Top 10 French Villages

In order to reward French villages that preserve and enhance their architectural heritage, an association was created in the 1980's which set out to nominate the prettiest villages in France. Their objective was also to raise awareness of these rural settlements whilst helping them economically and managing the influx of tourists. There are currently over 150 villages in France that have been classed as "Les plus beaux villages de France". Here is our top 10. Many of them are visited during our guided and independent walking holidays in France.

Montbrun les Bains, Baronnies, Provence Built on 6 levels on a steep hillside, the village of Montbrun les Bains was the southern outpost for the barons of Mevouillon. As you climb the hill to enter the village you'll walk through the belfry or clock tower emerging into the upper village with its 16th century cobbled alleyways and stone houses. The extensive remains of its medieval chateau sit on top of the hill overlooking a valley bathed in lavender. One of our walks on our guided walking holiday starts from this beautiful village. Find out more about the Baronnies in northern Provence.
Oingt, Beaujolais The village of Oingt, classified as one of the prettiest villages in France, was originally built in roman times on the old roman route between Anse and Feurs. Its current form started to take shape around the year 1000 when the Lord Guichard d’Oingt, recently victorious over the Counts of Forez, built a château with a moat and several churches on its edge. Its chapel became the parochial church in 1079. In 1173, Oingt was chosen as a military fortified town for the region  Lyonnais. From the original castle, there remains some vestiges: a eight meters keep or dungeon and the lords dwelling. The other main vestige is the gate of Nizy from the 13th century fortifications. The village has remarkable views and a number of quaint lanes and alleys lined with renovated limestone houses. Find out more information about our walking holidays in the Beaujolais.
Perouges, nr Lyon This remarkable medieval village is perched overlooking the Rhone Valley about 35km from Lyon, itself a world heritage city. The village is beautifully restored and its circular cobbled alleyways are retained by two fortress walls, with a lovely square in the centre. There are lots of restaurants to try the local speciality - pancakes. Visiting the village makes a great day out if you are visiting Lyon. Find out about our independent walking holiday in Lyon
Eguisheim, Alsace One of the oldest concentric villages in France, Eguisheim centred around its 8th century fort, has hardly changed in the last five centures. The village was first fortified in 1257 and narrow aleyways built in the 16th century wind in circles with large stone ramparts giving Eguisheim a unique character and charm. There is a lovely small square infront of the castle and church at the centre of this wine making centre. The Grand Rue leads from it and is lined with multi-coloured half-timbered houses. Find out more about the Alsace and our self guided walking holiday
Baume les Messieurs, Jura This historic village is located in the wine region of Jura in eastern France. Situated in a spectacular reculée (closed gorge), Baume les Messiuers is surrounded by by dramatic cliffs. The valley is also home to caves and picturesque waterfalls where water and limestone are in permanent interaction. The village is dominated by its historic abbey dating from the 9th century. Find out more about the Jura region and our guided walking holiday
Salers, Cantal The Cantal mountains in the southern Auverge of France are a rugged and wild range of mountains and are the eroded remains of a gigantic volcano. During the last ice age, glaciers carved out beautiful, wide u-shaped valleys in the thick volcanic lava plateaux. On the edge of one of these valleys at 950m in the west of the mountain range is located Salers. It is a charming historic village, its 16th century buildings built from dark volcanic rock. Find out more about our independent and guided walking holidays in the Cantal.
Saint Veran, Queyras At 2042m, Saint Veran is the highest permenantly habited parish in Europe. Situated in the heart of the Queyras regional park, the village is an important stop-over for many alpine walks and treks. Saint Veran is also one of the prettiest village in the Alps having retained its traditional buildings built with stone and wood and covered in large slate tiles. The village is also known for its sun dials which adorn many of the houses. Find out more about our trekking and walking holidays in the Queyras region of the French Alps.
Barfleur, Normandy Barfleur, on the English Channel coast, was the first Anglo-Norman port in the middle ages and remains today an important port for fishing and leisure boats.The pretty houses in Barfleur are built from grey granite and cover the headland which jets out to sea. High Point Holidays will be introducing walking holidays in Normandy and the north of France from 2011.
Collonges la Rouge, Corrèze This old stronghold of the earl of Turenne has a unique identity thanks to its striking red sandstone used in its 15th and 16th noble houses. The grain and wine halls, as well as Saint Pierre church are also built from this local stone. The village is located in the south of Corrèze in Limousin, close to the Perigord region of France to the south. High Point Holidays will be introducing self guided walking holidays in western France from 2011.
Bonneval sur Arc, Vanoise In the south of the alpine region known as the Vanoise, you'll find the historic village of Bonneval sur Arc which has been protected from modern development which has blighted many other pretty vaiilages in the French Alps. The Vanoise is an ideal location for a alpine walking holiday and High Point Holidays has guided walking holidays and independent trekking tours on offer. Find out more about this region of France and our walking holidays

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