As a Paris, France local, I’m here to tell you all about the best towns in France and why you should visit each one.
France is so much more than just Paris. There are over 34,000 towns around the country! I’ve spent the last 10 years exploring places around France.
I’ve put together this list of my favorite small towns in France to help you plan your trip. I cover charming small towns known for things like history, architecture, ocean views, and much more.
Ready to go? Let’s dive in.
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19 Best Towns in France
Provins
This charming village near Paris surrounds you in its mysterious medieval past.
🏠 Population: 12,115 |📍 Google Maps | Provins Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Provins on Booking
The medieval town of Provins outside of Paris features well-preserved historic buildings. You can visit the village’s 12th-century walls and Caesar Tower, which once served as a lookout. You’ll also see homes from the same medieval era when walking through the town streets. A guided tour of Provins is the perfect way to learn more about these gems.
Provins’ well-preserved past has made it a UNESCO World Heritage site. Check out the town’s underground vaulted passages on your visit. The older passages have markings that date back to the Bronze Age.
Roses are another important part of Provins’ local economy. You can find wonderful local gastronomy here like honey and wine, that includes roses.
Èze
This beautiful town stuns visitors with its panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea.
🏠 Population: 2,222 |📍 Google Maps | Èze Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Èze on Booking
The town of Èze is the perfect stop for nature lovers and hikers. It’s one of the most beautiful towns on the French Riviera and one of my favorite places in France.
Èze has a botanical garden inside a medieval fortress (the “Jardin Exotique ”). There’s a challenging hike, Nietzche’s Path, featuring olive trees and gorgeous views of the Mediterranean Sea.
Èze’s small town beauty will also appeal to those wanting a more relaxed visit. Its pristine beaches are great for sunbathing and swimming. It’s also only a short distance from Monaco and the cities of Nice and Antibes.
Bergerac
This village in southwestern France is filled with charming old architecture and castles.
🏠 Population: 26,360 |📍 Google Maps | Bergerac Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Bergerac on Booking
Wine and castle lovers should add Bergerac to their France itineraries. Bergerac is one of the most charming towns in the region of Southern France (Dordogne). It’s the perfect town to visit if you’re staying in the nearby countryside.
Castles in Bergerac include the Château Pécharmant Corbiac, the Château de Monbazillac, and the Château de Tiand. These castles have their own vineyards, some of which you can tour for wine tastings.
In the city center, you’ll find other sites like the Notre-Dame de Bergerac Church and the Tobacco Museum. Check out the Place de la Myrpe in Bergerac’s old town for half-timbered buildings and a statue of the literary character Cyrano de Bergerac.
Roussillon
This town in Southeastern France offers stunning hillside views from its famous red stone buildings.
🏠 Population: 8,460 |📍 Google Maps | Roussillon Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Roussillon on Booking
Roussillon is one of the most beautiful villages in France. The town is built on the site of the world’s largest ochre deposits, which create beautiful red cliffs. The narrow streets of Roussillon feature buildings made of the same red clay.
Hikers and mountain bikers should make Roussillon a priority when visiting France. Art lovers will also find a lot to do here. French artists including Bernard Buffet and Jean Carzou have worked here. Art galleries like Tapiézo still show the importance of art in the area.
Talmont-sur-Gironde
This tiny seaside town provides amazing seascapes from a thirteenth-century church.
🏠 Population: 92 |📍 Google Maps | 👉 Browse Hotels in Talmont-sur-Gironde on Booking
The town of Talmont-sur-Gironde is truly small—it only has 92 residents! But don’t let this small population size fool you. Talmont-sur-Gironde is one of the most beautiful towns in France. This is especially true if you visit in the summer.
Talmont-sur-Gironde is like heaven for art fans, with art galleries in the center. The town’s main attraction, though, is the Sainte-Radegonde Church, which sits on the shore of the Atlantic Ocean. This 11th-century church has later Gothic additions.
You wouldn’t think such a small town would have the most notable local restaurants, but the restaurants here are good. I recommend La Brise and Le P’tit Patio de Talmont.
Sully-Sur-Loire
This quiet village features a stunning castle with ties to Joan of Arc and the writer Voltaire.
🏠 Population: 5,003 |📍 Google Maps | Sully-Sur-Loire Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Sully-Sur-Loire on Booking
Architecture fans and golfers alike will enjoy a day in Sully-Sur-Loire. This small village in the Loire Valley wine country is a two-hour drive from Paris. It has both an unusual castle and a good golf course.
The Château de Sully-Sur-Loire used to be the home of the Dukes of Sully. It’s a “château fort,” or a fortified castle, built for protection. This particular castle has a strategic location, too. It’s one of the only places to easily cross the Loire. More interestingly, historic figures such as Joan of Arc and Voltaire stayed here!
The nearby golf club, Golf de Sully-Sur-Loire, has three well-maintained nine-hole courses. This is a great place to meet locals. Those who speak French can also take golf lessons here.
Veules-Les-Roses
This hidden gem in Normandy showcases beautiful homes along small canals.
🏠 Population: 523 |📍 Google Maps | Veules-Les-Roses Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Veules-Les-Roses on Booking
Veules-Les-Roses is a hidden gem in Northern France. It is one of the most charming small towns in France–maybe even Europe. The town is built along small canals and features half-timbered houses with beautiful gardens.
Come to Veules-les-Roses to appreciate its beauty. You’ll also see various historical features. These include three windmills, a chapel from the 1600s, the 13th-century Church of St. Martin, and a shipwreck. To see the shipwreck, go down to the shore at low tide.
French locals have come here for centuries. Notable figures like writer Victor Hugo and novelist and playwright Alexandre Dumas were big fans of this small town.
👉 Pro Tip: Veules-les-Roses is far from bigger cities in France, so it’s easiest to access the town by car.
Étretat
The dramatic cliffs at Étretat stuns viewers while challenging hikers and thrill-seekers.
🏠 Population: 1,165 |📍 Google Maps | Étretat Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Étretat on Booking
Normandy’s town of Étretat has unusual, stunning cliffs. Impressionist painters like Claude Monet made these cliffs famous.
Étretat is a welcoming town that makes a great stop on a trip to Northeastern France. Come in the summer months for exceptional walks along the cliffs. You’ll notice the Porte d’Aval arch and the “needle” poking up from the water.
Two cliffs mark the boundaries of Étretat. Go to the Chapelle Notre-Dame de la Garde for impressive views. Extend your trip to Étretat by visiting the botanical gardens and shopping at Le Vieux Marché for souvenirs. Fans of author Maurice Leblanc’s book “Arsène Lupin, Gentleman Burglar” should visit the museum, Maison Maurice Leblanc.
Chamonix
This glamorous ski resort near Mont Blanc impresses visitors with its glamor and comfort.
🏠 Population: 8,464 |📍 Google Maps | Chamonix Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Chamonix on Booking
Chamonix is a luxurious ski resort at the bottom of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. It’s the perfect stop for winter sport enthusiasts. It’s also a great place to visit if you love nature and want to see breathtaking panoramic views of Europe. Ride cable cars to surrounding peaks to get incredible mountain views.
Chamonix is one of the most beautiful towns in France, especially in the winter months. It’s a great stop on a slow travel tour of ski resorts. Chamonix’s location also makes it the perfect glamorous stop on a journey from France to Italy or Switzerland. Be mindful, though. Chamonix isn’t a good place for budget travelers!
Issigeac
This ancient town transports you back in time, from the Roman period to the Middle Ages.
🏠 Population: 746 |📍 Google Maps | Issigeac Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Issigeac on Booking
The medieval town of Issigeac is the perfect place for food lovers passing through the Dordogne region. Here, you’ll find great local cuisine and creative gastronomy. And if you want to try making your own French dishes, you’ll find tasty local produce, too.
Issigeac is beautiful, with charming stone houses lining its streets. Wander through them on your way to the Sunday market. When you’re hungry, stop by La Brucelière for seasonal dishes with lovely presentations. Try the Crêpes d’Emeline crêperie for lighter fare.
👉 Pro Tip: Issigeac is a 20-minute drive from Bergerac. Consider combining these two towns in the South of France into a single trip, or, stay in the countryside between the two.
Saint-Émilion
Wine lovers, historians, and those fascinated by architectural history will fall in love with this small French village.
🏠 Population: 1,844 |📍 Google Maps | Saint-Émilion Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Saint-Émilion on Booking
The town of Saint-Émilion gets its reputation from local wine of the same name. Saint-Émilion is surrounded by Bordeaux vineyards and perfectly placed to visit during a wine-tasting tour of the region. It’s also the perfect stop on a larger wine tour of France.
Saint-Émilion is so much more than its wine, though. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site! Explore history dating back to the 11th century. Builders created the 11th-century Church of Saint-Émilion out of a limestone cliff. Meanwhile, the 13th-century Tour de Roy has a mysterious past: King Henry III may have ordered its construction.
The restaurants in Saint-Émilion have great local wine offerings. Check out Le Tertre for classic French cuisine with a strong wine list.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
This beautiful village in Provence is a must-see for lovers of faience pottery and beautiful landscapes.
🏠 Population: 718 |📍 Google Maps | Moustiers-Sainte-Marie Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Moustiers-Sainte-Marie on Booking
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie should be on your list of small towns in France to visit if faience pottery interests you. The Musée de la Faïence (Faience Museum) lets you learn about the history and methods of this style of pottery. Meanwhile, shops and workshops in this small town offer contemporary views of the art.
The national park Parc Naturel Régional du Verdon surrounds the town of Moustiers-Sainte-Marie. This makes it a great destination for nature lovers, too. Ride horses through scenic sites with the Equiverdon Moustiers Sainte Marie service.
You can also take a boat tour to explore the town’s water features, like the Base de l’Étoile and Verdon Gorge ravine.
Troyes
The colorful houses of Troyes make it the perfect base for a tour of the Champagne region.
🏠 Population: 63,541 |📍 Google Maps | Troyes Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Troyes on Booking
Troyes is almost a city in terms of population, but its charm and atmosphere make it feel like a village. Many visitors stop here because it’s a good location to take a guided tour of the Champagne Region wine country nearby. But Troyes offers much more than wine tasting!
Go to the Église Sainte-Madeleine if you’re interested in France’s architecture and religion. It has wonderful stained glass windows, particularly in the apse. The city’s colorful half-timbered houses are fascinating.
Those in search of more unusual attractions will also find them in Troyes. Check out the Tool Museum, then go to Hotel-Dieu-Le-Compte to tour an eighteenth-century apothecary.
Conques-en-Rouergue
This village is so charming that Disney used it as inspiration for Belle’s town in Beauty and the Beast.
🏠 Population: 1,586 |📍 Google Maps | Conques-en-Rouergue Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Conques-en-Rouergue on Booking
There are many beautiful cities and small villages in France, but Conques-en-Rouergue stands out. This town is so lovely that Disney used it as the inspiration for Belle’s village in Beauty and the Beast. It’s conveniently located near the cities of Toulouse and Montpellier.
Disney fans aren’t the only ones who will love Conques-en-Rouergue, though. The city is also a wonderful destination for art lovers. Check out Les Chambres de Lumière, a light installation in a former convent. The Saint Faith Abbey Church of Conques and its reliquary statues will appeal to fans of older art.
Lastly, La Valée Des Dames is an animal park that is perfect for children.
Carcassonne
The cobblestone streets of this quiet medieval village come to life each summer for the festival.
🏠 Population: 47,094 |📍 Google Maps | Carcassonne Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Carcassonne on Booking
Carcassonne is a medieval village that is calm to visit during the off-season. Check out its medieval fortress, ramparts, and the 13th-century Pont-Vieux bridge as you wander its narrow streets. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back into a much older version of France.
However, these same cobblestone streets will look completely different if you visit in July! The Carcassonne festival brings dozens of musical acts to town. They perform in locations around the city, bringing in hundreds of thousands of visitors.
Saint-Porchaire
This town’s castle has incredible features, from a 17th-century bathroom to Stone Age cliff dwellings.
🏠 Population: 1,920 |📍 Google Maps | Saint-Porchaire Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Saint-Porchaire on Booking
Saint-Porchaire in western France is small but has diverse attractions. You can visit a brewery or go golfing here. But the town’s main attraction is the Castle of Roche-Courbon.
The castle’s spacious rooms are only part of its appeal. The seventeenth-century painted bathroom is particularly impressive. But don’t spend all your time inside. The gardens outside are incredible: the French Ministry of Culture lists them among the Notable Gardens of France.
In the gardens, you’ll find an orchard and water features created from the nearby river. Check out the Stone Age cliff dwellings, then return to the museum to see its prehistoric artifacts.
Saint-Jean-de-Luz
This picturesque town has drawn everyone from royalty to artists with its beauty.
🏠 Population: 14,282 |📍 Google Maps | Saint-Jean-de-Luz Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Saint-Jean-de-Luz on Booking
Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a small medieval town and is the perfect destination for warm weather in the winter months. Saint-Jean-de-Luz offers pristine beaches on the French Riviera. In the old town, you’ll find colorful and charming stone houses typical of the Basque region on cobblestone streets.
There is plenty to see and do in Saint-Jean-de-Luz. The Maison Louis XIV is particularly impressive, with its recreation of an affluent 1600s home. But the best way to spend time in Saint-Jean-de-Luz is to go without a plan and simply wander the streets and relax.
Livarot-Pays-d’Auge
Explore Normandy’s amazing food as you sample cider, cheese, and local gastronomy.
🏠 Population: 6,183 |📍 Google Maps | Livarot-Pays-d’Auge Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Livarot-Pays-d’Auge on Expedia
Livarot-Pays-d’Auge is one of the best places to visit in Normandy, if not in Europe. The town has existed for two thousand years. Today, you’ll find that it’s a great destination for foodies. Sample local cider, calvados, and cheese from local producers.
There aren’t many historic monuments in Livarot-Pays-d’Auge. However, its location makes it the perfect gateway to cities like Caen and Bayeux. You can also access the D-Day Beaches to the northwest. To the northeast, you’ll find other charming villages like Étretat and Veules-les-Roses.
Come to Livarot-Pays-d’Auge to get away from urban life and spoil yourself with local delicacies.
👉 Pro Tip: It’s difficult to get to Livarot-Pays-d’Auge by train. Consider renting a car to continue your journey through the Normandy region.
Roquefort-sur-Soulzon
Cheese lovers will adore cheese-making demonstrations and tastings in this hilltop town.
🏠 Population: 555 |📍 Google Maps | Roquefort-sur-Soulzon Website | 👉 Browse Hotels in Roquefort-sur-Soulzon on Booking
The famous sheep milk blue cheese “Roquefort” gets its name from the town of Roquefort-sur-Soulzon. This makes Roquefort-sur-Soulzon one of the best places in France to explore cheesemaking.
First, take a guided tour of the Roquefort ripening caves to learn about the cheese. Then, check out Maison Combes, Roquefort Carles, and Roquefort Gabriel Coulet to buy some of your own.
The surrounding area in the south of France also offers exceptional hiking. The Sentier des Échelles is a difficult path for experienced hikers. Ambitious walkers can also walk around the Cirque de Tournemire cliffs to admire the canyon.
👉Read Next: Where to Live in France
FAQs About French Towns
What are the best small towns in France?
The best small towns in France are Èze,Veules-les-Roses, and Chamonix. Visit all of them to experience the breathtaking variety that France has to offer.
How many towns does France have?
France has 34,955 towns, according to the French government website for local communities. These towns range from tiny villages to cities.
What are small French towns called?
Small French towns are called “communes.” This translates as “town.” The smallest French towns are called “villages.”
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I hope you enjoyed this guide to the best towns in France! These small towns offer everything from top-notch restaurants to once-in-a-lifetime views and more. Work them into your itinerary as you explore the best things to do in France!
