The charm here is in the details: velvet curtains, candlelit corners, deep colours, antique-style furniture, and rooms that feel like they belong in Strasbourg rather than anywhere else. Madame C was such a different kind of hotel stay for us.

When planning a trip to France, Mont-Saint-Michel is a name that pops up time and time again - and for good reason. Rising dramatically from tidal flats off the coast of Normandy, this medieval island commune looks like something straight out of a fairytale. With its cobbled lanes, soaring Gothic abbey, and 360-degree sea views, Mont-Saint-Michel is a true bucket-list destination.