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.

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

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

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

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.'

'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.

“A haven of rural peace and quiet”, this 15th-century red brick château has been owned by the de Ponsay family since 1644 and is currently run by Aurelia and Laurent Ponsay; the “family feel” was enjoyed by visitors.

“Our visit could not have been more enjoyable,” says a regular Guide correspondent, returning to Pierre and Isabelle Bertranet”s 16th-century mill house, now an elegant small hotel.

Located by the Théâtre des Célestins, this B&B is much used by visiting actors.

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.

'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.

On the shore of Lake Geneva, in a “delightful” medieval village, Jeannine and Jean-François Kung”s chalet-style restaurant-with-rooms, with its flowery facade, was thought “charming”, and “welcoming” by visitors.

In a 'lovely, tranquil” setting, this stately, white-fronted 17th-century demeure (Relais & Chateaux) stands amid garden and parkland, between Reims and Soissons.

A “delightful” small auberge, stylish, but not posh, created by the actress Leslie Caron from four 17th-century boat houses on the Yonne, and now owned by Jerome Fertal. “The Owl”s Nest” is in an attractive little town with honey-coloured stone buildings in northern Burgundy.

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

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

In this spa town north of Pau, Michel and Christine Guérard”s “exquisite, tiny village” stands in a park full of flowers and statues.

“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.

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

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

Michelin awards a star to owner/chef Alain Gardillou, admiring also the 'magic' setting of his 17th-century oil mill on the Dronne: Guide readers, too, call it a 'wonderful, bucolic spot'.

Beneath the white and turreted château built by Louis X, home of the French Cavalry Academy since 1763, is Jean-René and Mary Lyn Camus”s stylish hotel, an 18th-century listed building overlooking the Loire.

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.

“The food is excellent,” say visitors. In a wine village in the Beaujolais, this restaurant-with-rooms (Logis de France) is run by Bertrand Alizer and his partner Kesaram Choudhary.

Owner/chef Olivier Roellinger and his wife, Jane, preside over their collection of maisons (Relais & Châteaux) in and around this picturesque fishing port renowned for its oysters.

'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 a village in rolling Burgundy country between Avallon and Vézelay, Claire and Régis Tatraux”s small white-fronted restaurant-with-rooms (Logis de France) “offers good value in a pleasant environment”, says a visitor.

At the entrance of this old walled town, this 'beautiful and special' hotel is run by François Roux with his wife, Daniele.