Charming French Villages Francophile Travelers Will Love ...

By Neecey

There's no denying the allure of the major cities like Paris, Lyon and Marseille but if you really want to discover and experience French culture, you'll find it in the villages - large and small.

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1

La Roque-sur-Cèze, Languedoc-Roussillon

La Roque-sur-Cèze, Languedoc-Roussillon

A charming village of stone dominated by the remains of an ancient castle and Romanesque chapel. Expect cobbled streets and views of the Sautadet waterfalls.

2

Eze, Côte D'Azur

Eze, Côte D'Azur

It might lack the glitz of Cannes and St Tropez but the ancient village of Eze has fabulous views over St Jean-Cap Ferrat.

3

Gargilesse-Dampierre, Indre

Gargilesse-Dampierre, Indre

A favorite destination of George Sand (writer and lover of Chopin).

4

Barfleur, Manche Normandy

Barfleur, Manche Normandy

The grey granite buildings of this fishing port spread along a spit that juts out into the English Channel (or Le Manche as the french call it.)

5

Rochefort-en-Terre, Morbihan

Rochefort-en-Terre, Morbihan

Half-timbered housei s, gothic monuments, Renaissance hotels, and 19th Century’s architecture cohabit happily in this Brittany village.

Famous Quotes

One who gains strength by overcoming obstacles possesses the only strength which can overcome adversity.

Albert Schweitzer
6

La Grave, Haute-Alps

La Grave, Haute-Alps

A popular destination for walkers in summer and snow sports fans in winter.

7

Apremont-sur-Allier, Berry

Apremont-sur-Allier, Berry

This village is overlooked by its castle which is, interestingly, surrounded by a flower garden inspired by Vita Sackville-West’s landscaped garden in Sissinghurst, England.

8

Eguisheim, Alsace

Eguisheim, Alsace

A typical Alsatian village in the heart of the region's wine area.

9

Semur-en-Auxois, CÔTE D'or

Semur-en-Auxois, CÔTE D'or

An inspiration for artists who can often be seen sketching and painting the citadel.

10

Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Lot

Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Lot

Overlooking the River Lot, the village is a terrific showcase of medieval architecture.

11

Yvoire, Haute-Savoie

Yvoire, Haute-Savoie

It's easy to see why the village is known as "the Pearl of Lake Geneva".

12

Parfondeval, Aisne

Parfondeval, Aisne

Set in an agricultural area, this Picardy village is a picture-perfect pastoral scene.

13

Saint-Benoît-du-Sault, Indre

Saint-Benoît-du-Sault, Indre

As well as being picturesque itself, the village offers views of the lovely Portefeuille Valley.

14

Saint-Véran, Hautes-Alpes

Saint-Véran, Hautes-Alpes

In the heart of the "Parc Naturel Régional du Queyras" Nature Park, at a height of 2042 m, Saint-Véran prides itself on being the highest inhabited village in Europe

15

Noyers, Yonne

Noyers, Yonne

Visitors love to wander the narrow streets with their half-timberethe squares that once flourished with trade.

16

Beynac-et-Cazenac, Aquitaine

Beynac-et-Cazenac, Aquitaine

With its impressive castle and homes built on the cliffs along the Dordogne River, this gem is listed among the 'Most Beautiful Villages of France'.

17

Charroux, Auvergne

Charroux, Auvergne

This pretty fortified village's claim to fame is its mustard.

18

Seillans, VAr

Seillans, VAr

Everything a Provencal village should be and famoulsy where painter Max Ernst spent his last years.

19

Baume-les-Messieurs, Jura

Baume-les-Messieurs, Jura

The village sits in a deep gorge where three valleys meet.

20

Roussillon, Vaucluse

Roussillon, Vaucluse

The ocher cliffs are the perfect foil for a palette of flaming colors and the village's narrow streets.

21

Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, Côte D'or

Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, Côte D'or

This Burgundian village is built around a Benedictine abbey that was founded in the 8th Century.

22

Monpazier, Dordogne

Monpazier, Dordogne

With no less than 32 listed buildings, Monpazier is regarded as the prime example of a "bastide" (fortified village) among the 300 in South-western France.

23

Sainte-Eulalie-d’Olt, Aveyron

Sainte-Eulalie-d’Olt, Aveyron

In the narrow streets paved with stones from the Lot, the houses date from the 15th to 18th centuries and are lovingly bedecked with flowers.

24

Rodemack, Moselle

Rodemack, Moselle

The village is surrounded by 700 m of ramparts dating from the 15th century.

25

Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, Rhône-Alpes

Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval, Rhône-Alpes

Nestled in the Alps, the village's beauty is enhanced by the proximity to the Cascade de Rouget waterfall.

26

Piana, Corsica

Piana, Corsica

With its traditional stone houses and a church that dominates the village, Piana has lots of narrow streets to explore.

27

Hell Bourg, Réunion

Hell Bourg, Réunion

Not all charming French villages are in Mainland France or even Europe. This one is on Réunion island, an overseas dependency.

Feedback Junction

Where Thoughts and Opinions Converge

Wow I never even considered seeing these places now I'm definitely going, plus I speak French so I'm set

My favorite French village is Obernai. It's one of the cutest places in France and I felt so at home there.

omg! these are awesome places! I'll be traveling soon for sure ;)

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