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

Michelin awards a star to owner/chef Alain Gardillou, admiring also the 'magic' setting of his 17th-century oil mill on the Dronne: Guide readers, too, call it a 'wonderful, bucolic spot'.

In the old town, between the Dominican church and the Unterlinden museum, this ornate mansion (1609), newly owned by Marilyn and Eric Girardin, is decorated with 100 sculpted têtes (heads).

A reader whose flight was cancelled due to a strike was consoled by the discovery of this small hotel in a quiet, narrow street in the old city.

Set in a 200-year-old building in the pedestrianized centre of Lille (a ten minute walk from the Gare de Europe), Hotel de la Paix is a “friendly, efficient no-frills” B&B hotel with an art nouveau vibe; despite its location it is quiet, with soundproofed rooms.

A “ravishing building”, a 17th-century château, with pepperpot tower, moat with swans, “hens and cockerels strutting in the grounds.

On a hillside in the Argonne forest (deer are sometimes seen), owner/chef Paul Aguesse and his wife, Roselyne, “an excellent hostess”, run this smart restaurant-with-rooms.

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.

'Extremely luxurious', Jean-Pierre Pinelli's hilltop hotel (Relais & Châteaux) stands in lovely grounds above this fortified harbour town.

'Charming as ever,' says a visitor, returning to this 16th-century stone mas in vineyards and lavender fields in rolling country east of the Rhône valley.

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.

'What a remarkable place,' says a visitor to this designer hotel in the lively narrow streets of the trendy St-Jean quarter of Vieux Lyon.

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.

'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.

This 'beautifully refurbished' old bastide is located within walking distance of the ancient fortified village of Reillanne.

In a pretty village between Nîmes and Montpellier is this renovated, creeper-covered, old farmhouse, run by Alain Foubert.

Liked for 'peace, comfort, reasonable rates and accessibility' is this hotel on a quiet side side street near Étoile, part of a group of four small hotels.

Set in a 17th-century former townhouse on a side street in the Marais, the rooms at Hotel de la Bretonnerie offer an equal mix of history and romance: although on the small side (typical for Paris), they all retain period features, such as exposed wooden beams, fabric wallcoverings and/or four-poster beds.

This 'very peaceful' hotel stands on a hill amid pine trees, in a well-kept garden with swimming pool (where snacks are served in summer).

'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.'

'Splendidly located' on the quayside and facing south over the Vieux Port is this modern seven-storey B&B hotel.

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

This 17th-century demeure was turned into a hotel (now Logis de France) by the Mouty family in 1904. “In many ways it seems not to have changed since then,” writes the nominator.

“Worth going to France for,” was one comment on Georges Blanc”s distinguished hotel/restaurant (Relais & Chateaux) is in a village near Mâcon.

A hotel since 1799, this elegant 16th-century building has long been a favourite of Guide readers.

“Still the best and still our favourite,” says one of the many fans of this restaurant-with-rooms, now owned by Stephanie and Olivier Bicot.

In a hamlet near Aire-sur-la-Lys, this graceful 19th-century mansion has been lovingly turned by its Belgian owner, Sir Francis Van der Elst, into a welcoming B&B with table d'hôte.

Found “outstanding” by a regular correspondent, this auberge, in a medieval village high in the Cévennes, is run with brio by Pierrette Agulhon, the “hands-on” granddaughter of the founder

Although somewhat dated and in need of renovations, this 'attractive, comfortable' hotel still offers lots of charm, and 'helpful staff. Good value in an expensive area.'

This old hill village, popular with artists, is full of arty boutiques. Its name means 'russet': it is famous for its ochre quarries, and its buildings are in shades of red, pink and orange.