10 Prettiest Towns in France
As Europe's largest country, it's rich in history and culture and it's a competitive sport for the French to make their village “the most beautiful”. Something we have to give them credit for.
Morzine, Fench Alps
There is an official list of France’s prettiest towns, there’s a few overlaps, but here’s my top ten prettiest towns I visited in France!
Saint Emilion
Consistently voted one of the most beautiful villages in France, this village was first built back in the 1200s. Limestone caves and quarries in the Bordeaux wine region have made this vineyard haven also the perfect place to store wine as most of the cellar doors also have a natural limestone cave they use as an actual cellar.
I visited Saint Emillion both in the Spring and Autumn, and was even lucky enough to be there as the Olympic Torch was marched through town! I can confirm this place is worth a visit at any time of year. Lunch in the main square, whilst touristy, has such a good vibe, and for a local authentic French meal I highly recommend L’Antre Deux Verres.
This is a great day trip from Bordeaux on the train, otherwise this is a perfect weekend getaway destination!
Saint Emillion, Bordeaux wine region
Morzine, French Alps
Morzine can hardly be called a village these days but it is STUNNING. I worked here for the summer after a friend had told me that the Alps are just as amazing in Summer as in Winter. I am so glad I listened.
As a West Australian, I really appreciate mountains and a lush green landscape for a novelty. Clear rivers and waterfalls run through town, typical wooden alpine cabins have open rose and dahlia gardens. Fresh water is available from wooden fountains dotted all through town and on mountain hikes. If you’re lucky, you’ll see marmot and deer out in the wild.
Lake Montriond is a bright turquoise blue and has a number of waterfalls cascading off the cliffs surrounding it after a good rainstorm. There's fields of horses and even a dedicated “goat village” - which is exactly what it sounds like (mind the smell).
The town has a vibrant social life especially in the summer and winter, numerous adventure activities like via ferrata, canyoning, paragliding, hiking and the biggest draw card - a huge mountain biking scene. Note that the shoulder seasons are a lot quieter when the chairlifts aren't running for skiing or mountain biking.
You’ll need at least five days to a week to really get the most out of this place!
Lake Montriond, French Alps
Moustiers Sainte Marie
I think this one might claim the spot as number one favourite! A movie set couldn’t have done it better, this one was straight out of a fairytale. Towering cliffs as the backdrop, with a charming little church perched up high over the town. A cascading river and waterfall into a clear pond with a mossy bank and a verandah to sit and have a hot chocolate with the classic french villas all round. Famous for its cermics, artists here capture the essence of Provence in this little slice of perfection.
This is a great day trip if you’re in the Verdon region.
Moustiers Saint Marie
Trebeurden, Brittany
This one was extra special, two of my best friends not only had their wedding here, they rented a castle for us to celebrate in.
This seaside village in Brittany is a bit of a hidden gem. Off the beaten track, the lush landscape is bursting with life along the sparkling coast line.
Chateau Ker De Nelly sits high on the hilltop overlooking the ocean and x island, which is reachable when the tide is out.
In June the village is overflowing with hydrangeas of every colour you can imagine. Bushes of Deep purple, maroon and indigo, and then pastels of soft pinks and violet are in abundance on every street and made for a handpicked beautiful bouquet for our stunning bride.
You could easily spend weeks exploring the Brittany peninsula, and the summertime is splendid if you want to get some beach time in too!
Treburden, Brittany
Gordes, Provence
Another of France’s most beautiful villages in Provence, in the South of France. Built into the hill side, we drove around the corner as a rainbow arched over this picturesque valley. As part of our French Road trip, we found a little space on the hill to park the van and woke up to this golden sunrise, drinking coffee and yapping away to our hearts content.
There is a michelin star restaurant L’Orangerie, which I’d love to say I indulge in, but it was scrambled eggs in the camper van for me, but if you’re up for it enjoy a lunch or dinner here and an afternoon wandering, then take the time to visit the other villages nearby (read on my road trip blog post here.)
Gordes, Provence
Flavigny-sur-Ozerain, Burgundy
Another of the “Prettiest towns in France”, this commune was the set of Johnny Depp’s movie Chocolat, and is quaint and charming, with hidden passageways, cobblestone streets, a little church and shutters on every window. A whimsical country village, you’ll want to spend half a day exploring and will be on the hunt for some chocolate yourself.
Flavigny-sur-Ozerain
Semir-en-Auxoir, Burgundy
We found this town completely by accident. On our road trip we opted to take back roads to avoid tolls and save on fuel and serendipitously found one of our favourite places in all of France.
The Autumn colours really added to this medieval town, and a thick fog rolled in the following morning creating a moody and mystical atmosphere.
A day or half a day here is well worth the stop!
Semur-en-Auxoir, ten prettiest towns in France
Annecy, French Alps
This one is hardly a village but one of the most beautiful little cities, on the edge of the alps and along a pristine turquoise lake. The colourful buildings line canals and flowers bloom in every available piece of earth, windowsill, bike basket and crack in the concrete. White swans swim past and in the summer you can rent a paddle boat to see the town and mountains from out on the water. We had a delicious breakfast and coffee at Haven and a 10/10 ice-cream from Par Faim Bio.
A day or half day here is fabulous in any season, but if you’re there in summer you could spend a few more days enjoying water based activities.
Annecy, top ten prettiest towns in France
Aix-En-Provence
Aix is a crowning jewel of the South of France, a city with a local small town vibes, its a fabulous place to base yourself for a week and explore the region from there.
Fabulous restaurants, markets, night life, wineries and old town charm its a popular tourist destination for a good reason.
Aix-en-Provence
Giverny, Normandy
A day trip from Paris, this town is home to the famous impressionist painter, Monet, and his equally famous “Monet Gardens”.
This was a bucket list item for me and I was so happy to be there in the height of Spring Blooms awith the gaden overflowing with colourful bulbs and blossoms.
The town itself is a gorgeous county village and should not be skipped if you decide to visit Monets House and Gardens.
Claude Monet’s House
