Chateau de Cocove - Nord-Pas-De-Calais

A magnificent 18th century chateau, built in 1741 by Becquet de Cocove, some 30 km from Calais, perfect for the last supper on the way home. The food is excellent and the wine cellar in the dungeons is outstanding. We spent many fabulous weekends here, while hunting out new cheese and produce suppliers around the Nord Pas-de-Calais area. Near the top of our favourite list.

http://www.chateaudecocove.com/

Auberge d'Inxent - Nord-Pas-De-Calais

This pretty Auberge is situated in the quiet countryside of the Course Valley, a few km from Montreuil on the D127 towards Desvres. The restaurant produces some great country dishes, it uses good local produce and the wine list is extensive. This Auberge was once praised by Elizabeth David in her famous 1960 book “French Provincial Cooking” and was recently given a “Bib Gourmand” by Michelin, so it has had a long culinary history. We have used this Inn many times over the years either as a stopover or as a base to explore Picardy and Nord Pas-de-Calais. They don’t have a website, details as follows Auberge d’Inxent Rue de la Vallée, Inxent 62170, France Tel: +33 (0)321 90 71 19

http://www.guidesdecharme.com/hotel-nord-pas-de-calais/auberge-d-inxent,FICH1MQEPU0W,en-US,0.html

Chateau de Montreuil - Nord-Pas-De-Calais

Christian and Lindsay Germain have turned Chateau de Montreuil into a fabulous Michelin star restaurant and hotel probably the best in Picardie and possibly northern France. Christian was the Chef de Cuisine at Michel Roux’s Waterside restaurant in Bray. His background shows in his cooking, which is a good balance between modern French and classical cuisine. I can still taste the “Langoustine Ravioli” sensational. The chateau is tucked away under the 700 year old walls of this medieval old town. It is 70 km, about a 45 minute drive south from Calais on the A16 autoroute heading towards Amiens and Paris. It is not cheap, but it is fabulous and a perfect place to have a special celebration..

http://www.chateaudemontreuil.com/

Aux Pecheurs d’Etaples - Nord-Pas-De-Calais

Etaples is a town at the mouth of the Canche River, a few km south of Boulogne and the home of the Restaurant “Aux Pecheurs d’Etaples” which is owned by the local fishing co-operative. The restaurant is situated above their fish market on the docks of this little fishing port. When we are in this area of the Nord-Pas-de-Calais, we usually make this our lunch stop. The seafood is so fresh, landed in the morning and on the plate for lunch. Their fabulous signature dish, Plateau de Fruits de Mer - seafood platter, with every type of shellfish imaginable, add to this a cold bottle of Muscadet and your in heaven. Well worth a visit if you love seafood. See pics.

http://www.auxpecheursdetaples.fr/en/etaples.htm

Hostellerie du Moulin de Flagy - Ile-de-France

A superb rustic hideaway with atmosphere and charm set in a 13th century water mill, which has been tastefully converted into a charming inn with 10 bedrooms and a superb restaurant. Flagy is a tiny hamlet 85 km south of Paris near the A6 autoroute (Paris – Lyon) One of our favourite stopovers.

http://www.aumoulin.fr/

Villa Louise - Aloxe Corton - Bourgogne

Villa Louise is a charming 400 year old country inn, in the quiet village of Aloxe-Corton 5 minutes from Beaune in the direction of Dijon. It is a perfect place to stay to explore the famous vineyards of the Cote d’Or The hotel serves breakfast, but has no restaurant; it is close to Beaune and other villages with excellent restaurants and some of the best food in Burgundy. M. Voarick the owner also produces some excellent wines - Aloxe-Corton, Pernand Vergelesses and Corton Charlemagne. Villa Louise was previously known as Hotel Clarion.

http://www.hotel-villa-louise.fr/fr/#/Maison

Hotel de Vougeot - Bourgogne

Hotel de Vougeot, A reasonably priced (from A$95 double) charming hotel set in the heart of some of Burgundy’s most expensive vineyards.. It’s within walking distance of the famous Clos de Vougeot and the famous 12th century castle built by the Cistercian monks. It makes a perfect base for exploring the Cote d’Or and nearby Beaune.

http://www.hotel-vougeot.com/

Auberge du Vieux Fox - Provence

Auberge du Vieux Fox This little gem located in a converted medieval priory next to the 12th century church in the old village of Fox Amphoux. This picturesque village is set on a hilltop surrounded by vineyards. It was once of the stopover for the Knights Templar in the 1200’s on route to the Holy Land. Charming place, steeped in history, The rooms are small with views through small long narrow windows set in metre thick walls looking out over the vineyards in the valley below. Comfortable, the food is very good, classic French with some Provencal specialities at reasonable prices. We have returned time and time again to our secret little hideaway. They don’t have a website, so I linked to the logis-de-france site, which gives details and pics. Fox Amphoux is about 30km north from the Brignoles exit on the Aix to Nice A8 autoroute

http://fr.toprural.com/logis-de-france/auberge-du-vieux-fox_f-fr-eb-25217.htm

Hotel Berard - La Cadiere d'Azur - Provence

Hotel Bérard is situated in an ancient hilltop village of La Cadière d’Azur, just of the autoroute A50 between Marseille and Toulon at Junction 11. The hotel is full of character and is made up of some lovely old buildings; of which two were part of a convent dating back to the fourth century. Rene Bérard is an excellent chef specialising in Provencal cuisine. The hotel also boasts an excellent cellar including some of the best Bandol wines. La Cadière is a lovely village with lots of character, old stone buildings, alleyways and tree lined streets. Many of the shops are operated by artisans. Definitely worth a visit.

http://www.hotel-berard.com/v2/gb/intro.htm

Casa Ventura (not French but worth including)

Our friends in Spain have this beautiful, boutique style bed and breakfast pension in the village of Mijas Pueblo on the Costa del Sol. Check it out for your next European trip

www.casa-ventura.com