Top 15 Charming Small Towns to Explore in France

Considered somewhat of a cliché, to truly appreciate France, it is essential to explore its quaint small towns.

In many of the finest towns, local craftsmanship, culture, gastronomy, and industry reveal themselves.

Visiting the wine-producing regions in Alsace, Burgundy, and Gironde provides insight into the interrelation between terroir, architecture, and flavor.

The officially recognized “plus beaux villages” are often so impeccably preserved that they resemble film sets, prompting visitors to double-check their reality.

Let us delve into the most enchanting towns to visit in France:

1. Riquewihr, Haut-Rhin

Protected from the devastation of the Second World War, Riquewihr is a well-preserved fortified town filled with timber-framed structures dating back to the 1500s.

Visitors are required to park outside and enter through the gates on foot.

Upon entering these cobblestone avenues, one is greeted by picturesque homes crafted from timber and daub, many of which have served as Winstubs (wine cellars) for centuries.

This region is recognized as Alsace’s wine area, where the hills just beyond the gates are lined with vineyards nurturing riesling and gewürztraminer grapes.

For those interested, gentle hikes through this idyllic setting provide opportunities to discover attractions like the Dolder, a 13th-century watchtower that rises 25 meters above the town.

2. Rochefort-en-Terre, Morbihan

The village’s designation as a “Petite Cité de Caractère” can be traced back to the early 20th century when Alfred Klotz, an affluent American of French descent, purchased the neglected château.

Following substantial renovations, the building now serves the public, hosting exhibits on rural life in Brittany alongside Klotz’s personal art collection.

Klotz urged the village to cultivate geraniums, which now characterize Rochefort, spilling from window boxes and adorning the local well.

The architectural landscape is diverse, showcasing renaissance mansions alongside rustic timber-framed homes and 19th-century cottages, enhancing Rochefort’s charm.

3. Argentat, Corrèze

This modest riverside town on the Dordogne gained recognition on French postage stamps in the 1990s.

The picturesque Lestourgie quay features a charming promenade along the river, offering the finest views of the stone houses perched across the bank.

By acquiring a map from the tourist office, visitors can navigate to the most historic residence and discover intriguing features at nearly every corner.

For those invigorated by the diverse terrains and the Dordogne river, various adventure sports companies operate in the town, offering guided excursions for climbing, canoeing, and canyoning.

A particularly memorable experience is the 19-kilometer canoe trip downstream to Brizezac, where some rapids add an element of thrill.

4. Beynac-et-Cazenac, Dordogne

Despite its breathtaking beauty, perched high above a bend in the River Dordogne, Beynac-et-Cazenac has a tumultuous history.

During the Hundred Years’ War, the Romanesque castle overlooking this golden-hued settlement clashed with Castelnaud, which was aligned with the English Plantagenets.

The confluence of the river, cliffs, the village below, and the castle at the summit forms an overwhelmingly picturesque scene in Beynac-et-Cazenac.

Visitors can ascend the steep, winding alleys to the castle, where historic murals and tapestries adorn the walls.

5. Ars-en-Ré, Charente-Maritime

Located on the western side of Île de Ré, Ars-en-Ré presents a landscape of salt farms and historic windmills.

The village’s structures are predominantly whitewashed, with some, like the 16th-century seneschal’s residence located near the church, featuring small decorative towers.

For enthusiasts of birdwatching, this is an ideal locale, as sandpipers and wading birds, including herons and white stilts, can be easily observed in the shallow saline waters.

The local economy includes fishing and lobster farming, with boats navigating a long channel between the marshes throughout the day.

Those intrigued by the church’s distinctive black and white steeple will find it has served as a crucial navigational aid for mariners for centuries.

6. Barjols, Var

The history of Barjols in “Provence Verte” is closely linked to water; uniquely for the area, this hillside town is served by four rivers, which have supported its leather tanning industry for centuries.

As the trade declined in the 1970s, the former tanneries were repurposed into workshops, galleries, and boutiques seen today.

The abundant water sources have also bestowed Barjols with numerous fountains and washhouses.

There are a total of 42, and visitors can acquire an itinerary detailing each one.

A winter visit may coincide with the Tripettes, a festive event held on the Sunday closest to January 17, featuring parades and lively dances.

7. Louhans, Saône-et-Loire

Located on Burgundy’s Bresse plain, Louhans is renowned throughout France for its arcades.

These structures, dating from the 15th and 16th centuries, extend beneath the elegant stone houses along the Grand Rue for 400 meters.

In total, there are 275 arches along this street, creating a unique urban landscape that cannot be found elsewhere in the country.

On Mondays, the market in Louhans is set up beneath the arches, attracting visitors from afar who come to explore the stalls.

The first and third Mondays of the month are particularly noteworthy, as they feature the livestock market—an authentic representation of rural France, albeit perhaps not appealing to vegans!

8. Roquefort-sur-Soulzon, Aveyron

Indeed, this is the renowned village of Roquefort, home of the celebrated cheese.

Situated within the UNESCO-protected Causses and Cévennes region, Roquefort holds the AOC designation, making it the exclusive location for the production of authentic Roquefort cheese.

The cheese is innovatively crafted from sheep’s milk and matured in the depths of the Cambalou Caves.

In these caves, temperatures remain consistently around 8°C to 10°C, whether in winter or summer, and an extensive array of Roquefort cheeses is laid out on wooden platforms in chambers spanning 300 meters wide and two kilometers long.

9. Saint-Émilion, Gironde

Located atop a limestone rise amidst a rolling expanse of green vineyards, Saint-Émilion is widely recognized as one of Bordeaux’s premier red wine regions.

As such, viticulture is deeply ingrained in the life of these cobblestoned streets, still enveloped by medieval walls featuring seven gates.

The village’s 11th-century church is actually carved from the limestone plateau, boasting a nave measuring 11 meters in height and a crypt situated deep below.

A staggering 13,000 square meters of rock were excavated to create this monument.

The bell tower, accessible for viewing, offers panoramic vistas that rise 50 meters above the town.

Enjoy wine tastings at the châteaux surrounding the town, and be sure to sample the popular macarons of Saint-Émilion.

10. Le Puy-en-Velay, Haute-Loire

The French trailhead for the Way of St. James, which leads to Santiago de Compostela in northwestern Spain, Le Puy-en-Velay showcases some of the most unique and captivating sights found in any small town across France.

Two needle-like volcanic formations dominate the landscape, each adorned with significant religious monuments.

Le Rocher features the chapel of Saint-Michel-d’Aiguilhe, perched 85 meters high and accessible via a treacherously steep staircase of 268 steps.

This chapel was constructed in the 10th century in honor of the first French pilgrim on the Way of St. James.

The other volcanic outcrop, Corneille, is topped by the impressive Notre-Dame de France, a statue of the Virgin and Child created from 213 cannons from the Battle of Sebastopol that were melted down.

11. Brantôme, Dordogne

Brantôme, nestled within a biosphere reserve, is often celebrated as the most picturesque small town in Périgord, an accolade that carries significant weight for this region of France.

The predominant landmark is the Abbey, established by Charlemagne in the 8th century. Due to its numerous sackings, its architecture spans nearly a millennium, extending up to the 1800s.

Behind the abbey lies a troglodyte cave where the earliest monks of Brantôme took refuge.

An extraordinary sculpture depicting the Last Judgment is carved into the walls of this cave.

Brantôme is home to five châteaux, as well as possibly the oldest Romanesque bell tower in France.

The riverbanks provide stunning walking trails, and kayaking offers a peaceful way to appreciate Brantôme’s remarkable heritage from the water’s perspective.

12. Usson, Puy-de-Dôme

This village is situated along the slopes of a volcanic dome that rises above the Allier Valley.

Reaching an elevation of 639 meters, this site once housed a formidable fortress, where Margaret of Valois, the spouse of King Henry IV, was imprisoned for several years.

Cardinal Richelieu ordered the demolition of the castle, yet traces of its prestigious past linger in Usson’s elegant 15th- and 16th-century mansions, along with remnants of its triple ring of fortifications.

Ascending the dome is highly recommended. During the climb, visitors will encounter surreal basalt columns.

At the summit stands a 20th-century statue of the Virgin, which serves to protect France’s aviators.

From this vantage point, breathtaking views of the Auvergne volcanic landscape can be appreciated.

13. Vézelay, Yonne

Set atop a steep hill, Vézelay offers captivating views of the surrounding vineyards and woodlands in the Cure Valley, alongside the Monts du Morvan in the distance.

The winding streets enclosed by 12th-century walls are adorned with the elegant residences of wine producers and Renaissance edifices.

Vézelay Abbey is a significant site that must not be missed: Together with the surrounding buildings, it is designated a World Heritage Site.

Be sure to admire the stunning sculptures on the portals and the intricate capitals atop the columns inside.

These striking pieces represent the height of Romanesque artistry and date back to the 12th century.

14. Locronan, Finistère

Listed among France’s “most beautiful” villages, Locronan is constructed from a unique granite featuring an alluring blue hue.

For centuries, the local economy revolved around hemp cultivation, which was prevalent throughout the town and utilized for ship rigging and sailcloth production.

Much like numerous heritage towns in France, Locronan appears suspended in time, showcasing gorgeous lichen-covered residences dating back to the 1600s and 1700s.

This consistent architectural style renders it a prime filming location, with over 30 films, including Roman Polanski’s “Tess” from 1979, shot here.

15. Lourmarin, Vaucluse

Renowned French literary icons like Albert Camus and Henri Bosco were drawn to the undeniably stunning Lourmarin in the mythical Luberon massif.

Visitors may pay their respects to Camus, who is interred in the town.

The area is enveloped in sunflower fields, Côtes du Luberon vineyards, orchards, and olive groves.

The village features vibrant cafes that optimize every inch of outdoor space for patrons to enjoy al fresco dining, while a visit to the Château—predominantly designed in the Renaissance style—reveals a regal terrace overlooking the village’s terracotta rooftops and ochre-hued walls.