Intercontinental Hotel Dieu

Located between Amboise and Tours, the Château de Noizay sits within 24 hectares and is surrounded by the vineyards of the Vouvray estate. There are 19 rooms spread across two buildings, the main château and the Pavillon de l’Horloge. They are traditional in style with rich fabrics, period furniture and ornate detailing and many of them look out over the hotel gardens. The restaurant is a real celebration of French cuisine with a menu that follows the seasons and a larder bursting with fresh, local produce. Dishes are immaculately presented and both thoroughly French and modern at the same time. There are bikes for hire and guests can take to the Loire à Vélo trail which runs between Amboise and Tours through the vineyards of Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire. When you’re not out exploring, sink into one of the chairs in the library with a good book, or take a dip in the outdoor heated pool.

Situated in Gargas in the Vaucluse, near Roussillon, atop a hill with superb views over the Luberon, Mont-Ventoux, and its own wine estate, La Coquillade is a charming hamlet resort that encapsulates the very best of Provence within its 100 acre bounds. 63 modern, airy rooms and suites are spread throughout the property in six residences, the oldest dating back to the 11th century. All have a private outdoor area, with some boasting their own Jacuzzi, heated outdoor pools or even a personal Hamman spa. There’s also an exquisite six-suited private villa located 10km (6 miles) away, ideal for families and groups of friends after total privacy, with a private chef and other services on request. Gastronomy is a primary focus here, with three delightful restaurants; La Gourmet, Le Bistrot et son Jardin, located in the vineyards, and Il Ristorante, at the poolside, serving Italian specialities. Pairing well with the cuisine, explore the Aureto vineyard and sample its full bodied vintages. Within the village, relax in and round one of the three large swimming pools or in the vast spa, play tennis or perhaps a game a pétanque. Discover the idyllic surrounding countryside on one of resort’s high quality Swiss BMC road or mountain bikes, or perhaps in a hired vintage sports car.

A truly elegant hotel with grandiose architecture and contemporary interiors that manage to maintain the old-world charm.

In the renowned vineyards of Château Smith Haut Lafitte, around 17km (11 miles) outside of Bordeaux, Les Sources de Caudalie is a rural retreat celebrating the best of this Southwest France’s cultural and culinary heritage. There are 40 rooms and 21 suites split amongst the sprawling property, with most in six buildings that, while looking thoroughly historic, were specially built using huge reclaimed beams from abandoned local properties. Most have a terrace or a balcony with a beautiful view on the Chateau Smith Haut Lafitte’s vineyards or over the lake. There is also the Village des Pêcheurs – or Fishermen’s village – with 12 suites on stilts around a small lake inspire by the oyster-farms of the Arcachon Bay. Additionally, there is the unique Ile aux Oiseaux suite, a wooden pavilion standing out over the water on stilts, adventurously redecorated by a different designer every 3 or 4 years. The spa here comes from the inventors of ‘vinotherapy’, with treatments combining the anti-ageing properties of polyphenols contained in grape-seeds and the spa’s own natural hot-water spring in the most tranquil of settings. The senses will continue to be treated at either of the two restaurants here, whether with fine seasonal French dining and fittingly fabulous wine list at the twice Michelin starred La Grand’Vigne, bistro-style food at Table de Lavoir, or at either of the two wine bars. Activities from Les Sources de Caudalie include wine tasting, wine tasting lessons and cooking classes. Excursions to explore the surrounding sites, such as boat trip into Bordeaux or to rustic Saint-Émilion, can also be arranged.