The 10 most charming villages in France

French villages... We just can't get enough of them. No matter whether you travel north or south: all over France, you will find villages that are definitely worth a visit. With cozy little squares, gurgling fountains, cobbled streets, and each with an atmospheric ambiance. In this article, we have selected 10 villages that we consider among the most charming in France. From Normandy to the Côte d'Azur, past Alsace and Provence: which one will you visit this year?

Carcassonne

Èze

On a 429-meter-high (1407 ft) mountain lies the village of Èze. It is incredibly picturesque, with its many narrow streets and alleys, its characteristic church and the many beautiful views. Scattered throughout Èze are (expensive) restaurants and hotels, along with boutiques and stores. It can be quite a climb, but it is absolutely worth it.


You almost feel like you're in medieval times here with all the narrow streets. Èze is incredibly photogenic and after every turn the situation lends itself to taking a picture.

Giverny

"In this village with its timeless charm, light shines like nowhere else." These were the words of the master of Impressionism Claude Monet, who is a source of inspiration for visitors from all over the world. Located on the bank of the Seine, Giverny is known throughout the world thanks to Claude Monet's paintings. The artist lived here from 1883 until his death in 1926.


Claude Monet played a leading role in Impressionism and had a very special connection with Giverny. He owned a garden that inspired him beyond belief. Monet's presence attracted many other artists to Giverny. And so Giverny grew into the legendary, highly inspirational place it still is. In 1992, the Museum of American Art opened. In May 2009, the museum reopened, under a new name: Museum of Impressionism in Giverny.

Saint-Paul de Vence

The medieval village of Saint-Paul de Vence is located in the south of France in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. The medieval atmosphere is well preserved here with its narrow streets, old stone houses and cozy squares with fountains.


Saint-Paul de Vence is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and famous villages in Provence. It is located next to the town of Vence, and both are well worth a visit.


Saint-Paul de Vence is a very popular place among tourists. Every year, this picturesque village attracts over 2.5 million visitors. After Versailles and Mont Saint Michel, Saint-Paul de Vence is the busiest tourist attraction in France. This is mainly because this old village has remained so authentic throughout time.

Roussillon

Roussillon has the title "one of the most beautiful villages in France," and rightly so we believe. Beautiful ocher-colored houses of various hues stand on a hillside in Provence, around cute squares, streets, boutiques, art galleries and cafes. Spend a day in the small village, looking at the beautiful church and bell tower, and walk along the path of the nearby ochre-colored ravine.


Roussillon in Provence is certainly a special corner of France and a village you must visit.

Honfleur

Honfleur, a stunning port town which is very popular with tourists. The beautiful and old buildings make it a picturesque village. While walking around you will learn a lot about the rich history of Honfleur. Don't forget to stroll along the Seine. You walk along the ports, parks and along a boulevard. Afterwords sit down on one of the many terraces and enjoy this beautiful town.


The quaint little stores, the old streets and the port have been captured by various artists for countless years. You can also admire the works of classic and contemporary artists in numerous art galleries and studios. If you want to see the most beautiful works of art in Honfleur, we recommend going to the Musée Eugène-Boudin. Besides admiring the beautiful paintings, here you can learn all about different art styles.

Collioure

Picturesque Collioure is located in the southernmost tip of Occitania, southern France, at the place where the Pyrenees and the Mediterranean meet. With the sea on one side and the mountains on the other, there is much to discover in the vicinity of Collioure. But the fishing village itself is also extremely charming with picturesque houses, colorful streets and a beautiful coast.


After an eventful history in which the Greeks as well as the Romans, Arabs and the kings of Mallorca played a major role, the colorful Collioure was discovered around 1900 by the impressionists Matisse and Derain. The place is still very popular among many artists. According to Matisse, nowhere was the sky as blue as in Collioure.

Collioure is located on the Côte Vermeille, the southernmost and warmest region of mainland France. There is a Mediterranean climate here, which means that summers are warm and winters are mild. Not only the sea, but also the sky very often turns blue: in fact, the sun shines here an average of 300 days a year.

Cassis

Like us, you'll probably be impressed by the charming coastal town of Cassis. Its colorful cottages, bobbing fishing boats and picturesque alleys give you an instant ultimate summer feeling.


Cassis can easily be seen in a morning, but before you know it you'll be seduced by the many cozy terraces and relaxed atmosphere and you'll just stay there much longer. An ideal place for a summer break of a few days.

The port of Cassis is the beating heart of the town. Settle down on one of the many terraces to taste the locally produced wine and watch the boats in the background. Around the cozy Place de Baragnon there are several small boutiques. Twice a week, on Wednesdays and Fridays, the market takes place in town. In summer, there are also stalls in the evening, selling homemade art, among other things. In addition, Cassis has several amazing beaches.

Yvoire

On the southwestern shores of Lake Geneva, on the French side, between Geneva and Thonon-les-Bains lies the village of Yvoire. Because it is located on the tip of a peninsula, it had an important strategic position in earlier times. From this peninsula, Lake Geneva could be easily overlooked.

A castle was built on this peninsula in the twelfth century and a small village soon developed around it. To protect this village, a defensive wall was built around it. The Count of Savoy, Amédée V, decided in the fourteenth century that Yvoire should become an impregnable fortress. Even more defenses were built. Because of this virtually unassailable position, the village has maintained its original character throughout the centuries.


The medieval village of Yvoire is now known as one of the most beautiful villages in France (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France). It is known for its beautiful floral displays and ancient buildings, creating a picturesque setting for artists.

Conques

Hidden deep in the hills of central France, there are numerous special places. One of these is the village of Conques, located just below the Cantal. You feel as if you are still in the Auvergne, and that is mainly because of the architecture of the houses and churches you find here.


The church of Sainte-Foy is built in the Auvergne Romanesque style and has a special history. The church is particularly famous for one curiosity: the tympanum, or sculpture above the entrance.

Conques lives in a harmony of blue-gray slate, ochre limestone, roses, wisteria and half-timbered facades. Take your time to stroll through these authentic and subtle colors and discover the traces of the builders of Romanesque art.