8 Most Breathtaking Towns In France
France has inspired artists and writers for hundreds of years with its sheer beauty. Vincent van Gogh and Claude Monet have immortalized some of the country’s most breathtaking landscapes in now-famous paintings. Towns such as Roussillon in Provence further emphasize France’s breathtaking scenery with ochre cliffs that glow against surrounding green hills. In northeastern France, Riquewihr adds a different kind of beauty with its vineyard setting along the Alsace Wine Route. These and the other towns on the list below will literally take your breath away as you follow paths once explored by people inspired to create some of the world’s most famous art.
Saint-Paul-de-Vence
The stunning medieval hilltop village of Saint-Paul-de-Vence beckons visitors to explore its cobblestone streets that lie elevated above the equally breathtaking countryside. The village is just forty minutes from Nice and was once home to Henri Matisse and Pablo Picasso. You can walk everywhere you want to go, and there are no cars allowed in the town center. If you love art and culture, make your first stop the Fondation Maeght, where you will find artworks by Marc Chagall, Picasso, Georges Braque, and Alexander Calder. Afterward, you can enjoy the scent of fresh flowers draped over balconies as you make your way to the Grande Fontaine, which was installed around 1615.
As you stroll the quaint streets, you will see sculptures everywhere, including the Secret Point created by Jean-Claude-Farhi. And, if you want to take a walk on the beach, you are only eight kilometers away from the coast and the Cagnes-sur-Mer beach in particular.
Gordes
Much further inland lies the pretty town of Gordes. Gordes is located in the Luberon region of Provence and is easily reached by car. It is important to note that cars are prohibited in the town center and that the streets are very narrow. Find a safe place to park and then head to Gordes on foot. When you get to the center of the village, you may notice artists painting local scenes in the sunshine as you walk to the imposing Château de Gordes (Gordes Castle). The castle was built over a thousand years ago and is the home of the Musée Pol Mara. From here, you can take a stroll to the Caves of the Palais Saint-Firmin, which are actually underground cellars that have been carved into the rock that Gordes sits on. The cellars date back to the Middle Ages and were once hubs that held olive oil mills and workshops.
If you want to take photos of lovely Gordes, stop by the Gordes Viewpoint (you can walk there from the town center). From the viewpoint, you will see Gordes laid out in front of you with its sand-colored houses covering the green hillside. If you happen to visit on a Tuesday, be sure to take a shopping trip through the famous Gordes Market. You will find everything here, from local handmade soaps and linens to delicious cheese, bread, and olives.
Roussillon
Roussillon, or the ‘Red Village,’ is just over ten minutes away from Gordes. Here, the ochre cliffs glow in the sun, and the buildings try to outshine them in their vibrant shades of orange and red. Ochre deposits are behind the natural colors of the cliffs, and these pigments have been used by both builders and artists for many centuries. You can immerse yourself in the ochre by hiking the Sentier des Ocres (Ochre Trail), which offers a short yellow trail and a longer red trail. There are seventeen different shades of ochre to look out for as you hike along these trails. If this still is not enough color for you, you can make your own natural ochre paints and pigments as part of a workshop at the Ochre Conservatory just outside the village center.
Should you want to explore some of this breathtaking village’s history, you can take a stroll to the Roussillon belfry, which stands at the old gateway. The tower was remodeled during the 19th century and is visible from several vantage points throughout the village. While you are at the belfry, you can take the old parapet walk for incredible views of the countryside.
Riquewihr
The medieval town of Riquewihr is in northeastern France and lies along the fantastic Alsace Wine Route. Here, the historic town center draws visitors and locals alike to walk General de Gaulle Street. There are several half-timbered houses in different colors and overflowing with flowers everywhere, making for the prettiest picture. After strolling past the houses, you can go see the ramparts that encircle the town. There is a road that runs along them, Rue des Remparts, making it easy to explore.
And, since Riquewihr is in wine country, you absolutely should make some time to walk or bike part of the wine route. The route will take you past some of the best vineyards in the area, and you can stop at Dopff au Moulin for a great wine tasting experience.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
In the southeast of France, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, lies the scenic village of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. Considered one of the most beautiful villages in the country, it sits right at the entrance to Gorges du Verdon, also known as the European Grand Canyon. There are only around 700 permanent residents in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, and it is one of 46 other villages that form part of the beautiful Verdon Natural Regional Park. Make your first port of call the Gorges du Verdon, where limestone canyon and cliffs frame unbelievably clear turquoise water. If you plan on staying in the village a while, you can take a day to rock climb, hike, and raft at the gorge.
For an unforgettable French experience, you can drive an hour away from town to go up in a hot air balloon. The balloon will take you on a ride over Provence and allow you to see the famous lavender fields from a different perspective. If you prefer to spend your entire stay in Moustiers, take a couple of minutes to see if you can spot the gold star two hundred feet in the air above the village. The star hangs on a 135-meter chain between the two cliffs that the town is sandwiched between. Legend says that a knight put the star there as an offering to the Virgin Mary after surviving the Crusades.
Dinan
Dinan is one of the bigger towns in France, but no less breathtaking. It is located on a steep hill that overlooks the River Rance, just 30 minutes away from Saint-Malo. There are more half-timbered buildings to admire here while you look out over the gorgeous river and rolling hills. The man-made attractions are almost just as stunning as the natural ones, especially Chateau de Dinan, which dates back to the 1000s. The castle boasts two massive towers that offer unmatched views of the town.
Another hugely popular attraction is the city walls that run around Old Town and link to the castle. You can access the ramparts from different parts of town, and as you stroll alongside them, you can look out over the river and town below. After your walk, you can explore the charming streets of Dinan, including Rue de Jérzual and Rue du Petit Four. Remember to stop by Le Port to see the boats come and go or join a river cruise along the Rance.
Saint-Veran
Saint-Veran is yet another village that has been ranked as one of the most beautiful in France. This memorable place sits in the Queyras Regional Nature Park and is known for being the highest elevated village in Western Europe. You will find French history displayed at its finest here, especially with the traditional houses that incorporate handcrafted logs and rose windows. Throughout the village, you will also find ancient fountains and sundials, which are all remnants of what life used to be like here.
There are many experiences to be had in this picturesque part of France, including visiting the highest observatory in the country. The Observatoire Astronomique du Pic de Chateurenard is located at an altitude of almost 3,000 meters and offers the opportunity to see nebulae and galaxies through two telescopes. Back on the ground, you can learn more about the culture of the Queyras by taking a donkey trek excursion of the mountain passes, starting in the village.
Mont Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel is a tiny tidal island and commune located in the Normandy region. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site famous for dramatic tides and a medieval abbey. You need at least a couple of days to soak in the atmosphere here, especially since it is a good couple of driving hours from Paris. It is important to note that the tides move fast here, so it is crucial to explore the bay around Mont-Saint-Michel with a guide. When you get to the village, you can access the abbey at its center by walking along Grand Rue and taking the Grand Staircase on the left. The abbey was once a monastery before being transformed into a fortress and prison. After its restoration in the 19th century, it was opened to the public, which means you can now walk through all the rooms inside, including the chapels, crypts, refectory, and more.
Other places to see include St. Peter’s Church and Chapelle Saint-Aubert. The chapel sits at the back of the island, and you can only get there via a staircase that starts down below in the rocks. While the chapel is not open to the public, you can take photos of it from the outside. You can also visit the Musée Historique to learn more about the 1,000-year history of the island through several exhibits and displays.
France has this way of gently inspiring visitors to aspire to greatness. They listen to the stories and anecdotes of both heroes and ordinary people, and suddenly, they feel like they can conquer the world. This happens because France’s history is alive in its small-town streets. You can feel the heartbeat of it pulsing beneath the cobblestones, making these towns so much more than just places with incredible views. France is also the place that will spark your creativity with its lavender fields and breathtaking ocean views. So, whether you are a dreamer or a traveler, be prepared to feel that boost of creative energy and that feeling of ‘taking on the world’ as you explore France’s most beautiful villages.
