Farm Stays in France (2023)

Le Clos du Quesnay is a truly lovely farm B&B in a restored 19th-century farmhouse near Rouen, Normandy, France, and within driving distance of both Le Harve and Calais. They have a range of accommodation in the main farmhouse as well as some glamping style gypsy caravans in the extensive gardens. You’ll find the owners helpful and friendly and they are great cooks too. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a choice of five rooms; doubles, and suites for up to four people (one double bed & two singles), plus 4 lovely gypsy caravans in the grounds outside. All the rooms are very comfortable and come with all modern conveniences; private bathroom, flat screen TV and WiFi. The gypsy caravans can fit up to three people with one double bed and one sofa bed in the lounge area. They have a nice bathroom and a small dining area inside, plus a porch and patio area outside with seating. At the main farmhouse there is a common lounge with board games, TV and fireplace plus there is a separate dining area. The accommodation is B&B but they also serve up meals throughout the day. Their multi course evening dinners are really fantastic for example and are a great way to meet other guests while enjoying some good wholesome Norman food. The gardens are really lovely, it is a former farm and there is a full 10 acres to be enjoyed, all of it beautifully landscaped with lawns, flower beds and orchard trees. There is also a large children’s playground, barbecue facilities and an area to play the traditional French game of pétanque. THE LOCATION: Le Clos du Quesnay is around 40km east of of the city of Rouen, and Monet’s favourite cathedral, less than an hour’s drive from Dieppe on the Normandy coast, and about 100km from Paris. The area is known as the Pays de Bray and it is classic Normandy countryside; green fields and pretty small towns, including the famous spa town of Forges-les-Eaux. There are a couple of very beautiful chateaux nearby too at Vascoeuil and Martainville and plenty of opportunities for cycling, horse riding and hiking, especially around the nearby Forêt READ MORE

Situated in the famous wine region of Côte des Nuits, Burgundy, France, Castel de Très Girard is a 17th century manor house offering luxury accommodation in Morey-Saint-Denis surrounded by vineyards. THE ACCOMMODATION: The soundproofed rooms include a flat-screen TV, minibar, electric kettle and safety deposit box. Each room features a private bathroom with bath or shower and free toiletries. Guests can enjoy meals in the hotel’s restaurant which offers views of the surrounding vineyards. Meals are prepared using local produce and a wide selection of wines are available. Additional facilities include an outdoor swimming pool, a bar and a seminar room. THE LOCATION: Local activities include horse riding and visiting the surrounding vineyards. Nearby attractions include the Château du Clos de Vougeot 3 km away and the Abbey of Cîteaux 16 km away. Castel de Très Girard is situated between the historic towns of Beaune and Dijon which are both 25-minutes drive from the hotel. The closest train station is Dijon Train Station. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A gourmet delight…..” “Beautiful setting and views, the interior was a nice blend of boutique and rural style….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT CASTEL DE TRES GIRARD:   READ MORE

Conveniently between Paris and Dijon, France, the child friendly Ferme de Flo has B&B accommodation on its busy little animal rescue farm which hosts a huge amount of animals; pigs, ponies, goats, hens, ducks and more, most of which had been abandoned by their previous owners but then found a loving home here. It’s sure to be a hit with the kids as they can have plenty of interaction with the animals but adults too will appreciate the comfortable accommodation, friendly hosts and the educational farm workshops and tours where you can learn about such things as sustainable agriculture, bread making and even how to drive a tractor. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have four B&B guest rooms, all with private bathroom, in the farmhouse as well as a very pleasant self catering cottage with one double/twin bed, three singles and one futon bed to sleep one or two more. All of the accommodation is clean and well maintained and the homemade breakfast is excellent. Guests in the self catering cottage can also enjoy the breakfast but for an extra charge and they can buy all sorts of locally produced food products at the on site shop for cooking with later. The main attraction at La Ferme de Flo are the animals. Over two hundred in total many of them had been abandoned by their owners and then rescued by the farm. They are all very friendly and well used to visitors and guests can partake in farm tasks as much as they like as well as learn a little about farming and taking care of animals. THE LOCATION: The farm is in the little village of Evry, between Paris and Dijon, on the north western edge of Burgundy, less than 100km from Paris and around 200 from Dijon. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Such a lovely and interesting place to stay. We really enjoyed our stay, lovely accommodation, very friendly, and best of all a tour of the farm which was great for the kids and very interesting. I would recommend Ferme de Flo 100%….” “It is really comfortable, spacious, the host is very friendly and warm, the breakfast is super. My READ MORE

Le Domaine d’Ablon is a luxury farm stay rural retreat near to Le Harve and the artistic coastal town of Honfleur, in rural Pays d’Auge, Lower Normandy. Accommodation is offered in classically Norman half timbered farmhouses, and the design, both interior and exterior is impeccable. You’ll find the interiors comfortable and plush but with a very pleasant rustic feel while the farm itself has organic orchards and vegetable gardens which offer some of the ingredients for the very highly regarded food on offer. Cooking and horticulture classes, amongst others, can be arranged on site too. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a choice of double suites, in order of size; the Standard Suite, the Queen Suite and the King Suite, with The King being the largest. Even the standard suite though, if it was in most other hotels it would be considered a top choice, being around 40 sqm in size and the epitome of comfort and style. There is also a self catering cottage on site which has a huge amount of space, with two bedrooms (one double, one twin), a large lounge with an open fireplace, a kitchen and a private patio and garden area outside. The bathrooms are particular highlight in all of the accommodation choices, spacious and rather opulent, they come with a nice old style standing bathtub and a range of Bvulgari bath products. Le Domaine d’Ablon is a luxury hotel but also an agritourism farm stay; it prides itself on offering up some of the best local, seasonal food in Normandy and the owners take great care in producing much of the ingredients themselves. They grow a range of organic vegetables and fruits on site as well as various herbs some of which are medicinal herbs, and the owners and staff are a great source of knowledge about all things horticulture and food. The food is truly excellent and if you would like to try and recreate it yourself at home you arrange a cooking class with the head chef, Jérôme Billochon, which also includes an educational tour of the kitchen gardens. There are other courses at the farm too; photography, flower arranging, gardening, origami and even beekeeping. READ MORE

Near the beautiful city of Carcassonne, in the old Languedoc Roussillon region (now Occitanie) of France. This lovely, very friendly, boutique vineyard hotel is surrounded by the farm’s own grapevines and guests are free to wander the vineyards and enjoy wine tasting in the company of the extremely knowledgeable hosts. The rooms here are super clean and comfortable with private bathroom and WiFi but the real draw here is the wine and the food. The hosts are very enthusiastic about both, and they are great cooks. They produce some amazing meals shared by all the guests in an informal atmosphere, and washed down of course with generous helpings of their own quality wine. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The hosts made us feel like family. Wonderful, delicious meals. Very comfortable bed. We would love to stay there again!…” “Fantastic location. Fantastic facilities. Fantastic food. Fantastic people! Loved the tour and my wine has been delivered already! Thank you….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT  O’VINEYARDS B&B:   READ MORE

In the deeply rural east of Provence, just over 40km from Cannes and the French Riviera, La Ferme Constantin has rustic accommodation in a classic old Provençal farmhouse recently renovated by its owners. It is a tranquil, peaceful place with friendly owners and an earthy, back to nature atmosphere. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have double and twin rooms at the farmhouse, all of which are pleasant and comfortable and nicely decorated in traditional style. Check your options on the booking page here. Outside there is the terrace area where you can lounge in one of the hammocks, light a barbecue or dine al fresco, and beyond that you have the peaceful gardens and the farm to explore. The farm plays host to goats, rabbits and the family dogs, as well as vegetable gardens and fruit trees. The accommodation is B&B and you will be treated to a lovely fresh breakfast in the morning with some of the ingredients coming straight from the farm. Your friendly hosts love to cook and can also provide tasty lunches and dinners at their informal farm-to-table restaurant. Guests can also tour the farm and help out with farm tasks if they wish including collecting the ingredients for their meals. THE LOCATION: The farm is near the little town of Fayence which has come nice shops, restaurants and cafes, in the heart of rural east Provence. There is much to explore in the area and your hosts will have plenty of recommendations. There are some lovely hilltop villages nearby for example and lots of scenic hiking trails. Other outdoor activities can be arranged too such as horse riding, rowing, glider flying, fishing etc. etc. You will find lake beaches and swimming at the nearby Lake Saint-Cassien and canoeing and rafting at the gorges and canyons of Siagne, Siagnole and Endre. The Mediterranean sea and the French Riviera is just over a half an hour away by car with the city of Cannes being about 45 minutes. The nearest airport is Nice Côte d’Azur Airport around 60 km away. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This is a place with heart and soul. You can feel that the owners do READ MORE

This luxury vineyard hotel near Narbonne, Aude, Languedoc-Roussillon, France, is in the heart of Pays Cathare and the Languedoc Region’s vineyards. It offers 3 star accommodation on a large and highly renowned Gerard Bertrand wine estate surrounded by ancient pine forest and olive groves. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has 38 extremely comfortable rooms, both doubles and four bed family rooms, all of which come with private bathroom, WiFi and flat screen TV. There is also has a lounge bar downstairs, sometimes with live jazz music, and a restaurant ‘L’Art de Vivre’, whose food and drink are of an extremely high quality. There are the extensive grounds to be explored too which include a nice courtyard, gardens and an outdoor swimming pool, along with the adjoining vineyards. THE VINEYARDS: The Château has a full package of wine tourism activities; tasting sessions, vineyards tours etc. You’ll find grape varieties typical of the Languedoc region in the Château vineyards; The whites: Marsane, Roussane, Grenache blanc, Viognier, Vermentino and Bourboulenc. And the reds, Syrah, Carignan, Syrah, Mourvèdre and Grenache. It is such a well known estate that it is something of a destination in itself, and known for the many festivals it hosts; a popular jazz festival in summer, the Art de Vivre Festival in spring and other smaller wine harvesting and truffle gathering celebrations at other times. THE LOCATION: The estate sits in the Massif de la Clape natural reserve, the largest of its kind in Languedoc-Roussillon. The reserve is a mixture of landscapes from vineyards like at Château L’Hospitalet to the garrigue scrub terrain typical of the region as well as forests of oak and pine. The scenery moves through flat plains, plateaus and rocky outcrops with some lovely hiking trails around, many with stunning views over the Mediterranean. Going south through the Massif you’ll eventually come to the coast around Narbonne plage; a well known beach resort that gets very busy in the summer. The ancient Roman city of Narbonne is about fifteen minutes drive north of the estate. It has something of an old style, elegant feel and a very interesting, multi-layered history, but though the surrounding area is quite popular with READ MORE

Near both Gordes and Ménerbes, in Provence’s Luberon region, La Bastide du Marie is a gorgeous property; a beautifully restored 18th century manor house surrounded by 57 acres of vineyards, gardens, olive trees and lavender groves. It offers very much a luxury experience but rooted in authenticity; the entire space, both the building and the grounds are immaculately kept and display a great deal of historical elegance. There are two swimming pools here, spa facilities, a winery and an excellent restaurant. THE ACCOMMODATION: The accommodation ranges from Classic double/twin rooms through to what they term the Bastide double/twin rooms and the Marie double suites to a fantastic private villa in the grounds that can sleep up to ten people in its 5 en-suite double bedrooms. The Bastide rooms have a more opulent feel than the Classics and are slightly more expensive though they are roughly the same size at 25 sq. meters. They are all beautifully decorated and furnished with a nod to the Provence of the past; lovely old stone walls, antique furniture, elegant soft furnishings and pastel shades abound. The bathrooms are lovely too and all come with a traditional standing bathtub. The suites have the same beautifully rustic old Provence feel but, at around 50 sq. meters, have twice the space to enjoy. If you have a larger group the spacious private villa is a wonderful place to stay. It has 5 en-suite double bedrooms, a lounge, a fully equipped kitchen and dining area, a private terrace, and its own outdoor swimming pool. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE FOOD & THE WINE: The food here has an excellent reputation from the breakfast to the lavish evening meals. You can book B&B, or include a lunch and dinner package on the booking page, or just pay as you go. The food will not disappoint, it is classic Provencal fare at its best and full of local character and flavour. Some of the ingredients; herbs and vegetables, are grown in the chef’s garden on the property while the rest are locally sourced and seasonal as much as possible. The dining room is lovely, as READ MORE

This 19th-century château, near Carcassone, has a variety of lovely rustic style, self catering accommodation on a famous Languedoc winery with nearly 300 acres of vineyards and olive groves. Their wines are highly prized and they do a full program of wine tourism activities; tours of the vineyards and wine cellars, tasting sessions etc., but even if you have very little interest in such things Château Canet is still a very pleasant, sociable place to stay with a lovely peaceful setting and plenty to do and see both around the estate and in the surrounding area. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a great range of accommodation on offer, mainly cottages but with some small apartments too. All are very charming, comfortable and clean and come in various sizes, with the largest covering 250 m² and which can sleep up to eight comfortably. Check your options on the booking page here. The accommodation mixes rustic and modern styles well, and generally doesn’t stray too far from the traditional French farmhouse look. They are comfortable, homely and well equipped and there is plenty of outside seating, dining and lounging space plus BBQ facilities, a swimming pool, tennis courts, a boules court and a playground for the kids. Beyond the gardens there are some small sections of farmland and woodland but the estate is mainly comprised of vineyards and olive groves. Château Canet is very well known in the region and has won numerous awards for both wine and olive oil with their Minervois (an AOC in this area of Languedoc-Roussillon) being a mixture of whites reds and rosé. Olive oil tasting sessions and educational tours are available as well as a full program of wine tourism activities. THE LOCATION: The chateau is very near Carcassone, just 15km from the city centre in fact, and so makes a good base for enjoying the spectacular fortress city while also avoiding much of the daily tourist hordes. The accommodation is self catering and shopping for food supplies etc. can also of course be done there. The charming little town of Trèbes is less than five minutes away too, and is a good place to arrange a READ MORE

Very near Vichy in the rich green farming countryside of Auvergne, France, this peaceful farmhouse has spacious, nicely decorated double rooms with private bathroom, WiFi and continental breakfast each morning. The friendly hosts are good cooks and you can arrange for them to cook you evening meals too, using the best local produce including many vegetables grown in their own gardens. Le Manoir de Presle gets great reviews for many things but especially for the hospitality of the hosts, and the peaceful, relaxing nature of the property. It’s a great place to rewind, and to recharge, and the surrounding area is fantastic for cycling and hiking, with the lovely Boire des Carres Nature Reserve just over 20km away. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Absolutely fantastic! Great hosts, location and accommodation. We felt at home immediately and our two day stay felt as though we’d been there longer….” “The views are amazing and the area is extremely quiet so that it is possible to relax….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LE MANOIR DE PRESLE:     READ MORE

In a tastefully restored 17th century manor farmhouse, Bastide de Mazan offers opulence, beauty and luxury in the heart of Provence, France. It is near the lovely town of Valensole and the spectacular Verdon River Gorge, and it can also be an excellent base for exploring the iconic lavender fields of Luberon. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have a selection of B&B rooms ranging from doubles to quadruples. All of them are top hotel standard, smart and cosy, but with some maybe divisive touches of retro chic. The quadruple is the best of all, with a cute little upstairs annex and a very nice private terrace outside. The farmhouse itself is a grand old stone building typical of old Provence and the exteriors have some lovely gardens to explore with lots of artistic flourishes, a pond and a chlorine free swimming pool, and there is plenty of space for lounging, sitting or dining. There is a restaurant and bar at the farm stay, the food and wine are extremely good and the service impeccable. You can start the day with a very fine gourmet breakfast and the evening meals are equally inviting. Much of the ingredients come fresh from the gardens outside; vegetables and various herbs and spices are grown all around. THE LOCATION: Though the hotel will generally be busy enough, the setting of Bastide de Mazan, about an hour north east of Aix-en-Provence, is isolated and peaceful, and it can really make a nice break from some of the touristic villages of Provence, especially in summer. Though the lovely town of Valensole just 10km away is quite popular with tourists. The Bastide makes a great base for exploring the beautiful Verdon Natural Park and the famous Gorge of the same name, which is about 30km away, around Lac de Saint Croix to the east. Heading west you can be in the Luberon Natural Park, famous for its lavender fields, in about a half an hour. Though, in season, you’ll find these iconic lavender, and sunflower, fields all around the region, and in the immediate area around the Bastide de Mazan, without ever having to look too hard. The nearest airports READ MORE

La Ferme d’Angèle is a completely enchanting rural retreat near the village of Séez in the French Alps, and within driving distance of Lyon, Chambery, Chamonix and Mt. Blanc. The accommodation is in a renovated 19th century alpine style farmhouse that has a uniquely cosy, almost fairytale like atmosphere, and though not a working farm anymore it is surrounded by some gorgeously rural countryside. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have six rooms to sleep from two to four people and all are decorated in that beautifully rustic style that typifies the whole property. Downstairs there is a dining area, a library, a TV room and a lounge with a large open fire and a piano. Outside you’ll find a large terrace with an outdoor dining area plus a lovely garden with hammocks and seating and an array of plants and flowers. They also have a traditional wood fired hot tub at the property. The accommodation is B&B and the breakfast is generous and full of good fresh produce. You’ll find the owners friendly and hospitable and they are fine cooks, so make sure to order some of their evening meals and sample some of their large collection of wines. You can also try some of their home made herbal teas and liqueurs and they are always happy to cater to dietary restrictions. THE LOCATION: La Ferme d’Angele is just three kilometers from Séez village centre, with the nearest train station being at Bourg-Saint-Maurice about 7km away (You can arrange a free shuttle service to and from the farmhouse just let them know before arrival). The scenery around here is glorious, and the views from the property are stunning in winter or summer. This being the French Alps after all skiing is a big activity in the surrounding area and La Ferme d’Angele makes a good base. It is near to the funicular to Les Arcs for example with La Roserie also being close by (about 10 mins drive up the hill). Val d’Isere and Tignes can also be reached in just over a half an hour and Val Thorens  in about an hour. In summer time you have some of Europe’s best hiking READ MORE

This lovely little Dordogne farm gite is near the town of Perigueux, Aquitaine, and between the cities of Bordeaux and Limoges. It has a very nice self catering mobile cottage on its small farm which contains a range of interesting animals; pheasants, peacocks, Alpacas, Vietnamese mini pigs, ponies, goats and geese. The mobile home has two double bedrooms, one with a double bed and one with two singles and there is also a sofa bed/futon in the lounge. There is a well equipped kitchenette too, a private bathroom and an outside wooden terrace with furniture and barbecue facilities. The main attraction at this farm stay are the animals though with the Vietnamese mini pigs especially being very popular with guests. They’re not just there for show though, they are actually specially trained to hunt for truffles, and guests are always welcome to join the numerous truffle hunts in the surrounding woodland. There is WiFi at the property and if you don’t feel like cooking, for an extra fee you can order a good breakfast at the farmhouse, as well as plenty other food throughout the day including some really excellent gourmet sandwiches. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Beautiful surrounding countryside and so peaceful….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LE FERME DE VIGNES: READ MORE

Ferme de la Rançonnière et Manoir de Mathan is a beautifully old style, luxury farm hotel with restaurant and bar, just north of Bayeux, France, and about 3 km from the Normandy Coast. Its medieval stone buildings are surrounded by large beautifully landscaped gardens with adjoining tennis court in the heart of the lush Normandy countryside. Its rooms are equally impressive; comfortable, clean and very beautifully decorated in a rustic, antique style. Each comes with an en-suite bathroom, as well as satellite TV and WiFi. And, last but not least, the highly rated restaurant at Ferme de la Rançonnière et Manoir de Mathan offers the best regional French cuisine, including every morning a generous buffet breakfast. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The facilities are housed in a wonderful old 15th century monastery that has been beautifully restored. The grounds and building are lovely….” “The property was lovely, full of character, and the staff were very helpful. We had a wonderful dinner at the hotel, the food was excellent!….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT MANOIR DE MATHAN:     READ MORE

La Noyeraie is a cosy, charming farm stay B&B near the UNESCO World Heritage village of Rocamadour in the green hills of the Eastern Dordogne, France. THE ACCOMMODATION: It offers a nice range of suites, rooms and self catering studios all with private bathroom and every morning they serve a great French breakfast in the farmhouse dining room, or weather permitting, on the terrace. Good wholesome home cooked evening meals are available too and they offer a great selection of local organic wines to go with them. The farmhouse is surrounded by 9 peaceful acres of orchard groves, woodland and walnut trees. The owners of La Noyeraie make their own walnut products like walnut biscuits, walnut cakes and walnut oil, which you can sample at the farmhouse as well as buy to take home. They are very enthusiastic about food generally, from harvest to table, and not just their own; they are very knowledgeable about local food and wine and they have a small farm shop where you can also buy other local delicacies to take home; pâté, duck confit and much more. As mentioned previously they also offer a selection of quality locally sourced Cahors wines; reds, whites and rosé as well as the classic Malbec ‘black wine’, all of which you can also buy at the farm shop. THE LOCATION: La Noyeraie is beside the famous cliffside pilgrimage site of Rocamadour, one of the Dordogne’s and France’s most picture perfect towns, and an important place for over 1000 years. The also picturesque and historic town of Sarlat is nearby too, and there are many more beautiful and equally historic little places to explore. The countryside in between too provides constant reminders as to how the Dordogne became one of Europe’s most popular regions for rural tourism. Ramblers and hikers may know that Rocamadour was on the traditional route of the St. James’ Way or Santiago de Compostela on its long and winding way towards Galicia in Spain. There are a few different versions of the route but Le Puy Route which passes through Figeac and Rocamadour before moving onwards through Cahors is the most well known, and the most scenic. Between Cahors READ MORE

Surrounded by beautiful woodland and wine groves, Les Hauts De Chenas has B&B rooms on a working vineyard near Lyon in the heart of the Beaujolais/Burgundy region of Rhone-Alpes, France. It has an on-site winery for its highly rated red chenas wines, a small wine museum and its own restaurant which serves some great local food throughout the day. The rooms are spacious and bright with en-suite bathroom, TV and WiFi and a minibar, with some of the larger rooms having a seating area too. There’s plenty of space outside too with a terrace and large gardens leading on to the vineyards which contain a very cute children’ s playground as well as a hot tub/jacuzzi. Beaujolais is world famous wine country and the helpful owners of Les Haut de Chenas will be happy to advise on where to go and what to see in the surrounding area. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Everything! Really can’t fault this lovely place. The location on the hill above the village with views of the vineyards and the valley is superb….” “The welcome, the people, the terrific views, the general friendly atmosphere, the splendid wine made by the proprietor….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LES HAUTS DE CHENAS: READ MORE

Chateau Monteil is a stunning private chateau for rent in the beautiful Dordogne region of Aquitaine, France, near the medieval town of Sarlat la Caneda and close to the famous Lascaux Caves. THE ACCOMMODATION: It’s an extremely spacious property that can sleep up to twenty people quite happily. It has a total of six bedrooms and suites with varying number of beds (check on the booking page), five bathrooms, a large lounge which includes a snooker table and TV, a very well equipped kitchen and outside some nicely tended gardens and terraces which include a heated swimming pool surrounded by sun loungers. The friendly owners of Chateau Monteil live very nearby and will always be on hand should you have any issues. Their farm is beside the chateau  and there you can admire their flock of rare and unusual Cameron Sheep, as well as their friendly free range hens. The owners are excellent cooks too and if needs be they can also supply you with some quality food. For breakfast you can order some freshly baked croissants, baguettes, pan au chocolat & pan aux raisins for example, and in the evenings treat yourself to a fantastic 6 course home cooked meal featuring local delicacies, and where dietary limitations can be cared for with a bit of advanced notice. A supply of some fine wines can be ordered too, with the latest wine list from local suppliers always at your disposal. THE LOCATION: The Dordogne Valley is a famously beautiful region, one of France’s most beautiful in fact and has long enchanted cultured tourists from around the world with its deep green countryside, charming villages and wonderful food and wine. The chateau itself is in the Eastern Dordogne, in the cute little hamlet of Calviac en Perigord which is just over a kilometer from the Dordogne River and about 15 minutes from the gorgeous medieval town of Sarlat-la-Canéda. It will of course be very tempting to stay around the enormous comfort of the chateau for the duration of your stay but there is also so much to see and do in the surrounds. Beyond leisurely tours around the country roads or equally leisurely READ MORE

Chambres a la Ferme offers exactly that near the town of Combourg, Brittany and near also to Mont Saint-Michel, St. Malo and the regional capital Rennes. The farmhouse, the farm and the surroundings make for a quaint and very relaxing B&B farm stay holiday in the heart of upper Brittany, where you will be welcomed with traditional Breton hospitality and a generous breakfast every morning. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have just two rooms at the property which can sleep up to three people and you’ll find them both comfortable and nicely decorated. There is a common lounge area with TV at the farmhouse and the rooms have their own private entrance with a terrace just outside. There is a nice garden area outside too with more seating and a children’s playground. THE FARM: A fully working cattle farm, the property also has a number of hens as well as friendly goats and some shetland ponies that are usually a hit with the children. THE LOCATION: The farm is less than 5km from the town of Combourg which is a common stop off on the upper Brittany tourist trail, with its main attraction being the medieval fortress of Combourg Castle, once the childhood home of one of France’s most renowned historical figures Francois-Rene de Chateaubriand. It is also within a half an hours drive of St. Malo and the iconic, and very much photographed, island commune of Mont Saint-Michel in next door Normandy. The vibrant university city and regional capital of Rennes with its wealth of traditional half timbered houses and its grand cathedral is also close by, less than 40km away to the south. The countryside surrounding the farm stay is green and lush and a delight to explore. It’s generally flat and the roads are relatively traffic free so it is great place for long country walks and for cycling and you can hire bikes directly from the farmhouse. Horse riding trips can also be arranged, just ask at the farm for details of that plus other things to see and do in the locality. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Lovely old working dairy farm. Superb self contained accommodation with the owner’s artistic READ MORE

Near Bergarac, and the lovely village of Beaumont-du-Périgord, Aquitaine, France, Farm Stay Chambre d’Hotes Cugnac has spacious comfortable rooms with private bathrooms in a traditional French farmhouse with large gardens and an outdoor swimming pool. The farm is organic and produces a range of fruit, vegetables and honey, as well as keeping horses, ponies and hens. Every morning the friendly owners serve a great organic breakfast and for the rest of the day you can go exploring the adjacent woods, cycling around the country roads (bikes can be hired from the farm) or just relaxing in the gardens. The farm stay is under two hour’s drive from Bordeaux, about an hour from Perigueux, half an hour from Bergerac and about ten minutes from Beaumont-du-Périgord. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Superb continental breakfast completely sourced from the garden run by lovely helpful family…Kind and helpful with local knowledge. Nothing is too much trouble .Woody the dog is especially friendly at meal times. The property covers several acres full of wildlife….” “This is an amazing property and the ideal place to relax and enjoy a break. There is a lot to visit in the surroundings. The room was very spacious, clean and renovated offering a lot of storage space. The breakfast was all fresh with many homemade products and served on the terrace….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT CHAMBRE D’HOTES CUGNAC:   READ MORE

Kimaro, near Colmery, is a gorgeously rustic little farmhouse hidden away in some of Burgundy, France’s loveliest countryside. The self catering cottage date back to the 19th century and though it is been fully renovated and very well equipped, it still oozes old style charm, and is tastefully and stylishly furnished throughout. The farmland around is idyllic; with woodland, meadow fields and orchards where a great assortment of things are grown; pears, plums, cherries, grapes, figs, hazelnuts, blackberries, raspberries and more. Guests can collect fresh eggs from the hen house for breakfast every morning and spend their days wandering through the meadows and the forests or just lazing with a picnic by the lake. THE ACCOMMODATION: The cottage is self catering and can sleep up to four over 2 bedrooms. The main bedroom has a double bed, with the second having a pair of bunk beds. Babies/very small children can also be accommodated with an extra cot. It also has a bathroom with shower, a separate toilet, a well furnished kitchen, and a cosy lounge and dining area with a traditional wood heater. Outside there is a grapevine covered terrace with some lovely views over the gorgeously peaceful countryside that surrounds. As mentioned, the accommodation is self catering but if you want to really relax, the friendly owners can sometimes cook meals for you, and can also recommend some good local restaurants and cafes. In peak season, i.e. July & August, there is a minimum stay of seven nights (Saturday to Saturday) with a minimum stay of 2 nights the rest of the year. THE LOCATION: Just outside the little town of Colmery in the Nièvre department of Burgundy, Kimaro is as idyllically peaceful and rural a place as you can ever imagine. There is much farmland around here, and vineyards too of course, but also much woodland. Burgundy in general is one of the most highly wooded regions in the country with an estimated 30% of its area covered in trees. Thus it has a slightly wilder feel than most of France’s other agricultural regions, and is also very rich in native wildlife. There is a large forest just READ MORE

A home away from home on the Brittany-Normandy borders, and very near the World Heritage Site of Mont St. Michel, Gites Ferme de la Baie has some lovely cottage gites for rent on its working farm with sheep, pigs and hens. The cottages blend the modern and traditional very nicely and the location is peaceful and serene. THE ACCOMMODATION: The gites are fully self catering cottages with the largest sleeping up to a maximum of nine people. They have spacious lounges with satellite TV & DVD player, as well as fully equipped kitchens and varying numbers of bedrooms and bathrooms. All are traditional French farm cottages which, though updated to meet the modern age, still very much retain their old fashioned charm. Outside all the cottages have their own private garden space with a terrace and seating area and the rest of the grounds are shared. In the large shared area there is a children’s playground, hammocks, a covered barbecue and seating/dining area where you can socialize with other guests and the friendly owners who stay at the main farmhouse. Beyond that there is an orchard area and the farm to explore. You can pick your own cherries, peaches plums and walnuts there and get to meet some of the animals; which include sheep, hens and pigs. THE LOCATION: The location is great for those planning a trip to the world famous Mont St. Michel, which, as one of France’s most visited sites, probably needs no introduction.  It’s only about five minutes down the road but it would be a shame to begin and end your sightseeing there. There are numerous other great places to visit in the area, full of history, beauty and culture. Fougères, for example, where you can visit the largest medieval castle in Europe, Villedieu-les-Poêles, with its famous bell foundry where the bells for Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris were made, the charming walled town of Dinan with its half timbered houses and cobbled streets, and of course the lovely seaside towns of St. Malo & Dinard. Just some examples; there are many more, be sure to ask the friendly owners at Gite Ferme de la Baie for READ MORE

Château de Montlieu is a beautifully serene rural retreat near to both Versailles and Paris, France, which has a choice of self catering accommodation in its classic French château building. There is a spa and wellness centre at the property too and it is surrounded by forest, farm and parkland where sheep, donkeys and deer graze peacefully. THE ACCOMMODATION: There is a great choice of one two and three bed villas to sleep up to 6 people, plus some smaller double studios. All of them are self catering with well equipped kitchens, comfortable lounges/seating areas and quality finishings. You’ll have a well stocked fridge waiting for you with organic breakfast food & fresh bread and you’ll have all the staples such as tea, coffee (Nespresso), milk, sugar etc. You can also organize an organic breakfast to be made for you for an extra fee. The spa and wellness centre offers various therapies and treatments including reflexology and sophrology and you’ll find a more basic form of therapy in long strolls around the beautiful château grounds and farm, a mixture of woodland and parkland. There is a herd of deer at the property as well as some sheep and donkeys. THE LOCATION: The chateau is conveniently near to both Paris and Versailles; about a half an hour to Versailles and less than an hour from central Paris. There is an SNCF train station fairly close by at Rambouillet and you can arrange transfers to and from there so the chateau can be a alternative base for exploring the very touristy Versailles or even Paris. Rambouillet draws some tourists too though with its own very grand 14th-century chateau & former royal palace and makes for a very a nice day out. The area is still mostly very rural though, peaceful and quiet, with small villages and rich farming land. Between the chateau and Paris there is also the vast Haute Vallée de Chevreuse Natural Regional Park and the lovely Forêt Domaniale de Rambouillet to be explored. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “A very friendly and helpful welcome, apartments are very well designed and fitted. So good we booked again as a stop on our return journey READ MORE

Le Clos du Grand Bois, Burgundy, offers quirky glamping accommodation on its extensive vineyard and cattle farm near the village of Lugny, also known as the little capital of the upper Macon area (the town of Macon itself, the real capital, is 20km away). The ‘rooms’ are in the form of wine bottle inspired cabins that can sleep up to four people, cosily, but surprisingly comfortably. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have five ‘barrels’ in total, all of them identical, beside the main farmhouse. As mentioned they can sleep up to four, on one double bed and two singles, and though the beds are very comfortable early risers may want to take any indulgent morning leg stretching routines to the little terrace outside. There are communal bathrooms and showers etc. at the farmhouse, all of them clean and modern plus there are communal spaces there too, a lounge area with a pool table and table football, and the dining room where you will be treated to a fine breakfast every morning in the company of the other guests. The atmosphere here is friendly and warm, mainly thanks to the hosts enthusiasm for their guests and for their wine making craft. Educational vineyard and cellar tours are offered along with wine tasting. The owners, the Lafarge family, are one of the oldest families in the area and have been producing Burgundy wines since the 17th century, so they know a great deal about wine, and about the history of wine in this, one of the world’s premier wine producing regions. Their wines you of course are welcome to sample, and to buy, at any time, and you can also arrange full home cooked meals to accompany them at the farmhouse alongside the other guests, just try and give the hosts at least a days notice if you’d like to join. The cooking is traditional Burgundy fare using quality local ingredients as much as possible. You can wander around the farm and vineyards yourself too and take in the peace and quiet, or head off into the nearby little village of Lughy or the ancient woodlands that surround. THE LOCATION: Lugny is but a small READ MORE

Domaine de Piégros is a beautifully peaceful agritourism estate in a secluded location near Aix-en-Provence. It is in the heart of the Luberon National Park and its famous lavender fields and the farmhouse itself is surrounded by its own lavender fields as well as woodlands, a lake and a full 85 acres of olive groves producing extra virgin olive oil. THE ACCOMMODATION: The accommodation is a six bedroom self catering farmhouse gite with a huge amount of space inside and out. It is a traditional farmhouse that has been recently renovated and has a full range of modern conveniences, while also managing to maintain plenty of rural French charm. As well as the six bedrooms (5 doubles and a twin room) there is a large, very well equipped kitchen and two dining areas. There’s also a spacious lounge area and a 250 sq. meter stone terrace outside with seating and dining furniture. A few steps away from the house you’ll also find a nice outdoor swimming pool with sun loungers. There is also a lake in the grounds, a boules pitch, and, as mentioned before, acres of olive groves, lavender fields and woods to explore. It is a working farm but outside of olive harvest time (September to November) the work is fairly low key and you can have as much or as little interaction with the farm work as you wish.  THE LOCATION: For visitors looking for a rural retreat in Provence this location is almost unbeatable. The farmhouse is inside the Luberon National Park, possibly Provence’s most serene rural area (you can read about the area and its famous lavender fields here), and to make it even more serene it has its own, nearly two kilometer private road leading up to the gite. It therefore offers lots of privacy and is beautifully quiet throughout the day and night. The medieval village of Grambois is just 5km away. It is a classic Provençal commune that, as well as being a very lovely place to stroll around, has shops, cafes and restaurants and sees a steady trickle of tourists throughout the year. The famously cultured city of Aix-en-Provence meanwhile is READ MORE

Climbing out of bed in a luxury glamping tent to the nearby chatter of friendly llamas sounds like a uniquely lovely way to start the day, and even more so when it is in the heart of one of France’s most charming rural regions, the infamous Loire Valley; the Garden of France.  The family friendly & pet friendly Loire Valley Llama Farm Stay, between Le Mans and Tours, offers visitors two Lotus Belle tents on their 17 acre farm with llamas and hens.  All of which are happily free range, and friendly to visitors; this place is not some large commercial farming venture, it is a blissfully peaceful, little rural idyll, with a mixture of pastureland, woodland, (as well as a lake and a stream), and somewhere where the welfare of the farm animals (and the farm guests of course!) comes first. Note: The llama farm is a small intimate affair, with just two tents available to rent, so booking ahead is advised! THE ACCOMMODATION: They have two clean and comfortable rooms at the farmhouse; a double and a twin (one double and one single) and outside in the gardens there are two spacious, nicely furnished, tents offer ‘back to nature’ escapism without the need to sacrifice comfort. The tents have room for up to 4 or 5 sharing, and are made up as either a double bed with a pull out day bed converting to another double, or a King size bed with two single beds. All of them are proper, framed, beds with Egyptian cotton bedding and you’ll find them reliably comfortable every night. You’ll have an insulated PVC layer on the tent windows for the winter as well as a mesh layer on the windows and doors to keep you cool and keep the mosquitoes at bay in the summer.  Plus, from late September, wood log burners are installed in the tents keeping them perfectly warm and cosy. Within 50m you’ll find the renovated barn where the shared bathroom facilities are, and include 2 separate toilets and a shower room. Outside of the tents there is a private seating area plus also, a little farther away, a large communal dining area next to READ MORE

Le Rianon has a beautifully peaceful setting deep in the heart of central France. It offers B&B rooms as well as self catering accommodation including a cute wooden caravan. The farmhouse is classic old style French, and very atmospheric, with lots of old wood and stone and they have horses, donkeys and hens on their small farm.   READ MORE

In the village of Langon, near Vierzon, Bourges, Tours and Orleans, Cher-et Loire, France, Domaine de la Gaucherie is a comfortable and friendly farm stay with B&B rooms in a nicely renovated traditional French farmhouse. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a range of comfortable rooms and suites for up to four people, all them are modern and clean but with a rustic farmhouse ambience. They all have a private bathroom with bath tub and one comes with its own spa bath. There is WiFi throughout and a TV in the shared lounge. The outdoors are wonderful, especially for kids, there are plenty of animals to meet and they also have a fish pond as well as an outdoor heated swimming pool. Indoors there is a nice shared lounge with TV and WiFi and plenty of toys for the children. A very good and generous continental breakfast is provided every morning with an array of pastries, crepes, breads, muesli, fruits and yoghurts. For an extra charge you can also have equally good two and three course evening meals in the dining room cooked with some of the finest local ingredients. THE FARM: It is a lively working farm with sheep, donkeys, ponies, chickens and geese, all of them are friendly and well used to visitors and children will particularly love the interaction with the animals. THE LOCATION: This part of France, the Loire Valley, is rich in history and culture, especially in terms of food and wine. The farmstay is in Loire et Cher, in the centre of a triangle between Tours, Bourges and Orléans, and is surrounded by much lovely countryside. You’ll find a a huge amount of vineyards here, with plenty of wine tours to choose from, and many interesting and enjoyable small towns and villages to be visited. Read more about the location: It is near the iconic forests of the Sologne, which occupy the area just before the Loire River turns west on its journey to the Atlantic. The Sologne has been famous for centuries as a hunting ground for the former kings of France and though it is probably less wild and mysterious than in bygone years READ MORE

La Bastide du Tinal is a beautiful property; a classic Provençal farmhouse updated with modern comforts and luxuries, but retaining an authentic, rustic charm. The setting is postcard perfect too; on a hillside surrounded by lavender and olive groves, the views from the gardens and the outdoor swimming pool are blissful. The food is another major draw at La Bastide, having a range classic dishes from the South of France with much of the ingredients picked fresh from the gardens outside. THE ACCOMMODATION: The property is an 18th century former magnanery (silk farm) and has a a choice of luxury rooms with traditional exposed stone walls. Four of them are doubles and one can sleep up to four, with one double bed and two singles in adjoining spaces. All of rooms are spacious, beautifully appointed and worthy of any top hotel in Provence or indeed anywhere else in France. They all come with a seating area, satellite TV, WiFi and iPod dock, and the very plush bathrooms are a particular highlight. Outside there is one acre of grounds to be explored which have lavender plants, olive and almond trees, and various vegetables, fruits and herbs. There are two swimming pools and a jacuzzi/hot tub too, and, as mentioned above, the views over the surrounding fields and vineyards towards Mont Ventoux and Gordes are simply wonderful. The on site restaurant, Le Petit Lucullus, is very well respected in Provence, and apart from the generous breakfast which is included in the room rate you can treat yourself to some fabulous meals throughout the day, paired with some equally great wines. There is a nice dining room inside or if you wish you can dine on the terrace outside. There is a library at the property too and also a bar and lounge. THE LOCATION: La Bastide is in the heart of the famous lavender fields region of Provence, the Luberon National Park to be exact. The Luberon is not only famous its lavender and picture perfect rural landscapes, it is also known for having some of the most beautiful villages in France; Ansouis, Gordes,  Menerbes, Roussillon and Lourmarin being the best examples, all READ MORE

Among the rich vineyards of the Pays de la Loire , France, this very beautiful, rustic farm stay is in an old manor house surrounded by lawns, vineyards, a small organic farm and 100 year old woodland. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their 5 tastefully decorated rooms are comfortable and clean and have a certain old world elegance. They have private bathroom and WiFi and look out onto the the gardens, the farm and the lake, A very nice continental breakfast is served every morning and your hosts can also cook you some really fantastic regional cuisine some of which is made using the farm’s own produce. The owners used to run a restaurant in Paris and you will certainly not be disappointed by the food. THE FARM: The farm has a variety of animals, including horses, hens and peacocks. There is also an organic vegetable garden and a winery where the owners make their own range of organic wines. The owners are passionate about wine, and food, and love to show guests around the winery, allowing them to taste the produce and educate themselves a little on the delicate craft of organic winemaking. And they also organizes tours and visits to neighbouring vineyards. THE LOCATION: The Château borders the 100 kilometer wide Loire-Anjou-Touraine Regional Natural Park, which roughly follows the Loire River between Angers and Langeais. It’s a lovely area to explore with stretches of forest, hills and waterways interspersed with small farms and scenic towns. Candes-Saint-Martin is one such town with a lovely position overlooking the convergence of the Loire and Vienne rivers, the historic Chinon too is worth a visit, as is Crissay-sur-Manse, usually near the top of any kind of France’s prettiest villages type list. There is also the Chateau Azay-le-Rideau in the town of the same name, which is a bit special due to its location right on the banks of the Indre river. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We wanted peace and quiet and we found it. Wonderful room and property overall. Superb breakfast, Nicole is the most generous hostess. A perfect weekend….” “Beautiful surroundings. Spacious and comfy bedroom. Amazing host. Great breakfast full of homemade goodies….” >> CLICK READ MORE

This lovely farmhouse B&B in Southern Aquitaine, France, has a beautiful setting in the foothills of the Pyrenees, just 15 km from Oloron-Sainte-Marie. All its comfortable rooms have private bathroom and come with mountain views. The common lounge area is comfortable and cosy with an open fireplace and dining room and outside they have a lovely large garden with a terrace and a swimming pool. They serve a very nice, mainly organic, French breakfast at La Ferme aux Sangliers, and you can also arrange meals to be prepared by the friendly owners from the farm’s own produce. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Amazing host! Fabulous location and accommodation. We loved it. We will be back again….” “Lovely views. Interesting to meet a couple who appear to be totally self-sufficient….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LA FERME AUX SANGLIERS:     READ MORE

La Closerie de Fronsac is a delightful 17th century manor house-vineyard hotel in a peaceful location near Bordeaux and the Dordogne River. There is a charmingly old fashioned feel to the property; it is cosy and quaint, and has the unmistakeable elegance of a bygone era. The area, Fronsac, is very much the heart of Bordeaux’s Right Bank, one of France’s, and the world’s, premier wine producing regions and you’ll also find their own wines superb. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a choice of double and twin, en-suite, B&B rooms, all of them cosy and warm, with touches of art deco and art nouveau styles and lots of nice little bits and pieces of antique furniture and ornaments. Obvious modern touches are hard to spot, and though some may find the interiors a little quirky it does allow you to wake up in the morning and not quite know which decade, or which century, you find yourself in. Whatever about the styling, it is high level accommodation and the rooms are all extremely clean and comfortable. The house itself is imposing and grand, built of cream coloured stone and surrounded by flower beds, lawns and of course the vineyards. There is plenty of common space to enjoy inside the house, a very nice lounge area with fireplace for example and an outdoor terrace. You’ll find the breakfast excellent and the hosts charming and friendly who are very knowledgeable about the Fronsac region and its wines. They have been producing wine at La Closerie de Fronsac for three centuries now and to this day it is made in the very atmospheric cellar with ancient walls of stone and earth. Guests are free to wander the vineyards and enjoy tasting sessions and of course buy some bottles to take home. THE LOCATION: The location, just outside the town of Libourne, on Bordeaux’s Right Bank, is obviously fantastic for lovers of Bordeaux wine, with a huge amount of top vineyards and wineries around. The owners at Le Closerie de Fronsac can guide you in where to go for the best wine tourism and some other sights too. The countryside, with the famous River Dordogne just down READ MORE

In the heart of the Alsace Wine Route, Domaine du Haras de Saint-Pierre has a nice self catering apartment to sleep up to five on its horse farm/equestrian center. The location is great, within walking distance of the village of Saint Pierre, and surrounded by lots of those classic Alsatian vineyards. THE ACCOMMODATION: The apartment has two bedrooms; one with a double bed and the other with one double and one single. There is a nice, well equipped kitchen and a spacious lounge with a comfortable sofa and a dining area. If the weather’s good you also dine on the outdoor terrace overlooking the gardens which also have sun loungers, seating and a small children’s playground. Fresh organic food can be bought from the farm shop down the road and you’ll find some shops within walking distance in the little village of Saint Pierre. You’ll be left to your own devices here with the main activity at Domaine du Haras de Saint-Pierre being of course horse-riding. It’s a professional equestrian center with a great reputation in the region and guests are welcome to take part in all sorts of horse related activities, riding lessons, horse and pony tours, horse drawn carriage rides etc. You are in the heart of the Alsace Wine Route here and you can wander around on foot or on horseback some of the local vineyards. Wine tours and tasting sessions etc. can also be arranged. THE LOCATION: Domaine du Haras de Saint-Pierre is beside the village of Saint-Pierre, Alsace, 3km from the A35 motorway and 10 km from the lovely town of Obernai, famous for producing some of the best beer and wine in France. The A35 leads north to Strasbourg and south to Colmar, the journey to each being around 20 minutes. As mentioned above this is the Alsace Wine Route and many local vineyards are open to the public, with a huge amount of wine related activities to be enjoyed. It’s also just a lovely area to drive around, with rolling green hills, pretty villages and medieval chateaux in every direction. Another notable and pretty unusual sight in the area is the Monkey Mountain, READ MORE

Le Clos Saint-Vincent is an elegant, upscale spa & winery hotel just outside the charming town of Ribeauvillé in France’s Alsace region. It makes a great base for exploring the Alsace wine route and the hotel can organize all sorts of wine tourism activities for guests. It also has a lovely location; on a hillside surrounded by vineyards and with lovely views over the town and the valley below. THE ACCOMMODATION: The individually decorated rooms & suites are all spacious, with en suite bathroom and flat-screen TV, and some come with a balcony or terrace with views over the garden or vineyards. There is an excellent restaurant at Le Clos too, with a great selection of local wines to be sampled alongside plenty of wholesome traditional French food. Guests can dine in the indoor dining room or weather permitting on the terrace outside. There is also a gym at the property, a wellness centre with massage facilities, a sauna and a hot tub, and an indoor swimming pool. THE LOCATION: Roughly half-way between Strasbourg and Mulhouse, (about 45 minutes from each) and right on the Alsace wine route, Ribeauvillé is a charming medieval town at the foot of the Vosges Mountains. It has a rich past and some very atmospheric, flower filled streets and squares with many classic Alsatian half timbered houses, as well as lots of cafes, restaurants and wine shops. Overlooking the town on a nearby hillside are the ruins of the Three Castles of the Lords of Ribeaupierre. They were built starting from the 11th century through to medieval times and have a mixture of architectural styles; Romanesque, Gothic and Early Renaissance. Though mainly in ruins they are still an impressive sight and the location is stunning, if you climb to the top of the largest of the three; Haut-Ribeaupierre castle you can have some incredible views, even over as far as the Black Forest in Germany. The hill, and the castles can be accessed by well worn pathways that lead directly from the town. The larger border town of Colmar is another nice day out and just 15km away. It too is a picture perfect place with cobblestone streets, READ MORE

Farm Stay Le Mas de la Rose in Provence, France, offers genuine luxury in a gorgeous rural setting surrounded by 75 acres of its own lavender fields, olive groves and pine woodlands. The farm buildings date back to the 17th century and have been beautifully renovated into what is now surely one of the finest hotels in rural Provence. Their fantastic food deserves a special mention too, with much of the fruit, vegetables and herbs involved coming from the adjoining organic gardens. THE ACCOMMODATION: The have a range of rooms and suites with the larger suites being able to sleep up to four people, and a self catering apartment which has two bedrooms (one double & one twin), two bathrooms, a lounge and a kitchenette. (Check the booking page here) All the accommodation options are super comfortable and clean and with the same old world elegance you’ll find all around the property. The facilities are modern though; all come with air con, flat screen TV, WiFi and Nespresso coffee makers for example. The outside space is centered around the swimming pool and lawns where you’ll also find a hot tub and lots of seating and sun bathing space. There are tennis courts on the property too and also the organic gardens where the farm owners grow a variety of fruits, vegetables and herbs. All around the 75 acre property there is plenty of space to wander in peace among the lavender plants, olive, cypress and pine trees, and you can also hire bikes for free from the farmhouse. They have a very fine restaurant at Le Mas de la Rose which is quite highly regarded in Provence and where you can sample some beautiful fresh food, prepared and presented with style and using local, seasonal ingredients as much as possible. Breakfast (though not included in the room rate) lunch and dinner are available and will certainly not disappoint. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE LOCATION: Le Mas de la Rose sits just below the lovely town of Cavaillon, with the hugely historic city of Avignon just 30km to READ MORE

This friendly, very highly rated, Picardie farm stay has B&B rooms on a cattle farm just outside the medieval town of Coucy le Chateau and not far from Soissons with its famous abbey and cathedral. All the modern, immaculately clean, rooms come with en suite bathrooms including bathtub, with some rooms also having a seating area. There’s a sociable shared lounge and terrace at the farmhouse with a flat screen TV and DVD player and a well equipped children’s playground in the large gardens. And you’ll have a great breakfast served every morning, made from the best local produce including their own home produced eggs, fruit, jams and more. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Lovely place to stop, huge garden for the kids to play in with a trampoline and a swing set, chickens, cows and fresh air. Breakfast was lovely and all home grown fruit….” “There was so much to like, from the well cared-for animals to the personal attention. Celine is a fantastic hostess and provided a fresh and homemade breakfast every morning, more food than our family of four could possibly eat. We enjoyed relaxing on the farm in the quiet village. We would highly recommend it….” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT AU JARDIN FLEURI:   READ MORE

Less than 20 minutes walk from Kérou Beach near Lorient, Brittany, France, this glamping farm stay offers cute accommodation in caravans and yurts among green fields with plenty of space for picnics and barbecues. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have three quite impressive large yurts with heating that can sleep up to four people each. They’re all nicely furnished, and decorated with a somewhat exotic pan asian style. You’ll have one double and two single beds, a small seating area there and full access to the shared bathroom, shower room and full kitchen and dining room at the main farmhouse. There is also the very cute wooden gypsy caravan at the farm. It is also heated and comes with one double and one single bed, a study desk and small seating area, and an en-suite bathroom with shower. And again just like the yurts guests here have full access to the sociable shared kitchen and dining room. There are also barbecue facilities, and outdoor furniture, at the farm that everyone is of course welcome to use. They can serve you a nice continental breakfast too for a small extra charge and they can arrange picnic hampers and packed lunches for those of you who want to get out and about. And, to help you out even more they also arrange bike rental including electric bike rental. THE LOCATION: The farm is about half an hour’s drive from Lorient in southern Brittany, and is in the middle of some lush, verdant countryside. About 13 km north you’ll come to the lovely town of Quimperlé, a tourist favourite in southern Brittany, with a lovely old town and plenty of medieval history. The nearest beach, as mentioned before, is at Kérou, a 15-20 minute walk down through some lovely country lanes. Kérou, like a lot of the beaches on Brittany’s south coast, is more favoured by surfers than swimmers with some pretty big waves rolling in from the Atlantic. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The Yurts were excellent, very clean and tidy with plenty of room for three mature gentlemen. The owners were a real delight, thank you for having us. I’ll be back with my wife….” READ MORE

This farm stay in the heart of the Lower Normandy countryside, with the Castle of Saint-Germain-de-Livet just 6 km away, is a working organic farm with animals that also produces its own organic apple juice and cider. Its self catering 2-bedroom loft in the upstairs of the very traditional Normandy farmhouse has exposed wooden beams and wooden floors. There is a large open plan kitchen and lounge with TV and DVD player and also a nice terrace. With the company of friendly owners you’ll find it a very enjoyable rural retreat where you can learn a bit about rural Normandy, farm life, and best of all how to make cider! WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Very clean, lovely to watch the cows being milked, yummy organic cider. Very family friendly and perfect for our family of 5. We will plan to come back and stay longer as we didn’t get much of a chance to explore the surrounding areas….” “A beautiful, peaceful, and memorable stay during our European vacation. Thank you….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT FERME DE LA TUILERIE:   READ MORE

A slice of rural luxury near Aix-en-Provence, Domaine de Fontenille has 17 rooms in a beautifully atmospheric 18th century mansion house surrounded by its own vineyards. It is in the pretty village of Lauris, along the Durance River, which, though very near Aix-en-Provence, happily doesn’t see the same magnitude of tourists as much of the rest of the region. Domaine de Fontenille has a long reputation as a wine producing estate, with its first harvest being all the way back in 1638 but these days it is most well known for its Michelin star awarded restaurant; Le Champ des Lunes, and in general for being one of the finest boutique luxury hotels in rural Provence. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has just 17 rooms in total (check the booking page here) and so is a somewhat intimate place. They run from standard doubles, through family rooms to top of the range suites all of which you will find spacious and elegant with high ceilings, wooden floors and tastefully rustic furniture. Perks include extra large beds, music systems, sound proofing and some particularly nice bathrooms, most of which will have traditional bathtubs along with modern showers. All of the rooms and suites are B&B, or just B as the breakfast is not included in the room rate (though it is worth the extra € 21 charge), but for self caterers they also have a nice two bedroom apartment which has full kitchen facilities, a good sized lounge and its own private garden. The building itself is quite lovely with plenty of common areas to relax in; lounges, library areas and of course their two restaurants: Fine dining can be enjoyed at the Le Champ des Lunes, which won a Michelin star for its classic French & Provençal cuisine, and more casual dining at the La Cuisine d’Amélie. The restaurants are open to the public and though hotel guests will have some priority it’s generally wise to make a reservation or reservations a few days in advance especially in the summer and especially at Le Champ. The grounds of Domaine de Fontenille are equally impressive, with a full 86 acres of mostly landscaped gardens READ MORE

In Dieffenthal in the heart of the Alsace wine route, between Strasbourg and Colmar, France, Le Vieux Pressoir has self catering accommodation in a traditional Alsatian farmhouse on the grounds of a working vineyard estate. They have a huge choice of accommodation, ranging from double studio apartments to a huge, eight bedroom cottage gite, perfect for large groups. All of the accommodation you will find comfortable, clean and well equipped. You can hire bikes direct from the friendly owners and they are always happy to show you around the estate and winery, and teach you a little about their wine making. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Very pretty property with lovely gardens. We were able to check in much earlier than the advertised time and were made to feel very welcome….” “Friendly hosts, nice environment, good quality rooms. Well worth its price….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LE VIEUX PRESSOIR: READ MORE

Le Mas de Peint has luxury farmhouse hotel accommodation hidden away in the wild Camargue region of southern Provence, between Marseille and Montpellier, and near to both Arles and Aix-en-Provence. The estate is huge, there is a full 1250 acres of it to explore and can done on horseback. They keep a number of those iconic Camargue Horses at Le Mas de Peint and horse riding tours can be arranged, as can 4WD and mountain bike tours. The gardens are beautifully kept too with an outdoor swimming pool and plenty of areas to relax. Beyond both the gardens and the farm you are in the middle of some beautifully natural countryside with wild flamingos to be seen among the salt marshes, rice fields and hidden beaches. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a choice of 13 luxury double rooms and suites that are tastefully and carefully designed in traditional style; where antique furniture and wood beamed ceilings sit easily with modern comforts and facilities. As well as the gardens and the outdoor swimming pool there is a top class restaurant at the farmhouse which serves up some extremely good authentic Provençal food, food which is accompanied by a great selection of wines. You can enjoy your meal in the dining room or on the terrace outside. The breakfast is excellent too, though sadly you need to pay extra for it, i.e. it’s not included in the room rate. The huge ranch is great for exploring. You can head out hiking or biking by yourself, mountain bikes are available for hire, as are massage services for any aching limbs afterwards, or you can join 4WD ‘Safari’ or horseback riding tours which go beyond the farm and deep into the Camargue. The horses on the estate, the famous white Camargue Horses, are, as you probably guessed from the name, native to the area and are believed to be one of the oldest species of horse in the world. You will also see herds of wild horses on your travels in the area. THE LOCATION: Between the cities of Montpellier and Marseille where the River Rhone meets the Mediterranean, lies the Camargue, a vast area READ MORE

This organic farmhouse stay in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France makes for a very relaxing, alternative getaway near Vallon-Pont-d’Arc, a popular tourist town famous for its magnificent gorges and Pont d’Arc.  THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a range of B&B rooms and suites to sleep up to three people per room in their traditional French farmhouse. The rooms, and the farmhouse generally are beautifully renovated, with exposed stone walls, arched roofs and well chosen furniture giving a romantically rustic feel to the property. You’ll find the rooms spacious and comfortable, especially the suite which has its own lounge area, and they all come with private bathroom and shower. There’s a nice lounge at the farmhouse too with plenty of comfortable seating and a LCD TV and DVD player. Outside there is plenty of space in the gardens which has an outdoor swimming pool with seats and sun loungers. You’ll be treated to a very fine, fully organic, breakfast every morning in the sociable dining room, and if they want, guests are welcome to use the shared kitchen to cook for themselves throughout the rest of the day. THE FARM: The farm’s main business is in the production of almonds but they also have some other fruit and vegetable groves as well as some sheep. Bruno, the owner, is passionate about organic farming and is always happy to take guests on informal farm tours. THE LOCATION: The farm stay is just outside Vallon-Pont-D’Arc which is a well known destination for the beautiful caves and gorges of Ardèche (Gorges de l’Ardèche), especially the Pont-D’Arc, an iconic 30 meter tall archway. One good way to absorb the grandeur of the gorges is to go on a canoe trip from Vallon Pont d’Arc, which can easily be arranged from the farmstay. The area around Gorges de l’Ardèche is also a national park and is full of wild scenery, forests, rivers and much wildlife. And slightly farther afield, about half an hour by car, you’ll find two other vast parks Monts d’Ardèche and Parc national des Cévennes, offering equally spectacular scenery and a great array of animal and plant life. Very nearby too is the famous Chauvet Cave, inside of which are Palaeolithic cave READ MORE

For something a little different, what about staying in a caravan on an ostrich farm? At Les Roulottes de la Ferme de l’Autruche Dromoise you can do just that! This unusual but very enjoyable farmstay is in Livron-sur-Drôme, 14 km from Valence in the South of the Rhone Alpes region, not far from Provence. Their very clean and comfortable caravans come with private bathroom, kitchenette, a seating area inside and out, a flat-screen TV and WiFi. The farm has a nice outdoor swimming pool and the surrounding area is great for exploring with cycling, horse riding and fishing all to be enjoyed nearby. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “The place is beautiful, it’s really nice to wake up, open the door and see the ostriches….” “The caravan is really cute! And the place, as the animals, really well cared for….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT FERME DE L’AUTRUCHE DROMOISE: READ MORE

Kimaro Farm, near Colmery has luxury glamping safari tents, for up to six people, hidden away in some of Burgundy, France’s loveliest countryside. The tents are spacious and well equipped, and all come with a small kitchen, bathroom and heating. The farmland around is completely idyllic; with woodland, meadow fields and orchards where a great assortment of things are grown; pears, plums, cherries, grapes, figs, hazelnuts, blackberries, raspberries and more. Guests can collect fresh eggs from the hen house for breakfast every morning and spend their days wandering through the meadows and the forests or just lazing with a picnic by the lake. THE ACCOMMODATION: In the meadow fields with plenty of privacy are the wooden framed, colonial style, safari tents. They have one four poster double bed, one standard double bed, two bunk beds, seating, a kitchen and dining table, a bathroom, and heating in the form of a gas stove. There is also a romantic old style claw foot bathtub in the tent and outside there is a swinging couch on the private veranda which also has space for lounging and dining. As mentioned, the accommodation has a kitchen and so is self catering but if you want to really relax, the friendly owners can sometimes cook meals for you, and can also recommend some good local restaurants and cafes. In peak season, i.e. July & August, there is a minimum stay of seven nights (Saturday to Saturday) with a minimum stay of 2 nights the rest of the year. THE LOCATION: Just outside the little town of Colmery in the Nièvre department of Burgundy, Kimaro is as idyllically peaceful and rural a place as you can ever imagine. There is much farmland around here, and vineyards too of course, but also much woodland. Burgundy in general is one of the most highly wooded regions in the country with an estimated 30% of its area covered in trees. Thus it has a slightly wilder feel than most of France’s other agricultural regions, and is also very rich in native wildlife. There is a large forest just beside the farm in fact with hiking trails running through it and much READ MORE

Clos Masure is a B&B farm stay near Rouen, Normandy, France, that offers a unique glamping holiday experience. The accommodation is in the form of fairy tale like wooden cabins high up in the beech trees that children, or romantic couples, will be especially enchanted by. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have five thatched treehouses to sleep up to five people. All of them are sturdy and well designed with access via wooden staircases and walkways built high up around the trees. There are varying numbers of beds, plus indoor and outdoor seating/dining areas  from where you can catch glimpses of many animals and birds which tend to go unnoticed from ground level; squirrels, woodpeckers and night time owls for example. The accommodation is B&B and you’ll the friendly owners provide you with a top class fresh breakfast to start your day with. Other meals, both hot and cold can also be provided throughout the day with a bit of advanced notice. Safety might of course be a concern with young children and you’re naturally advised to keep an eye on them more so than in conventional accommodation even though you’ll find all areas carefully fenced and secured. The property is a farm stay and so has a fully working farm which guests are welcome to explore. They have a large herd of dairy cattle, a flock of hens and also produce a variety of crops; wheat, rapeseed, sugar beet, flax and corn. THE LOCATION: The farm stay is just 40km from the famously beautiful city of Rouen and in the heart of some peaceful green Normandy countryside. For those of you not familiar Rouen is Normandy’s capital and a popular place with tourists due in no small part to the Cathédrale Notre-Dame, a magnificent sight in the center of the city and one which was once much appreciated by the iconic impressionist painter Claude Monet. Popular with tourists but not oppressively it is also a busy, vibrant city in its own right, with fine restaurants and cafes and makes for a good initial introduction to the architecture, culture and cuisine of the Normandy region. Rural Normandy though is also a major READ MORE

Farm Gite des Chartroux near Calais, northern France, has a lovely, traditional French, farmhouse gite on its working farm which includes horses, donkeys, pigs, sheep, hens and geese.  The owners are welcoming and friendly; you’ll feel like you’re visiting long lost relatives, and the location is perfect; a green, peaceful oasis under an hour from Calais and twenty minutes from the seaside town of Touquet-Paris-Plage. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a three double bedroom cottage on their working farm to sleep up to six, though there is also a double sofa bed in the living room where you can squeeze in two more. The cottage is modern and clean and has a well equipped kitchen, cable TV, WiFi and laundry facilities. Outside, guests are welcome to relax in the gardens and explore the surroundings, including the farm with its friendly animals. THE LOCATION: Roughly between Calais and Amiens, (about an hour from each) Gite des Chartroux is in the middle of Pas-de-Calais’ Montreuillois region. This is a richly rural region well known for its good food and peaceful, slow pace of life, it is a land of green fields, country roads and small friendly villages. You are near the sea here too too, with and the port of Etaples being just ten minutes away, while lively seaside towns like Berck, Merlimont, Touquet-Paris-Plage and Stella are within 20. The journey to Paris will take no more than two and a half hours. Note: Ferme des Chartroux also has B&B rooms at the main farmhouse, you can check them out by clicking here. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This was a great place to stay – owners were extremely friendly and helpful. Being a working farm was wonderful for the children and adults alike. Chester the donkey was a wonderful highlight. Highly recommended!….” “There are some great resorts around the world, but Cape Kidnappers is right up there, in every sense. Terrific food, great wine(s), outstanding service. All delivered against a backdrop of spectacular scenery…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT FARM GITE DES CHARTROUX:     READ MORE

Domaine de Gressac is a luxury organic agriturismo vineyard hotel/farm stay gite, near Avignon in the south of France, which is part winery part horse breeding farm. The accommodation is in the form of luxury, self catering, old stone cottages, the property, both inside and out, is nothing short of gorgeous, and is surrounded by a full 280 acre estate comprising of vineyard, pastureland, woodland and even a river beach. THE ACCOMMODATION: The gites are in the form of very charming stone cottages, with the largest being able to sleep up to 7 people. They are all built quite recently from the stones and beams of the old farmhouse which was lying in ruins before the present owners lovingly restored the entire place. Though technically new in that case, the gites feel thoroughly authentic, like classic south of France farm cottages but with very much modern levels of comfort and facilities. The furniture and fittings are all nicely chosen, though mainly contemporary they don’t seem to detract from the beautifully rustic feel of the property. They all have plenty of space, with good sized lounge & sitting areas, plush kitchens and bathrooms, and come with all mod cons; flat screen TV, air-con, WiFi etc. Beautiful as the gites are, the estate that surrounds them is even more impressive. There are the lovingly tended gardens and lawns with an outdoor swimming pool and plenty of space for lounging around. Then there are the vineyards, from which the owners produce a range of reds, whites and rosés, all of which are organic. There is an on-site winery at the property too; the entire process is done in house and you can arrange tours and tasting sessions of the vineyards, winery and cellars. Then there is the horse breeding farm where you can watch some of their very beautiful thoroughbred Spanish horses trotting around. There are also areas of beautifully peaceful woodland that are lovely to stroll though, and a river with its own river beach. You can rent bikes out for free at the farmhouse and you’ll find plenty of trails through the estate for cycling and hiking. Children will be entertained READ MORE

Near Gordes, Rousillon, Apt and Gargas in the heart of the Luberon region of Provence, France, La Coquillade has 5 star accommodation in a 13th-century wine-making village surrounded by almost 90 acres of vineyards and lavender plants. It is very much a luxury getaway and would feature on any sensible list of the best hotels in Provence. THE ACCOMMODATION: It has a choice of 63 different rooms and suites, all of which are spacious and extremely comfortable, and with all modern facilities. The hotel has an outdoor swimming pool in the lovely gardens and a very highly rated bistro restaurant serving up a range of Provençal and French specialities as well as some of the best wines in Provence. There is a spa, gym and wellness center which also has an indoor swimming pool, and massage services plus various well-being and beauty treatments are offered. You’ll find a full service of wine tourism at this vineyard hotel; educational vineyard tours, wine tasting sessions etc. are all here, and they can also arrange tours of some of the other wineries in the area as well as lavender farms and distilleries. PRICES: Check out all the details – prices, reviews & more photos on the booking page here. THE LOCATION: La Coquillade is situated between Luberon and Ventoux in Provence with its nearest city being Avignon. The countryside in this part of France is absolutely gorgeous and very enjoyable to tour around whether by car or by bike, and the hotel has plenty of quality bikes and biking equipment that can be rented by guests. If you’re here in summer you’ll also get a chance to see the above mentioned lavender fields in full bloom. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Everything! The pools, the views, the spa, the food, the staff – everything was excellent….” “Amazingly outstanding in everything: the reception, the rooms, the service, the perfect location in the very heart of Provence, the restaurants, the country side environment, pools, biking, jogging, spa, the excellent overgenerous breakfast. If you may – it’s the perfect stay!!!” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LA COQUILLADE:   READ MORE

In the heart of South West France’s Saint-Émilion vineyard country, about a half and hour from Bordeaux, Le Pavillon Villemaurine provides luxury B&B accommodation in a classically elegant Château surrounded by fields of vine. Their rustic rooms are extremely spacious and comfortable with en-suite bathroom with bath, flat screen TV with cable channels and WiFi throughout the building. Their breakfast is suitably excellent too with smoked salmon, various pastries and fresh fruit etc. available, but the main attraction of this hotel is the wine. The owner is extremely knowledgeable on the subject, and equally enthusiastic, and as well as making a few wines of his own on the premises he can also arrange some very good wine tours in the surrounding area. Le Pavillon Villemaurine sells out fast so you’re advised to book well ahead! And sorry, but no children or pets. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This is one of the nicest properties that we have stayed in over the last few years travelling around various parts of Europe….” “We loved everything about our stay! The beds were SOO comfy! Breakfast was delicious! Beautiful decor! and we loved our hosts!…” >>CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LE PAVILLON VILLEMAURINE:   READ MORE

La Roulotte de Manon is a very cute, family friendly, glamping farm stay near Rouen in the heart of rural Normandy, France. THE ACCOMMODATION: The accommodation is a gorgeously old fashioned gypsy caravan sitting at the edge of the farm pond. It can fit up to five people, with a double bed at the back and two sofa beds in the lounge area. It is small of course but very cosy. It has a bathroom, and a useful kitchenette including a microwave. It’s fully heated too, has a small TV, a nice little porch area and barbecue facilities outside. THE FARM: The farm has horses, ponies, hens and goats, and guests are very welcome to tour the farm and meet the animals. They grow various vegetables too and have a large garden area with a children’s playground and plenty of seating around. There is also the pond just outside the caravan which hosts a number of ducks and wildfowl. THE LOCATION: The farmstay is just a half an hour’s drive from the lovely cathedral city of Rouen, one of Normandy’s highlights and a popular stop off on the journey from Paris to the coast. The countryside around is green and fertile and the area has very strong farming traditions. There are some national parks in this part of Normandy too; the woodlands of Forêt Domaniele d’Eawy for example are only about 10km away from the farmstay. A little over a half an hour to the north is the city of Dieppe and the Normandy coastline. There are many fine sights along this part of the coast, the dramatic cliff scenery over Le Treport for example, the impressive 16th-century castle at Eu and many more. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “Lots of outdoor space, even in poor weather stuff for kids to do. Very peaceful. Friendly host….” “The Roulotte was very cosy and perfect for a family stay….” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & TO BOOK YOUR STAY AT LA ROULOTTE DE MANON:   READ MORE

Near to St. Etienne and among the high plains of Haute-Loire, Auvergne France, this unusual farmstay has very cute self-catering accommodation for up to four people in wooden caravans, surrounded by vegetable gardens and a small working farm. THE ACCOMMODATION: The caravans are more comfortable than you might imagine and they come with a kitchen, a dining area and each has their own private bathroom and shower. You can also order meals from the farmhouse; The owners are excellent cooks and and have a range of local specialities that you can try, and if you want to cook some yourself they can even offer free cooking lessons! THE FARM: The small farm has a number of dairy cows and ducks and grows potatoes and a number of other vegetables. There is also a playground on the farm and games for kids to play. And they will also entertain themselves by meeting some of the animals. THE LOCATION: Chomelix is in the Haute-Loire, Auvergne department (now amalgamated to form Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), high on the Massif Central, traditionally thought of as France’s most isolated and poor region. Much of the area is around 1,000 meters above sea level and it can get snowbound frequently in winter. Still though it can be a truly gorgeous place for nature lovers; with wild and mysterious stretches full of dark forests and rocky hills. Chomelix itself is a slight step away from much of the barrenness of the Massif Central, and is a nice, unassuming little village, surrounded by farmland and forested hills, and has a gentle, relaxed pace of life. It sits at the edge of the Livradois-Forez National Park though and so you’ll find plenty of hiking in wild scenery, and it’s also not far from the spectacular Volcans d’Auvergne Park. The village itself wouldn’t be much visited by tourists but others in the area are: The main regional town Le Puy-en-Velay is a spectacular sight with its theatrical conical hills, and about 30 km away from the farmstay. Allegre, nearer still at about 10 km away is a pretty town with much history and has a nice position on the slopes of the Baury Volcano. READ MORE

Ferme des Chartroux Farm Stay near Calais, northern France, has comfortable B&B rooms in its lovely authentic French farmhouse. The farm is a working farm which includes sheep, pigs, horses, donkeys, geese and hens. The owners are friendly and welcoming; you’ll feel more like you’re visiting long lost relatives than hotel owners and the setting is lovely; a peaceful green idyll within and hour of Calais, a half an hour of Boulogne-sur-Mer and less than twenty minutes from the lively seaside town of Touquet-Paris-Plage. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have 6 comfortable, unpretentious, B&B rooms at the farm house; one twin room, three doubles and two ‘family rooms’ which have one double bed and two singles. They all come with private bathroom, cable TV and WiFi, and all have a very nice, cosy country cottage feel. Guests are treated to a fine fresh continental breakfast in the morning and can spend their days relaxing in the gardens, exploring the farm, with its friendly animals, or the surrounding peaceful green countryside. THE LOCATION: The farmstay is near Calais, less than an hour’s drive, and about hour north of Amiens. The location is the heart of Pas-de-Calais’ Montreuillois region. This is a charmingly rural region that produces a lot of good food and has a character all of its own, a character well away from the industrial excess of many urban areas in North Eastern France. It is peaceful and slow paced, with winding country roads, vast plains of green fields and some lovely little villages to explore. The sea is nearby too, with the coastal fort town of Montreuil-sur-Mer and the port of Etaples being just ten minutes away, while popular seaside towns like Touquet-Paris-Plage, Berck, Merlimont and Stella can be reached in less than 20 minutes. The city of Amiens is under an hour away to the south, and beyond that Paris which can be reached in about two and a half hours. Note: Ferme des Chartroux also has a self catering farm cottage gite for rent, you can check it out by clicking here. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “This is a charming place to stay. The host was so helpful and friendly. We READ MORE

A little piece of paradise in Provence; Le Hameau de Pichovet gîte is the ultimate place to experience the beauty and tranquility of this iconic region of France. It has self catering apartments in a lovingly restored old farmhouse surrounded by fields of lavender and sunflower and is the kind of place you will really not want to leave. THE ACCOMMODATION: There are five self catering units in total, to sleep up to eight people each. The property itself is gorgeous; it dates back to 1897 but has been beautifully restored in recent years, and its modern comforts and minimalist decor blend nicely with the traditional Provençal farmhouse feel. All the accommodation is spacious and super clean with good size lounges and practical kitchens. The outside space is a real highlight though, with lovely gardens overlooking the peaceful valley below. There is plenty of space to sit and dine outside as well as barbecue facilities, sun loungers and two swimming pools. The place is surrounded the classic Provence lavender and sunflower fields and though the gîte itself doesn’t harvest its own lavender they keep bees and make a nice line of lavender honey. The accommodation is all self catering but the friendly owners are always around and for an extra fee they can prepare a very nice breakfast basket for you and some equally good evening meals too. THE LOCATION: Though Provence is full of the promise of rural idyll many parts of it can be a little busy with tourists, especially over the summer. But not around here; Le Hameau de Pichovet is in a relatively undiscovered corner of Provence and is a really superb place to get away from it all. It is about 70km north of Aix-en-Provence, just east of the famous Luberon National Park and around 30km from the town of Apt. The nearest village is Vachères, 3km away, which is a cute sleepy little place that has a grocery store where you can stock up on necessities. For more extensive shopping, dining and drinking you can head to the larger town of Celeste about twenty minutes drive away. All around the gîte the countryside is serene and very READ MORE

Château de Labro is a luxury B&B vineyard hotel & spa near the town, and international airport, of Rodez in what is now known as the Occitanie region of France, formerly Midi-Pyrénées. The property is a 16th century château that oozes elegance and old world class both inside and out. The food, and the wine, is fantastic and outside there are some beautiful gardens, vineyards and a swimming pool. One little novelty of the place is that they also have a luxury treehouse among the orchard trees in which you can spend the night (Look out for it on the booking page!). THE ACCOMMODATION: The above mentioned treehouse is the most popular option which is usually booked out well in advance. It’s quite a thing, more like a luxury double studio apartment than a classic treehouse, it even has a chandelier for example. A lot of people though may prefer to stay in the actual château which has marvelously romantic rooms, with four poster beds and antique furniture. Most of the rooms are doubles but they also have a family room to sleep up to four and a self catering apartment which can also sleep up to four. All of the accommodation is of the very highest quality, it is a luxury hotel after all, but what separates Château de Labro from most is the beautifully old fashioned decor. It feels a little like stepping back in time, in a good way, especially in the bedrooms, where even the modern touches are consistently tasteful. The food at the chateau is a highlight, always in season and local as much as possible, and they have a suitably good wine list. It is a vineyard hotel after all and so produces its own Clos Labro, a white made from the 6 varieties of grape grown on site; Muscat Petit Grain, Petit Manseng, Colombard, Chardonnay and Viognier. It is not a commercial wine by any means, which makes it quite special; the vineyards are small, producing only 1500 bottles a year, and so the only place you can enjoy Clos Labro is actually at Château de Labro!  You can relax around the gardens and READ MORE

La Ferme D’Augustin is a top quality agritourism farm stay hotel right on the French Riviera. It is near Saint Tropez and even nearer the famously beautiful, five kilometer long, Tahiti beach at Pampelonne Bay. It makes for a thoroughly relaxing stay in the south of France and you’ll find the service top class with the food being a particular highlight. THE ACCOMMODATION: They have a choice of standard and superior B&B rooms as well as larger suites, to sleep from one to four people each. All are nicely decorated and come with en-suite bathroom, WiFi, air-conditioning, flat screen cable TV, mini-bar and room safe. Some of the larger rooms and suites also come with various extras such as whirlpool jacuzzi baths, hammam type showers and private terraces or balconies. The largest suite of all; the top floor superior suite, also has a tremendous views over Pampelonne Bay from its private terrace. The grounds are beautiful too; with well tended gardens filled with various flowers and plants and an outdoor swimming pool. The pool is a balneo spa type pool; it’s good for swimming but also includes features such as hydromassage jet streams, shower cascades and various jacuzzi effects. It has a glass cover too and is kept at a constant 28 degrees centigrade year round. There is a homely lounge area at the farmhouse with an open fire and comfortable sofas, and they have a terrific onsite bar and restaurant; La Table d’Augustin. The head chef is a Provence native and an enthusiastic exponent of using fresh local, seasonal, produce as much as possible in his highly rated dishes. They are always happy to cater for dietary restrictions too, and the wine on offer is, as you might probably expect, consistently excellent. Much of the ingredients used in the meals are grown on the farm itself. They have a range of vegetable and herb gardens, and fruit orchards, to supply the restaurant and they also produce some very good home made jams, particularly their famous watermelon jam, that you can buy to take home at the farm shop. A whole range of services are offered at the farm stay; READ MORE

Domaine de Murtoli is a truly magnificent luxury agriturismo/farm stay retreat near to both Bonifacio and Porto Vecchio, in southern Corsica, France. They offer accommodation in beautifully restored 17th-century stone cottages with quaint timbered ceilings, antique furniture and stunning views all around. Outside there are private swimming pools, beautiful gardens with sea views, and an almost 5000 acre estate which includes a working farm, a spa, golf course and private beach area. It is an exclusive, and very popular, place which has won numerous awards over the years. Unsurprisingly it books out very quickly so you’re advised to reserve well ahead of time. THE ACCOMMODATION: There are 19 cottages/villas of various sizes to choose from, from one bedroom to three, to sleep up to 8 people. All of them are beautifully presented and carefully furnished with antiques and various bits and pieces that enhance the rustic charm of the sturdy stone walls and wood timbered ceilings. All are self catering and have fully equipped kitchens with traditional stone sinks. Each cottage is nestled away in its own little section of the estate and offers great privacy. They each have a furnished terrace area outside and their own private swimming pool. There are two restaurants on the estate, one by the beach which is open in summer and inland on the estate which opens in winter. Breakfast is not included in the rate but for an extra fee you can treat yourself to a great breakfast at the restaurant if you’re not in the mood for cooking. It is open throughout the day and the food, and the wine, will not disappoint. There is a spa at the resort too, with steam room, massage, treatment and hydrotherapy rooms, and a 12 hole golf course in a magnificent setting. Fishing (both river and sea fishing) can be arranged, as can horse riding treks with special pony rides available for children too. THE FARM: The farm takes up a good proportion of the estate and it is a fully working farm which produces a lot of the ingredients for the fine food at the restaurant. You’ll find olive trees, herbs, various fruits and vegetables, READ MORE

1,000 meters high in the Catalan Pyrénées-Orientales department of Languedoc-Roussillon, France, and just outside the village of Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste, Mas El Casal farmstay has a stunning setting for its working cattle farm and traditional stone farmhouse where guests will be welcomed with the best in hospitality and comfort. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their spacious rooms are rustically stylish and come with en suite bathroom, air conditioning, flat screen satellite TV, WiFi, a seating area plus an outdoor terrace with beautiful views over the valley below. It’s B&B and you’ll be treated to a very good and generous breakfast in the morning, with fresh bread, fruit juices, homemade jams cakes, yoghurts and more. And if guests feel like cooking for themselves later during the day they can also have access to the farmhouse kitchen. The farm is a working beef cattle farm, with lush green pastures and meadows, and comes with incredible views over the surrounding valleys. THE LOCATION: As mentioned before, the main attraction of this farm stay is the location, the views are breathtaking from the farm itself and there are some great hiking trails around that go all around the mountains. You could really spend days exploring the trails around the farm, or just sitting on the grass contemplating the beauty of it all. It’s also about five kilometres from the centre of the very pretty Catalan town(s) of Prats-de-Mollo-la-Preste. The Prats-de-Mollo section has a lovely old town with cobblestone streets and stylish squares guarded from above by the impressive medieval walls of Fort Lagarde, and a 14th-century round tower.  The fort is a bit of a climb from the town centre but has amazing views. La Preste is the adjoining, more modern part of town as is known for its therapeutic spa waters. They have allegedly many beauty and health benefits, and your feet might enjoy an evening dip after that tough hike up to Fort Lagarde! The nearby Reserve Naturelle de Prats-de-Mollo (about 30 minutes by car from the farm house) is a stunning nature reserve with an abundance of wildlife on its rocky plateaus; vultures, eagles, wild cats and the famous pyrenean chamois (wild goats), for example. It also has a READ MORE

Beside the popular ski resort town of Formiguères, Languedoc-Roussillon, southern France, the highly rated Le Calmadou farmstay has self catering accommodation on its working sheep farm where it produces its own range of cheeses. The surrounding countryside is peaceful and serene and the views from the farm are spectacular. THE ACCOMMODATION: Their very comfortable 95 square meter self catering apartment is part of a converted barn with traditional wooden beamed ceilings and can host up to 8 people. There are three bedrooms (two doubles and a twin), a lounge area with sofa bed and flat screen TV, a modern, fully equipped kitchen, two bathrooms and a 15 square meter outside terrace area. THE FARM: The farm is a fully working sheep farm producing and selling a good range of home made cheeses, yoghurts and spicy merguez sausages. Being at an altitude of 1500 meters the winters here are cold and so the sheep move indoors to the barns but the hospitable farm owners are always happy to offer tours of the farm and the cheese factory whatever time of year you arrive. THE LOCATION: Formiguères is a popular ski town and the farmstay is just 4km from the nearest slopes, so the location is ideal for winter sports. When the season ends it is also a great area for hiking, rock climbing and mountain biking. The wider area is part of the Parc Regional de Catalan Pyrenees which is a wonderful area to explore, full of wild scenery, mountains, lakes, including the famous glacial lake at Engolasters, and thick green forests. The borders with both Spain and Andorra are less than 20km away and so the region is also a popular stopping off point before crossing the Pyrenees. WHAT OTHER GUESTS SAY: “We really enjoyed the tour around the sheep farm and the sheep’s cheese was beautiful! The gite overlooks the Pyrenees and we thoroughly enjoyed eating our breakfast on the veranda of a morning. We found the accommodation to be very homely, cosy, clean, relaxing and had a fully equipped kitchen. Thank you Francoise and Jean Pierre for our amazing stay :-)…” >> CLICK HERE TO READ MORE REVIEWS & READ MORE