltop town north of Dijon has ancient ramparts, gateways, a 13th-century cathedral, and a statue of Diderot (he was born here) surrounded by volumes of his encyclopaedia.

'A lovely discovery', by a regular Guide correspondent. Just outside this medieval village perché north of Orange, above the Rhône, it is only a kilometre from the A7, 'but it could be a world away'.

'Outstanding value, nearly perfect in its class.' Ever popular, this quirky little hotel is off the beaten track, in an 'amazingly quiet' square near the Porte d'Orléans.

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”.