France has no shortage of world-class cities, from the busy ports of Marseille to the innovative restaurants of Lyon. (And do we really need to lecture you on the endless charms of Paris?) But the villages and small towns in France have beauty to rival any bustling hub, with hilltop views, flower-lined canals, and pastel, half-timbered houses pulled straight from the pages of a storybook.
Even better? Some of these tiny communes even have Michelin-starred restaurants, award-winning hotels, and easy access to some of France’s best ski slopes—so, really, what’s holding you back? Here, we’ve rounded up 21 of the most beautiful small towns in France, along with places to stay in (or near) each location.
Whether you want to sip your way through Bordeaux or swim off the storied beaches of Corsica, we guarantee you have a new village (or two) to add to your next France itinerary.
This gallery has been updated since its original publish date. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission.
