The Marquise in Bordeaux, Aquitaine

The Marquise Self-Catering

If you're after an authentic stay in a historic French castle, look no further –this home offers the ultimate luxury French chateau experience. With carved, painted and stencilled wooden ceilings, uniquely themed bedrooms and even an original medieval chandelier in the period dining room, the building feels rich in history and exquisite in taste. That's not to say that it's old fashioned; the wellness centre (which includes a gym and yoga deck), sound system in the grand library, and air conditioning in each bedroom adds a modern touch. There are 32 hectares of grounds to explore, which include ancient woodland, valleys and even the ruins of a 12th Century church. All this, and the nearest village is only fifteen minutes away on foot.

Home truths:
* Though the local village is close, the nearest supermarket is 13km away in the town of Souillac
* Air conditioning is only available in the bedrooms
* Two housekeepers live onsite on the grounds
* WiFi only reaches some parts of the château