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”.

Between Nice and Monte Carlo, this 'impeccable hotel', owned by Gérard Galbois, stands opposite the fishermen's chapel decorated by Cocteau.

“Guests enjoy really personal service” at this small hotel run by Marco Baumann and his wife, Danielle Haeberlin.

In a hamlet near Castelnau, this welcoming small B&B hotel stands in a garden facing the Pyranees; from its terrace there are wide views.

“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.

An 11th-century fortified castle at the top of a medieval village in the hills south of Draguinon has been turned into this small hotel where, say the nominators, 'everything was correct'.

Owned by Huw Awada (a former London hotelier) and his Irish wife Geraldine, this hotel is set in a handsome old stone building in a village perché (which has a 12th-century castle, fine views and llamas) located near Mont Ventoux.

Named after the scrub-like bushes which cover Corsica and gave their name to the French Resistance, this “very well-run hotel” is a collection of buildings by the sea.

In a large park with statues, benches, and lily pond with fountain, this 18th-century manor house, former home of the Marquis de Germigney, is now a luxury hotel (Relais & Châteaux).

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

Tastefully converted by its owners Sandra and André Berger, this group of 18th-century stone farm buildings is now an inexpensive B&B hotel.

Built a century ago as a private house, this belle époque mansion (Relais & Chateaux) was turned into a hotel by François André in 1926: he named it after his wife.

Though not particularly attractive, apart from its splendid Gothic cathedral, Reims has some excellent restaurants and hotels, including this one, owned by the Lallement family

Right by the sea, this 17th-century manor house, just east of the port, is now an attractive hotel whose owner, a Mme Chapalain and her son, 'are very kind', says a returning visitor.

“An excellent centre for touring one of the most spectacular areas of France.” In a large park, beneath the cliffs of the mighty gorge of the Tarn (a “fantastic landscape”), this 15th-century château stands right by the river.

Jean-Marc Six was a sommelier in Lille when he won a million francs in a bottle-top collecting competition sponsored by Perrier.

On the banks of the River Vonne stands this 'lovely', upmarket hotel.

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

'Superbly restored' by owners Jean-Yves and Christine Marivin, and with 'furnishings tastefully selected to create an authentic contemporary ambience', this stone-built manor house was found 'delightful' by regular Guide correspondents: 'Our welcome could not have been warmer.'

In a village amid the “wonderful scenery” of the Morvan national park, this is a restaurant-with-rooms for mushroom enthusiasts.

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

'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.

“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.

'For warmth of reception combined with lovely rooms, it cannot be beat,' writes a travel expert about Roberto and Nanda Polito's luxurious and stylish little hotel (Relais & Châteaux).

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.

In the rolling hills of the Lot, this 19th-century manor house, approached by a long and narrow country road, has been turned by Abel and Anna Congratel into a chambres d”hôtes.

'An idyllic luxury hotel in the Camargue”, this neat whitewashed mas is isolated by a lagoon just north of the Camargue”s little seaside capital.

This “delightful” little hotel is in a valley just below this hilltop village amid the rolling forests of the North Vosges national park.

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.

'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.