The Big Six: French vineyard stays

From a stylish 14th century mansion to a working estate with a heated pool, tennis court and cookery school...

Domaine de Verchant, Herault

This stylish boutique hotel lies in the midst of the Verchant estate, which contains vineyards specialising in reds (mainly syrah, grenache and merlot). Easily accessible from Montpellier, the mansion dates back to the 14th century. The interior has been re-devised by designer Raymond Morel with clean lines, clever lighting and plenty of surprises. There are 17 bedrooms, a pool, a separate spa and a restaurant run by the Michelin-starred Pourcel brothers.

Domaine de Verchant, 1 boulevard Philippe Lamour, Castelnau de Lez, Herault, Languedoc Roussillon (00 33 4 67 07 26 00; verchant.com ). Doubles start at €230, room only.

Château de Mercues, Lot

Complete with elegant towers and pretty conical roofs, this fairytale castle was built for the counts and bishops of Cahors and dates back to the 13th century. The Château de Mercues looks onto the Lot valley from a wonderful vantage point, and its vineyards produce some of the best "black" Cahors wine of the region. The 24 bedrooms and six apartments here are grandly comfortable, while facilities on offer include a gourmet restaurant and an impressive swimming pool.

Château de Mercues, Mercues, Cahors, Lot (00 33 5 65 20 00 01; chateaudemercues.com ). Doubles start at €190, room only. The hotel is open from Easter to 11 November.

Château de Bagnols, Beaujolais

Surrounded by stunning Beaujolais vineyards, this dreamy old stone building dates back to the 13th century (and still has its own drawbridge). The Château de Bagnols was rescued from near dereliction in 1987 and is now regarded as one of France's most luxurious hotels. It's not hard to see why: the interior here is exquisite: many of the hotel's 21 rooms and suites are decorated with beautiful frescoes while others are lined with panelled walls. Downstairs, La Salle des Gardes restaurant has a Michelin star; beyond the château there are some gloriously landscaped gardens.

Château de Bagnols, Bagnols (00 33 4 74 71 40 00; chateaudebagnols.co.uk ). Doubles rooms start at €235, including breakfast.

Château Andre Ziltener, Burgundy

This elegant 18th-century property was built as a hunting lodge for the Burgundy parliament. Set in a lovely estate off the village of Chambolle Musigny, it has the vineyards of Côte-de-Nuits and Côte-de-Beaune nearby. It offers eight bedrooms and two apartments, all furnished with antiques and swathes of rich fabric.

Château Andre Ziltener, Chambolle-Musigny, Côte d'Or, Burgundy (00 33 3 80 62 41 62; chateau-ziltener.com ). Doubles start at €220 room only, including winery tour.

Le Relais de Franc Mayne, Bordeaux

In the heart of the St Emilion vineyards is a 16th-century château housing a chic hotel, its cellars stocked with the wine produced by the surrounding seven-acre estate. Facilities include a billiard room, an honesty bar, a spectacular swimming pool and sun deck.

Le Relais de Franc Mayne, 14 La Gomerie, Saint-Emilion, Gironde, Bordeaux (00 33 5 57 24 62 61; relaisfrancmayne.com ). Doubles start at €150 room only, including winery tour.

Château de Berne, Provence

Producing well-regarded roses and reds, Château de Berne is a working estate with 200 acres under vine and a charming small hotel attached, offering a range of 19 bedrooms. Guests can enjoy the heated pool at the edge of the vineyards, a tennis court, a restaurant, two cafés and a cookery school.

Château de Berne, Route de Salernes, Lorgues, Provence (00 33 4 94 60 48 88; chateauberne.com ). Doubles start at €195, excluding breakfast.

The Independent 06-03-2010