A total of about 160 villages across mainland France and two in Corsica have been given the prestigious 'most beautiful villages of France' award. The villages are listed below by region and there is a map showing all the 'beautiful villages of France' to help you find those near your destination.
Which do we think is the 'most beautiful village in France'?
We haven't visited all of them yet, but of those we have (more than 100?) Conques (Midi-Pyrenees) and Monpazier (Dordogne) would rate very highly as my ideal 'most beautiful village', with Gordes (Provence) and Locronan (Brittany) as third place contenders.
Selected French villages to explore...
Aigueze (Gard)
The pretty village of Aigueuze, listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France', also has great views across the Gorges de l'Ardeche
See Aigueze guideAinhoa (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)
Betwen sea and mountains, the basque village of Ainhoa is listed among the most beautiful villages in France
See Ainhoa guideAngles-sur-l'Anglin (Vienne)
The pretty village of Angles sur l'Anglin and the river setting make this one of our favourite Vienne villages
See Angles-sur-l'Anglin guideAnsouis (Vaucluse)
The quaint medieval centre, the castle and the views from Ansouis make it one of our favourite Luberon villages
See Ansouis guideApremont-sur-Allier (Cher)
The story of the renewal of Apremont-sur-Allier is fascinating, and leads us to the 'most beautiful village' and Castle Park that we see today
See Apremont-sur-Allier guideArlempdes (Haute-Loire)
Arlempdes is a very small village but the character of the village, the ruined castle and the valley of the Loire combine to make it very picturesque
See Arlempdes guideArs-en-Re (Charente-Maritime)
Ars-en-Ré is one of the pretty villages to explore on the Ile-de-Ré
See Ars-en-Re guideAubeterre-sur-Dronne (Charente)
The attractive village of Aubeterre-sur-Dronne is also well known for its imposing troglodyte church
See Aubeterre-sur-Dronne guideAutoire (Lot)
Autoire is very small but very pleasant to explore, while nearby you can admire thescenery of the Cirque d'Autoire
See Autoire guideAuvillar (Tarn-et-Garonne)
The lovely village of Auvillar has a very unusual round market hall in the village centre
See Auvillar guideBalazuc (Ardeche)
After exploring ancient Balazuc you descend further to reach the Ardeche river
See Balazuc guideBarfleur (Manche)
Barfleur is listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France' and the harbour area in particular is very pretty
See Barfleur guideBargeme (Var)
More than 1000 metres above sea-level, it is no surprise that the views are as much part of the attraction as the historic village in Bargeme
See Bargeme guideBaume-les-Messieurs (Jura)
The attractive village of Baume-les-Messieurs is surrounded by cliffs and steep wooded slopes and dominated by its 13th century abbey
See Baume-les-Messieurs guideBaux-de-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhone)
The village of Baux-de-Provence is small but exceptionally picturesque, and has beautiful views across the Provencal countryside. Unmissable!
See Baux-de-Provence guideBelcastel (Aveyron)
The lovely riverside setting, the steep cobbled streets and the castle combine to make Belcastel one of our favourite villages
See Belcastel guideBelves (Dordogne)
Belves is one of the liveliest and most attractive small towns in the Dordogne and has several historic monumnts of interest
See Belves guideBeuvron (Calvados)
Part of the Normandy Cider Route, Beuvron has lots of half-timberd houses and is one of the prettiest villages in Normandy
See Beuvron guideBeynac (Dordogne)
One of the most beautiful villages in France and also with stunning views and on of the most impressive Dordogne castles, Beynac is unmissable when you visit
See Beynac guideBlesle (Haute-Loire)
There are a remarkable number of sites of interest in the small village of Blesle because in medieval times it was an important town for the local Barons
See Blesle guideBonneval-sur-Arc (Savoie)
At Bonneval, listed among the 'most beautiful villages of France', you can discover a very traditional mountain village
See Bonneval-sur-Arc guideBrousse-le-Chateau (Aveyron)
Brousse-le-Chateau is an idyllic little village of steep cobbled streets on the banks of the Tarn and Alrance rivers
See Brousse-le-Chateau guideBruniquel (Tarn-et-Garonne)
The cobbled streets, numerous medieval buildings and the castle combine to make Bruniquel a very lovely village to explore
See Bruniquel guideCamon (Ariege)
The fortified village of Camon, listed as a 'most beautiful village of France' is one of our favourites in this region
See Camon guideCandes-Saint-Martin (Indre-et-Loire)
In the village of Candes-Saint-Martin, a 'most beautiful village in France', you can see the Vienne river, a medieval collegiale church and a lovely viewpoint
See Candes-Saint-Martin guideCapdenac (Lot)
Capdenac-le-Haut, another of the 'beautiful villages of France' is quite small but very picturesque
See Capdenac guideCardaillac (Lot)
Cardaillac is a small, unspoiled village now listed among the 'most beautiful in France'
See Cardaillac guideCarennac (Lot)
There are numerous architectural highlights and attractive buildings in Carennac, one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'
See Carennac guideCastelnau-de-Montmiral (Tarn)
The central square of Castelnau-de-Montmiral with its medieval buildings, and the views from its hilltop location, together make it very worthy of a visit
See Castelnau-de-Montmiral guideCastelnaud-la-Chapelle (Dordogne)
Castelnaud-la-Chapelle is a very pretty village best known for the Chateau de castelnaud, the most visited castle in the region
See Castelnaud-la-Chapelle guideCastelnou (Pyrenees-Orientales)
The picturesque village of Castelnou, overlooked by a castle, is one of our favourite Languedoc-Roussillon villages
See Castelnou guideCharroux (Allier)
Charroux is a very quiet Auvergne village, unusual in the 'village centre' being a hard to find area of grass!
See Charroux guideChateau-Chalon (Jura)
One of the key reasons to visit the pretty village of Chateau-Chalon is its hilltop position with lovely views across the vineyards in the valley below
See Chateau-Chalon guideChateauneuf-en-Auxois (Cote d'Or)
The village of Chateauneuf-sur-Auxois, one of the 'most beautiful villages in France', also has an interesting castle
See Chateauneuf-en-Auxois guideCoaraze (Alpes-Maritimes)
Coaraze is one of several picturesque villages in the mountains north of Nice that also have stunning views
See Coaraze guideCollonges-la-Rouge (Correze)
The village of Collonges-le-Rouge is very distinctive, being built almost entirely from red rock
See Collonges-la-Rouge guideConques (Aveyron)
Best known for its abbey and as a pilgrimage destination, the beautiful village of Conques is a highlight of any visit to Aveyron
See Conques guideCoulon (Deux-Sevres)
Established since 2000 years agio, Coulon is now a centre for exploring the Marais-Poitevin marshes
See Coulon guideCrissay-sur-Manse (Indre-et-Loire)
Explore the lovely stone houses and narrow streets in the tiny village of Crissay-sur-Manse
See Crissay-sur-Manse guideCuremonte (Correze)
In a lovely hilltop position, Curemonte is less touristic than many of the 'most beautiful villages in France' but certainly should be visited
See Curemonte guideDomme (Dordogne)
Domme is a beautiful hilltop village with an extensive cave system, and extensive views across the river and countryside
See Domme guideEguisheim (Haut-Rhin)
Of the many beautiful traditional villages in Alsace, Eguisheim is one of our favourites
See Eguisheim guideEstaing (Aveyron)
This pretty village in the Aubrac region has several monuments of note, including the Chateau d'Estaing
See Estaing guideEus (Pyrenees-Orientales)
The steep streets of Eus re very lovely to explore - and it is said to be the sunniest village in France!
See Eus guideFlavigny (Cote d'Or)
The village of Flavigny retains an ancient centre surrounded by fortified walls, and a very authentic historic atmoshere
See Flavigny guideFources (Gers)
Fources, one of the 'most beautiful villages in France' is unusual in being a bastide town that follows a circular layout
See Fources guideGargilesse-Dampierre (Indre)
Gargilesse-Dampierre is a very small village, but also very pretty and in a lovely setting. Don't miss the frescoes in the church crypt!
See Gargilesse-Dampierre guideGassin (Var)
Gassin, listed as a 'most beautiful village in France' is high on a hill above Saint-Tropez
See Gassin guideGerberoy (Oise)
The 18th century cottages and pretty gardens, and a radical transformation during the last 50 years, have ensured that Gerberoy is listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France'
See Gerberoy guideGordes (Vaucluse)
The exceptionally pretty-village of Gordes is also one of the most visited villages in France
See Gordes guideGourdon (Alpes-Maritimes)
Gourdon is practically the archetypal Provencal village, unmissable by you and by the many thousands of other visitors to the region!
See Gourdon guideHunawihr (Haut-Rhin)
In the heart of the Alsace wine region you should visit Hunawihr, now listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France'
See Hunawihr guideHunspach (Bas-Rhin)
The flowers, gardens and beautifully maintained old houses, all painted white, ensure that Hunspach is a highlight for visitors to Alsace
See Hunspach guideIle-de-Sein (Finistere)
As well as lovely scenery you will also enjoy exploring the village on the remote island of Ile-de-Sein, now listed among the most beautiful villages in France
See Ile-de-Sein guideLa Bastide-Clairence (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)
Labastide-Clairence is another of the most picturesque villages in the Basque region
See La Bastide-Clairence guideLa Couvertoirade (Aveyron)
La Couvertoirade, listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France', is one of the most complete fortified medieval villages in France
See La Couvertoirade guideLa Flotte-en-Re (Charente-Maritime)
The village of La Flotte-en-Ré is a pretty village on the Ile-de-Ré
See La Flotte-en-Re guideLa Garde-Adhemar (Drome)
Lovely views, a medieval garden, a 12th century roman style church are just some of the highlights in La Garde-Adhemar
See La Garde-Adhemar guideLa Garde-Guerin (Lozere)
The isolated village of La Garde-Guerin is one of the best preserved and unspoiled French villages that we have visited
See La Garde-Guerin guideLa Grave (Hautes-Alpes)
Although better known as a ski resort, the village of La Grave is also a very unspoiled traditional mountain village
See La Grave guideLa Roche-Guyon (Val-d'Oise)
At La Roche-Guyon, a 'plus beau village de France', you can exlore a pretty village with an ancient castle and donjon
See La Roche-Guyon guideLa Roque-Gageac (Dordogne)
The picture-postcard village of La Roque-Gageac is along the banks of the Dordogne river and also has semi-tropical gardens and ancient cave dwellings to see.
See La Roque-Gageac guideLa Roque-sur-Ceze (Gard)
It is very lovely exploring the steep streets in the ancient village of La Roque-sur-Ceze
See La Roque-sur-Ceze guideLagrasse (Aude)
The romantic atmosphere in medieval Lagrasse have made it a popular centre for artisans and artists
See Lagrasse guideLarressingle (Gers)
Larressingle is a perfect medieval fortified village, with the defensive walls around the town still almost completely intact
See Larressingle guideLautrec (Tarn)
Lautrec is a small village, but both the views and the intereting historic buildings make it very pleasant to explore
See Lautrec guideLauzerte (Tarn-et-Garonne)
Lauzerte, a small bastide town in a hilltop position, is one of our favourite villages in this region
See Lauzerte guideLavardens (Gers)
The castle and the church are among the places of interest in the small village of Lavardens
See Lavardens guideLavardin (Loir-et-Cher)
With a river and ancient bridge below and an ancient castle above Lavardin, it is an exceptionally pretty little village
See Lavardin guideLavaudieu (Haute-Loire)
Lavaoudieu is listed among the most beautiful villages in France, and has the roman style Abbey de Lavaudieu as principal attraction
See Lavaudieu guideLe Bec-Hellouin (Eure)
The village of Le-Bec-Hellouin is one of the prettiest in Normandy, and also has Abbey of Bec-Hellouin to visit
See Le Bec-Hellouin guideLe Faou (Finistere)
The attractive harbour and traditional wooden houses explain why Le Faou is now listed amng the most beautiful villages in France
See Le Faou guideLe Poet-Laval (Drome)
The cobbled streets of ancient Le Poet-Laval are pedestrianized, which adds further to the appeal of this lovely village
See Le Poet-Laval guideLimeuil (Dordogne)
Limeuil is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France, and has a popular river beach where the Vezere and Dordogne rivers join
See Limeuil guideLocronan (Finistere)
Locronan, listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France' is one of our favourite villages in Britany
See Locronan guideLods (Doubs)
Lods is quite small but very pleasant to explore, in particular the village along the waterfalls on the Loue river
See Lods guideLoubressac (Lot)
Both the unspoiled nature of the village and the beautiful views make the small village of Loubressac a great pleasure to visit
See Loubressac guideLourmarin (Vaucluse)
Lourmarin is one of the most important scenic villages in the Luberon region
See Lourmarin guideLyons-la-Foret (Eure)
The half-timbered buildings in the village of Lyons-la-Foret make it one of the prettiest places in Normandy
See Lyons-la-Foret guideMenerbes (Vaucluse)
One of our favourite Luberon villages, the streets of old Menerbes are overflowing with charm
See Menerbes guideMinerve (Herault)
The ancient streets of the attractive village of Minerve are very pleasant to explore, and you also have great views across the region
See Minerve guideMirmande (Drome)
The medieval vilage of Mirmande retains its original ramparts and it really is one of the 'most beautiful villages in France'
See Mirmande guideMittelbergheim (Bas-Rhin)
Mittelbergheim is one of several Alsave villages classed among the most beautiful in France, and a local base for wine production and tasting
See Mittelbergheim guideMonesties (Tarn)
There is much more to discover in Monesties than you would expect in such a small village, such as a Mise au Tombeau in the chapel and an ancient hump-backed bridge
See Monesties guideMonflanquin (Lot-et-Garonne)
Listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France, the 13th century bastide town of Monflanquin has an attractive arcaded central square
See Monflanquin guideMonpazier (Dordogne)
Monpazier is an exceptional 13th century bastide town, among the most beautiful villages in France.
See Monpazier guideMontclus (Gard)
Montclus is a tiny but beautiful village in a lovely setting on the Cèze river
See Montclus guideMontpeyroux (Puy-de-Dome)
Montpeyroux is a small village now listed among the 'most beautiful in France' and very pleasant to explore
See Montpeyroux guideMontreal-du-Gers (Gers)
After exploring the picturesque village at Montreal-du-Gers you can visit the Roman Villa of Seviac nearby
See Montreal-du-Gers guideMontresor (Indre-et-Loire)
On the Indrois river, it is the quaint old town, the castle and the collegiale church that will be the focus of your visit to the pretty village of Montresor
See Montresor guideMontsoreau (Maine-et-Loire)
Montsoreau, listed as a 'most beautiful villages in France', also has an interesting troglodyte vilage to explore
See Montsoreau guideMornac-sur-Seudre (Charente-Maritime)
Not far from Royan the centre of Mornac-sur-Seudre is attractive and very pleasant to stroll around
See Mornac-sur-Seudre guideMortemart (Haute-Vienne)
Now listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France', Mortemart is a very pleasant village to pass an hour or two exploring
See Mortemart guideMosset (Pyrenees-Orientales)
The medieval streets in the heart of Mosset have helped it become listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France'
See Mosset guideMoustiers (Alpes-de-Haute-Provence)
The setting of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie below steep cliffs and the lively historic centre make Moustiers-Sainte-Marie one of our favourite villages in France
See Moustiers guideNajac (Aveyron)
The village of Najac is very pretty, and the castle and ridgetop position mean you also have lovely views
See Najac guideNoyers-sur-Serein (Yonne)
The half-timbered houses and riverside setting make Noyers-sur-Serein one of our favourite small towns in this region
See Noyers-sur-Serein guideOingt (Rhone)
Completely renovated in recent years, Oingt is one of the prettiest villages in the Beaujolais wine region
See Oingt guideOlargues (Herault)
With a lovely medieval centre and the scenic background of the Jaur river that encircles Olargues this is one of our favourite Languedoc villages
See Olargues guideParfondeval (Aisne)
The small and rather remote village of Parfondeval is lso very picturesque and centred around its fortified church
See Parfondeval guidePerouges (Ain)
The hillside walled town of perouges is among our favourite villages to be found in France
See Perouges guidePesmes (Haute-Saone)
The quaint village of Pesmes is one of the prettiest in Franche-Comté and also has several individual places of interest
See Pesmes guidePeyre (Aveyron)
Close to Millau Bridge, the small village of Peyre is listed among the most beautiful villages in France
See Peyre guidePiana (Corse-du-Sud)
Piana is a small and very picturesque village, well placed to explore the stunning coastal scenery of western Corsica
See Piana guidePradelles (Haute-Loire)
Both the picturesque historic village centre and the lovely viwes make Pradelles a highlight in the Haute-Loire department
See Pradelles guidePujols (Lot-et-Garonne)
The small village of Pujols manages to squeeze a great deal of character, interesting houses and lovely views for such a small village!
See Pujols guidePuycelsi (Tarn)
We particularly enjoyed the walk around the ramaparts in Puycelsi, one of the 'most beautiful villages of France'
See Puycelsi guideRiquewihr (Haut-Rhin)
Riquewihr is very lovely and has less to undermine its medieval charm than almost any of the Alsace villages
See Riquewihr guideRodemack (Moselle)
The medieval centre in the fortified village of Rodemack make it one of the most beautiful villages in the Lorraine region
See Rodemack guideRoussillon (Vaucluse)
As well as the orange houses of the village you can explore the ancient ochre mines just below Roussillon
See Roussillon guideSaint-Amand-de-Coly (Dordogne)
The village of Saint-Amand-de-Coly is one of the prettiest in the Dordogne, and also well placed s a base if you are exploring the region
See Saint-Amand-de-Coly guideSaint-Antoine-l'Abbaye (Isere)
The village of St Antoine l'Abbaye, best known for its abbey complex, is listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France'
See Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye guideSaint-Benoit-du-Sault (Indre)
The unspoiled medieval streets in the 'most beautiful village' of Saint-Benoit-de-Sault quickly take you back several hundred years in time
See Saint-Benoit-du-Sault guideSaint-Bertrand-de-Comminges (Haute-Garonne)
2000 years ago the town of Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges had 10000 inhabitants - now it has 250! The Saint Bertrand de Comminges cathedral is the highlight in the old town centre
See Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges guideSaint-Ceneri-le-Gerei (Orne)
Saint-Ceneri-le-Gerei is a very pretty village in the Regional Natural Park of Normandie-Marne.
See Saint-Ceneri-le-Gerei guideSaint-Cirq-Lapopie (Lot)
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is certainly among the most beautiful villages in France, with its riverside setting and lovely historic streets
See Saint-Cirq-Lapopie guideSaint-Come-d'Olt (Aveyron)
The pilgrimage village of Saint-Côme-d'Olt, with its castle and unusual church, is listed among the 'most beautiful French villages'
See Saint-Come-d'Olt guideSaint-Floret (Puy-de-Dome)
The tiny village of Saint-Floret with its ruined castle and frescoes is now listed among the 'most beautiful in France'
See Saint-Floret guideSaint-Guilhem-le-Desert (Herault)
Even as you approach Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert along the Gorges de l'Herault you can see it is rather special - and you certainly aren't disappointed when you arrive!
See Saint-Guilhem-le-Desert guideSaint-Jean-de-Cole (Dordogne)
Saint-Jean-de-Cole is a small but very pretty village with a nice church and beautiful riverside setting
See Saint-Jean-de-Cole guideSaint-Leon-sur-Vezere (Dordogne)
In the heart of the UNESCO listed Vézère Valley, the village of Saint-Léon-sur-Vézère is one of the loveliest in the Dordogne
See Saint-Leon-sur-Vezere guideSaint-Lizier (Ariege)
A small village in the Natural Regional Park of the Ariege Pyrenees, Saint-Lizier is very picturesque and also has a cathedral and other notable monuments
See Saint-Lizier guideSaint-Quirin (Moselle)
The centre of the small village of Saint-Quirin is very pleasant to explore, then take the cobbled path that leads to a small chapel above the village
See Saint-Quirin guideSaint-Saturnin (Puy-de-Dome)
With ancient narrow streets, an imposing church and its position on the side of a steep valley Saint-Saturnin is among our favourite Auvergne villages
See Saint-Saturnin guideSaint-Suliac (Ille-et-Vilaine)
Saint Suliac is a beautiful village on the estuary of the River Rance in Brittany.
See Saint-Suliac guideSainte-Agnes (Alpes-Maritimes)
Sainte-Agnes is the highest coastal village in Europe, 800 metres above sea-level and close to Menton - although the road here is rather steep and winding!
See Sainte-Agnes guideSainte-Croix-en-Jarez (Loire)
Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez, now a 'most beautiful village in France' is unusual because it started life as a series of monastery buildings
See Sainte-Croix-en-Jarez guideSainte-Enimie (Lozere)
Sainte-Enimie is the most extensive, and perhaps the most interesting, of the pretty villages along the Gorges du Tarn
See Sainte-Enimie guideSainte-Eulalie-d'Olt (Aveyron)
After exploring the picturesque village at Sainte-Eulalie-d'Olt you will find lots of scenic highlights in the surrounding countryside
See Sainte-Eulalie-d'Olt guideSainte-Suzanne (Mayenne)
The medieval village and the castle in the pretty village of Sainte-Suzanne still retain much of the original town fortified walls
See Sainte-Suzanne guideSalers (Cantal)
Salers, listed as a 'most beautiful village in France' is very lovely - and also very popular (crowded!) with visitors
See Salers guideSant'Antonino (Haute-Corse)
Sant'Antonino is a beautiful village of medieval streets in the Balagne region of northern Corsica
See Sant'Antonino guideSare (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)
Sare is one of several traditional Basque towns in the western Pyrenees, with lots of houses in the local architectural style
See Sare guideSarrant (Gers)
The ancient gateway and half-timbered houses bring a medieval feel to the village of Sarrant
See Sarrant guideSauveterre-de-Rouergue (Aveyron)
The highlight in Sauveterre-de-Rouergue is surely the medieval houses and arcades in the central square
See Sauveterre-de-Rouergue guideSegur-le-Chateau (Correze)
The part of Segur-le-Chateau with medieval houses next to the river is especially beautiful, but elsewhere there is also much to enjoy
See Segur-le-Chateau guideSeguret (Vaucluse)
Seguret is a very picturesque village east of Orange, now classified among the most beautiful villages in France
See Seguret guideSeillans (Var)
The village of Seillans is a perched village in the Pays de Fayence region of Provence, now listed among the 'most beautiful villages in France'
See Seillans guideSemur-en-Brionnais (Saone-et-Loire)
As well as the pretty village itself, you can also visit the Chateau de Saint-Hugues and Collegiale Saint-Hilaire in Semur-en-Brionnais
See Semur-en-Brionnais guideSixt-Fer-a-Cheval (Haute-Savoie)
Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval is one of the 'most beautiful villages in France' and most visited for the easy access to several very scenic natural highlights
See Sixt-Fer-a-Cheval guideTalmont (Charente-Maritime)
Talmont-sur-Gironde is one of the prettiest villages in Charente-Maritime, well known for the imposing roman style church
See Talmont guideTournemire (Cantal)
The very picturesque village of Tournemire is overlooked by the Chateau de Anjony
See Tournemire guideTourtour (Var)
Tourtour is a very attractive and traditional Provencal village with a great deal to enjoy
See Tourtour guideTreignac (Correze)
The medieval quarter around the 11th century church is the highlight in the village of Treignac
See Treignac guideTurenne (Correze)
The medieval village at Turenne still also has two fortified towers, and beautiful views across Limousin
See Turenne guideUsson (Puy-de-Dome)
One of the least developed of the 'most beautiful villages in France' (a good thing!) the quaint centre of Usson is overlooked by a large statue of the Virgin Mary
See Usson guideVenasque (Vaucluse)
The ancient baptistry and the scenery of the Nesque river valley are just two of the reasons to visit the village of Venasque
See Venasque guideVeules-les-Roses (Seine-Maritime)
Veules-les-Roses is a stunning village on the coast of Normandy, France
See Veules-les-Roses guideVillefranche-de-Conflent (Pyrenees-Orientales)
Villefranche-de-Conflent is a fascinating place to explore, with a fortified ancient village in the valley and a substantial fort high on the cliff above the village
See Villefranche-de-Conflent guideVillereal (Lot-et-Garonne)
Villereal is one of our favourite medieval bastide towns, with an impressive wooden market hall occupying the centre of the main market square
See Villereal guideVogue (Ardeche)
Dominated by its castle, the beautiful village of Vogue is one of our favourite Ardeche villages
See Vogue guideVouvant (Vendee)
The pleasant village of Vouvant still retains part of a medieval castle and an ancient stone bridge
See Vouvant guideYevre-le-Chatel (Loiret)
The walk along the Rimarden river, the traditional charm and the ruined castle all contributed to Yevre-le-Chatel being listed as a 'most beautiful village in France'
See Yevre-le-Chatel guideYvoire (Haute-Savoie)
The village of Yvoire on the banks of Lake Geneva is extraordinarily pretty and one of our personal favourite French villages
See Yvoire guideWe have visited and have detailed information pages and a photo gallery for many of the villages shown - see individual places for details. Remember: there are of course numerous villages that are very attractive but not classified!
Map showing the classified most beautiful villages in France
On the map showing all the villages you can see that although they are widely dispersed across France, there is also a significant amount of 'clustering' - with certain areas having more than their fair share of 'Most beautiful villages of France' - the Dordogne and Luberon areas in particular.