There’s a new obsession running around in my head: “Visit as many of France’s ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages‘ as I possibly can.”
So far, I’ve seen only 13 out of some 156 “authentic” Les Plus Beaux Villages. I have a lot of traveling to do.
Les Plus Beaux Villages
156 communities in France are distinguished as beaux villages. Most are in the Dordogne and Aveyron departments. Vaucluse and Lot are next with seven and six beaux villages, respectively.
The designation “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” was borrowed from the Reader’s Digest book of the same name. Charles Ceyrac, mayor of Collonges-la-Rouge, one of the villages featured in the book, believed his village and others could be revitalized economically if they joined together and promoted themselves as the most beautiful villages in France.
The criteria for the title were based on (1) the character and population of a village: rural with no more than 2,000 inhabitants; (2) two national heritage sites; and (3) the local council of the municipality must have voted on the application.
In 1981, mayors from 66 villages joined Collonges to form the association.
So far, these are Les Plus Beaux Villages I’ve visited. Click on the highlighted villages to learn and see more. Enjoy!
Balazuc
Brousse-le-Chateau
Couvertoirade, La
Garde-Adhemar, La
Goudon
Lagrasse
La Roque-Gageac
Lussan
Montreal
Moustiers-Saint-Marie
Poet-Laval, Le
Roque-Gageac
Toque-sur-Cรฉze
Sรฉguret
Yes, I have a lot of traveling to do.
If you have thoughts on the Beaux Villages I shouldn’t miss, please leave a comment. Let’s all go!
