These Small Towns in France Are Straight Out of a Storybook
France has no shortage of world-class cities, from the busy ports of Marseille to the innovative restaurants of Lyon. (And do we really need to lecture you on the endless charms of Paris?) But the villages and small towns in France have beauty to rival any bustling hub, with hilltop views, flower-lined canals, and pastel, half-timbered houses pulled straight from the pages of a storybook.
Even better? Some of these tiny communes even have Michelin-starred restaurants, award-winning hotels, and easy access to some of France’s best ski slopes—so, really, what’s holding you back? Here, we’ve rounded up 21 of the most beautiful small towns in France, along with places to stay in (or near) each location.
Whether you want to sip your way through Bordeaux or swim off the storied beaches of Corsica, we guarantee you have a new village (or two) to add to your next France itinerary.
This gallery has been updated since its original publish date. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
genekrebs/GettyGordes, Provence
Population: 1,974
Yet another hilltop stunner, Gordes is easily one of the most charming towns in all of France. The elevated location makes it one of the best places in Provence to watch the sunset, and it also happens to be an excellent home base for seeking out lavender fields during the summer months. It’s only a 10-minute drive from the town center to Sénanque Abbey, a 12th-century church that is famous for its seemingly endless stretches of purple blooms.
Stay here: Airelles Gordes, La Bastide—a Gold List, Hot List, and Readers’ Choice Award winner—has just the right balance of superb terroir cuisine, atmosphere, comfort, and service to set it apart from the other small hotels in town.
Kisa_Markiza/GettyChamonix, Haute-Savoie
Population: 8,906
Chamonix’s proximity to Mont Blanc has made it one of Europe’s most legendary skiing and climbing centers. But the town itself, with panoramic mountain views and rows of slant-roofed buildings, is lovely every month of the year.
Stay here: Accommodations don’t get much cozier (or cooler) than The Clubhouse, carved out of a 1927 Art Deco mansion with gorgeous views of Mont Blanc.
Hendrik Cornelissen/UnsplashBonifacio, Corsica
Population: 3,029
Located between France and Italy, the island of Corsica is known for its stunning protected nature areas and dramatic beaches. The island has a few notable communes, but few compare to Bonifacio, which overlooks the Mediterranean Sea from its location on the southern coast. Much of the town is situated on white limestone cliffs that have been eroded by the ocean—from certain angles, you could swear the buildings are suspended in the air by some magical force.
Stay here: Just a 30-minute drive away from the center of Bonifacio, Grand Hôtel de Cala Rossa (a 2021 Gold List winner) is one of the best beach hotels in all of Europe.
Jonathan Farber/UnsplashSaint-Émilion, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Population: 1,878
Bordeaux may be the world’s most important wine region, but the vineyard-filled landscape can be a little monotonous. The medieval town of Saint-Émilion is a notable exception—the entire jurisdiction was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1999, thanks to its “exceptional landscape” and historic monuments. The town’s winding, hilly streets and limestone houses attract visitors with only a casual interest in wine, although serious oenophiles should also try to visit (see: the prestigious Château La Dominique vineyard).
Stay here: Located in an 18th-century family home surrounded by vines, Le Relais Franc Mayne makes you feel like you’re living on a private vineyard—complete with wine tastings and a dreamy swimming pool.
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Guy Edwardes/GettyRoussillon, Provence
Population: 1,328
Some cities are known for their connection to a specific color, like pink in Jaipur or white in Tel Aviv. Roussillon, sitting atop one of the world’s largest ochre deposits, has plenty of the mineral’s reddish hue on display on buildings and the dramatic cliffs nearby.
Stay here: If you want to really relax between village visits, head to Coquillade Provence Resort & Spa, where massages and fireplace-side drinks are waiting for you.
Ian Taylor/UnsplashAnnecy, Haute-Savoie
Population: 125,694
Sometimes called “the Venice of Savoie,” this lakeside Alpine town is treasured for its sloping hillsides and the canals that wind their way through the town’s streets. (Pro tip: The small stone bridges over the canals make for perfect photo ops.) While its population might be bigger than this list’s other entries, Annecy’s cobblestone streets and pastel-colored façades provide the same storybook feel that you’d find in some of France’s tiniest villages.
Stay here: Sitting on the edge of Lake Annecy, L’Auberge du Père Bise offers some of the best views, food, and celebrity sightings in town. (Brigitte Bardot and Queen Elizabeth II are notable past guests.)
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Chiara Salvadori/GettyBriançon, Hautes-Alpes
Population: 12,370
Sitting at an altitude of 4,350 feet, Briançon is considered the highest city in all of France. Several buildings in the fortified city are UNESCO World Heritage Sites (as part of the “Fortifications of Vauban” listing), but the most famous landmark is undoubtedly the 18th-century parish church, defined by its two symmetrical towers. The town is also connected to the Serre Chevalier ski resort, making it a must-visit during the winter months.
Stay here: If you’re here to hit the slopes, you can’t do much better than Chez Bear Ski Lodge, a luxury chalet with a private sauna and chauffeur to shuttle you to and from the lifts.
Ekaterina Koliada/UnsplashÈze, Côte d’Azur
Population: 2,343
For a French Riviera experience that trades glitz for tranquility, bypass Nice and Cannes for Èze, whose rocky hillside location 1,400 feet above the sea promises stunning views of the Mediterranean. After a dizzying hike to the town’s summit, enjoy a well-deserved meal at La Chèvre d’Or, a two-starred Michelin restaurant helmed by chef Arnaud Faye.
Stay here: Château Eza is an exceptional boutique hotel with canopy beds, wood-burning fireplaces, and perfect Mediterranean views.
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Lorenzo Bianchi/GettyMoustiers-Sainte-Marie, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence
Population: 693
Known for its beautiful pottery and rosy tiled buildings, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie sits at the western entrance to the Gorge du Verdon (often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of France”). The bookends of towering limestone cliffs makes the town feel at once cozy and prolific—wander through the old village before stopping by a local restaurant for dinner and watching the town turn pink with the sunset.
Stay here: La Bastide de Moustiers is a bucolic country house surrounded by olive trees and lavender—and views of those stunning cliffs, of course.
Hemis/GettyCarcassonne, Occitania
Population: 45,996
The Languedoc region is like nowhere else in France, thanks to its sun-baked beaches, forested peaks, and density of vineyards. It’s perhaps best exemplified by the medieval town of Carcassonne. Overlooking the river Aude, the town’s main lure is La Cité, a 10th-century citadel complete with ramparts and a drawbridge.
Stay here: Built in 1909 on the site of a former bishop’s palace, Hôtel de la Cité is like its own little medieval castle—marble bathrooms, stone fireplaces, and stained glass windows included.
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e55evu/GettyBayeux, Normandy
Population: 13,656
Bayeux is best known for the 11th-century tapestry bearing its name; but it holds a special place in recent history as well, as it was the first town liberated by the Allies after they landed on Normandy’s beaches in 1944. As a result, its appeal is a mix of the classic (the Norman-Gothic Bayeux Cathedral that dominates the skyline) and the more contemporary (a somber, minimalist World War II cemetery).
Stay here: Located steps away from the Bayeux Tapestry Museum, Villa Lara boasts 28 rooms filled with elegant furniture and rich textiles.
DEA/GettyGiverny, Normandy
Population: 509
Giverny, a small village on the border of Normandy, is most famous for being the site of Claude Monet’s cherished riverside house and garden, both of which are open to the public. The pastel pink house is pretty as a picture, with spring green shutters and ivy crawling up every surface. The gardens are an impressionist painting come to life, with water lilies, weeping willows, wisterias, and that green Japanese bridge.
Stay here: A 30-minute drive south of Giverny, Domaine de Primard is a French country fantasy come to life—think 18th-century bones, a pool hidden by neatly trimmed hedges, and a greenhouse that doubles as a tea salon.
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Alexis Gerbaud/UnsplashSaint-Jean-de-Luz, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
Population: 14,133
Saint-Jean-de-Luz has everything you would hope to find in a Basque Country village: half-timbered houses, golden beaches, excellent seafood restaurants, and a harbor lined with colorful boats. Spend the afternoon at one of the town’s charming corner cafés, croissant in hand as you watch the elegant locals stroll by.
Stay here: Head to the neighboring town of Saint-Pée-sur-Nivelle and book a room at L’Auberge Basque, where you can expect an edgy mix of urban conveniences and farmhouse charm.
jenifoto/GettyColmar, Alsace
Population: 70,284
Picturesque Colmar has a neighborhood known as “Little Venice”—giving Annecy a run for its money on the Venice comparisons—with small canals that cut elegant lines past candy-colored houses. Locals aren’t the only ones inspired by Colmar’s beauty, though: Some people believe the town was the model for Belle’s village in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast.
Stay here: Is location your main priority? Hôtel Le Colombier is a small, high-design hotel set in a 500-year-old townhouse, just steps from the canals.
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Michel Gounot/GettyConques-en-Rouergue, Occitania
Population: 838
Located about six hours south of Paris, the department of Aveyron has some of the most beautiful small towns in France. Among these lovely villages is Conques-en-Rouergue (formerly Conques), situated along the Santiago de Compostela pilgrimage route and home to the 12th-century Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy. Make sure to sample the creative gastronomy at Michelin-starred La Table d’Hervé Busset when you’re in town.
Stay here: Just a quick drive away from town is Château de Labro, a 16th-century chateau turned upscale guesthouse with romantic rooms and an excellent on-site restaurant.
Jon Lovette/GettyVézelay, Burgundy
Population: 434
The medieval hilltop town of Vézelay is a can’t-miss stop on any Burgundy road trip. Make sure your detour includes a visit to the aptly-named Vézelay Abbey, where you’ll be afforded plenty of sweeping views of the surrounding countryside.
Stay here: With its spacious rooms and plant-filled terraces, Hôtel de la Poste et du Lion d’Or is the perfect place to rest up after exploring Vézelay all day.
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LianeM/GettyCastelnou, Pyrénées-Orientales
Population: 328
The medieval village of Castelnou is so well preserved, you might think you’ve traveled back in time as you walk along the narrow streets. The town’s eponymous castle sits high on a hill and overlooks the stone houses below, all set to the backdrop of the gorgeous Pyrenees. For an extra dose of cheer, plan your visit around Castelnou’s annual Christmas market in December.
Stay here: Though there aren’t many notable hotels within Castelnou itself, Mas des Colombes—a quick drive away—is as lovely as French countryside hotels come. (Just wait until you see the heated infinity pool overlooking the mountains.)
Lez Broz/Visit AlsaceBergheim, Alsace
Population: 2,111
We’re big fans of Bergheim in Alsace—as are the French. In 2022, the tiny town in northeastern France was voted the country’s favorite village in Village préféré des Français, a TV program that polls citizens every year to crown a winner. Bergheim continues to win over citizens and foreigners alike with its friendly locals, walkable streets, and famous half-timbered houses lined with flower boxes.
Stay here: With its flowery inner courtyard and rooms with exposed wood beams, Maison d'Hotes Chez Norbert is a microcosm of Bergheim’s most lovable qualities.
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wavipictureCrissay-Sur-Manse, Centre-Val de Loire
Population: 97
In the heart of the scenic Loire Valley, is a tiny (and we mean tiny—just check out its population size) but beautiful town that makes an excellent day trip excursion or road trip pit stop. Spend a few wonderful hours strolling through the main village, taking time to admire the white limestone houses and secret gardens tucked off the roads, as well as the ruins of a 15th-century castle on the western side of town.
Stay here: The Loire Valley has no shortage of dreamy stays. But if you really want to up the fairytale ante, head to Loire Valley Lodges—these glass-walled tree houses in a 750-acre forest are like modern magical princess towers.
Aleh Varanishcha/GettyPeillon, Alpes-Maritimes
Population: 1,483
We’re big fans of hilltop towns in general, but Peillon—located about 7.5 miles (12.2 kilometers) northeast of Nice—stands out with its spectacular views over the Alps. The pedestrian-only town will definitely give your pedometer a workout as you wind through narrow street and staircases, passing baroque churches, historic fountains, and charming stone houses along the way.
Stay here: Since Nice is such a quick drive away, book a bucket-list stay at the Côte d’Azur’s most flamboyant hotel: Le Negresco.
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Xantana/GettyDinan, Brittany
Population: 11,003
With many structures dating back to the 13th century, the walled city of Dinan is like one giant museum. The medieval town boasts ancient theaters, churches, and castles, as well as a picture-perfect location along the river Rance. Try to time your visit to the Fête des Remparts, a two-day festival (typically held in July) in which people dress up in period costumes, hold jousting tournaments, and basically transform the town into a Middle Ages time capsule.
Stay here: It’s worth spending at least one night in La Maison Pavie, a traditional 15th-century home in the heart of the town that was recently reopened as a stylish guest house.
