Amid the “fabulous scenery” of the Pyrenean foothills, the Ferran family”s hotel is named after the seven watermills (molles = moulins) which once stood nearby.

“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.

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.

'A lovely little hotel,' says a visitor to Frederic and Cécile Lespinasse-Jacquemin's quiet, friendly B&B in three buildings in the old town.

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

Near the superb ruins of a Gothic abbey, in a lovely valley south-east of Coutances, this grey stone restaurant-with-rooms (Logis de France) is always admired: “Welcoming, efficient, very comfortable”; “Amazing value”.

A 12th-century turreted former priory has been sympathetically restored, and is now a B&B hotel located two minutes' walk from Amboise centre.

A former maison de notaire, this inexpensive hotel is in a small town, surrounded by mountain pastures, on the pilgrims” route to Santiago de Compostela.

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.'

'Well located, a few miles away from the busy A6', this restaurant-with-rooms (Logis de France) run by Cyrille Joubery and his wife, is recommended by a visitor for 'peaceful nights and fabulous meals, all at reasonable prices'.

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.

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

“A wonderful antidote to faceless mid-Atlantic hotels”, this beautiful Renaissance château stands in its own lovely park on the eastern edge of Alençon.

Convenient for visiting the Loire châteaux, this 'cool and pleasant' inn (Logis de France) is in a peaceful village south of Blois.

Away from the crowded waterfront of this old fishing port near the Spanish border, this modestly priced B&B hotel, 'not luxurious, but good value', is up a steep side street.

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.

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

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

At the entrance of this old walled town, this 'beautiful and special' hotel is run by François Roux with his wife, Daniele.

'Wonderful', 'excellent value', are comments on the Bonnet family's hotel in the centre, near the Cours Mirabeau.

An unusual and stylish modern hotel (Relais & Châteaux) on a hillside in the south-eastern suburb of Bouliac.

Below Mont Ventoux, in a tiny Provençal village perché, this smart hotel is much liked.

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

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.

This family owned and run B&B is located very conveniently in the centre of Morzine, less than 100m from the nearest ski lift.

The lawns of this hotel (with loungers and plenty of space for sunbathing) run down to a private beach on the shore of Lake Annecy.

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.

“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.