Nestled in the heart of the picturesque village of Brantôme, France, is the pretty hotel Moulin de l'Abbaye, complete with bright blue window shutters, pink flora and a blanket in lush green ivy.

Brantôme, known as the "Venice of the Périgord" because of it's winding waterways, is a stunning spot where the 16th century masterpiece that is the quirky right-angled stone bridge known as Pont Coudé links the ancient abbey with the monastery garden as well as the medieval tower, the Renaissance pavilion and the abbey itself.

A riverside terrace shaded by mature trees houses a restaurant for the hotel guests and passing diners, providing the opportunity to while away the hours by the babbling River Dronne, where an old water wheel rolls lazily around.

Steeped in history, this charming place is ideal for a deeply relaxing getaway, where the rooms and common areas are decorated with a homey country feel, full of traditional checkered fabric, rattan seating and white washed woodwork.