Swings, a terrace and pool in 2 acres ringed by fields and tranquility, and lakes and vineyards beyond. Family bliss in Quercy

A stunning château with huge rooms, pretty balconies with views, peaceful garden. Super owners, excellent dinners - and child-friendly too

Elegant 19th-century château deep in the Dordogne forest promises seclusion, serenity and an unhurried, sun-soaked escape.

A stroll from the village, this comfy house in its terraced garden comes with a keen-cook's kitchen, a generous terrace and pool

Gather your favourites for a getaway in deepest France. Bike the countryside, dip in the heated pool and sprawl out in this inviting space

Chocolate-box cottages in deepest Normandy, owned by bright young things with a passion for organic cuisine and the good life

Charming 15th-century farmhouse near Montrésor and Loches with immense lawns, orchards and a fabulous pool

A 200-year-old cortijo in a totally tranquil spot with gated pool, two acres of grounds, an orchard and olive terraces with mountain views

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

A converted 19th-century church in the Northumberland National Park with beautiful stained-glass windows and a restored tower

This elegantly restored house with stunning views to snow-capped peaks is a testament to the owners' love of art and antiques

3 lovely cottages in the heart of Cognac vines for cosy nights by the fire and summer barbecues by the pool

An historic, moated manor house dating from the 16th-century, fully restored and with all mod cons, including an indoor heated pool

A self-catering apartment in the wing of a traditional Burgundian winemaker's house in a tiny hamlet, surrounded by fields of vines

A rustic and elegant farmhouse retreat in Provence with a pool, vineyards and wildlife-filled pond – a launchpad for the Luberon

A tucked-away and peaceful retreat from which to explore the beautiful Dordogne or simply to unwind and recharge

An exquisitely restored 500-year-old inn, where the accent is very much on food, reared and grown nearby and with very comfortable rooms

An achingly elegant boutique hotel set in Mallorca's olives and orchards: candlelit organic dinners, infinity pool, a smart little bar...