Château de Courban

This ambitiously renovated 19th-century mansion – with a 17th-century dovecote bearing witness to an even older heritage – was transformed into its present incarnation by Jérôme and Frédéric’s father, perfectionist Pierre Vandendriessche. Most of the rooms are in the original mansion and flaunt a wide variety of styles, from the bold and bright to the floral and cosy, all tastefully harmonised and generously comfortable: recessed bedheads, draped four-posters, crisp colour schemes and carefully chosen prints. Newer buildings vaunt more contemporary design; rustic chic comfort and their own verandas. Bathrooms feature claw-foot tubs in some, walk-in showers with monsoon heads in others. Cuisine here is in the hands of award-winning chef Takashi Kinoshita. Try the great things he does with truffles and lobster, inter alia, in the expansive restaurant, the orangery or the veranda; breakfast should be enjoyed in bed with the shutters wide open. There are relaxed, formal gardens to one side, and an inviting infinity pool (and thoroughly kitted-out spa) to the other. Take all the time you can.