100 miles southeast of Paris, is on the route
south to Provence. Dating back to the
Middle Ages, it has 14 pretty and serene
rooms, and the “welcoming” restaurant
showcases local produce (from g185 a
night; www.champdesoiseaux.com).
Domaine de la Trolière, a b&b halfway
between the ferry ports and Languedoc, has
been in the same family for two centuries.
Expect a “delicious” dinner and lots of cats
(from g53 a night; www.sawdays.co.uk).
Château de Saint Paterne in Normandy is
an ideal spot for food lovers heading to the
Dordogne. Sumptuous meals are served in
a candelabra-filled room, and the bedrooms
are “beautifully decorated” (from g145 a
night; www.chateau-saintpaterne.com).
Le Saint James, just outside Bordeaux,
offers “divine”, Michelin-starred food.
Designed by French architect Jean Nouvel,
its minimalist rooms have great views (from
g195 a night; www.saintjames-bouliac.com).
