The Most Beautiful Villages in France:

So much charm, so little time! 

I was recently in Alsace again, returning to the breathtakingly lovely wine village of Riquewihr, with its colorful array of half-timbered buildings, surrounded by scenic grand cru vineyards. This dot on the map was the inspiration for the fairy tale town created by the animators of Disney's Beauty & the Beast. 

Our guide mentioned that it was on the official list of the Most Beautiful Villages of France (Les Plus Beaux Villages de France). Who is the keeper of this list, I wondered, and what other villages are on it?

How Does a Village Make the Cut?

If you know anything about the French, you know they don't make these kinds of designations lightly. The French are rigorous in their high standards (and sometimes in their bureaucracy). 

The three initial selection criteria are the rural nature of the village (a population of fewer than 2,000 inhabitants), the presence of at least two national heritage sites, and local support in the form of a vote by the council. 

Then villages are subject to evaluation and inspection on 27 additional criteria, from the harmony and homogeneity of roofing colors to traffic management to the plants and flowers enhancing the visual appeal. 

There are currently 162 villages with this designation, and membership is granted to a mere one in five villages seeking it. It's all very official and only the villages who make the grade have the right to use the logo:

Where are These Tiny Treasures and How Can I Visit Them?

The regions of the South dominate the list, with Midi-Pyrénées clocking it at 30 villages--a significant chunk of the 162 total. Not far behind are Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur with 18 and Aquitaine with 16.

People speak quite dreamily of the South of France, and it's not a coincidence that so many of these charming villages are found in this part of the country. But virtually every region is home to at least a handful of these special destinations.

Selections from the list would form the basis of a wonderful exploration of the French countryside by car, and the roads in France are generally very good. We could lay out a brilliant itinerary covering some of these villages; what a relaxing, leisurely sojourn this could be! 

Perhaps combined with several wine tours (leaving the driving on those days to someone else)!? Exploring local wine production is a wonderful way to more deeply appreciate both the cuisine and the scenery of any region, especially by getting to know and enjoy lesser-know varietals that are native to the area you're visiting. Savor the flavors that you may not easily find at home.

What if I Don't Want to Drive? Can You Just Magically Transport Me?

If you'd prefer to have some of these "Les Plus Beaux" gems practically delivered to your doorstep, without the driving, join me on an art-inspired trip to Paris and Normandy at the end of August 2022. The AmaWaterways cruise that forms the centerpiece of this trip includes no fewer than three of the Most Beautiful Villages In France: Le Bec-Hellouin, Lyons-le-Forêt, and La Roche-Guyon. 

Staterooms booked by September 30th are discounted by $1000 per person! Please reach out if you'd like to take advantage of this offer.

A Wine Bucket List?

Although I have spent a good deal of time in France, it has not generally been in these smallest of villages and out of the way spots. But four days in Riquewihr made its impression, and now that I have discovered the entire list, I'm hoping to explore more of these special places, especially combined with a gastronomy focus. 

Next year's trip is just a start, and I'll still have 150+ villages left to discover. How about you? Which French village will you find the most beautiful?

P.S. Dallas-Fort Worth area clients--please look for your planespotting invitation to arrive separately!