France

Belcastel

What it is: A petite stone lodge that combines the small-scale charm of a B&B with the modern touches of a larger hotel, situated on the peaceful banks of the Aveyron river.

The rooms: There are seven quaint and relatively spacious rooms in the hotel proper (large enough to snugly fit a roll-away bed or travel cot), as well as a three-person cottage (the "Gite") that can be rented by the week.

Amenities: Don't be fooled by the antique exterior—this tiny hotel has free WiFi and air-conditioning in all rooms. Downstairs, the family-owned restaurant serves up local favorites with a creative twist (imagine roast duck with fig-and-celery-root ravioli) and a special children's menu.

Activities: Tour Belcastel's ancient namesake, a fortified castle that dates back to the 11th century. Relax by freshwater fishing on the banks of the Aveyron River, or take part in the many water sports, biking, or hiking opportunities of the Aveyron region.

Details: 12390 Belcastel, from 178 euros for a room with a queen-size bed and an additional bed.

Gorges du Tarn

What it is: An old stone inn with a comfortable modern interior, situated on the woodsy banks of the Tarn River.

The rooms: The 38 rooms and suites are outfitted with sleek but comfy "zen-style" décor and boast spacious views of the surrounding river and forests.

Amenities: Make use of the private beach with safe river access or the heated pool with plenty of lounge space. The hotel restaurant features fresh local dishes and has children's selections.

Activities: Explore the nearby wine-producing Compeyre and La Cavalerie, an ancient Templar village. You can also rock climb, canoe, raft, fish, bike, or tour the nearby caves.

Details: 12720 Peyreleau, from 186 euros for a classical room (with an additional bed).

La Malène

What it is: A 15th-century former hunting lodge in the Gorges du Tarn region.

The rooms: All rooms feature tapestries and painted ceilings reminiscent of the 1400s. Many also have large fireplaces and terraces for enjoying the surrounding scenery.

Amenities: Lounge by the hotel's large pool, or ask the managers about arranging other outdoor activities. The staff will try to accommodate other special requests when you make your reservation.

Activities: Explore the lush grounds of the hotel, including the Valley of the Tarn, where guests can rent canoes or piloted motorboats for an up-close view of the scenic landscape. The nearby villages have maintained their 15th-century.

Details: 48210 Sainte-Enimie, from 104 euros for a double.

Paris

What it is: One of the oldest hotels in all of France (Queen Marie Antoinette took piano lessons here in the latter 18th century), twin stone palaces that flank the Rue Royale at the end of the Champs-Elysees.

The rooms: The 103 rooms, 39 suites, and 5 apartments all have luxe 18th-century décor.

Amenities: Art supplies, toys, games, and even a babysitting staff await young guests on their arrival. During warm weather, enjoy a first-class picnic for you (menu offerings have included a duck-confit-and-foie-gras sandwich and a strawberry-rhubarb charlotte) and a mini picnic of cold meat, salad, and ice cream for the kids on the patio of the central courtyard.

Activities: The Crillon is right in the heart of Paris's museum and sightseeing districts—and don't miss the child-friendly Tuileries Garden just across the street.

Details: 10 place de la Concorde, from 920 euros for a Deluxe Double room with an extra bed.

What it is: A four-star hotel, with just 44 rooms, some of which open out to a central courtyard and garden.

The rooms: The duplex apartments are a great choice for large families, each of which opens up to its own terrace and has air-conditioning, television, and WiFi Internet access.

Amenities: There is a bar, breakfast, reading, and television room. The hotel also offers laundry service, room service; the reception is open 24 hours a day.

Activities: Enjoy the hotel's teatime, which includes sablé biscuits with Guérande salt, almond macaroons, fresh fruit juices, and a variety of teas. The museum is also within a short distance of the main museums and local shops.

Details: 10 rue Cassette, St. Germain, from 285 euros for a double with an extra bed. (The duplex apartments start at 481 euros.)

What it is: Two 18th-century buildings just a short walk from the Musée d'Orsay.

The rooms: Rooms are warm and cozy with wood beams and a wide variety of art. Choose from four room options: a Club room (with double or twin beds), a Superior room (with a double bed), or a suite.

Amenities: Along with a beautiful patio and garden for relaxing, the hotel offers room service and laundry service.

Activities: The hotel is located in a quiet neighborhood with plenty of museums, gardens, shopping, and restaurants nearby. It's also close to the Tuileries and Saint-Germain des Prés.

Details: 93 rue de Lille, from 205 euros for a double with a roll-away bed.

Four Seasons George V

What it is: A fully restored luxury hotel in a landmark building steps away from the Champs-Elysees.

The rooms: Each room has unique architectural Details and design, including 17th-century tapestries; many rooms feature private balconies or terraces that overlook Paris. Rooms come equipped with iPod docking stations, Bulgari bath amenities, and more.

Amenities: Take advantage of the 24-hour health club, cool down in the swimming pool, or relax in the sauna, whirlpool, or steam room. A special age-appropriate gift for children, along with a welcome booklet of games and activity ideas is delivered on the first night. Items like strollers, cribs, car seats, electric-socket guards, playpens, and even baby bathtubs are available upon request. Children receive complimentary food and beverages, and children's menus are available in the restaurants and with room service. Complimentary videos games and game units are also available.

Activities: The concierge can suggest and arrange activities for the family: Disneyland Paris is nearby. There are city and museum tours for children. Families can also enjoy Parc Asterix, Parc de la Villette, and Jardin d?Acclimatation in Bois de Boulogne.

Details: 31 avenue George V, Paris; from 645 euros a night for a Premier room.

What it is: A cut-stone palace with courtyard garden on the Champs-Elysees.

The rooms: The Fouquet's Barriere's 67 rooms and 40 suites have gold-and-chocolate palettes, dark marble bathrooms, velvety fabrics, fresh flowers, and polished wood furnishings. Enjoy a prime view of the George V Avenue or the Champs-Elysees down below.

Amenities: People watch at the celebrated Fouquet's Brasserie, sample the light fare at the La Galerie Joy tea parlor, or dine in fashion at the Le Diane restaurant, where the chef will gladly whip up special children's dishes on the fly. Children accompanied by an adult are allowed in the spacious underground U Spa pool, and all receive a welcome gift of sweets and a signature "Fouquet's" stuffed animal. For other requests, a private butler is just a phone call away.

Activities: Downtown Paris is at your doorstep; the Arc de Triomphe and the Place de la Concorde are just down the street. The full-time concierge is available for other sightseeing suggestions.

Details: 46 Avenue George V, from 690 euros for a Superior room, which sleeps three with a roll-away bed.

What it is: A hotel housed in an elegant former bank building built in 1870.

The rooms: Each room in this hotel is different-some with precious quirks (room 63 has a fireplace; room 54 has a sofa carved into the wall). Windows are soundproofed, and all rooms have air-conditioning.

Amenities:The hotel has a dining room in which you can enjoy breakfast, Internet access, and a great selection of local and international newspapers.

Activities: Nearby attractions include the Gustave Moreau Museum, La Trinité church, and the Opera.

Details: 63 rue de Saint-Lazare, from 200 euros for a suite with an extra bed.

What it is: A decadent hotel with the Louis XIV–style rooms and a flower-filled garden.

The rooms: All of the rooms are uniquely designed with soft colors and woodwork. The superior and deluxe suites have more space, a garden or city view, and their own terraces.

Amenities: The hotel has a pool, a fitness center, a restaurant, a salon, and a bar. There is also a florist on hand to make special arrangements and 24-hour room service. Kids receive a personalized greeting from the hotel's mascot, Hippolyte, a garden rabbit named after the hotel's founder. They also get a customized welcome packet, in-room toys, snacks, bath goodies, bathrobes, and a Hippolyte soft toy. You'll love the convenience of the four Bristol Smart Cars available for you to drive around town (at 10 euros a day).

Activities: The hotel will help suggest activities that will be fun for you and your family and even provide a treasure hunt for the kids.

Details: 112 Rue du Faubourg Saint Honoré, from 790 euros for a Deluxe.

What it is: A bright, small hotel decorated in a modern and simple fashion.

The rooms: A family of four will fit in the Very Spacious rooms, each of which have a double and two single beds. All of the 26 rooms have satellite television, a modem plug for your computer, and a bath or shower.

Amenities: Room service is available for breakfast, but it's the only meal served. Newspapers are complimentary.

Activities: The hotel is just a short walk from St-Germain-des-Prés, and the staff can help you find local eateries and activities.

Details: 5 rue Chomel, from 180 euros for a double, which accommodates a double bed and two single beds, or the Very Spacious room.

What it is: A grand palace hotel a spectacular view of downtown Paris.

The rooms: The 120 rooms and 40 suites are decked out in sumptuous Louis XVI-style décor, complete with designated sitting and dressing areas as well as full marble baths.

Amenities: Every child receives their own stuffed dog, "Pistache," (in honor of the hotel's canine mascot), a family-friendly Paris "passport" that maps out the city's must-see destinations and best-kept secrets, and various other welcome gifts. Pets are also welcomed in style with their own customized gift baskets.

Activities: The concierge will arrange in-hotel treasure hunts for children and provide complimentary bicycles. For an afternoon of entertainment, the Tuileries is a veritable family wonderland, featuring a carousel, a sandbox, a puppet theater, pony rides, and a fountain for miniature sailboats (provided by Le Meurice, of course).

Details: 228 rue de Rivoli, from 620 euros for a Superior Single room with a queen-size bed.

What it is: A hotel situated among the capital's top art galleries, bookshops, and boutiques.

The rooms: The 20 chic rooms here surround a central spiral stairwell, which lets plenty of light flow in. Choose between an Apartment (penthouse suite), Grande (larger bedroom with bathroom), Chic (a quiet room that overlooks the courtyard), or Bijoux and Mignon (smaller rooms that overlook the cobbled street).

Amenities: The hotel has a bar, a restaurant, a private swimming pool for two, and a steam room.

Activities: You can walk to the famous cafés, art galleries, and designer shops on Boulevard St. Germain.

Details: 13 rue des Beaux-Arts, from 345 euros for a double with a roll-away bed.

What it is: A hotel close to rue Cler, one of the city's most picturesque cobblestone streets.

The rooms: All of the rooms are soundproofed and air-conditioned. Some of the rooms have a view of the Eiffel Tower. Free WiFi is available as well.

Amenities: Start your mornings off right with fruit, eggs, coffee, and juice on the veranda overlooking the garden.

Activities: From the hotel, it's easy to get to La Concorde, the Madeleine church and the opera house.

Details: 11 rue Chevert, from 180 euros for a Superior.

What it is: A luxurious and quiet hotel set back from the street in a flower- filled courtyard.

The rooms: Keep in mind that some rooms have slightly lofted beds and stairs leading to the bathrooms. Ask for one with private-garden access.

Amenities: All guests can enjoy the communal courtyard, and the parlor is also fantastically large for Paris. The hotel also has a spa, a gym, a Jacuzzi, and private parking.

Activities: The hotel is near Notre Dame, museums, cafés, restaurants, shops, and more.

Details: 3 rue Christine, from 455 euros for a Deluxe with a roll-away bed.

What it is: A small hotel with an extremely attentive staff.

The rooms: Some of the 22 rooms are a bit small, but they're all elegant. The rooms have original wood beams, antique furniture, marbled bathrooms, air-conditioning, and soundproofing.

Amenities: Laundry and room services are available, and breakfast is included in the rates.

Activities: The hotel is within walking distance of the Louvre, Orsay Museum, and Notre-Dame cathedral.

Details: 9 Carrefour de l'Odéon, from 210 euros for a single with an extra bed.

What it is: A quiet and tasteful hotel decorated with beautiful cottons and leathers.

The rooms: The 43 rooms have used designer furniture and unique art. All rooms have air-conditioning, cable television, and WiFi access.

Amenities: The included continental breakfast can be served in your room or in the airy, vaulted breakfast room. The hotel can also provide you with shuttle service or private transfer to the airport.

Activities: In this neighborhood, you'll find plenty of galleries and shops, and the hotel is close to the Louvre, the Opéra, and public transportation.

Details: 5-7 rue de Thérése, from 275 euros for a Deluxe with an extra bed.

What it is: A young hotel (opened in 2002) on the prestigious Rue de la Paix in central Paris.

The rooms: The Park Hyatt Paris Vendome has 142 rooms and 35 suites-all featuring sleek rich mahogany and calming neutral colors. Pull-out sofas in all of the suites take the place of roll-away beds.

Amenities: You?ll find Blaise Mautin designer toiletries, heated bathroom floors, and walk-in closets, as well as 24-hour room service with Michelin-starred fare from the Pur'Grill restaurant downstairs and a 24-hour concierge.

Activities: The Louvre, the Tuileries Garden, and the Paris Opera are all within walking distance of the hotel.

Details: 5 rue de la Paix, from 760 euros for a Park Deluxe King, which sleeps three with a roll-away bed.

What it is: A luxury hotel situated between the Avenue de Champs Elysées and the Eiffel Tower.

The rooms: The rooms are decorated in Louis XVI, Regency, and art deco styles. There are 12 categories of rooms and suites to choose from, and connecting rooms and suites are available. Rooms have air-conditioning, television (flat screen in rooms and plasma screens in suites), DVD players, high-speed Internet access, marble-floor bathrooms, and separate baths and showers.

Amenities: The hotel has five different restaurants and 24-hour room service. It's wine cellar has more than 35,000 bottles. Upon request a housekeeper will arrange for a babysitter through a local agency. Little gourmands will love the hotel's mini chef's uniforms, which come with baking moulds and instructions. They also offer a pillow menu: Choose between wheat, destressing, beautifying, horsehair, osteopathic, or synthetic pillows.

Activities: Have tea while the kids play (supervised) on the carousel in Le Cour Jardin in the fall or on the ice rink in the winter. Choose from 120 television channels, 200 movies on request, 20 international radio channels, and 5,000 titles in the music library.

Details: 25 avenue Montaigne, from 790 euros for a Deluxe.

What it is: One of Paris's famous palace hotels.

The rooms: All the suites have a sitting room and one or two bedrooms and are large enough to accommodate an extra bed. Those on the garden side of the building are quieter.

Amenities: The hotel also has kid-size slippers and bathrobes and multilingual babysitters. It has a restaurant and three bars—one of them located poolside.

Activities: Check out the cooking classes for kids and adults at the famous Escoffier school. On Sundays, enjoy brunch while listening to live piano music in the Cesar Ritz Salon.

Details: 15 place Vendéme, from 730 euros for a Superior.

Provence

What it is: A luxuriously remodeled 18th-century farmhouse surrounded by 120-plus acres of lawn and woodlands at the foot of the Cevennes mountains.

The rooms: Choose from three bedrooms, three suites, and the summery Les Sables (Sand House)—each with its own vibrant character and unique decorating scheme. All seven guestrooms have soft lighting, wide windows, and billowy curtains and were decorated by designer Catherine Painvin, known for her women and children's clothing lines as well as her interior design.

Amenities: Lounge in the luminous atrium and take a meal in one of several cozy dining nooks, where children under 10 dine at half price and those under 2 eat for free. WiFi is available in the common room, and a pool and tennis courts await guests on the grounds outside.

Activities: Visit the nearby bamboo garden at Anduze or the Camargue beaches that flank the Mediterranean Sea.

Details: Mas de la Rouquette F-30560 Saint-Hilaire de Brethmas, from 350 euros a night for the two-bedroom Les Orgues suite, which sleeps four.

Terre Blanche

Four Seasons Provence at Terre Blanche

What it is: A luxurious resort hidden among the hills of Provence.

The rooms: There are 114 different types of rooms, villas, or suites furnished with natural wood and stone along with a color palette inspired by sunshine and flowers. Most rooms offer a private balcony, with a view of either the mountains or a neighboring village.

Amenities: The hotel has a welcome gift at check-in and a special treat is delivered to the room on the night of arrival. Flip-flops, beach bags, bathrobes, slippers, toiletries, cribs, high chairs, bottles, baby bathtubs, and more are available. Children can also enjoy a full-day kids' program, run around in the playground, or play in the swimming pool, which is equipped with water toys. Parents can kick back in the spa, sauna, or poolside relaxation lounge. A business center with Internet access is available 24 hours a day.

Activities: Guests have full access to the Terre Blanche Golf Club and the tennis courts with complimentary racquets, balls, and towels. Other fun activities include hiking and visiting the Mediterranean for sport fishing or water skiing.

Details: Domaine de Terre Blanche, 83440 Tourrettes, Var; from 645 euros for a Premier room.

Rambouillet

What it is: A 1543 Loire Valley 52-room estate featuring blue-slate turrets, moats, and formal gardens.

The rooms: Choose between five room styles, from a standard to the Exclusive suite. All feature a stately décor in various floral patterns, several with fireplaces, balconies, and lovely views of the surrounding grounds.

Amenities: Enjoy lunch or dinner in the cozy La Rochefoucauld restaurant with views of the French garden and pond, or take a meal in the Cuir de Cordoue restaurant with its views of the protected park area. The hotel can even pack a lunch to enjoy in the estate's woods.

Activities: Ask the concierge about arranging helicopter flights, hot-air balloon rides, or a game at the nearby 18-hole golf course. There's also a stained-glass gallery with workshops about creating and restoring stained glass. Other tourist attractions in the area include the Rambouillet Castles, the Chateau de Sauvage Animal Reserve, Versailles, and the historic town of Chartres.

Details: 28700 St Symphorien le Ch?teau, from 160 euros for a double.