Beyond Paris and France’s other stunning urban hubs, there are swathes of heavenly French countryside. It’s through here that the glorious inland waterways meander as they wend their way seawards. These roaming rural landscapes are home to the prettiest villages in France and we think it’s time to take you on a tour of some of our favourites.
Where are the most beautiful villages in France?
Naturally, there are thousands of French villages that will satisfy the eye, the appetite and the curiosity of many a tourist. But subjectivity aside, how does a village qualify as one of the most beautiful?
Did you know… In 1982, such was the focus of French tourism on Paris and the Riviera that an organisation was created purely to promote the most beautiful villages in France. The purpose being to encourage more visitors off the beaten track.
Entry into the 150 or so villages in this specific collection comes with a price tag for the associated promotion. There’s no doubting the beauty of the locations, many of which you’ll find in the Dordogne or the Lot, but it’s such a shame to ignore some of the others.
Prettiest villages in Alsace
The Germanic architecture and fresh pastel colours so recognisably Alsation are themes that blaze a trail through many Alsace villages. We’ve picked just a couple to tease you off track:
Turckheim
Turckheim is west of the highly celebrated Colmar on the Colmar-Turckheim-Munster railway route. Turckheim combines that curious mix of Old Town and New Town with history dating back to a Roman presence through to a post-Napoleonic church (1839) and post-annexation revival of its wine industry that puts Turckheim firmly on the Alsace wine route. The Old Town bears three gates each reflecting its historic purpose and foundations dating back to the 13th and 14th centuries.
Looking up, down and around as you explore the village, the bell tower on St Anne’s Church has distinctly Burgundian tiling, while its foundations date back to the late 1100s. The pink-hued Guardhouse has served many purposes in its 500+ years including covered market, assembly room and police station. While the celebratory mustard-coloured Hotel de Ville commands a presence worthy of its use as a ballroom through the years and the discovery of a Roman wall within.
Hunawihr
Hunawihr is a village of vines at the centre of which is the Church of St Jacques le Majeur. Perched above the rest of the village bounded by its fortified cemetery and fields of vines beyond, it casts a view across the stunning landscape and the village down the hill.
Named after the patron saint of washerwomen, Hune, this wine producing village is mostly ancient, half-timbered houses belonging to wine growers. Larger homes, built in the 19th century, are more grandiose in their presentation. This is a true village, size wise, but follow its historic walk route and you’ll get under the skin of its history and heritage. You’ll likely find your way to the welcoming cellar doors for tastings too. Expand your visit with some time at the Stork and Otter Reintroduction Centre and the Butterfly Garden.
> Visit these villages on an Alsace waterways holiday
Prettiest villages in Burgundy
Exploring France’s prettiest villages, you’ll soon appreciate the ancient, medieval history of the country. Burgundy’s prettiest villages are no different…
Châteauneuf en Auxois
Châteauneuf en Auxois tops the list of Burgundy’s prettiest villages because of its fine (and perhaps only remaining) example of Burgundy’s military architecture, which dates back to the 14th-century. The village’s plan to protect itself during the Hundred Years War remains intact today with high curtain walls and impressive towers and turrets.
All this also reflects the wealth of those who lived or moved here during that period – you’re spoilt for choice of merchant houses, for example. The village’s keep dates to the 12th-century, while Gothic influences can be appreciated in the Grand Logis and the home of Philippe Pot, knight of the Golden Fleece. Views of Morvan national park will delight if you have time to look outward too.
Brancion
Brancion is perched high in the hilltops of Southern Burgundy. This medieval village is all enclosed within its ancient walls and only foot traffic can enter in unless you’re a local. From within its fortress walls, the climb continues to the Romanesque chapel of St Peter where your efforts are suitably rewarded with 14th-century frescoes.
Outside let yourselves be consumed with the views. Burgundy is at your feet, literally. Savour the sheer joy of looking back across a landscape one has cruised through, although doubtlessly the view will spur further curiosity too.
> Visit villages like these on a Burgundy barge cruise
Prettiest villages in Aquitaine
Three of the prettiest villages in France fall in the Lot-et-Garonne area of Aquitaine. It seems unfair to exclude any of them, so let’s briefly touch on all three.
Pujols
Not far from the Via Podiensis, one of the most famous routes of the Camino de Santiago, Pujols lures visitors with its views of the Lot Valley and its 16th-century architecture. Two churches and myriad half-timbered houses combine for an easy-on-the-eye afternoon.
Monflanquin
Explore this former bastide and its grid-like layout as you marvel at the 13th-century church of Saint-André and indulge at Thursday morning’s traditional village market. The bastide museum will fill in the gaps created by your curiosity as you wander through the streets.
Villeréal
Another 13th-century church awaits in Villereal, inland from Agen. But the Saturday morning market is a delight for the senses exuding the very best of the area’s produce. This part of France is renowned for its foie gras, fruit and nut orchards, so you won’t go hungry after a walking tour of ancient architecture and gardens.
> Visit villages like these on a hotel barge cruise in Aquitaine
Prettiest villages along the Canal du Midi
With its icon status and extensive length, how does one select the prettiest villages in France along the Canal du Midi? With great difficulty!
Bize-Minervois
From a mooring in Narbonne, venture inland via train towards the Black Mountains for a day in Bize-Minervois. This thriving village of traditional independent shops has an air of Romeo and Juliet romanticism about its balconies and stone walls. Its riverside spot also provides a lifeguard-monitored swimming spot during hot summer afternoons. The train stops at nearby L’Oubilo, famed for its olive producing cooperative and well worth a stop for some of the most divine locally sourced snacks you’ll find.
Aigne
The fortified village of Aigne is surrounded by sprawling vineyards. It’s somewhat reminiscent of the village in Hotel Chocolat where the church is at the centre of its narrow streets. Yet these winding routes through the village guide you to an artist’s haven of galleries and studios. That’s even before you discover the open cellar doors of the local wine producers dotted in and around the village.
> Visit villages like these on a Canal du Midi hotel barge cruise
Prettiest villages in Champagne
Amongst the Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Meunier vines gracing the hillsides of Champagne are some of France’s prettiest villages, whether you like to drink fizz or not.
Hautvillers
The small and unassuming village of Hautvillers is across the river Marne from Epernay and home to the tomb of Dom Perignon. There’s a genuine sense of peace here, the Benedictine abbey seems to cast a calm over the village and superiority of the drink that the vines create is abundant too. Alongside the vines of Moet et Chandon discover smaller, equally long established and exquisitely tasting champagnes like family run cellar Tribaut. After a tasting and a wander, there’s a cute village cafe for less inebriating refreshments!
Avize
To appreciate the nation’s pride in its champagne heritage, one of the prettiest villages in France that does this best is Avize. Little known yet easy to stumble upon on a drive or cycle from Epernay towards Chalon en Champagne, this ancient once-fortressed village grows only chardonnay grapes. Seek out the champagne themed frescoes amidst the solid oak doors and colourful window boxes of its old stone houses and enjoy the local tipple at the cellar door.
> Visit villages like these while hotel barging in Champagne
Prettiest villages in Provence
Provence is unimaginably pretty, immensely photogenic and rather heavenly to explore visually and gastronomically. As such it’s tricky to whittle down its contribution to the prettiest villages in France. Between those in the Luberon and those in the Verdon national park, rocky cliffs and lush landscapes nurture many of these almost dreamy places to visit in Provence.
Moustiers St Marie
The Provence village of Moustiers St Marie, close to Verdon gorge, dates back to the 5th century. Oozing ancient charm it is famous for and proudly celebrates its earthenware (faience) heritage, which its museum will happily educate you on. Be captivated by its narrow streets and quintessential central square, but be wowed by the 262 step climb through its limestone cliffs to the Notre Dame de Beauvoir chapel. You’ll wonder how, but you’ll soon appreciate why when your gaze casts across the village below and the Maire valley beyond.
Roussillon
Rich in colour and geological heritage, Roussillon is the rusty, red-orange hued village of Provence that reflects the natural colours of its neighbouring Sentier des Ocres quarry from which much of the village was built. The village’s perch affords heavenly vistas across the Luberon valley especially once you’ve walked up to the Belfry within the central, fortified part of this ancient village. Walk on from here to the quarry and around on a mapped walk to feel a sense of awe at your surroundings.
> See some of these villages while hotel barging in Provence
Prettiest villages in Jura
Jura is a spectacular corner of eastern France bordering and often consumed into Burgundy. Its lush woodland hillsides and vineyards are dotted with lesser known villages, which makes all the more stunning when you discover one.
Château-Chalon
You may have read about vin jaune in our guide to Jura wines but here in Château-Chalon, you can taste it at the cellar door. This Jura village is home to winemakers as well as an interactive wine museum and an old cheese factory converted to educate on the process of making Comte. So aside from being one of the prettiest villages in France courtesy of its hillside spot and pretty, historic houses, you’ll be able to savour a delicious treat too.
Baume-les-Messieurs
In the Jura Mountains, before you reach the Swiss border, this area’s dramatic valleys will reveal one of France’s prettiest villages. Baume-les-Messieurs can claim this title in part because of its striking geology and the impressive tufa waterfalls that cascade nearby. Yet also for its rich history reflected in many of its features being awarded Historical Monument status. Devour the histories of Saint-Pierre Abbey, a Benedictine abbey dating back to the 9th century. Cross the 13th-century bridge over the river Seille for another vista or take your pick of towers around the village offering viewpoints across one of France’s least inhabited corners.
Prettiest villages in Brittany
France’s prettiest villages may well cluster in greater density the further south one travels but its northern departments certainly don’t disappoint.
Rochefort-en-Terre
Window box after window box of color and creativity may well be the longstanding memory of one of the prettiest villages in France, here in Brittany. These colorful adornments to houses in the village of Rochefort-en-Terre were the brainchild of American artist, Klots. Up in the highest part of the village, whose name means stronghold, look for signs of medieval trading wealth in the form of its castle, many mansions and a château.
Ploumanac’h
One of the prettiest villages in France skirts the sweet pink granite coastline of northern Brittany so gracefully you’ll be torn between a picture postcard description and Hollywood movie set. Quaint, picturesque beachside villages are hard to come by. Yet this one marries golden shoreline with pretty village center by way of smooth and significantly sized granite rocks. Its uniqueness is remarkably beautiful.
Visit some of the prettiest villages in France
Perhaps the most exceptional element of a French waterways holiday is its tour through the lesser beaten tracks of France. We can steer you along these according to how you’d like to build your France itinerary.
Drop us a line to explore how best to weave a boating holiday into your next visit to France.
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