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

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

In the Cher valley, near Chenonceaux and Blois, this 'idyllic' medieval château stands on a hillside. Owned by Philippe Savry, and part of the small Savray group, it is 'a perfect example of traditional local architecture', according to its nominators.

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.

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

In the historic centre, on the traffic-free square in front of the cathedral, this “tastefully decorated” hotel offers “good value”, say Guide readers.

Easily accessible from the A7 Autoroute du Soleil, and just 24 kilometres from Montélimar (which has a TGV station), the Delaitre family's 'exquisite' ivy-covered, ochre-walled auberge is in a Rhône valley village perchéknown for its glazed pottery.

This sympathetically converted 16th-century presbytery “felt more like a home than a hotel” to visitors. Central, but “with no extraneous noise at night”, it combines traditional style with contemporary touches.

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.

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

“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.

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

'Well located, a few miles away from the busy A6', this restaurant-with-rooms (Logis de France) run by Cyrille Joubery and his wife, is recommended by a visitor for 'peaceful nights and fabulous meals, all at reasonable prices'.

Just west of the western gate of the “amazingly picturesque”, tiny home town of Impressionist painter Alfred Sisley, is this former 18th-century relais de poste, now Gilles de Crick”s restaurant-with-rooms.

This unusual hotel is a clever conversion of medieval houses on the side of a cliff, by the ramparts of this fashionable hill village, inland from Nice.

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.

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

Although somewhat dated and in need of renovations, this 'attractive, comfortable' hotel still offers lots of charm, and 'helpful staff. Good value in an expensive area.'

The imaginatively detailed interior of this hotel sets it apart: the 18th century French chinoiserie style includes fabric toile du Jouy wallpaper, oriental carpets and custom-made furniture with Oriental marquetry.

On the site of a former farm, the Chambon family”s famous restaurant-with-rooms started life as a hotel/café in 1886 when a stone bridge was built over the River Ouysse.

“Delightfully located”, outside Challes thermal station, is this superb 15th-century castle, renovated by the Trèves family owners.

Close to the Invalides and the Rodin museum with its fascinating garden, this former hôtel particulier changed hands in 2002.

In the Périgord Noir, this 'true gem' is run by its 'genial' Swiss owners, Heinz and Rita Johner.

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”.

Between Orléans and Le Mans, outside a village 18 km north of Vendôme, is this handsome, ivy-covered 19th-century former hunting lodge of Duc de La Rochefoucauld, now owned by Maryse and Guy Redon.

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.

“Still one of our favourites.” Set among vineyards near this old village, the Arnold family”s hotel (Logis de France) is typically Alsacien, with its yellow-painted half-timbered walls and flower-covered balconies.

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