15 Beautiful Villages in France You’ve Probably Never Heard Of

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One of the best things about visiting France is leaving the big cities and exploring some of the most beautiful villages in France.  Dotted across the country, picturesque French villages will capture your heart from the moment you arrive, with their ancient cobblestone streets, flowery facades, quiet surroundings and stunning views of their surroundings, whether those happen to be rivers, mountains, vineyards or the sea.

These fifteen virtually-unknown beautiful villages, located all across France, usually have fewer than a thousand residents (some have fewer than one hundred!) but they still draw in-the-know visitors who come to escape the city life for their pastoral charm, their rich history, and their friendly citizens who are always excited to welcome visitors to their beautiful village.

1. Gerberoy

With a population of less than 100 people, Gerberoy is one of the most charming villages in northwest France. An easy two-hour drive from Paris, Gerberoy is known for its annual Rose Festival, held in June, and the pretty Jardins de Henri Le Sidanier, from which the village’s passion for roses… blossomed.  As you stroll through town, keep an eye out for local artist’ studios, the medieval Saint-Pierre church, and the square tower, which is all that remains of the castle that once stood here.  A two-kilometer walking trail connects Gerberoy to nearby Songeons, where you can visit a well-preserved 19th-century laundry.

2. Lyons-la-Forêt

Situated in the middle of the forest, Lyons-la-Forêt is one of the most beautiful villages in France.  The heart of the village is the central square (shown above), where restaurant terraces spill out onto the cobblestone sidewalk and the buildings along the streets still retain their original timber facades. Make sure to walk along the river to the medieval Church of Saint Denis, which houses beautiful stained-glass windows.

From Lyons-la-Forêt it’s a five-kilometer hike, or quick drive, to the Mortemer Abbey. Equal parts romantic and spooky, this former Cistercian monastery attracts local singles who believe that tossing a hairpin into its fountain will attract a partner within the next three years.

 

3. Veules-les-Roses

Veules-les-Rose is a village with a heart made of water. Located on France’s rugged north coast, less than thirty minutes from Dieppe, Vueles-les-Rose is located on France’s shortest river. The entire Veules River flows through town for all of 1.2 kilometers, and while it no longer spins flour mills or weavers’ mills, today it provides a fertile environment for cresson, or watercress, to grow.  Along the river, traditional houses are topped with thatched roofs and showcase their original timber facades.

Veules-les-Rose has been a popular beach resort town since the 19th century. Its waterfront is lined with colorful bathing huts, and while the beach can be a bit rocky, there’s an enjoyable playground for younger travelers who love a good splash.

4. Yèvre-le-Châtel

There are very few villages in France that can claim to have mesmerized writer Victor Hugo himself, but Yèvre-le-Châtel holds that honor.  In a letter to his wife, Hugo called the village “magnificent”, noting that he was particularly enchanted by the ruins of the thirteenth-century Yèvre-le-Châtel castle and the church of Saint Gault.  The castle here will take your breath away, with its four gigantic towers and thick stone walls (which can be ascended on afternoons during the summer opening season).

5. Beuvron-en-Auge

Beuvron-en-Ange is one of the most beautiful villages in Normandy, and is particularly attractive to travelers who want an authentic culinary experience.  This little village, home to fewer than 250 people, is considered an ideal place to sample traditional dishes from the region.  Grab a table at one of the restaurants on Place Michel Vermughen and order a glass of local Beuvron cider or a crepe drizzled with Calvados, the local apple brandy. If you’re visiting in autumn, the town hosts an annual Cider Fair in October.

6. Châteauneuf (Côte d’Or)

There’s more than one Châteauneuf in France, and I’m not talking about the famous on in Provence. Rather, one of the most beautiful villages in France is Châteauneuf in the Côte d’Or region of Burgundy in northeast France.  Again, while fewer than 100 people actually live in Châteauneuf, many more domestic tourists visit this little village each year to take in its spectacular medieval castle.  Open daily (but closed mid-day for a lunch break), the castle has mostly been preserved in its original state, and now houses a collection of 17th-century tapestries. The village surrounding the castle is full of well-preserved merchant houses dating back to the Renaissance.  At the nearby Church of Saint Philippe and Saint Jacques, the church bells are recognized as heritage monuments after having been recast at least four times following a series of unfortunate historical disasters (lightning strikes, fires and several wars).

7. Vézelay

Vézelay‘s soaring hilltop location makes it one of the most beautiful villages in France. Located midway between Paris and the Swiss border, Vézelay is only ten kilometers from the train station in Sermizelles, meaning that it can be accessed even without a private vehicle (pre-book your taxi transfer with one of the several operators in Sermizelles).

As you can see from the photo, the focal point of  is its Romanesque Basilica of Sainte-Madeleine. Inside, the ninety-nine pillars are topped with decorative medieval capitals, and the monks and nuns who live on site still chant their traditional words several times per day. Underneath the basilica, a bronze shrine contains relics of Mary Magdalene. In town, you’ll find a museum dedicated to the lives and experiences of the people who built the basilica, as well as a museum honoring Viollet-le-Duc, the architect who restored the basilica more than two hundred years ago.

8. Aiguèze

Aiguèze sits alongside the Ardeche River in southern France. In the early 1900s the archbishop of Rouen made it his personal mission to restore and preserve this medieval town, and his efforts live on today. Visitors can walk the town ramparts, taking in the panoramic views of the surrounding vineyards and the river. You’ll also want to visit the village’s eleventh-century church, ornately decorated with statues and paintings.  In the summer, there are weekly produce markets on Thursday mornings, and the local tourist information office hosts various activities for visitors.  Of course, if you’re simply seeking a little peace and quiet, nothing beats a lazy afternoon laying on the beach and cooling off in the clean river waters.

If you want to explore the nearby hiking trails, or hire a kayak to explore the river, it will help if you speak a little bit of French.  Here’s my guide to learning French for travel.

9. Les Baux-de-Provence

There’s a sneaky reason I included this on my list of the most beautiful villages in France.  Certainly, Les Baux-de-Provence is by far the most famous village on this list.  However, I had to mention it because this rocky, cliff-side fortified citadel is the inspiration for one of my favorite scents of all time: L’Occitane’s Eau des Baux.  Men, do not leave France without picking up a bottle of this cologne (with notes of bergamot, cedarwood, frankincense and vanilla) that was inspired by the knights who defended this village for more than 500 years. (Women, you can wear this scent too!)

The highlight of any visit to Les Baux-de-Provence is a self-guided tour of the medieval castle, which is available in ten languages. You’ll learn about the history of the hotly-contested town, the lords who once reigned over the lands, and the sights that you can still see around you.  Another must-see attraction is the Renaissance Window, a crumbling facade enscribed with the words Post Tenebras Lux (“After Darkness, Light”).  The village is surrounded by well-marked walking trails, including the spectacular (but easy!) Valley of Hell trail.

Bus service to Les Baux-de-Provence is both infrequent and seasonal, so it’s not always easy to make it all the way to this village.  Fortunately, you can easily visit nearby Saint-Remy-de-Provence by bus from Avignon. This pretty town inspired many of Van Gogh’s most famous works, and is home to one of the region’s best-preserved archeological sites.

10. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie

Okay, I snuck in another one that’s fairly well-known by savvy visitors to France. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is home to about 700 residents, may of whom work in the traditional local ceramic industry. Thus, visitors love coming to Moustiers-Sainte-Marie to shop for faïence, or tin-glazed pottery. During the high season, daily tours (available in English) depart from the tourist information office and walk you through the village center, explaining the history of the community and the legend of the star that hangs, suspended, above the village.

It’s possible to reach Moustiers-Sainte-Marie via public intercity bus, typically from Nice, Marseille and Aix-en-Provence.  If you have your own car, it’s an easy drive from here to the Verdon Canyon.

11. Pérouges

One of the most beautiful medieval villages in France, Pérouges is easily accessible by bus or train from Lyon (the village is three kilometers uphill from the bus and train stations – consider taking a taxi!).

If you have more than one or two days in Lyon, France, it’s worth considering a day trip to this beautiful village.  All of the hotels in my Lyon hotel guide offer easy public transit connections to the surrounding region. 

Originally part of the Kingdom of Savoy (like my favorite Italian city, Turin), Pérouges’ architecture hints at its history as a village desired by competing kingdoms. The fortified church is as much for prayer as it is for defense, and the centuries-old lime tree in Place du Tilleuel is known as the “tree of freedom”.  If you’re in Pérouges for lunch, don’t miss the village’s signature dish: a galette de Pérouges made from thin brioche dough (thicker than a crepe) topped with lemon zest, butter and caramelized sugar.  Of course, it’s best served with a glass of sparkling wine!

12. Auvillar

Located on the banks of the Garonne river, in France’s Occitane region, Auvillar is a pretty village that houses two museums: one celebrating the region’s arts and crafts traditions, and the other focused on the history of boating on the Garonne. As you stroll through the historic center, look for the old covered market (shown above, on the right) where a variety of grains used to be sold.  I also recommend checking out the murals inside the riverfront Saint Catherine Chapel (only open in the summer) and the Church of Saint Pierre.

For people who are interested in unusual accommodation experiences, Auvillar’s most unique guesthouse may pique your interest.  In Auvillar, there is the possibility to stay in a dovecote, or columbarium – better known as a house for pigeons.

13. Bruniquel

Bruniquel has recently gained attention not only as a beautiful village, but also as an archeological hot spot. Just outside the village, the Bruniquel Cave was discovered only in 1990s and found to have evidence of Neanderthal life inside. The village itself is significantly more modern, though, with most of the structures dating back to the Middle Ages.

The most visible attractions here are the Châteaux de Bruniquel, twelfth-century castles with soaring ceilings, Renaissance art and exhibits about the local history. The village’s Tourist Information office has audio guides that can help you take a self-guided walking tour through the rest of the village, where you’ll see historic merchant houses, covered archways and an old stone church.

14. Monpazier

One of the most beautiful French villages in the Dordogne is Monpazier.  This fortified medieval village is built around Place des Cornieres, a well-preserved town square that still hosts a weekly market on Thursdays (and a seasonal mushroom market in autumn, with dates depending on when the “magic” mushrooms appear!). Many experts agree that this is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in the entire country. A visit to the Bastideum interpretive center can help you understand the town’s architecture and history, or a guided stroll (organized through the tourist information office on the main square) can also help reveal the town’s secrets.

If Monpazier looks familiar to you, it may be because director Ridley Scott recently filmed scenes for The Last Duel here!

15. Najac

An easy 90-minute drive from Toulouse, Najac is one of the most beautiful towns in the world, never mind France!  Tumbling down the hill from its show-stopping fortress, Najac is dense with medieval houses (known for their special tile roofs), the Church of Saint John the Evangelist, one of the first Gothic churches in the region, and its original fourteenth-century fountain.

Market days here are on Sunday morning in the summer, and it’s worth trying to schedule your visit to align. You may come across vendors selling fouace de Najac, a crown-shaped bread flavored with orange blossom water, or gateau a la broche, a special local cake that gets baked on a skewer over an open fire.

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