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

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.

'Just as lovely as we remembered,' says a returning visitor to this converted 10th-century abbey, part of a castle in this lovely old fortified village, way south-west of Carcassonne.

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

Ten minutes' walk from the busy old town and its beaches, this converted 1920s mas has something of the air of a private home: 'handsome, quiet and comfortable'.

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.'

“A delightful hotel in an exquisite building,” says a visitor. “With its thick, honey-coloured stone walls, it looks every inch a medieval manor house,” says our inspector.

'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.

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”.

The “very good food” and “warm welcome” continue to impress visitors to this “Flemish country inn” (Logis de France), where Philippe and Bea Dubreucq have presided for 40 years.

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

Owned by Marie-Christine Menec Lacube, this former coach house is now an auberge (Logis Hotels), with a low brick building and rear bedroom extension, and located by a river, in a village on the edge of the marshlands and forests of the Sologne.

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

Built as a private villa in the early 20th century and “tastefully extended” in the 1960s, this hotel on the north Brittany coast “stands dramatically above pink granite rocks that lead to the sea”s edge, which one can scramble down to”, according to a visitor.

On the banks of Le Loir (not La Loire, further south), is this small country restaurant-with-rooms (Logis de France).

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

In this small seaside resort, close to busy Boulogne, father-and-son Alain and Benjamin Delpierre”s “excellent” Art Deco-fronted hotel stands on the pedestrianised promenade on to which some of the sea-facing bedrooms lead.

Run 'with panache' by its owners, Anne and Jean Milliau Le Coz, this upmarket beach hotel (Relais & Châteaux) is described by correspondents as 'delightful'.

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.

'Lovely looking and efficiently run,' say visitors. At the château gates, this l8th century post house (Relais du Silence) has been owned by the Jeudi family since 1902.

'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.

'One of the nicest hotels we've stayed in,' say visitors. 'Staff were particularly helpful. Food was excellent.'

Found “very good value” by visitors, this 17th-century half-timbered former bailiff”s house of “old-world charm” (Logis de France) stands on a quiet street in a village near Chablis.

'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.

Owned by Mme Descaillot and Mme Etievant, this 17th-century post house has been nicely converted into a B&B, and has recently been renovated.

“Family-run and it shows,” say visitors to this chalet-style building (“like a 1930s English cottage with a touch of Gallic flair”).

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

'Bang in the middle of decent-sized, pleasant town', behind the Hôtel de Ville, is this converted 17th century Ursuline convent, now a B&B hotel.

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

In a remote spot above the Aveyron gorges, this well-preserved bastide village (population 250) was founded in the 13th century below a hilltop fortress, now a ruin.