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 lovely hotel in a beautiful setting'; 'calm and quiet'. One of the Guide's best-loved hotels, the 'beautiful, old bastide', outside a delightful small town below the Massif de la Sainte Baume, stands in a large walled garden with swimming pool and fountain.

North-west of Limoges, this gentilhommière (Relais & Châteaux) stands in a large park on the edge of a wood.

In a medieval village between Avignon and Nîmes, this group of ancient stone houses has been turned, 'with charm and imagination' into a luxurious hotel, now part of the small H8 Collection hotels group.

In a quiet, attractive village on the Route du Vin north of Colmar, this vine-clad Relais du Silence, run by the Munsch-Meyer family, was liked by readers.

For three generations, since 1968, the Troisgros family, pioneers of nouvelle cuisine, ran their famous restaurant opposite la gare of a provincial town, Roanne earning three Michelin stars.

Set in a farmhouse dating from 1789 in the ski resort of La Clusaz, Le Vieux Chalet is 'a very small but perfectly located and charmingly decorated hotel', according to recent visitors.

A 17th-century Carthusian monastery is now this “serious hotel with a formal atmosphere” (Relais & Châteaux).

'Very smart' and 'beautifully situated' (on the Rhône, in a famous vineyard), the Humann-Donet family's hotel is 'still highly recommended.

The hotel is set in a 16th-century mill straddling large stream in a quiet, picturesque valley between Rouen and Caen.

“Does one endorse Paradise?” asks a visitor to this handsome, white 18th-century manor house.

Between the Place des Vosges and the Place de la Bastille, a short walk from the Marais, stands this 'quirky' small hotel.

“A super place. Dining here is to be savoured: food, setting, service all extremely satisfying.” “Even better this time.”

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.

Michelin finds Michel and Nelly Bougon's extended 17th-century farmhouse in the Périgord Nord near Sarlat, 'ravishing' and tells of its 'ambiance cosy'.

Connected to the mainland at La Rochelle, by a three-kilometre toll bridge, the Île de Ré has sandy beaches, oyster beds and, out of season, “an air of tranquillity”.

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

“Idyllically” set on the little River Canche, below the citadel, this restaurant-with-rooms is run by Alexandre Gauthier, who took over from his father Roland in 2003.

'Small and personal, with attentive staff', this B&B hotel is in a quiet street in St-Germain-des-Prés: 'A lovely location, close to shops and the local market,' says a visitor.

This Logis de France (also Relais du Silence) is a short walk from the famous tapestry (really an embroidery).

In the old centre of this former Cathar stronghold, this converted 13th-century château has “fabulous views” over surrounding countryside and bedrooms in two 17th-century buildings.

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

Set in the centre of Val Thorn, in the Trois Vallées ski area, this family-run ski-in/ski-out hotel has garnered much praise for both the warm interiors – typically wood-panelled and cozy – and the impressive five course dinners served at night.

'A lovely hotel'. The owner/managers, Anne and Xavier Olivereau, are the fourth generation of the family to run this handsome pepperpotted Second Empire mansion, set amid woods and lawns in a park.

Beneath the 13th/16th-century château of this village near Brantôme, this 17th-century maison bourgeoise stands by the River Dronne.

“Delightfully located”, outside Challes thermal station, is this superb 15th-century castle, renovated by the Trèves family owners.

On the site of a former farm, the Chambon family”s famous restaurant-with-rooms started life as a hotel/café in 1886 when a stone bridge was built over the River Ouysse.

This unusual hotel is located not far from the seafront, behind the mighty Hôtel Negresco. Visitors called it 'a delight'.