Occitanie
in France

Architect Romain Thevenot brought a jazzy 1960s and 1970s spirit to this 20-room hotel opened in 2023 in the Pyrenées Françaises at 1,800 metres: Charlotte Perriand pieces, locally made blankets, and bathroom countertops made from sea waste. An outer space theme runs through every room name (Galaxie, Constellation, La Grande Ourse). Close to the ski lifts; The Milky Way bar has panoramic mountain views. Sustainable throughout.

Built in 1754 by architect Pierre Racine in the Gers, this idyllic B&B is run with extraordinary personal care by Christèle Ageorges and Hubert Delance. Just a handful of rooms, a beautiful walled garden, and food that draws seriously on the region's best produce. Slow, beautiful, and entirely off the tourist trail. One of those places you feel genuinely reluctant to tell anyone about.

A six-suite noble building in the village of Vallabrègues in the south of France, with architectural features going back to the 14th century. The owners, an architect and a designer, have created warm, considered interiors: stone walls, contemporary furniture, and a beautiful garden. A discovery for those who appreciate intelligent, unhurried design and the quieter side of Provence.

The quietly beautiful Cèze Valley is home to this 18th-century eight-room farmhouse, restored with local craftsmen and a standout contemporary photography collection from the owners' personal archive. A knockout 20-metre pool, cinema-room lounging, homemade breakfasts, and communal dinners that feel like a gathering of friends. Hosts Marc and Rémy (from Paris originally) bring warmth and very good local tips.

A pond-hugging former flour mill in the countryside of Dannes near the Opal Coast, discovered and converted by Jérémy and Nicolas after they swapped Lille for the countryside. Six rooms simply decorated with natural linens and local finds; the communal table serves whatever the market has delivered that morning. Charming, personal, and entirely homemade in the very best possible sense.