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Worth visiting: the village of Eguisheim in Alsace
For forty years, the “Most Beautiful Villages in France” association has been honoring villages that have intact historic townscapes. 164 villages are currently on the list; we present seven particularly picturesque ones.
France is a travel destination par excellence. The association "Les plus beaux villages de France" was created in 1982 with the aim of promoting tourism in small rural towns with a rich historical heritage. There are currently 164 places on the list of the most beautiful villages in France. Inclusion is subject to strict conditions: a place may not have more than 2,000 inhabitants and must have an intact historic townscape or a number of landmarked buildings.
Here are seven particularly picturesque places in France:
Veules-les-Roses, Normandy
Veules-les-Roses is located in Normandy, between Fécamp and Dieppe, on the coast of the English Channel. The shortest river in France, the 1.15 km long Veules, flows through the village. Mills, half-timbered houses with thatched roofs and ancient, red brick buildings form the picturesque village center. Villas and bathing houses are reminiscent of the beginnings of the bathing resort. Fish and other sea creatures are served on the plate together with the cress that grows at the Veules springs. The sea shimmers in countless shades of blue and fine sandy beaches invite you to swim in summer.
Saint Suliac, Brittany
The old fishing village of Saint-Suliac, about ten kilometers south of Saint-Malo in Brittany, lies in the estuary of the Brittany coastal river Rance. While Saint-Malo is overrun with tourists, Saint-Suliac is peaceful and relaxed. In Saint-Suliac, visitors will find a quiet little harbor with restaurants and cafes. Narrow, enchanted alleys invite you to stroll. The granite houses in the remarkably well preserved site are richly decorated with flowers. The Gothic church is also worth a visit. A tide mill, old saltworks and a menhir bear witness to the past.
Eguisheim, Alsace
The village of Eguisheim is located a few kilometers south of Colmar and 60 kilometers north of Basel. It is considered the place of origin of viticulture in Alsace, which has a tradition here that goes back around 1800 years. At the same time, the circular Eguisheim with its cobbled streets and half-timbered houses so typical of Alsace is an architectural jewel. The brightly colored houses are particularly richly decorated with flowers, especially geraniums. That's why Eguisheim is not only one of the most beautiful villages in France, but also in the highest category of "Villages fleuris". A more authentic Alsace than here is hard to imagine.
Chateauneuf, Burgundy
The history of the village of Châteauneuf begins in the 12th century. At that time, the local landlord had a new castle built for one of his sons, a «Château neuf». This, occupied in 1175, gave the name to the small village, which soon developed around it.
The castle is considered an architectural masterpiece, is flanked by tall towers, has Gothic dwellings and wide moats crossed by a drawbridge. In the village you can still admire many well-preserved buildings from bygone eras. Thanks to its position, Châteauneuf was able to control the old road from Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, to Autun, the former royal and episcopal city. In the distance you can see the mountains of Morvan and along the canal stretches the plain of Auxois.
Auvillar, Occitania
Auvillar is located in the southern French region of Occitania, 85 kilometers northwest of its capital, Toulouse. The town between Montauban and Agen, high above the Garonne River, was once an important stage on the pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela. Down by the river, which is notorious for its flooding, is the old barge port. The town's main square is entered through a town gate in an imposing clock tower from the 17th century. The square is dominated by a round granary with columns. Old arcades and half-timbered houses characterize the cityscape. If you want to taste regional products, visit the farmers' market in the market hall on Sunday morning.
Only two dozen people live year-round in the village center of Les-Baux-de-Provence. There are around 350 in the entire municipality. And yet the place, located on a high plateau in the middle of the Alpilles Regional Natural Park, has a magical appeal. Les Baux-de-Provence, around 20 km from Arles, is a real open-air museum with 22 landmarked buildings, dominated by a huge castle ruin. In summer the place is overrun by tourists. Craftsmen, artists and local producers offer their products in the streets. The culinary offer is high quality and diverse. There are also many art galleries, a museum and the «Carrières de Lumières», where paintings by famous artists are staged with light and sound.
Corsica, the «Island of Beauty», is full of natural wonders and picturesque towns. Piana, however, is probably one of the most beautiful: located at the entrance to the "Calanche", a bizarre rocky landscape made of pink granite, which was declared a World Heritage Site by Unesco, Piana towers over the Gulf of Porto. The white houses arranged in the shape of an amphitheater are towered above the Italianate character Sainte-Marie church. A walk through narrow streets and small squares conveys an untroubled holiday feeling. Numerous tours into the untouched nature of Corsica are also possible from Piana.
Similar initiatives based on the French model have emerged in several countries. The umbrella organization "Les plus beaux villages de la Terre" unites the various national organizations of France, Italy, Spain, Japan and Wallonia. Switzerland is also among the candidates for admission.
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