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 10 beautiful small French villages to visit

I bet you’ve heard of major cities like Â鶹APP, Lyon, Bordeaux, etc. but actually, some of France’s best-kept secrets can be found in the country’s many beautiful small villages. Boasting mauve-tinted lavender fields, snow-capped mountains, lush green forests, and even sun-drenched beaches, France’s landscape is one of the most diverse in Europe. And it certainly has plenty to offer every visitor. Dotted across the country’s diverse regions, here are 10 beautiful small French villages to visit. 

1. Moustiers-Sainte-Mairie

First up on my guide to the 10 most beautiful French villages to visit is Moustiers-Sainte-Mairie. Perched high atop a rocky cliffside in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, the village of Moustiers has been listed as one of the most beautiful villages in France since 1981!

Moustiers is quite literally carved into the cliffside, and that’s what makes it so beautiful and unique. Steep and narrow stone streets go perfectly with the pastel-colored houses lining them, and there’s even a waterfall flowing through the town center! Walking around here is a bit of a workout, but the unmatched views over the valley below are more than worth it.

2. Trets

By Jclpaca on Wikimedia Commons

If you’re not actively looking for it, there’s a good chance you’d pass right by Trets without even noticing. And that would be a shame because this is truly one of the most beautiful and charming French villages I’ve ever visited.

Nestled in the rolling foothills of Provence, Trets is a portal to simpler times. Narrow cobblestone walkways wind through the village past brightly-colored houses and artisanal shopfronts hawking local produce and wares, eventually leading to the calm Medieval town center. Trets can easily be seen in an afternoon, but it’s certainly worth a stopover. 

3. Moret-sur-Loing

Situated just an hour outside Â鶹APP in the Ile de France region lies the most beautiful village in Ile de France. Moret-sur-Loing was voted the region’s most beautiful village in 2019, and it’s not hard to see why.  Set along the picturesque Loing river, Moret-sur-Loing was actually a former royal village and dates back to Medieval times.

Fortunately, lots of the original architecture has been preserved or restored in the Old Town, so you can still marvel at ancient ramparts, impressive Medieval gates to the city, and Rennaissance fa̤ades Рmany of which have been immortalized by the Impressionist painter, Sisley.

4. Hunspach

By Jean-Pierre Dalbera on Flickr

You’ll find the beautiful French village of Hunspach in the far east of France, right on the border with Germany. Back in 2020, Hunspach was nominated and even won the title of ‘Favorite French Village’! The tiny village boasts just 650 inhabitants, but there’s a diverse culture blending German and French influences.

A walk through the charming city center will likely be enough to have you planning a return trip. Alsacien half-timbered houses line cobbled roads and overlook teeming gardens and fields. After your stroll, why not settle in for some traditional Alsacien cuisine and some of their famous local wine?

5. Lods

By Jean-Pol Grandmont on Wikimedia Commons

The village of Lods looks like something out of a French fairytale. Set in a verdant river valley in the Bourgogne Franche Comté region, this village is made up of just under 300 residents. Stone houses date back to the 11th century, and many feature the original thatched rooves, giving it a truly timeless feel.

Hiking, canoeing, and fishing are some of the outdoor activities available to visitors, while the impressive viticulture museum highlights the area’s famous wine production tradition.

6. Domme

By Dynamosquito on Flickr

Did you know that there’s actually an association dedicated to finding and preserving the ‘most beautiful French villages’? Yes, such a dream job exists, and the group responsible for finding these gems is called the Association des Plus Beaux Villages de France. Not surprisingly, Domme has officially made the list!

Perched high on a hilltop in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Domme is somewhere one goes to escape to another world. Tiny streets wind past centuries-old commerce and past Medival stone houses and city walls overgrown with all variety of foliage. As the morning fog lifts, Domme provides a truly unmatched view over the Dordogne Valley. Here you can spot ancient ruins and still-intact ³¦³óâ³Ù±ð²¹³Ü³æ rising out of the trees and mist – a truly breathtaking sight.

7. La Pesse

By Jean Bertrand on Flickr

If the mountains are where you feel most at home, La Pesse in the Haut-Jura is one beautiful French village that should definitely be on your bucket list. And at 1,100 meters of altitude, La Pesse enjoys a true mountain climate – cold, snowy winters and hot, humid summers. This climate lends itself perfectly to a variety of farming and agriculture, as well as plenty of outdoor sports. So that’s exactly what La Pesse is known for – excellent food, delectable wines, and incredible nature. The village itself is small and quaint, but the surroundings are truly impressive no matter what time of year you visit.

8. Sault

A stunning hilltop village in Provence, Sault is truly a must-visit if you’re traveling through the region. The town winds its way around a mountain and sits at 776 meters altitude – so you can bet there are some great vistas. Once you’ve soaked up the charm of the town center, you’ll want to spend some time taking in the views. Sault overlooks a huge plateau, which just so happens to be filled with lavender as far as the eye can see. Come August, the entire horizon blooms into magnificent hues of blue and purple.

9. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie

By Bernard Blanc on Flickr

This little-known village in the Cahors department is one of France’s hidden gems. Originally ‘discovered’ by Post-Impressionist Henri Martin, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie has been a favorite of in the know travelers for decades. Perched precariously on a rocky cliffside, this Medieval village overlooks a lush river valley. Plus, a lot of the original architecture and buildings remain, including a gorgeous Gothic Cathedral. Talk about picturesque.

10. Sauzon

You’ll find the last village in my guide on France’s Atlantic Coast. More specifically, the beautiful French village of Sauzon is located on the island of Belle-Ile-en-Mer in Brittany. Colorful, old buildings line the fishing port and a boardwalk leads you past tempting eateries and along the water’s edge to the lighthouse.

Originally a small fishing port, word about the tranquil beauty (and incredible seafood) of Sauzon eventually got around and Sauzon is one of the area’s most popular seaside vacation spots.