15 Of The Most Beautiful and Charming Small Towns in France

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Discover some of the most beautiful villages in France. Learn the names of these beautiful French villages with ease with the help of this article.

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1. Ars-en-Ré2. Piana3. Bonneval-sur-Arc4. Annecy5. Colmar6. Dinan7. Locronan8. Saint-Véran9. Pérouges10. Domfront11. Kaysersberg12. Lourmarin13. Gaillac14. Eguisheim15. ÉtretatConclusion/ Disclaimer

Are you wondering which great places to visit aside from the City of Lights? Most of the time, we correlate Paris with France. When we speak of France, the “Eiffel Tower”, “Notre Dame” and Parisians almost always come up in conversations, but how will you really know France by looking at only one of its faces, right?

There are thousands of beautiful villages and small towns in the country, and each region has its own special qualities. Travelling around some of the small towns in France means travelling between hilltops, rocky coastal towns and breathtaking scenery while enjoying the local lifestyles of the people.

The journey times below are indicative estimates from Paris. Connections, waiting times and seasonal schedules vary, so check current operator timetables before travelling.

1. Ars-en-Ré

A charming town of bicycles! This is how most people describe Ars-en-Ré. With its white-washed houses and traditional green shutters, hollyhocks, salt pans, and relaxing but sleepy beach-town atmosphere, it is a pleasure to explore this tiny seafaring village.

The center of the village is around an open central square with its trademark Church spire. During school holidays, you can visit the church’s bell tower on a guided tour; booking is required. It is a good place to unwind with a relaxing view of the town and the sea. This tiny village on the island of Ré has been drawing sailors and traders for centuries, but modern travelers also succumb to the seaside beauty and charm of this place.

Région/Area: Charente-Maritime

How to get here: To get here, take a train from Paris Montparnasse to La Rochelle, then bus 150 to Ars-en-Ré; check the current timetable for your connection.

Travel Duration: approx. 6 hrs.

2. Piana

Similar to Ars-en-Ré, Piana is also made up of traditional stone houses and churches. A town in Corsica, which is also known as the Island of Beauty, Piana is a picturesque setting with the Gulf of Porto, a Unesco World Heritage site, below it. Piana has several boutiques, bars and restaurants to choose from.

Some of its main attractions are:

• the 18th century Italian-style church of Sainte-Marie. It contains a painting of Saint Hugh of Lincoln, believed to date from the 17th century, and a wooden statue of the Assumption.
• the lovely village itself, which is only one reason why people visit this place.
• the scenery along the road from Piana to Porto which is known as the Calanches de Piana.

Région/Area: Corse-du-Sud

How to get here: Take a flight from Paris Orly to Ajaccio (around one hour and thirty five minutes). When you land in Ajaccio, you can take a taxi or rent a car to Piana, about an hour and a half by road.

Travel duration: approx. 4 to 5 hours, including transfers.

3. Bonneval-sur-Arc

If you are looking for a combination of skiing, hiking and a provincial way of life, Bonneval is a good place to visit. It is below the Col de l’Iseran, one of the highest mountain passes in Europe, so it is recommended for sports enthusiasts and nature lovers.

Bonneval is quite different during summer and winter. During summer, it is a great place for family picnics and outdoor activities. During winter, it turns into a ski resort. It might be a smaller and less known ski area, but it maintains its good reputation for the quality of its snow, plus smaller crowds mean more space and freedom for you to move and have fun with your friends.

Région/Area: Savoie

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Modane, and take a bus from Modane straight to Bonneval-sur-Arc.

Travel duration: Approx. 6 hours and 24 min.

4. Annecy

Sometimes referred to as “Little Venice”, Annecy is best for romantic couples.

Annecy’s main attractions include:

• Le Palais de l’Île (a medieval fortified building whose origins date from the 11th or 12th century, on an island in the River Thiou; it is now classified as a Historical Monument and houses a local history museum)
• the dark blue waters of the Annecy lake
• the colorful Rue Sainte-Claire
  
• the diverse vegetation of the European Gardens
  
• the Pont des Amours (Lovers’ Bridge)

Région/Area: Haute-Savoie

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Annecy.

Travel duration: approx. 3 hrs. and 44 min.

5. Colmar

Colmar is well-known as the Alsatian wine capital. It is a colorful town and is considered as one of France’s “Little Venices”. Colmar is full of brightly-colored houses, bright flower-lined canals, and a fairytale-like atmosphere. You can take a boat trip through the canals of Colmar.

You can also visit:

• The Unterlinden Museum
• The house of Bartholdi (the creator of the Statue of Liberty)
• The Hansi Museum, dedicated to the local artist best known as Hansi (whose illustrations are almost everywhere in Colmar)
  
• The Germanic-French architectural landmarks in the town, like the Église Saint-Martin, the Water Tower, the Maison Adolph, etc.

Région/Area: Haut-Rhin

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Est to Colmar.

Travel duration: approx. 3 hours.

6. Dinan

Often called one of the prettiest towns in Brittany! A medieval town on a hilltop overlooking the River Rance, Dinan is surrounded by long ramparts or walls, half-timbered houses, port, cobbled streets, art galleries, and shops. Dinan is a well-preserved place with most of its old buildings, some of which were built during the 13th century, and most of its magnificent ramparts still in place.

Some of its major attractions:

• The Jacobins Theater, Saint-Malo Church
• Saviour’s Basilica
• Duchess Anne’s Tower
  
• The Chateau de Dinan

A great time to visit Dinan is July, when the town celebrates the Fête des Remparts (a medieval festival held every two years).

Région/Area: Côtes-d’Armor

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Montparnasse going to Rennes. From Rennes take another train to Dol de Bretagne and then another train going to Dinan.

Travel duration: approx. 3 hrs and 40 min.

7. Locronan

Another pride of Brittany, Locronan is hailed as one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (the most beautiful villages of France).

The Locronan pilgrimages, for instance, hold a high importance in the land of Brittany. They call this pilgrimage the “Troménie”. The Grande Troménie occurs every six years around the second Sunday of July. This pilgrimage festival includes a large procession and participants who carry the banners of participating parishes.

Locronan prides itself on its remarkable grand houses built way back in the 16th and 17th centuries, as well as its local museum covering the history of its weaving industry and arts.

Région/Area: Finistère

How to get here: You can take a train from Paris Montparnasse to Quimper, then take QUB bus 10 from Quimper to Locronan.

Travel duration: approx. 5 hours.

8. Saint-Véran

Saint-Véran is one of Europe’s highest inhabited villages, at about 2,040 metres. It is located in the heart of the Parc naturel régional du Queyras in the Southern Alps. Upon entering Saint-Véran, you will see its traditional hamlets, fountains, wooden chapels, sundials, etc.

Places to visit in Saint-Véran are:

• the church
• the old copper mine and its exhibition
• Le musée du Soum
  
• L’Observatoire

Région/Area: Hautes-Alpes

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Valence TGV, then connect via Gap to Mont-Dauphin-Guillestre. From the station, you can get a taxi to Saint-Véran; check regional train and coach connections before travelling.

Travel duration: approx. 6 hrs and 46 min.

9. Pérouges

Pérouges is a medieval walled town northeast of Lyon. The town of Pérouges is so romantic, homey and old-fashioned that it is often used in many films. Some of the films created here are The Bride (1985) and The Hour of the Pig (1993). Indeed, Pérouges has preserved its medieval landscape.

Going here in June may give you a musical bonus: the Printemps de Pérouges festival takes place in the surrounding area. Check the current programme for dates and venues.

Région/Area: Ain

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part Dieu, then a train from Lyon Part Dieu to Meximieux-Pérouges. Allow roughly 20 minutes to walk from the station up to the medieval village.

Travel duration: approx. 2 hours and 44 minutes.

10. Domfront

Hiking, horseback riding, cycling, sightseeing…, these are only some of the activities that you can do while in Domfront.

You can start your day by visiting some of its historical sites and trying out some of its activities:

• The ruins of the chateau de Domfront
• The Manoir de la Saucerie
• The Romanesque church of Notre-Dame-sur-l’Eau (built around 1100 and consecrated in 1156)
  
• A trek in the Andaines Forest
• A trip to Bagnoles de l’Orne
  
• The Parc de loisirs de la Colmont in Gorron
• Charles Léandre Museum in Condé-en-Normandie

Région/Area: Orne

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Montparnasse Vaugirard to Flers, then there is a bus from Flers to Domfront.

Travel duration: approx. 4 hours.

11. Kaysersberg

Kaysersberg, a.k.a. the Emperor’s Mountain, attracts visitors because of its classic Alsace wine trail, so expect barrels of outstanding wines!

Upon entering the town, you will find the high fortress that dominates the city, which serves as a reminder of both its strategic and historic significance. Moreover, similar to some other towns in France, Kaysersberg is made up of old Medieval type houses, half-timbered houses, cobblestoned streets and of course, various Medieval churches. Don’t forget to take a stroll along its 16th century fortified bridge which offers a beautiful view of the river.

Région/Area: Haut-Rhin

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Est to Colmar, then the Fluo 68R013 bus to Kaysersberg; check current connections.

Travel duration: approx. 5 hours

12. Lourmarin

Lourmarin is poetry in motion. It has numerous cafes, restaurants, boutiques, and ivy-covered streets full of a lavender scent which will give you an exquisite taste of its locality.

The town’s main attractions:

• The 15th- and 16th-century castle, with its Renaissance wing
• Various Catholic and Protestant churches
• The view of the nearby bastides

The Durance River is only a short drive from the village, and the city of Aix-en-Provence is about 40 minutes away if you are looking for a change of environment.

Région/Area: Vaucluse

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Avignon Center then another train to Cavaillon. From Cavaillon, take ZOU! bus 908 to Cadenet, then bus 919 to Lourmarin; check the current operating days and connections.

Travel duration: 6 hours and 45 min.

13. Gaillac

Gaillac will offer you a warm welcome of wines and vineyards, as you stroll around its charming little streets. Gaillac is full of chateaux, dovecotes and umbrella pines. Gaillac has been a major producer of wines, from white to red and rosé.

Gaillac’s other attractions:

• Abbaye Saint-Michel (founded in the 10th century, with a 12th- and 13th-century abbey church)
• The Palmata Tower (13th century)
• Saint-Pierre Church, Abbey Museum
  
• Castle Foucaud (château de Foucaud)

Région/Area: Tarn

How to get here: Take a train from Paris to Toulouse-Matabiau, and another train to Gaillac.

Travel duration: approx. 6 hours and 41 min.

14. Eguisheim

Eguisheim stands out with its concentric layout of streets.

It is a magnet for tourists and visitors because of its flower-filled streets and colorful houses, which give it a fairy tale ambiance. As part of the Alsatian Wine Route, Eguisheim is also a producer of great wines. This is evident with its vineyards, cellars and wine bars all around the town.

Région/Area: Haut-Rhin

How to get here: You can take a train from Paris Est to Colmar and then get a bus from Colmar to Eguisheim.

Travel duration: approx. 4 hours

15. Étretat

Last but not least, one of the most popular tourist spots in Normandy.

Étretat offers:

• B&Bs and markets
• Dramatic cliffs and arches
• A wonderful gravel beach

Étretat is best known for its three natural arches and the pointed needle. It attracts tourists and even celebrities because of its peaceful scenery.

Région/Area: Seine-Maritime

How to get here: Take a train from Paris Saint-Lazare to Le Havre, and then take LiA bus 13 from Le Havre to Étretat.

Travel duration: approx. 3 hours and 31 min.

Conclusion/ Disclaimer

With thousands of small towns and villages in France, I cannot include every town in one article; therefore, I tried my best to choose some of the best places I think are worth visiting. Each region and department also has a unique character of its own.

What’s your favorite village?