For some distinctive – and thoughtfully designed – accommodation, French property offers some curious places to stay while visiting the country.

The French Government Tourist Office notes the availability of French property in the form of wooden cabins.

At Saint-Frion, these provide shelter without adding manmade materials to the surrounding environment.

Nearby lakes provide an element of calm, while some accommodation comes equipped with a covered terrace in case of inclement weather.

Alternatively, at Brive-la-Gaillarde the French property available includes ‘gites’, which are part-buried to help regulate the internal temperature.

In addition to the cooling benefits this provides, the tourism body adds that gites are constructed around the notion of "living without being seen".

This could make them an even more attractive proposition to those concerned about their impact on the landscape than the wooden cabins described above.

And by exposing one side of the property which overlooks a downward slope, views across the valley can still be achieved.

Visit Rightmove Overseas for the best selection of French property. Stop dreaming, start searching!