Wednesday, January 5, 2011

Discover the Most Beautiful Villages in France: Part 3

Escaping the rush of Paris and the insane summers of the French beaches, rural France is best experienced in its small villages that sprinkle the country. The best are associated under the banner of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Part One explored villages in the south and Alps regions of France while Part Two explored the French villages of Normandy and the Dordogne. A further four villages scattered across France completes this tour of an often ignored aspect of French travel.

St-Cirq Lapopie


Perched majestically above the the Lot River, St-Cirq Lapopie seems lost in time. Small half-timbered and stone houses guarded by town gates front onto narrow alleys named for their crafts practised centuries ago. Today the small village with a population of less than 100 is popular with artists offering pottery, paintings, metalwork and wooden carvings.

Noyers-sur-Serein


In the heart of the world famous wine district of Burgundy, Noyers has a surprisingly untouristy and quiet feel to it. While angled historic half-timbered houses litter the small town, the highlight is the peaceful verdant stroll along the gentle bend of the Surein River and 700 year old village walls.

Gordes


Like a terraced Asian farm, the houses of the Provence village of Gordes sits upon a hill in layers, crested by a grey-stone chateau and imposing monastery. Some escape from the rampant summer visitors packed into the narrow lanes to visit the nearby Village des Bories, where around 20 ancient pyramid-shaped stone huts exist in an area continuously inhabited since the Bronze Age.

Collonges-la-Rouge


With a tiny population, the aptly named central French village exists entirely of houses, rounded towers, churches, castles and town walls constructed from blood red sandstone. Near the pilgrimage town of Rocamadour and contrasted with the verdant green shrubbery, the streets of the village can be explored in a handful of minutes but warrant the extra time to soak in the history of a small town overflowing with historic and listed buildings.

While France is the most visited country on Earth, too many people fail to escape Paris for part of their break missing the walking delights, rich history and gastronomic pleasures of some of the most beautiful villages of France. Make sure your vacation in France includes at least one small village and vive la difference.

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13 comments:

India Travel Tourism said...

it be a great delight to enjoy rural tour to these beautiful villages

Sherry Ott said...

Collonges-la-Rouge is gorgeous - love the deep red colored brickswww.

PNR Enquiry said...

A further four villages scattered across France completes this tour of an often ignored aspect of French travel.

Corfu Traveler said...

Great pictures, wonderful list. Lovely France!!!

Kristina said...

i can't quite define it but the red bricks and the narrow street is somewhat homey...

Donna Hull said...

I've enjoyed this series, Mark. Visiting smaller destinations is the kind of travel that I enjoy. These French villages look delightful. I hope to see them one day.

ferienhaus costa brava said...

What a great and terrific post was this....!!!!

I never knows that the rural France is so spectacular...The post shows how beautiful is the France...!!The pics of the villages here are awesome ,but the very first seems to me the best...Because i liked the way it was built on a cliff..,

Mark H said...

@india: The highlight of France in many ways.

@sherry: My personal favourites are the half-timbered villages but I do love the brick red colours of Collonges.

@corfu traveler: Thank you. France is stunning.

Mark H said...

@kristina: All the villages I have highlighted have a real community, home feeling. For some, they are simply invaded on a daily basis by loads of visitors (like me)...

@donna: They must run cruises down the west of France?

@fereinhaus costa bravo: St Cirq has a great setting. Sadly, too many Frech visitors don't get past Paris and maybe the Loire valley.

ferienhäuser costa mallorca said...

I really like the pics and the place is really nice and good..There is no doubt in saying that this will become a tourist spot in few years.. will definitely look forward to it..

Mark H said...

@ferienhäuser costa mallorca: I think that many of these villages are already very popular with visitors.

cheap airline flights said...

Hi,
Wow.. France villages look awesome. I would love to travel to France. Could you suggest some good travel agents of France. I am planning a trip this summer. Thanks!!

Mark H said...

@cheap airline flights: Get a car and drive around to see these small villages.

 
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