We’re taking you on a journey through the 20 most beautiful villages in France. Think flower-filled bridges, fairytale castles, and views that’ll make you want to move in immediately. And if narrowing it down sounds impossible, don’t worry, we saved our personal top 3 favorites for the very end.
Oh, and before we dive in, we’ve put together a free download for you with all the places we talk about, plus one bonus spot we didn’t include in this post (or the youtube video). We also added our top 3 must-do activities for each one.
DOWNLOAD YOUR FREE FRENCH TRAVEL GUIDE HERE
20 Most Beautiful Villages in France
Normandy France
We’re starting our journey in Normandy. If you’re subscribed to our newsletter, you would’ve seen a behind the scenes of our recent trip there. If you’re not already on the list, sign up to our weekly newsletter to stay updated, plus we share super useful travel tips!
Honfleur
This charming port town sits right on the Normandy coast. The nearest big city is Le Havre—where the Seine River finishes its journey—which is just about 25 km (or 15 miles) away, right across the bridge. It’s also around 200 km (or 125 miles) from Paris, so it’s totally doable as a long day trip or a weekend escape.
While you’re there, don’t miss the galettes (savoury buckwheat crêpes) at a cute spot called J’en crêpe d’envie. Galettes are originally from Brittany, but since Normandy is right next door, you’ll find them here too. We tried one with typical toppings from Normandy—apple, Vire sausage, and creamy camembert. So good!
Avranches
Also in Normandy—and really close to Mont-Saint-Michel—is one of my personal favourite towns called Avranches. The nearest big city is Rennes, about 85 km (or 50 miles) away. This place is known for the Église Notre-Dame-des-Champs and the Jardin des Plantes, a gorgeous public garden with views of Mont-Saint-Michel in the distance. It’s seriously beautiful.
Fun fact: the Scriptorial Museum here keeps ancient manuscripts from Mont-Saint-Michel, including a Bible from the 9th century. If you love history, definitely pay it a visit.
As for what we ate. Right next to the church, there’s a patisserie called Éclat de Fèves—and we’re not even kidding, we had the best caramel éclair of our lives there. The caramel flan was also amazing, and we gave their Brioche Normande a try too (since brioche is originally from Normandy), but honestly, the éclair and flan stole the show.
One of our top 3 destinations is in Normandy and we’ll reveal it at the end, can you guess where it is?
Granville
Granville is a coastal town in the Manche department. Rennes is the closest major city—about 110 km (or 70 miles) away—and it’s also just about an hour’s drive from Mont-Saint-Michel, so it’s easy to fit into your itinerary.
Being a seaside town, Granville is known for its seafood. There’s this spot right by the port called Restaurant du Port, and we loved it so much we actually went back a year later on our recent trip just to eat there again. Their creamy moules frites (that’s mussels with fries) were amazing—when they’re in season, of course.
The second time we went, they didn’t have any mussels available, which totally surprised us. We ended up trying other seafood dishes on the menu—not what we were craving, but still good and fresh.
However! Our top destination coming up does have moules frites year-round, and we’ll tell you exactly why—so keep watching.
We’ve added a great place to see the sunset here in Granville in the free guide, so don’t forget to go grab it.
If you’d rather watch than read… we’ve got you covered.
There’s a YouTube video that goes along with this post! Sometimes seeing everything in action just makes it all click better.
Brittany
Next, let’s move along to the left of the map to Normandy’s neighbour, Brittany.
Fougères
Fougères is one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Brittany. The closest big city is Rennes, just about 50 km (or 30 miles) away, so it’s very easy to reach.
The main highlight here is the Château de Fougères—a 12th-century fortress that stood strong through all kinds of invasions during the Hundred Years’ War. You can visit it for €10, and we’ve linked the official site in case you want to check it out or book your tickets ahead of time.
For an absolutely gorgeous view of the château and the whole valley, make sure to stop by the public garden next to Église Saint-Léonard. Trust us—you’ll be sorry if you miss it!
Dinan
Also in Brittany—just about an hour from Fougères—is a cute little town called Dinan. Rennes is still the closest major city, around 55 km (or 35 miles) away.
Dinan is known for its beautiful half-timbered and stone houses, and it’s full of medieval charm. One place you have to visit is the Basilique Saint-Sauveur. From the outside, it might look like just another church—but trust us, the inside is gorgeous.
For the best view in town, head to the St. Catherine Tower viewpoint. You’ll get an incredible look at the old bridge, the port, and the river below. It’s seriously stunning.
And of course—we had to try some local pastries. We stopped by Yann de Bretagne and loved the lemon and apple tarts (the berry one was okay, but not our fave). They also sell tons of regional products, so naturally, we grabbed a jar of their salted caramel—because we cannot resist salted caramel in this family!
Loire Valley
Below Normandy, let’s head over to central France, about 2 hours and a half drive from Paris.
Langeais
Langeais is a commune in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. The closest city is Tours, just 25 km (15 miles) away.
Langeais is known for its stunning château called Château de Langeais. It is a fortress that was rebuilt in 1465 after being heavily damaged during the Hundred Years’ War. It costs 12€ to enter.
Be sure to check out the Pont de Langeais (that’s the Langeais bridge) right next to the château. It crosses the Loire River and connects both sides of town, and the view of the château from the bridge is seriously gorgeous—you don’t want to miss it.
And if you’re in the area with a car, definitely think about stopping by Château de Rochecotte Hôtel Restaurant. It’s only about 10 minutes away and 100% worth the detour. We had afternoon tea there and paid 20€ per person which is an amazing price for such a beautiful place. We are all about showing you how to have amazing, luxury experiences without going over budget.
Alsace
Next up, we’re heading to the German-influenced region of Alsace. Most people go straight to Strasbourg or Colmar, and honestly, we get why, they’re beautiful! But today, we’re talking about two small villages that not many people are talking about…
Eguisheim & Kaysersberg
Both of these villages feel like they’re straight out of a fairy tale, and they’re super close to Colmar—one of the most popular Christmas spots in France. Eguisheim is just 7 km (or 4 miles) away, and Kaysersberg is about 12 km. The closest big city is Strasbourg, which is actually the capital of Alsace.
These towns are famous for their magical Christmas markets, with so many lights, decorations, and food stalls. If you’re planning a holiday trip, we highly recommend visiting this area. And while you’re there, make sure to try vin chaud (that’s mulled wine), tarte flambée (kind of like an Alsatian pizza), and choucroute (a hearty dish with sauerkraut and meats). They’re all local classics and perfect for warming up in the winter.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Chanaz
This next one’s a bit of a hidden gem in the Savoie region, near the Alps. It’s called Chanaz, and it’s so peaceful and pretty. The closest bigger town is Aix-les-Bains, about 20 km (or 12 miles) away, and Chambéry is not far either—around 30 km (or 19 miles).
Chanaz is built around the Canal de Savières, which links up with the Rhône River. We highly recommend taking a boat ride along the canal—it’s such a relaxing way to take it all in. You can also go over the Pont en Arche bridge, watch the boats go by, and grab a drink at one of the canal-side restaurants.
We stopped at Le Relais Gourmand and really enjoyed the Kir Savoyard, white wine from Savoie with black current liquor.
Chambéry
Right in the French Alps, Chambéry is actually a small city, but the nearest major ones are Lyon and Geneva in Switzerland—both about 100 km (or 60 miles) away.
Some of the main sights here are the Château des Ducs de Savoie and La Fontaine des Éléphants—a stunning fountain with full-sized elephant statues. If you want a fun and easy way to explore the whole town, hop on the little tourist train called Le Petit Train de Chambéry.
And if you’re into museums, they’ve got a Museum of Fine Arts with paintings ranging from the Middle Ages all the way to the 20th century.
Chamonix
Chamonix, or Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, is a town in the French Alps, in the southeast of France. It’s part of the Haute-Savoie region, right near the borders with Switzerland and Italy.
Most people know it because it sits at the base of Mont Blanc, the tallest mountain in Western Europe. So if you’re into skiing, hiking, or just want to enjoy a town with beautiful mountain views, it’s a great place to visit.
One of the best parts about Chamonix is how well connected it is. If you have a car, it’s just about an hour to Geneva and around two and a half hours to Lyon.
Our favorite thing we did here was have lunch at the pink restaurant, Rose Du Pont, by the Arve River with a view of the mountains—and we loved it!
Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Saint-Émilion
In southwest France, Saint-Émilion is only about a 40-minute drive from Bordeaux, so it’s a great option for a wine-filled day trip if you’re staying nearby.
The town itself is super peaceful and beautiful, with that classic French countryside vibe. We also had some amazing canelés here—they’re small pastries that come from Bordeaux. They’ve got a crispy, caramelized outside and a soft, custardy center, made with rum and vanilla.
On our trip we stopped at Chateau Hotel Grand Barrail 5 mins away for lunch. It’s one of the most beautiful chateau’s we’ve seen. The food was spectacular. A little but on the pricer side, but totally worth it.
If you’re already in the area, we also recommend checking out the beach town of Arcachon—it’s known for having the biggest sand dune in Europe, Dune du Pilat. We talk more about that in this post, so check that one out if you’re curious.
Provence
Gordes
This one’s in the Luberon area of Provence. The closest city is Avignon, about 40 km (or 25 miles) away.
When you’re in Gordes, make sure to stop by the lavender fields near the Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sénanque—they’re beautiful, especially in bloom (from mid-June to late August). After all, Provence is known for its lavender fields! Then head to the Airelles Gordes Hotel for a drink with an incredible view of the town. We had a citrusy lavender gin & tonic, but you can get whatever you like—it’s more about the view anyway.
If you want an even better spot to see Gordes, check out the Town View Point—we’ve added the link in the free guide.
Les-Baux-de-Provence
Les Baux de Provence, commonly referred to as Les Baux, is a rural commune in the Bouches-du-Rhône department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region in Southern France. And it’s only 20km from the next place we’re talking about.
Les Baux-de-Provence is a beautiful town you shouldn’t miss in France. Wander through its streets and check out the shops selling the town’s famous pottery and lavender-scented soaps. This area is known for its steep limestone cliffs.
We had lunch at a restaurant called Hostellerie de la Reine-Jeanne, with a table by the window, right on the edge of a cliff—the view was incredible, and the food was great too!
Arles
The closest big city is Marseille, about 90 km (55 miles) away. It’s famous for its Roman ruins and Van Gogh connections, since he lived there in the late 1880s.
We highly recommend doing the Van Gogh Walk to see all the locations that inspired his paintings and visiting the Roman Amphitheater, the Roman Theatre, and the Alyschamps, a tree-lined path with sarcophagi on either side leading to the Roman cemetery with a 12th century church.
French Riviera
Menton
All the way on the French Riviera, right at the border with Italy. Closest big city is Nice — about 30 km (18 miles) away. Known for its lemon trees and pastel buildings.
Fun fact: Menton used to be part of the Republic of Genoa and later Monaco, but thanks to high taxes on its famous lemons, it declared independence before officially joining France in 1861.
Our tip? Park at the top of the hill by the cemetery, take in the views, and then walk down to the water. The views on the way down—absolute perfection. This does mean you need to walk back up, but it’s totally worth it!
There are 2 more places we love in the French Riviera that are in our top 3 that we’re going to get into right now.
Top 3 Places to Visit in France – Most Beautiful Villages in France
Riquewihr
Riquewihr is easily one of the most photographed villages in Alsace—right up there with Strasbourg and Colmar. It’s about 15 km (or 9 miles) from Colmar and around 75 km from Strasbourg, so it’s a super easy stop if you’re in the area.
Riquewihr during Christmas is magical. If you’re planning a holiday trip, definitely add this village to your list. Our tip? Start at the arch by the Musée du Dolder and stroll down Rue du Général de Gaulle all the way to the arch at Hôtel de Ville. Make sure to walk into all the side streets—there are Christmas market stalls hidden everywhere!
You’ll also find lots of charming shops selling local wine, cheese, and beautiful handcrafted gifts.
Èze & Saint-Paul-de-Vence
In second place, we honestly couldn’t pick between Èze and Saint-Paul-de-Vence in the French Riviera—they’re both absolutely stunning. It’s tough to compare because when we visited Èze, the weather was cloudy, and then the sun came out in Saint-Paul-de-Vence… so that kind of gave it an unfair advantage!
You can’t miss Èze, a charming hilltop village 430 meters above sea level, between Nice and Monaco, with incredible views of the French Riviera coast. We’ve linked the exact spot where we saw one of the most stunning views we’ve ever seen in the description. Fun fact: it was once a pirate hideout! In the Middle Ages, its steep cliffs and location made it the perfect spot for pirates to escape to after raiding ships in the Mediterranean.
Èze is full of little streets with boutiques, highly rated restaurants and cute souvenir stores. They also have a small church looking over the cliff called Église Notre-Dame-de-l’Assomption de Èze, a memorial to those who lost their lives in Èze during the First World War.
A hilltop village just inland from the coast, about 20 km (12 miles) from Nice. It’s such a pretty place to wander around, full of art galleries and cobblestone alleys. If you travel to St Paul de Vence, definitely visit Marc Chagall’s grave, with incredible views of the sea, to see all the stones people have left with little messages. For a treat, order a lavender ice cream from Le Glacier de la Fontaine by the fountain. We rated it a 10/10. It was so creamy and delicious!
And last but not least, our favourite town in France in the region of Normandy…
Étretat
Étretat is a stunning little town on the coast of Normandy. The closest bigger city is Le Havre, just about 30 km (or 20 miles) away, and it’s roughly a 3-hour drive from Paris. So if Étretat is on your bucket list—and honestly, it should be—the drive from Paris is totally worth it. You can easily see everything in one day.
What makes Étretat special are its dramatic cliffs and rock formations, especially the Port d’Aval arch and L’Aiguille (that sharp needle-shaped one rising out of the sea). The best views? From the beach, from the top near the Chapelle Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde (you can walk or hop on the little tourist train), or from the Jardins d’Étretat.
The garden is really lovely and worth checking out—though we did think the price was a bit steep (€12.90) for what it was, just keep that in mind. Still, we’re glad we went! Get tickets here. We’ll go into more detail about all of this in an upcoming video, so stay tuned.
For lunch, we had the most amazing moules frites covered in Camembert cheese at a spot called La Courtine. The service was great, and their mussels are imported from different parts of France, so they serve them year-round. But, places like Granville, depend on the local catch, that’s why we couldn’t order any.
More French Getaways, Road Trip Inspo & Budget Hacks You’ll Love
If you’re looking for more ideas on where to go in France, make sure to check out our blog post “8 Top French Holiday Destinations” for some seriously beautiful spots. And if the south of France is on your list, don’t miss our full French Riviera Road Trip — it’s packed with dreamy stops and practical tips. Traveling on a budget? We’ve got you covered. Head over to our Top Budget Travel Hacks to learn how to plan the trip of your dreams without spending a fortune.
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