If you’re itching to see more than just dazzling Paris or bustling Marseilles on your next visit to Europe, head to the most beautiful small towns in France. Scattered throughout the French countryside, these charming villages, slow-paced communes, and historical petites villes offer local cuisines, experiences, and hospitality. Many of them are hilltop towns in the South of France, with origins that go back to the medieval period, when locals moved uphill to escape pirate raids and mosquito-borne diseases, which were prevalent in humid lowlands. Some are found along striking coastal landscapes like the French Riviera in the south and the Granite Coast in the north (keep an eye out for the best beaches in France). And others are situated among the exciting slopes of the French Alps or the best wine regions in France.
This list includes only small towns in France with a population of less than 10,000 people; and some are part of Le Plus Beaux Villages de France, an association of—literally translated—the most beautiful villages of France. From Chamonix to Saint-Paul-de-Vence, here are 17 of the prettiest and most charming small towns in France.
This gallery has been updated since its original publish date.
