{"id":11821,"date":"2024-04-29T10:26:58","date_gmt":"2024-04-29T10:26:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/?p=11821"},"modified":"2026-03-19T10:19:02","modified_gmt":"2026-03-19T10:19:02","slug":"most-beautiful-villages-in-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/most-beautiful-villages-in-france\/","title":{"rendered":"The most beautiful villages in France \ud83d\ude0d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Exploring the <strong>most beautiful villages in France<\/strong> is an adventure on its own that will make you discover numerous hidden gems \ud83d\udc8e on the way. To help you spot them, the eponymous organization (\u201cLes plus beaux villages de France\u201d) did the work of selecting the most amazing French villages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But which of the nearly 200 should you visit? SIXT has made its own list just for you. Here are <strong>15 charming small villages<\/strong> full of character scattered across France which will dazzle you with their exceptional heritage and location!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/u\/0\/embed?mid=1CTxP00KO4S--yvzr5bEwZ3-dH5yYV3cy\" width=\"1540\" height=\"500\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"auto\"  src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe> &nbsp;\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/france\/\">Rent a car in France<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Top 15 of the most beautiful villages in France \ud83d\udc4d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#gordes\">Gordes<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#gerberoy\">Gerberoy<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#saint-bertrand-de-comminges\">Saint-Bertrand-De-Comminges<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#saint-guilhem-le-desert\">Saint-Guilhem-Le-D\u00e9sert<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#saint-suliac\">Saint-Suliac<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#najac\">Najac<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#Moustiers-Sainte-Marie\">Moustiers-Sainte-Marie<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#la-roque-gageac\">La Roque-Gageac<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#yvoire\">Yvoire<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#piriac-sur-mer\">Piriac-sur-Mer<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#vezelay\">V\u00e9zelay<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#angles-sur-anglin\">Angles-sur-l\u2019Anglin<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#saint-jean-pied-de-port\">Saint-Jean-Pied-De-Port<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#kaysersberg\">Kaysersberg<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#audreselles\">Audreselles<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"gordes\">1. Gordes: a small atmospheric French town \ud83e\udea8<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.fr\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/gordes-ricardo-frantz.jpg\" alt=\"monts du Vaucluse\" class=\"wp-image-13708 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>This French village perched on the Vaucluse mountains is surrounded by cypresses and vineyards, giving it incredible charm<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>From the top of its rocky peak nestled in the&nbsp;<strong>Luberon Regional Natural Park<\/strong>, <strong>Gordes <\/strong>encapsulates the charm of Provence. Located on the <strong>Vaucluse mountains<\/strong>, east of Avignon, this village bordered by cypresses and vineyards owes its popularity to its high perched location, its blond stone houses and, of course, its captivating Proven\u00e7al atmosphere \ud83d\ude0a. Its medieval castle, the magnificent Cistercian abbey of S\u00e9nanque and the steep streets add the final touch to this characterful town celebrated during the 19th century by many intellectuals and artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> Gordes is located 40 km east of Avignon, 95 km north of Marseille and 700 km southeast of Paris.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"gerberoy\">2. Gerberoy: a fairytale dream \ud83c\udff0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a bucolic break in <strong>Gerberoy<\/strong> (Oise), a tiny village in pastel tones known for its roses only a one-and-<a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.co.uk\/car-hire\/france\/roissy\/paris-cdg-airport\/\" type=\"link\" id=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.co.uk\/car-hire\/france\/roissy\/paris-cdg-airport\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">a-half-hour drive from Paris<\/a>. Visitors flock here to admire its <strong>cobbled streets<\/strong> and <strong>colorful half-timbered houses<\/strong>. Shaped by the hand of the impressionist painter Le Sidaner \ud83c\udfa8, Gerberoy will delight plant lovers\u00a0\u2014\u00a0and lovers in general. Wisteria, hollyhocks and other hydrangeas lining the streets add to the charm of this town whose houses seem to have come straight out of a <strong>Perrault fairy tale<\/strong>. Don\u2019t forget to visit the Italian terrace gardens, built on the ruins of an <strong>ancient castle<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> Gerberoy is located 130 km northwest of Paris, 68 km southwest of Amiens and 150 km east of Le Havre. It is easily accessible via the A16 motorway.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"saint-bertrand-de-comminges\">3. Saint-Bertrand-De-Comminges: such a beautiful village in France \ud83d\ude18<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.fr\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/saint-bertrand-de-comminges-daniel-photographie.jpg\" alt=\"basilique Saint-Just-de-Valcabr\u00e8re\" class=\"wp-image-13704 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>The Saint-Just-de-Valcabr\u00e8re basilica, with the Saint-Bertrand cathedral in the background<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>A destination brimming with history is what awaits you in <strong>Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges<\/strong>. This town is situated between the Pyrenees and the Garonne, east of Tarbes in the southwest of France. Saint-Bertrand is spread out between a lower town and an upper town that boasts an impressive cathedral \u2014 now a <strong>UNESCO world heritage site<\/strong>. Throughout the town, the ruins or Roman buildings&nbsp;are also a treat for history buffs \ud83e\udd13.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Saint-Bertrand-De-Comminges was an important place of <strong>pilgrimage in the Middle Ages<\/strong>. The ramparts and half-timbered houses of the old town confirm its <strong>medieval influences<\/strong>. Don\u2019t miss out the former Oliv\u00e9tains convent or the <strong>Saint-Just-de-Valcabr\u00e8re basilica<\/strong>, the latter of which is just a five minute drive from Saint-Bertrand. Taking in this scenery, you might just think you are in Tuscany.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> Saint-Bertrand-de-Comminges is located 64 km southeast of Tarbes, 110 km southwest of Toulouse and 800 km southwest of Paris. If you plan to go by plane, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/france\/tarbes\/tarbes-lourdes-airport\/\">SIXT car rental service at Tarbes Lourdes airport<\/a> awaits you \ud83d\udc4c<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/france\/\">Rent a car in France<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"saint-guilhem-le-desert\">4. Saint-Guilhem-Le-D\u00e9sert: another paradise made in Provence \ud83e\uded2<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"> <iframe title=\"Saint-Guilhem-Le-Desert - R\u00e9gion Occitanie - St\u00e9phane Bern - Le Village Pr\u00e9f\u00e9r\u00e9 des Fran\u00e7ais\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/B4YR9H9WqOE?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe> <\/div>&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<p>This definitely looks like South of France! <strong>Saint-Guilhem-le-D\u00e9sert<\/strong> offers a landscape of scrubland and olive trees. This <strong>small French village<\/strong> is nestled in an arid mountain landscape typical of Languedoc, at the end of the H\u00e9rault gorges, near Montpellier. A <strong>centuries-old village<\/strong>, Saint-Guilhem is crossed by a stream and characterized by its blond stone houses with medieval accents, its abbey listed as a UNESCO world heritage site, and its sun-drenched square shaded by a century-old plane tree \ud83c\udf33. Saint-Guilhem-le-D\u00e9sert is the ideal place to sit back, sip some lemonade, and <strong>listen to the cicadas sing<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> Saint-Guilhem-le-D\u00e9sert is located 45 km northwest of Montpellier, 350 km southwest of Lyon and 730 km south of Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>See more with our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/road-trips\/road-trip-france\/\">road trip in France <\/a>!<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"saint-suliac\">5. Saint-Suliac: village charm from Brittany \ud83d\udc1f<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"> <iframe title=\"Saint-Suliac - R\u00e9gion Bretagne - St\u00e9phane Bern - Le Village Pr\u00e9f\u00e9r\u00e9 des Fran\u00e7ais\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/wqxB_kFtZL4?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe> <\/div>&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<p>Take a breath of fresh air \ud83e\udec1 while strolling through the small streets of <strong>Saint-Suliac<\/strong>, an authentic <strong>Breton fishing village<\/strong> founded by a monk in the 6th century. Saint-Suliac is located on the banks of the Rance, a river that flows into the English Channel. Not far from the popular port town of <strong>Saint-Malo<\/strong> \ud83c\udff4\u200d\u2620\ufe0f, the little village of Saint-Suliac will entice you with its serenity, its beautiful granite houses typical of Brittany (some are even decorated with fishermen\u2019s nets), and its oceanic microclimate. Stroll around its <strong>typical port<\/strong>, then climb to the top of Mont Goreau, from where you can admire the estuary and the village at sunset.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> Saint-Suliac is located 12 km southeast of Saint-Malo, 60 km northwest of Rennes and 400 km east of Paris.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"najac\">6. Najac: historical French village <\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.fr\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/najac-jannes-jacobs.jpg\" alt=\"Najac\" class=\"wp-image-13706 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Najac stretches over a rocky ridge and is dominated by a superb medieval keep<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>This <strong>little French medieval village<\/strong> nestled in the <strong>Aveyron valley<\/strong> will surprise you with its elongated configuration. Dominated by the keep of its fortified castle built in the 13th century, which rises 200 meters above the Aveyron gorges, <strong>Najac <\/strong>was built on a rocky ridge. The village is typical of the region, with its stone houses enrobed with ivy, its wrought iron balconies, and its sloping roofs. The oldest dwellings date back to the <strong>14th century<\/strong>! The morning mist \ud83c\udf2b\ufe0f and the thick forest that perpetually envelope the village make this pretty little French village look like a lost paradise.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> Najac is located 160 km south of Brive, 110 km northwest of Toulouse and 600 km south of Paris.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Moustiers-Sainte-Marie\">7. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie \u26f0\ufe0f<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.fr\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/moustiers-sainte-marie-simone-olckers.jpg\" alt=\"Moustiers\" class=\"wp-image-13709 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Moustiers is located a stone&#8217;s throw from the magnificent Sainte-Croix Lake<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Not far from the<strong> Verdon Gorges<\/strong>, the village of <strong>Moustiers-Sainte-Marie<\/strong> is nestled between two arid cliffs typical of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence area. The ocher houses with their Proven\u00e7al shutters, the Romanesque church and its dizzying Lombard bell tower, and the torrent that crosses it are reminiscent of a nativity scene. Renowned for its earthenware tradition, Moustiers can be visited both for its rich heritage (Notre-Dame de Beauvoir chapel, ramparts, aqueduct) and its exceptional geographic location, very close to the turquoise waters of the <strong>Lake Sainte-Croix<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> Moustiers is located 130 km northeast of Marseille, 145 km west of Nice and 800 km southeast of Paris.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"la-roque-gageac\">8. La Roque-Gageac \ud83e\udd29<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.fr\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/la-roque-gageac-annie-spratt.jpg\" alt=\"La Roque-Gageac\" class=\"wp-image-13702 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Between cliffs and the Dordogne, La Roque-Gageac location is exceptional<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>The village of <strong>La Roque-Gageac<\/strong> is a cliffside wonder. This <strong>Perigord village<\/strong>, located not far from Sarlat<ins>,<\/ins>&nbsp;will amaze you with its incongruous geographic location, between the calm waters of the Dordogne and a steep limestone cliff. The charming old houses with slate roofs line up in a row facing the river. If you look up, you will see the remains of a <strong>troglodyte fort<\/strong> that appears to have grown out of the cliff. Facing south toward the river, La Roque-Gageac&#8217;s iconic cliffside gives the village a unique microclimate that makes it possible to grow an exotic garden. The imposing Tarde manor, which dates back to the Renaissance, completes this astonishing picture at the crossroads of eras and styles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> La Roque-Gageac is located 10 km southwest of Sarlat-la-Can\u00e9da, 200 km east of Bordeaux and 550 km southwest of Paris.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"yvoire\">9. Yvoire \u26f5<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.fr\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/yvoire-ulvi-novruzov.jpg\" alt=\"Yvoire\" class=\"wp-image-13715 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>On the banks of Lake Geneva, Yvoire is home to a charming fortified town<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Yvoire<\/strong>, in Haute-Savoie, is above all a an impeccable mix of genres: the infinite blue of <strong>Lake Geneva<\/strong> that harmonizes well-preserved medieval fortifications with geraniums and other blooms that brighten up centuries-old stones. This Savoyard village is a must-see among the <strong>most beautiful villages in France<\/strong>. Its fortified town is one of the main attractions. The square keep of the castle, built in the 14th century, bathes in the clear waters of the Franco-Swiss lake and is another highlight of Yvoire. Don\u2019t leave without tasting the fish specialties \ud83d\udc1f served in the restaurants, nor without smelling the plants in the Garden of the Five Senses,&nbsp;in front of the medieval castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> Yvoire is located 27 km northeast of Geneva, Switzerland, 190 km northeast of Lyon and 580 km southeast of Paris.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><em>Discover our article on <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/french-castles\/\">the most beautiful castles in France<\/a><\/em> <em>!<\/em><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"piriac-sur-mer\">10. Piriac-Sur-Mer \ud83e\udebb<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>In Loire-Atlantique, very close to the Gu\u00e9rande peninsula, <strong>Piriac <\/strong>is a fishing village with dual appeal: it has the charms of Brittany and also a romantic atmosphere. Its port is lulled by the clicking of masts \u26f5. Its granite houses are topped with blue or red shutters. Come summertime, the hydrangeas and hollyhocks that line the streets, immerse the visitor in blend of bucolic and marine experiences. It\u2019s no wonder why several great writers, such as <strong>Zola <\/strong>and <strong>Daudet<\/strong> \u2712\ufe0f, stayed there to find inspiration. The coastline, which stretches for almost 9 km, alternates between long stretches of sand, gravel<ins>,<\/ins>&nbsp;and cliffs, up to the tip of Castelli.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> Piriac-sur-Mer is located 465 km southwest of Paris, 95 km northwest of Nantes and 230 km northwest of La Rochelle.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"vezelay\">11. V\u00e9zelay: a beautiful village in France, well-known to pilgrims \u26ea<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Perched on a so-called \u201ceternal\u201d hill, at the gates of Morvan, <strong>V\u00e9zelay <\/strong>is a Burgundy village \ud83c\udf77 appreciated as much for the beauty of its stones as the spiritual aura it exudes. This village is best known for the <strong>Sainte-Marie Madeleine basilica<\/strong> that it houses, which is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Almost destroyed after the Hundred Years\u2019 War, the religious building and a common&nbsp;starting point of the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela, was saved by the famous French writer Prosper M\u00e9rim\u00e9e. Today, its <strong>Renaissance houses<\/strong> and medieval fortifications add magic to this place of mysticism.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> V\u00e9zelay is located 50 km southeast of Auxerre and 220 km southeast of Paris.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"angles-sur-anglin\">12. Angles-Sur-L\u2019Anglin: picture-perfect beautiful village in France \ud83d\udcf8<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div align=\"center\"> <iframe title=\"Angles-sur-l&#039;Anglin - R\u00e9gion Nouvelle-Aquitaine - St\u00e9phane Bern - Le Village Pr\u00e9f\u00e9r\u00e9 des Fran\u00e7ais\" width=\"800\" height=\"450\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/XCFYvtWdeII?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe> <\/div>&nbsp;\n\n\n\n<p>A postcard landscape awaits you in <strong>Angles-sur-l\u2019Anglin<\/strong>. A weeping willow bathing in the river, the remains of a water mill and of a medieval castle perched on a dizzying rocky outcrop, houses of stone adorning winding streets. This village in <strong>Vienne <\/strong>is located less than an hour from Poitiers. Angles-sur-l\u2019Anglin will take you back in time through its <strong>charming monuments<\/strong>. You can catch a glimpse of life in the Middle Ages, thanks to the ruins of the castle dating from the 11th-15th century which caps this high-perched village. You can go back even further in time thanks to the Upper Paleolithic sculptures hidden in the Roc-Aux-Sorciers (\u201csorcerers\u2019 rock\u201d). Last but not least, Angles is renowned for its craft art, <strong>embroidery <\/strong>in particular \ud83e\udea1.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> Angles-sur-l\u2019Anglin is located 48 km northeast of Poitiers, 280 km southeast of Nantes and 340 km southwest of Paris.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"saint-jean-pied-de-port\">13. Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port: wonderful French village in the Pays Basque \ud83e\udd17<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.fr\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/saint-jean-pied-de-port-kamil-szumotalski-scaled.jpg\" alt=\"Saint-Jean-pied-de-port\" class=\"wp-image-13703 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>In Saint-Jean-pied-de-Port, there is no doubt that we are indeed in the Basque Country!<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>Red half-timbered <strong>Basque houses<\/strong>, pink sandstone walls, a Roman bridge, fortifications. Welcome to <strong>Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port<\/strong>, a <strong>wonderful small French village<\/strong> close to the Spanish border. This fortified village, remodeled by Vauban in the 17th century, is home to a mix of architectures. Its location is a stone\u2019s throw away from the Nive, at the foot of the <strong>Roncevaux pass<\/strong>. Once the site of fierce battles, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is today a stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. The old Basque houses bathing in the river give the village an <strong>unmistakable romantic atmosphere<\/strong>\ud83e\udd70 .<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is located 8 km northeast of the Spanish border, 55 km southeast of Biarritz, 230 km southwest of Bordeaux and 800 km southwest of Paris.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"kaysersberg\">14. Kaysersberg : most beautiful village in Alsace? \ud83c\udf84<\/h3>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" data-src=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.fr\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/3\/2020\/05\/kaysersberg-aswathy.jpg\" alt=\"village typique de l'Alsace\" class=\"wp-image-13710 lazyload\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" \/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\"><em>Welcome to this typical town in Alsace<\/em>, <em>one of the most beautiful villages in France<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p>At the heart of the <strong>Alsace wine route<\/strong> \ud83c\udf47, the French village of <strong>Kaysersberg<\/strong>, nestled in the eponymous valley, will allure you with its picturesque charm. Its cobbled streets are home to <strong>opulent half-timbered houses<\/strong> typical of the region. Massive medieval buildings such as the town hall or the Romanesque church and its jade dome are perfect subjects for photography lovers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To enjoy a bird&#8217;s-eye view, climb to the keep of the<strong> imperial castle<\/strong>, which offers an exceptional panorama of the curves of the Alsatian vineyards. During the Christmas season, the village is adorned with a thousand lights to host a <strong>Christmas market, one of the most beautiful in France<\/strong>. A true winter wonderland!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE?<\/strong> Kaysersberg is located 12 km northwest of Colmar, 80 km southwest of Strasbourg and 470 km southeast of Paris.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"audreselles\">15. Audresselles: one of the most beautiful villages in France by the sea \ud83c\udf0a<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The lullaby of the seagulls cooing, rocky beaches that survey England in the distance, fishermen\u2019s houses \ud83c\udfa3 with azure shutters. <strong>Audresselles <\/strong>is a paradise for sea lovers. This small French village on the <strong>Opal Coast<\/strong>, located on the banks of La Manche, is one of the most popular destinations on the Pas-de-Calais coastline. It is a magnet \ud83e\uddf2 for tourists with its pretty&nbsp;white and blue houses that compliment the village\u2019s nautical aesthetic. Moreover, Audresselles provides access to two beaches and <strong>Cap Gris-Nez<\/strong>. The sandstone rock, covering the entire coast, has shaped the landscape and gives all its character to this <strong>unique part of France<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<blockquote class=\"wp-block-quote is-layout-flow wp-block-quote-is-layout-flow\">\n<p><strong>HOW TO GET THERE? <\/strong>Audresselles is located 14 km north of Boulogne-sur-Mer, 130 km northwest of Lille and 300 km northwest of Paris. It is easily reached via the A16 motorway.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Visit the most beautiful villages in France with a SIXT rent a car \ud83d\ude0e<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Choose SIXT for your <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/france\/\">car rental in France<\/a>! Our branches are available near every tourist hotspot. Our premium cars are perfect to discover the most beautiful villages in France. Book yours at the airport, train station or city center, as it suits you. Our fleet has something for everybody: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/suv-rental\/europe\/\">SUV<\/a>, sedans, convertibles, vans, economy cars, and more.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p style=\"text-align: center\"><a class=\"button\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/car-rental\/france\/\">Rent a car in France<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<iframe data-src=\"https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/embed?pb=!1m16!1m12!1m3!1d5550975.557302376!2d-0.08473169482061679!3d47.208025520592315!2m3!1f0!2f0!3f0!3m2!1i1024!2i768!4f13.1!2m1!1ssixt%20france!5e0!3m2!1sfr!2sde!4v1589195565519!5m2!1sfr!2sde\" width=\"1540\" height=\"500\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"auto\"  src=\"data:image\/svg+xml;base64,PHN2ZyB3aWR0aD0iMSIgaGVpZ2h0PSIxIiB4bWxucz0iaHR0cDovL3d3dy53My5vcmcvMjAwMC9zdmciPjwvc3ZnPg==\" class=\"lazyload\" data-load-mode=\"1\"><\/iframe> &nbsp;\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">READ ALSO :<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/tips\/driving-tips-france\/\">Driving tips in France<\/a> \ud83d\ude97<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/best-small-towns-in-france\/\">Best small towns to visit in France<\/a> \ud83d\udc4d<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/tips\/car-rental-insurance-in-france\/\">Car rental insurance in France<\/a> \ud83d\uddfc<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/road-trips\/french-riviera-itinerary\/\">French Riviera Itinerary (7 or 10 days)<\/a> \u2600\ufe0f<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/road-trips\/road-trip-france\/\">Best road trips in France<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/road-trips\/meteor-showers-us\/\">A Road Trip to See the Best Meteor Showers in the U.S<\/a> \u2728<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on the_content --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on the_content -->","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Exploring the most beautiful villages in France is an adventure on its own that will make you discover numerous hidden gems \ud83d\udc8e on the way. To help you spot them, the eponymous organization (\u201cLes plus beaux villages de France\u201d) did the work of selecting the most amazing French villages. But which of the nearly 200&#8230;<!-- AddThis Advanced Settings generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><!-- AddThis Share Buttons generic via filter on get_the_excerpt --><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":23,"featured_media":2246,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-11821","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-travel","8":"entry"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.1.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Most beautiful villages and small towns to visit in France<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Incredible old French villages, gorgeous French countryside towns... SIXT introduces you the most beautiful villages in France!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/most-beautiful-villages-in-france\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Most beautiful villages and small towns to visit in France\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Incredible old French villages, gorgeous French countryside towns... SIXT introduces you the most beautiful villages in France!\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/most-beautiful-villages-in-france\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"SIXT rent a car Magazine\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2024-04-29T10:26:58+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-03-19T10:19:02+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/wp-content\/uploads\/\/sites\/6\/2019\/01\/France.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1140\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"729\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Martin\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Martin\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"12 minutes\" \/>\n<!-- \/ Yoast SEO plugin. -->","yoast_head_json":{"title":"Most beautiful villages and small towns to visit in France","description":"Incredible old French villages, gorgeous French countryside towns... SIXT introduces you the most beautiful villages in France!","robots":{"index":"index","follow":"follow","max-snippet":"max-snippet:-1","max-image-preview":"max-image-preview:large","max-video-preview":"max-video-preview:-1"},"canonical":"https:\/\/www.sixt.com\/magazine\/travel\/most-beautiful-villages-in-france\/","og_locale":"en_US","og_type":"article","og_title":"Most beautiful villages and small towns to visit in France","og_description":"Incredible old French villages, gorgeous French countryside towns... 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