Outside a perfect bastide village, an elegant manoir for lazy days in the Dordogne, fabulous dinners and glorious gardens

A hop from the Côte d'Azur is this elegant home: bring friends, explore the garden, curl up on the sofa, dip in the heated pool

Welcome to an immaculate and historic retreat with private gardens, ten minutes from the Finistère coast (and oysters!)

This classy, refurbished village pub is the community hub, chock-full of locals and a popular destination for foodies. Lovely bedrooms too

Beautiful B&B in idyllic setting, with natural salt water pool and plenty of relaxed communal spaces

Tranquil B&B in a house built by the Templars in the 14th century. Go hiking, biking or wine-tasting nearby, or simply relax by the pool

Two peaceful spaces in a beautiful garden with a morning concert from the birds and a terrace for magical outdoor meals

A niftily restored, open-plan, beamed hayloft, just the ticket for romantics, with gorgeous views of fields and open countryside

Off-the-beaten track cottage promises peace and quiet, wild swimming and hikes in the hills. A world away from the urban jungle

A lovely gîte, once a hunting lodge, with two private terraces overlooking the manicured gardens of an 1830s manor house

In pretty Vernon, a peaceful and comfortably large townhouse with roses rambling around the door

An expansive and generous 13th-century Catalan farmhouse, restored with verve and colour in the Pyrenees - a wonderful spot for groups

History, elegance and art combine in this special spot near the Louvre. Wonderful staff too. Relax - take breakfast in bed

An idyllic cottage for animal lovers, children, peace seekers and walkers. Immaculate interiors and breathtaking views soothe the soul

An old-world inn full of colour, with open fires, cosy rooms, local food and the magnificent Northumberland National Park all around

An 18th-century converted barn with lofty beamed ceilings, exposed stonework, handmade oak windows and much art – pretty garden too

A cosy, beautifully refurbished flat in a Georgian house bang in the middle of the unspoilt town with its pretty streets and houses

Get away from it all in 'old' France, where melons taste like melons & hikes start from the door. This rural bolthole is a serious treat