The 20 Most Beautiful Villages in France You Must Visit

The term Les Plus Beaux Villages de France literally translates as the most beautiful villages in France. That really is saying something considering there are so many beautiful French villages. But the tiny villages that gain this elite title are truly magical. And as well as being beautiful, they capture the history and the essence of their region.

It’s unlikely you will be able to visit all 159 of the most beautiful villages in France so we have picked 20 of the best of the best from every corner of France and we think don’t think you will be disappointed.

History of the Most Beautiful Villages in France

The Plus Beaux Villages de France is an association that was set up in 1982 to protect the rich heritage of certain unique villages in France and to promote tourism. Despite the name, the classification ‘Plus Beaux Village’ is not based on how beautiful the village is (although this seems to be an unwritten requirement). There are three main criteria that must be met to qualify as a Plus Beaux Village.

1. The population must total no more than 2000 inhabitants.
2. There must be at least 2 national heritage sites.
3. The application must have the support of the local council.

20 most beautiful villages in France map

The 159 villages are dotted all over France so wherever you are, there will be one near you to visit. The regions with the most beautiful villages in France are the Dordogne, Aveyron, Vaucluse and Lot. We can’t list all 159 of them so we have listed our favourites and have asked for additional input from some other fantastic travel bloggers. Check the official website for a list of all 159 Plus Beaux Villages de France,

Many of the villages are in the most beautiful places in France in spectacular French countryside and so as well as visiting the village, there will usually be a wealth of things to do in the local area. We’ve included a few ideas of things to do in the area surrounding the villages.

We don’t have a particular favourite French village as they each offer something so unique, so we have just listed them by ‘Département’ (administrative area) in alphabetical order.

Plus Beaux Villages in Alpes de Haute-Provence

Moustiers Sainte Marie

Moustiers Sainte Marie is one of the original Plus Beaux Villages de France. It has an elevated position in the Verdon Natural Regional Park overlooking the beautiful turquoise Lac de Sainte Croix. The village is a labyrinth of narrow streets with a number of interesting churches. Be sure to check out the locally produced ceramics (faïence).

There’s plenty to see and do in the area, particularly if you’re into adventure and water sports. If you’re there in the summer months (mid-June to mid-July), you should visit the beautiful lavender and sunflower fields that are around nearby Valensole.

For more information on what to see and do, see the Moustiers Sainte Marie tourism site.

Plus Beaux Villages in Ariège

Camon

Camon is a tiny little fortified village nicknamed ‘Little Carcassonne’. Pop into the tourist office for a guided tour of the ramparts, church and Benedictine abbey. You may need to book in advance out of season. It is magical at sunset when the golden light catches the ramparts and this is when there are no tourists, just those staying in the village.

Mirepoix is worth checking out, especially on market day (Monday morning) and if you love sunflowers, you’ll be in for a treat in the summer months with lots of sunflower fields in the local area.

Plus Beaux Villages in Charente Maritime

La Flotte

A beautiful little village with a port on the dreamy holiday island of Ile de Re. Whitewashed houses with faded blue and green shutters line the narrow streets that lead to the port. Walk along the harbour wall towards the lighthouse for views back over the village.

Make sure to stop in at Saint Martin de Ré, a busy port town. You’ll be greeted by shaggy donkeys guarding the fortified walls. Walk along the walls from the Citadelle to the lighthouse and then to the port where you’ll find the glitzy side of Ile de Ré with high-end shops and restaurants.

Ars en Ré

Ars en Ré is a quiet little whitewashed village with a small port nestled next to the salt marshlands with abundant birdlife. The unique steeple (resembling a rocket) of Saint-Etienne church built in the 15th-century can be seen from miles away and is used by sailors to navigate.

Ile de Ré is easily (and probably best) explored by bike. There are many (completely flat and vehicle-free) cycling tracks all over the island. Make sure to check out the tourist site for things to see and do in Ile de Ré.

Plus Beaux Villages in the Dordogne

La Roque Gageac

Sandwiched between the banks of the Dordogne and towering limestone cliffs, this once busy port is now busy with canoeists and holidaymakers taking leisurely cruises on a Gabarre, a traditional flat-bottomed boat of the Dordogne.

The main sites to see in the Manoir de la Tarde and the Château de la Malartrie which you will see wandering around the narrow backstreets. The best time to visit La Roque-Gageac is at sunset when the honey-coloured stone of the buildings and the limestone cliffs takes on a golden glow.

Make sure to visit Sarlat on market day (Wednesday and Saturday) for one of the biggest markets in the Dordogne and don’t miss visiting the beautiful gardens at Eyrignac and Marqueyssac.

For more information on visiting La Roque-Gageac, check the Sarlat-Perigord Noir tourism site where you’ll also find information on booking a gabarre cruise.

Beynac et Cazenac

Perched on the edge of the Dordogne, it is a little bigger than La Roque with its castle. The cobbled pathways taking you up to the castle are very steep (and very slippery if wet), but you will be treated to fabulous views over the Dordogne from the top.

The Loire is famous for its Châteaux but the Dordogne also has its fair share. It’s known as the land of 1001 castles.

Mid June – mid September is market day on Monday and where you’ll get free parking. Otherwise, parking in peak season is a scramble. There is a large field just on the outskirts of the village, but the queues for the ticket machine can get very long.

For more on visiting Beynac et Cazenac, see the tourism website.

Plus Beaux Villages in Haut Rhin

Eguisheim

Eguisheim is a real-life Disney village in Alsace. In fact, it is said that the movie set of Beauty and the Beast was based on this village. The small fairy tale town in Alsace is packed full of cute and colourful timber-framed houses that are synonymous with the Alsace region.

There is a huge car park just on the outskirts of town from where you can pick up the tourist train if you don’t want to walk. We decided to walk because there are so many little backstreets to explore.

Although most people will be visiting these villages in the summer months, it is also worth considering that towns and villages in Alsace have some superb Christmas markets, such as Colmar and Strasbourg, which are not to be missed.

Riquewihr

Neighbouring Riquewihr is just as spectacular with the same colourful houses. It is one of the few towns in the area not to have been too badly damaged in World War II. The Dolder Tower (the original 13th-century defensive gate ) is particularly impressive and here you’ll find the Dolder Museum where you can learn about the history of the town.

Riquewihr is on the wine route in the heart of the Alsatian vineyards and is well known for its Riesling production which is another a great reason to visit.

If you’re in this area, you shouldn’t miss visiting Kayersberg which was actually our favourite, even though it isn’t a Plus Beaux village! Also worth visiting is the Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg which is close by.

Plus Beaux Villages in Haute Savoie

Yvoire

This medieval fishing village along with its 14th-century castle sits on the shores Lake Geneva with its crystal clear waters. As well as being a Plus Beaux Village, it’s also classed as a ‘village fleuri’ due to its streets being adorned with colourful flowers.

You must visit the Garden of Five Senses in the centre of the village where your senses will be well and truly awakened. You are invited to smell, touch, look, listen and even taste the plants in various gardens with lovely activities for the family, including a maze.

Autoire

Autoire is a small village with a fairy tale air to it as you approach with its Rapunzel-style turrets. In fact, it is nicknamed the ‘Petit Versailles’. There are some narrow streets leading up and behind the village from where you can get lovely views over the brown tiled rooftops.

On the way to Autoire you can stop off at the Autoire waterfall, the largest waterfall in the Dordogne at 30 m high. Loubressac is also a Plus Beaux Village and only 5 km from Autoire so you should make a stop there too. See next entry for more information on Loubressac.

Cadennac is also in the region but we missed out on this one as it was 40 degrees and we had a swim in the Dordogne to cool down instead. There’s a great swimming spot at Le Port de Gluges where the D840 crosses the river. You can also hire canoes here if you’re looking to go canoeing on the Dordogne.

Plus Beaux Villages in Lot

Loubressac

Loubressac is perched high up on a hill and can be seen in the distance as you approach from Autoire. The drive up to the village is along a slightly hair-raising, winding road but it’s worth the effort. The views from the village out across the countryside are stunning.

Must visit Gouffre de Padirac and Rocamadour – a medieval village of huge religious importance (famous for its Black Madonna) clinging impossibly to a vertical cliff. The views from the church at the top are incredible, but not for the faint-hearted!