With exquisite architecture, centuries of history and spectacular settings, France’s treasure trove of gorgeous villages and tiny towns mesmerizes film directors and Instagrammers. Bypass the autoroutes and travel the meandering backroads to find thousands of rural gems scattered across the countryside.
Arriving early or late on a weekday is best to see France’s prettiest villages at their least crowded (staying in or around the villages overnight is even more magical). Here are 10 of the most beautiful locations to get you started.
Survey the French Riviera from Èze’s exotic gardens
Midway along the Côte d’Azur between Nice and the principality of Monaco (around 7 miles, or 12km, to each), enchanting Èze clings precariously to a craggy peak, with elegant little art galleries, boutiques and restaurants wedged along its cobbled lanes.
Views plunge to the glittering blue Mediterranean from Èze’s Fort de la Revère, built to defend Nice in the 19th century. It’s even more dizzying from the site of an earlier medieval fortress now home to botanical gardens filled with succulents, the Jardin Exotique d’Èze – on a clear day, you can see all the way to the gulf of St-Tropez.
When making travel plans, take care not to confuse Èze with the seaside town of Èze-sur-Mer, a vertiginous 1407 feet (429m) below. Walking up isn’t recommended in the hot sun, but with good hiking boots (and plenty of water), it’s a dramatic 45-minute descent via the Chemin de Nietzsche trail.
Explore the postcard-perfect Provençal village of Gordes
On the edge of Provence’s sun-baked Parc Naturel Régional du Luberon (Luberon Regional Natural Park) in the Vaucluse mountains, the tiered hilltop village of Gordes was once in charge of guarding the city of Cavaillon, 10 miles (17km) to the west, and a refuge for people fleeing invasions and religious wars.
Gordes’ jumble of terracotta rooftops, church towers and winding lanes are especially engaging on Tuesday mornings when market stalls sell Provençal fabrics, linens, soaps, sun-ripened fruit and vegetables, cheese, wine and other provisions for an idyllic picnic.
Ancient beehive-shaped bories (limestone huts; best seen at the Village des Bories) dot the surrounding countryside, which is carpeted with…
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