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.

With the impressive castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg on the horizon and visible from some bedrooms, this modernised, but traditionally styled Alsatian auberge (Logis de France) is run by owner/chef Jean-Luc Dumoulin and his wife, Francesca.

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 a nondescript little town', near picturesque Valence, 'Michel Chabran's hotel/restaurant is impossible to miss,' 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.

Visitors returning to the Morin family's hilltop hotel found it 'delightful as ever'.

In a picturesque village amid the 'great countryside' of the Massif Central, this 'delightful small hotel' stands on a quiet square behind a lovely abbey (fine Flemish tapestries).

'Perfect location, perfect staff, perfect pool.' On a hill at the east end of the Promenade des Anglais, this popular hotel has stunning views over the Baie des Anges.

Close to the Invalides and the Rodin museum with its fascinating garden, this former hôtel particulier changed hands in 2002.

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.

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

'Magical.' 'Delightful.' This former 10th-century fortress, near the awesome Gorges du Verdon, is owned by the family of Guillaume Thomas.

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

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

In a small, pretty town in the Auvergne is this hotel, in a well-maintained, imposing building reminiscent of old world, rural France.

In the Périgord Pourpre near Bergerac and Monbazillac, this 18th-century monastery has been converted into an elegant hotel.

On the banks of the River Vonne stands this 'lovely', upmarket hotel.

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.

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.

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

'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.

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.

Located very close to the village of Mougins, and only 20 mins from Cannes, this small luxury hotel is described as more of a country house than a hotel, with only five beautiful suites.

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

'An idyllic luxury hotel in the Camargue”, this neat whitewashed mas is isolated by a lagoon just north of the Camargue”s little seaside capital.

The most famous hotel in Burgundy”s wine capital continues to win praise from Guide readers: “Nice, characterful, comfy”, “we always find it excellent”, say visitors.

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.

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.

Staying here is “a very good experience”, says a visitor to this creeper-clad 16th-century mill, now a luxurious hotel (Relais & Châteaux).