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

Generous apartments in a 300-year-old farmhouse with beautiful grounds and a swimming pool

Surrounded by wildlife and water, this ultra-modern house has huge windows, white walls and designer furnishings. Blissfully remote

Deep in undulating countryside, three pretty stone cottages with a shared, family-friendly saltwater pool and charming, generous owners

A peaceful old ivy-clad mill with a beautiful terrace overlooking the water, sculpture-filled gardens, comfortable bedrooms and hearty food

Just the ticket if you want to escape from the hurly-burly and wind down with fresh air, good food, walks in nature and sublime views

Picturesque cottage in the grounds of a grand manor, lovingly and creatively restored by its welcoming English owner

Come for sea air, independent shops, great places to eat and this quirky cottage with plenty of room and a sunny walled garden

Historic old house in a beautiful, traditional village. Boulangerie, bar, crêperie all a stroll away

An 18th-century limestone barn, now a quiet hideaway for a group of friends or family in a very rural spot surrounded by fields and woods

A welcoming inn with rooms on the edge of a small village. Stay in a converted barn in the pretty garden, eat delicious country fare

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

Delightful almshouse, steeped in history, in a peaceful churchyard setting with far-reaching countryside views

Share an authentic and unpretentious part of Sardinia with generous hosts. Stay in rooms set across three properties, enjoy memorable meals

A traditional stone bergerie high on a hill and surrounded by woods with east-facing views over the valley for stunning sunrises

Gorgeous scenic views from this relaxed and friendly B&B tucked in a tiny hamlet in the Dordogne near Bergerac

Heart-soaring Pyrenean views, animals roaming, natural materials in simple rural rooms, organic food: it’s a superbly welcoming eco-lodge

Groups will love this 18th-century winemaster’s house and tower. There’s a hillside infinity pool, valley views and a private boulodrome