15 Most Beautiful Small Towns in France

Known throughout the world by many names such as the L’Hexagone, France is a beautiful country primarily located in Western Europe. Home to the French language and the famous romantic city, Paris, the country has much to offer. For example, Paris alone is home to one of the world’s most famous attractions, the Eiffel Tower. Move out further across the country and you will find a unique array of natural sights, rich medieval history, and beautiful architectural feats. The Republic of France is the world’s most visited country with more than 110 million tourists in 2020 alone. Although, with so much to offer, many people tend to miss out on the hidden gems spread throughout France’s mainland and coastal regions. To shed light on all the amazing finds in France, here is a look at the 15 most beautiful small towns in France.

15 Most Beautiful Small Towns in France

• Saint-Émilion
• Eguisheim
• Arcachon
• Villard-de-Lans
• Eze
• Annecy
• Colmar
• Dinan
• Chamonix
• Briançon
• Étretat
• Saint-Véran
• Carcassonne
• Cassis
• Rocamadour

Saint-Émilion

Saint-Émilion is a beautiful commune known for its historical value in the Gironde department of Nouvelle-Aquitaine. Part of the Bordeaux region, one of the most famous wine regions in the world, visitors and residents alike have their pick of world-famous wines. The commune has a history dating back more than 35,000 years to the Paleolithic Age when the land was first settled. In 27 BC, the first Roman emperor, Caesar Augustus annexed the town and converted it into a Roman vineyard. Following this, the commune and vineyards grew together to create the unique mixture Saint-Émilion has today. In 1999 UNESCO designated the entire town and surrounding vineyards a World Heritage Site, which is a testament to its value. So, if you want to take a step back in time and enjoy Romanesque churches and centuries-old ruins, this is the place to visit!

Eguisheim

Known for its positive, colorful, and charming vibes, Eguisheim is an exquisite medieval village in France’s Alsace region. Home to a lively population of 1,700, this town is the embodiment of medieval joy and architecture. The narrow cobblestone streets boast hand-timbered buildings and castle-like structures that date back many centuries. Located in northeastern France, this town is a great stopping point to take in France’s past before stepping into Germany. With a total area of 5.5 square miles (14 square kilometers) and home to attractions such as the Château De Saint-Léon-Pfalz, the 8th-century caste which is at the center of town, you are sure to enjoy a few days here. However, even if medieval sights are not your cup of tea, you can swap them out with a glass of wine as Eguisheim rests along the famous Alsace Wine Route!

Arcachon

If you want to delve into the coastal scenery of France, Arcachon is the perfect seaside commune to visit. Home to a healthy population of 11,630 with an area of 2.9 square miles (7.5 square kilometers), this small town has lots to discover along the coast. Located southwest of Bordeaux along the Atlantic Ocean, you will find a stunning combination of sandy beaches, beautiful weather, and amazing food! To enjoy all this in one spot, Bassin d’Arcachon is a calm and relaxing beach filled with fine sand and an endless array of activities. Here, you can spend your day taking a boat ride along the shore and end it off with a glass of wine at the local bar, la Co(o) niche. If you are drinking, be sure to pair your drink with Arcachon’s local delicacy, oysters from the region’s oyster farm.

Apart from the sandy beaches and eateries, Arcachon also has a unique attraction that sets it apart from many other towns! The famous Dune Du Pilat sand dune sits 351-foot-high and 1.8-mile-long and is the tallest of its kind in Europe!

Villard-de-Lans

Nestled along the mountainous Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region in southeastern France, Villard-de-Lans is a completely different take on France's beauty. Instead of coastal sights, Villard-de-Lans rests in the Vercors Massif, a region filled with rugged plateaus and mountains near the Switzerland border. The commune of 4,200 people sits at the foot of La Grande Moucherolle encompassed by picturesque natural structures at immense heights. With its unique location, Villard-de-Lans offers an interesting set of attractions that display France’s diverse beauty. It is most famous as a skiing center during the winter with trails etched into the mountainside. The nearby mountains also offer opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and climbing, and for those looking to relax at sky-high heights, hot air balloons are also available! The large 26 square miles (67 square kilometers) town has many inns and hotels which are welcoming and cozy, perfect for a short stay!

Eze

Situated along the southeastern coast of France within the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region, Eze is a small commune home to a population of 2,250. The town is close to many major hubs and is accessible via train from Nice or even via the local bus routes. Eze is famous for its unique geographical location which combines mountainous terrain and high elevation overseeing coastal areas for spectacular scenic views. Unlike other coastal towns, the elevation increase is so extreme that the town goes from sea level to 2,300 feet in a few miles. Due to this unique feature, you can enjoy the town’s sloping routes and historical attractions while always being able to capture a bird’s eye view of the coast. The town also has a wide array of stores, hotels, and restaurants which make it an ideal spot to visit if you are in France.

Annecy

Aptly nicknamed "the Venice of Savoie," Annecy is a lakeside city in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of Southeastern France. As it was recently merged with many nearby communes, Annecy has seen a population and tourism boom in the past few years! This is because testament to its nickname, Annecy is home to water-filled canals surrounded by medieval architecture and covered by beautiful cobblestone bridges. Thus, like in Venice, you can take a small boat through these watery routes and enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Additionally, the nearby lake is also perfect for a variety of activities such as swimming, biking along the lakeside trails, or even paragliding from the nearby mountains! Once you have enjoyed the canals and clear blue waters of Lake Annecy, walk the thin cobblestone paths to see the city’s lovely architecture.

With a rich history as a Roman settlement more than 1,000 years ago, Annecy is home to many historical buildings which will take you back in time. For example, the 12th-century mini-castle, Palais de l’Isle offers a stunning example of French architecture. End your day in Annecy with some delicious bread from local eateries and viola, you have yourself the perfect French vacation!

Colmar

While Annecy is "the Venice of Savoie," Colmar is also home to a neighborhood known as "Little Venice." This neighborhood houses many small canals that slip through beautiful pastel-colored houses with unique architecture. Colmar provides a unique perspective on water-filled streets as these colorful structures make the experience completely fresh and unique! While this 26 square mile (66 square kilometers) town may only have certain water-filled sections, you will find beautiful and well-preserved buildings throughout.

The region has been part of many kingdoms throughout its history. Namely, Emperor Frederick II in 1226, the Protestant Reformation in 1575, French King Louis XIV in 1673, and even the German Empire in the late 1800s. Testament to this, Colmar also houses many establishments of historical value such as the 14th-century Roman Catholic Saint Martin’s Church and the medieval-style Pfister House. While in the area, be sure to check out the lively market where Colmar’s 68,000 residents and tourists alike come to shop for fresh local goods!

Dinan

For those of you who want to experience France’s interesting Medieval history, Dinan is the town to visit. Located in Northwestern France in the Côtes-d'Armor department, this town of 14,400 is one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in the region. Flush with cobblestone streets, half-timbered buildings, and some of the most iconic historical sites, the entire town of Dinan is a museum in itself. Spend your day wandering through the thin streets and you will find yourself surrounded by the town’s famous historical attractions.

Take a walk down Rue de Jerzual, a well-preserved gate built in the middle ages for a wonderful experience that ends at the Rue De Perir-Fort. Or, you can check out La Tour de L’Horloge (The Bell Tower) which provides panoramic views of the town while displaying the time with an essence of the past. Once you have spent your day checking out the town’s sights, Dinan’s 3.4 square miles (8.7 square kilometers) area still has a lot more to offer. For a bite to eat, try out the delicious local restaurants such as La Lycorne, which serves some of the region’s tastiest mussels. All in all, Dinan is a lovely city where you can experience France from the past with a side of tasty food and enjoyable company!

Chamonix

Chamonix, also known as Chamonix-Mont-Blanc for its vicinity to the mountain range, is one of France’s premier skiing resorts. This large commune has a massive area of 95 square miles (245 square kilometers) with an endless array of skiing trails, cable cars, and sights to offer. Visitors enjoy a ride on the Aiguille du Midi, France’s highest cable car which takes you up to the peak of Mont Blanc, home to some of the most spectacular views in the country. At the top, you can spend your time in "The Void," which is a glass box suspended 3280 feet above the mountain’s edge.

After some skiing fun along the trails, Chamonix has many other activities to take advantage of the snowy mountains. Adventure seekers can take a paragliding tour through the range, hike along one of the many scenic trails, or even book a cable car that takes you to the Italian side of the mountains! You can also skip the heights and spend your day trying the local cuisine such as melted cheese fondue, raclette, or even local beer from the well-known Mont Blanc Brewery. Thus, with so much to offer that it was even the site of the first Winter Olympics in 1924, Chamonix is a must-visit to enjoy the winter sights of France.

Briançon

While Chamonix boasts heights in the snow, Briançon provides high elevation with a much warmer vibe. Surrounded by luscious greenery and hills, Briançon is one of the highest cities in France, sitting at an immense elevation of 4,350 feet! Due to this elevation, the town of 11,000 in southeastern France offers stunning views that put into perspective the natural beauty of the country. Briançon’s extreme heights and the large area of 10.8 square miles (28 square kilometers) make it an ideal town to enjoy activities like hiking, mountain biking, and even skiing during the winters.

Apart from its astonishing elevation, there is also another major attraction that makes Briançon an amazing town to visit. Designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site the castle-like walls from centuries prior encompass the city. Even today, the town still has a medieval feel thanks to these walls! You can also explore the interior to see famous structures like the 18th-century parish church which houses two stunning symmetrical towers.

Étretat

One of the smallest towns on this list, Étretat has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4 square kilometers) and sits along the Normandy Coast in Northwestern France. Yet, what it lacks in size, this town makes up manifold with its stunning natural beauty. Located on the English Channel, Étretat is home to magnificent white chalk cliffs which are as high as 295 feet tall that separate the luscious green land from the clear blue waters. These cliffs include three natural arches which are a unique sight to behold and have a height of more than 229 feet above the sea!

Apart from this, this town of 1,200 is also filled with some enjoyable activities making it an ideal tourist destination. The most popular are sea kayaking along the cliffs, windsurfing in the Channel, and even paddle boarding along the arches. So, if you want to wind down and treat your eyes to once-in-a-lifetime views, be sure to check out Étretat.

Saint-Véran

Nestled within the French Alps in the Queyras Regional Natural Park of southeastern France, Saint-Véran boasts an astonishing elevation. At a height of more than 6,500 feet (elevation varies throughout the town), it is the most elevated commune in both France and the continent of Europe! The town of 300 is popular with hikers and adventure enthusiasts who enjoy the winding mountainous routes spread across the region. Moreover, perched on a hillside that overlooks a river valley, the town provides lovely views which make it a great place to visit year-round. The town itself also has a lot to offer with remarkably preserved structures from France’s history. A short stroll through Saint-Véran offers ancient sundials, wood fountains, and tall houses!

Carcassonne

While France may have moved past its Medieval history, the town of Carcassonne still looks like it used to centuries ago. The town exudes many years of development dating back to 100 BC when Carcassonne was first fortified by the Romans. Following this, the town was ceded to Visigothic King Theodoric I who further fortified its walls to fend off a range of sieges. Following this, many other rulers such as the Occitan Cathars and King Louis IX all ruled the town and made it an immense stronghold filled with sturdy structures! Encompassing the fortified city with two outer walls, 53 towers, and even a drawbridge, Carcassonne has become a famous tourist attraction!

Move inside to the lower town and the 25 square miles (65 square kilometers) area of Carcassonne houses a range of famous historical structures. Carcassonne Cathedral is a designated national monument built in the 1200s as a parish church. With so much to offer, Carcassonne truly is a medieval town in the present day! To end the day after your historical sightseeing, the town has many miles of vineyards for tasting!

Cassis

Known as the gateway to the national park, Massif des Calanques, Cassis is a treasure trove of natural beauty, making it perfect for this list. Located in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region along France’s southern coast, Cassis is one of the prettiest cities you can visit in the country. Here, you can find everything that entails a coastal resort town from tall white cliffs to beautiful beaches, and even yacht-filled harbors along the Mediterranean coast. If you want to take it all in, be sure to walk around the Port of Cassis where you will find lovely views, people, and food! You can also relax along the expansive golden-colored beach which offers some great opportunities for swimming and boating year-round.

After spending your time along the water, move into Old Town Cassis to enjoy France’s signature cobbled streets and pastel-colored cottages! With scenic spots to sit with friends and family, Old Town is a great place to grab a meal from the local seafood delicacies or a famous drink from Creme de Cassis, which is a sweet liqueur created from blackcurrants. All in all, be sure to take a few days if you visit Cassis as this town’s 10.4 square miles (26.9 square kilometers) area is full of things to do and see!

Rocamadour

Listed among France’s most popular tourist attractions, Rocamadour is a lovely cliffside town in the southwestern part of the country. What makes this town stand out from the rest is its interesting location perched alongside a steep cliffside in the Lot Department. With only one primary street through town, it is quite an architectural marvel for the time. Rocamadour takes advantage of its location to provide tourists with spectacular views of the Alzou canyon below. Along with this, the one-street town is also home to some of France’s most famous historical buildings such as the Sanctuaries and the seven Chapels which include Chapelle Notre Dame, Chapelle Saint-Michel, and Chapelle Saint-Louis.

With these beautiful towns spread throughout all parts of France, you can enjoy everything from a lively coast to enchanting mountains. Annecy is perfect for a romantic trip to enjoy the water-filled canals while Saint-Véran offers great sights and activities for any family vacation. No matter what you are looking for République française has it!