1. Charente

Opened by British interior designer Mark Selwood earlier this year, Chateau de la Couronne has five suites and three huge stone-walled salons with designer furniture. Operates as a hotel from €130 per suite. €7,000 for a week's exclusive hire. Sleeps up to 10 adults plus kids.
· 00 33 54 56 22 99 6, Chateaudelacouronne.com.

2. Provence

A C17 townhouse in the unspoilt village of Mons, converted into six apartments by a French architect and Dutch designer.
· From €400 per apartment. +4 94 76 35 15, Numberonemons.com. Sleeps up to 20.

3. Gers

Dubbed the Babington House of France, Chateau Lartigolle sits on a hill overlooking the Pyrenees.
· From £6,500 per week or £270pp. +5 62 63 26 27, Lartigolle.com. Sleeps 24.

4. Gironde

A medieval chateau that looks more like a boutique hotel once you step inside. Retro chandeliers, leather sofas, a cinema, broadband and iPod docks.
· €10,000 for the week, or €150 per room, B&B. +5 57 40 78 59, Chateaurigaud.co.uk. Up to 16 adults plus children.

5. Dordogne

The House at Hautefage is a former farmhouse turned designer pad being billed as the perfect setting for film and photo shoot. But don't let that scare you - it's also a very snazzy holiday home.
· €8,000 a week or £800pp. 020-8341 5120, Thehouseat.com. Sleeps 10.

· More at Simplychateau.co.uk and Bigdomain.com.