These places stand out from the crowd. The selection here is broad, from a 'Pension de Famille', a French institution that is definitely only for those who know and want exactly that kind of homely simplicity, to some rather grand establishments where superior comfort comes with genuine attentiveness. This title includes Special Places from the old and 'new' neighbourhoods: the Marais, the Bastille, the Canal Saint Martin and all the way up to Montmartre; bars with warm fires and deep sofas, flea market finds, 8th-century staircases, Empire antiquities, home-made jams and croissants, and country-house style; and, where to find a private chauffeur or a bicycle rental.

About the Author

A pioneer in the environmental world, Alastair Sawday has had a remarkably miscellaneous and varied career, which has taken him to the most far-flung corners of the globe: he headed up a VSO programme in Papua New Guinea, ran a disaster relief team for Oxfam in Turkey, and has run a small travel company, conducting walking tours throughout Europe.It was this that inspired him to publish his first travel guide, French Bed & Breakfast, after discovering various 'special' B&Bs and the extraordinary people that run them

Reviews

'To make sure your sejour is extra special, don't rely on chance when it comes to accommodation: consult Sawday' Living France