L'Esprit du 8

The owners have excellent taste so you’ll find a pleasing mixture of antique, modern and mid-century furniture along with a few surprises. You get the run of a sitting room and breakfast room so on rainy days you can pull a chair up to the open fire, play a game of cards or read a book and feel very much at home. Bedrooms are all on the first floor and named after female designers from the 20th century; bathrooms are special.

Breakfast can be eaten around one big table or on your own if you prefer, and out in the garden on fine days. Bread and croissants are from the boulangerie, cakes and waffles are homemade and you can tuck into eggs and bacon, sometimes smoked salmon or trout. Wander the pretty garden, admire pots and palm trees, take a dip in the heated pool in summer.

A short walk will take you to the centre, the port and good restaurants. Hire bikes and cycle to the beach in an hour along proper paths.