France

A fortified castle in parkland, built mostly in the 1300s on the Montbazens plateau, near to the stunning Averyon gorges

Everything you need is here: a wood-burner for winter, a pool and spacious terraces for summer, and peace and beauty all year round

A big friendly farmhouse basking in light, with terraces, vineyards, pool and views to several horizons, good for family gatherings

A lovingly cared-for Belle Époque house with many original features and stunning views straight onto the Mediterranean Sea

Three gîtes in the Dordogne with panoramic countryside views and a swimming pool – book individually or together for a group holiday

Come for a rest and to be cosseted in this Virginia creeper-clad Languedoc house surrounded by ten acres of green permaculture and woodland

Tranquil stone house with a rustic feel, a large garden with a swimming pool and views of the French Riviera and out to sea

Restored medieval priory turned country retreat on a family-run wine estate – swim in the infinity pool, taste wine or walk in the hills

A gorgeous, art-filled house in one of France's Plus Beaux Villages, perched on a hill and with stunning views from the spacious terraces

Gite retreats in château grounds - welcoming and wonderful for young families. Build castles in the sandpit, make friends around the pool

Spacious Provençal-style house in a converted 18th-century forge with peaceful gardens, a stroll from a lovely hilltop village

A lovely space in a quiet hamlet. Find pretty interiors with plenty of art, and lots of leafy countryside. Swim in the pool or river

A fine 18th-century townhouse on the banks of the Loire beneath the gracious and soaring Château d'Amboise: explore the Loire countryside

Two family-friendly gites with gardens and a big pool, surrounded by corn fields and sunflowers, ideal for a larger family to take together

Great for gatherings of family and friends: fine views, a good big kitchen, games room and pool; nearby caves and castles to explore

Magnificent views unfold over the glittering sea towards the Cap d'Antibes from this elegant 1750 manor filled with much art and history

Blissful tranquillity - yet an easy drive from St Paul de Vence (legendary haunt of Matisse and Picasso) and 10km from the Riviera

Magnificent fully-catered villa with pools on an ancient wine estate, high up in a valley surrounded by hills in the very centre of Provence