Well away from the tourist crowds which flock to this spectacular hilltop village is the Charial family's sophisticated modern hotel (Relais & Châteaux).

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

The setting of M. and Mme Boyère's modern hotel is 'splendid', say visitors to the lovely Rhuys peninsula. Others wrote of 'a spacious feel, a friendly patron'.

In an unexceptional southern suburb of Boulogne-sur-Mer, this smart and “hospitable” restaurant-with-rooms stands by the little River Liane.

With unspoilt views over the Charente from its dining terrace, this 19th-century gentilhommière stands among oak trees (yeuses).

Located just steps away from the Promenade des Anglais is this small, Belle Epoque boutique hotel, with charming and friendly staff.

“Honfleur is a delight in its shabby but beautiful way, and L”Écrin fits in well,” says a visitor to this 18th-century manor house. It stands up a hill, in a garden dotted with statuary.

“A good, sound hotel in a fine position.” Owned by Alix Lormand, this 19th-century demeure (Relais du Silence) is part of a small group of Roussillon hotels.

“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

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

Just west of the western gate of the “amazingly picturesque”, tiny home town of Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley, is this former 18th-century relais de poste, now Gilles de Crick”s restaurant-with-rooms.

'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”.

Formerly the summer residence of the bishops of Tulle, this 11th-century château stands above the Dordogne, near Rocamadour: it has 'glorious views'.

In the Morvan nature reserve in southern Burgundy, this 16th/18th-century château has been run for seven years

“A place to unwind and experience a little of the magic France still offers,” says a visitor. Jean-Philippe Gautier, an architect, and his wife, Olivia, have restored their manor house, in a town south of Poitiers, while preserving its old character.

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.

'Such a wonderful building; good value,' says a visitor about Françoise and Gérard Nicolas's 18th-century house, elegantly renovated in period style.

In the historic centre, on the traffic-free square in front of the cathedral, this “tastefully decorated” hotel offers “good value”, say Guide readers.

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 peaceful spot, stunningly beautiful,” say visitors to the Petiteau family”s 20th-century “Anglo-Norman” half-timbered mill house.

Beneath the white and turreted château built by Louis X, home of the French Cavalry Academy since 1763, is Jean-René and Mary Lyn Camus”s stylish hotel, an 18th-century listed building overlooking the Loire.

Run by its owners, Brigitte and Jacques Maupin, this 17th-century château stands by the upper Saône, in a village outside Gray.

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

In a village near Clermont-l'Hérault is this delightful small hotel, run since June 2014 by welcoming hosts Sonia and Sylvain Geindreau.

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

In a wooded park outside Amboise, facing the Loire, this small château was built in 1244 by Geoffrey de Pray; later, the wife of Alphonse Daudet lived here.

'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.

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