Château De Valjoyeuse in Montagnac, located near the Mediterranean coast, offers travelers plenty of ways to find a little vacation joy. When you're not swimming, playing tennis, or visiting the 9th-century chapel, head out to explore the estate's renowned winery to sip some more fun. The property has 150 acres of vines you can explore, plus a tasting room for trying out different vintages produced on-site.

The château also offers all the details you'd expect in an estate like this, including cavernous fireplaces and a handsome library, which is the perfect spot to unwind at the end of the day

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Location, location, location. This lovingly restored 14th-century château in the Midi-Pyrénées at the edge of the Dordogne is surrounded by active vineyards, sunflower fields, and idyllic villages. And, with 12 bedrooms and seven bathrooms, there's plenty of space for you and your entire extended family. There's plenty to explore in the home, including a well-stocked library, multiple fireplaces, game rooms, a separate self-contained apartment for children with dorm-style beds, and ample shared living spaces to come together and relax at the end of the day. Outside you'll find glorious gardens with fruit trees, a pool, a grill, and two alfresco dining perches.

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This family-friendly castle on 50 acres of flowering woodland is perfect for anyone dreaming of a classic fairytale stay. Among the ten guest rooms there's even one in a tower with a circular pink canopy bed. The property also has a wine cellar with a sound system, a heated pool, a children's play area with a sandpit, an indoor sports hall with gym equipment, a badminton court, and a pool table.

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An intriguing blend of Indonesian and medieval design elements makes this chateau a stunning place for a getaway. On the first floor of the restored home, guests will find bedrooms featuring floor-to-ceiling French doors that open to the outside and a fully equipped kitchen to gather around. On warmer days, plan to dine outside at the home's zen garden, which comes with a grill surrounded by 12th-century gargoyle statues and a stone pool filled with tranquil blue water.

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In an old vineyard manor by the sea, you can lord over a renovated estate built in the 1830s by one of the many wine and brandy producers in the Languedoc region. (Legend has it that some of the country's first vines were planted here.) Le Manoir is well-designed for families with seven ensuite bedrooms, a fully restored kitchen, a salon, marble fireplaces, a wine cellar, and a game room. Outside attractions include a pool, a fitness center, a large garden, and a leafy courtyard with a grill and a dining area perfect for alfresco meals. If your group is greater than 14, there's a charming sister property called "The Old Winery of Canet" that sleeps another eight people.

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