Le Gîte de Rochefort

After a day of sightseeing, a sundowner on the raised terrace is just the ticket; the walled garden is a quiet oasis draped in climbers. A 17th-century townhouse in a pretty village, a kitchen diner with an open fire, two sumptuous doubles and a bakery so close you can smell the pastries.

Bedrooms are casually chic; handwoven rugs, flea market finds and original oils by owner Stephane’s grandfather. Bathrooms, with Italianate walk-in showers, are open plan within each room. There are stacks of books in the ‘Chambre de Lecture’ and CDs in the ‘Chambre de Musique’ for rainy days.

Spend a morning exploring the village, stop by the bakery on your way to the pretty medieval church. Stride out into the magnificent Rambouillet forest, a haven for roe deer and wild boar as well as horse riders and hikers. The châteaux at Dourdan and Versailles are close and Paris is just an hour’s drive.