In the foothills of the Vosges mountains, overlooking the highest village on the Alsatian wine trail, is this large, modern, Scandinavian-style hotel.

Liked for 'peace, comfort, reasonable rates and accessibility' is this hotel on a quiet side side street near Étoile, part of a group of four small hotels.

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

In a shady garden on the edge of this Rhône valley town, this famous restaurant-with-rooms (Relais & Châteaux) was founded by Sophie Pic almost a century ago.

Amid the “fabulous scenery” of the Pyrenean foothills, the Ferran family”s hotel is named after the seven watermills (molles = moulins) which once stood nearby.

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

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

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

'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).

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

“Seven days of great comfort in a superb location” were enjoyed at the Cesne family”s holiday hotel in a pieds dans l”eau position on the Cotentin peninsula, south of Cherbourg.

Opposite the dramatic gorges of Pennafort, in wooded country near Draguignan, this former relais de poste is now a luxurious hotel/restaurant managed by chef Philippe Da Silva and his wife, Martine.

Set just 200m from the cable car, M. and Mme Georges's hotel is in the centre of a large Pyrenean ski resort in the heart of the Catalan Pyrenees Regional Nature Park, just 15 minutes from Spain.

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

'Romantically set' in the Marais, on one of Paris's loveliest squares, this handsome 17th-century building, with creeper-draped facade and pretty front courtyard, is an elegant hotel.

This family owned and run B&B is located very conveniently in the centre of Morzine, less than 100m from the nearest ski lift.

In a beautiful setting on the Sélune (one of the last salmon rivers in France), where the N176 crosses an old bridge, this unsophisticated Logis de France is run by Patrice and Sandra Girres; Patrice is the son of the previous owners, Jean-Pierre and Josette Girres, and is the third generation to run the hotel.

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

Staying here is “a very good experience”, says a visitor to this creeper-clad 16th-century mill, now a luxurious hotel (Relais & Châteaux).

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

“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 12th-century turreted former priory has been sympathetically restored, and is now a B&B hotel located two minutes' walk from Amboise centre.

'A lovely little hotel,' says a visitor to Frederic and Cécile Lespinasse-Jacquemin's quiet, friendly B&B in three buildings in the old town.

This Lorraine town has a “mini-Versailles” of a château, worth visiting. And in a wooded park to the south, this handsome, turreted 19th-century mansion is now a luxurious hotel (Relais & Châteaux).

'This small hotel has considerable charm,' says its nominator.

This “immaculate, tiny village, like a film set” stands high on an escarpment above the valleys of the Lot and the Truyère, north of Rodez.

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.'

Owner/chef Michel Philippe has long had a Michelin star for his cooking which “combines terroir and inventiveness”. His Relais & Chateaux property stands amid pine woods and hilly meadows, just outside this lake resort.