On a rocky spur of the south Brittany coast, this luxurious hotel (Relais & Châteaux) is owned by Bertrand Jaquet.

Philippe Bidal's modest hotel (a listed historic monument) stands at the end of a glass-roofed 19th-century arcade with shops, near the junction of boulevards Haussmann, Montmartre and des Italiens.

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

Facing the sea, near the spectacular bridge which links Oléron to the mainland, this white-fronted property is in a village in the south-east of the island.

“One of our best hotel experiences in years,” write visitors to this creeper-covered boutique hotel just south of this lovely medieval town.

This fin-de-siècle villa is a former home of the parfumier Pierre Guerlain. “Winningly eccentric”, it has a “pieds-dans-l”eau position” on the north side of the Somme estuary (excellent birdwatching and “very special, pearly light”).

In a pretty riverside town in northern Burgundy, Pascal and Marie-Jeanne Leclerc run a stylish B&B hotel in a white 1850s mansion.

“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

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 hotel since 1799, this elegant 16th-century building has long been a favourite of Guide readers.

'Not cheap, but the style, decor, service and fabulous location make it a winner': this 17th-century mansion is within easy walking distance (via Pont Neuf) of the Louvre and Notre Dame.

'Well placed for visits to central Paris', this 18th-century building is where Puccini set La Bohème.

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

This “most attractive building” is in a quiet residential area just outside Sarlat: “a peaceful and beautiful setting”. It is a part 13th-century hunting lodge, “truly romantic”.

In a hamlet near Aire-sur-la-Lys, this graceful 19th-century mansion has been lovingly turned by its Belgian owner, Sir Francis Van der Elst, into a welcoming B&B with table d'hôte.

The magnificent white beaches of Île de Ré, offshore from La Rochelle, attract hordes of French holidaymakers in season: advance booking is essential for Anne and Frederic Latour”s charming hotel.

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

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

This old hostelry (Logis de France), in a ramparted medieval hamlet on a hilltop west of Dijon, is “a most attractive location; fine views over countryside”.

“A gem”: opened in 2001, this renovated 18th-century post house stands amid Minervois vineyards. “Reasonably priced, stylish, very French”, it has “charming hosts”, says a visitor.

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.

Built in 1930 as a radio station, this homage to Art Deco sits on a hillside in this residential suburb of Clermont-Ferrand

This 19th century manor house has been converted into a charming country hotel restaurant by its English owners, Hazel and Peter Newington.

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

In Champagne country, near Épernay, this luxurious hotel, surrounded by a lovely landscaped garden and vineyards, is “highly recommended” by guests; it has recently been refurbished.

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

Amid the 'breathtaking scenery' of the eastern Vercors, where, say visitors, 'sheer mountain cliffs rise majestically above trees and meadows', is this 'gem' of a hotel.

Dating in part from the 12th century, this “truly beautiful”, many-turreted castle stands high on a cliff above the River Lot, in “beautiful formal gardens” on a wine-growing estate: the views from the terrace are “magic”.

This 17th-century demeure was turned into a hotel (now Logis de France) by the Mouty family in 1904. “In many ways it seems not to have changed since then,” writes the nominator.