12 Fairytale Villages in France So Charming, Even the Grimm Brothers Would Be Jealous
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If we told you to think about France, you’d likely picture Paris and its imposing monuments, high-end boutique shops, and famous museums. However, there’s so much more to France than that, including various fairytale-esque villages. With storybook scenery, turreted castles perched on hilltops, and charming timbered medieval towns, France’s villages have long inspired people like Walt Disney.
So, after getting lost in the magical world of Paris, it’s time to leave the city behind and explore some of France’s hidden gems. To learn more, here are 12 fairy-tale villages in France. These villages have been selected for their fascinating appearance, unique charm, and overall beauty.
Conques
The first village on our list is the beautiful village of Conques in Southern France. Located in France’s Aveyron department, this village is perched above a river gorge and surrounded by lush forests and tall mountains. In the Middle Ages, Conques was a popular stopping point for pilgrims walking from Le Puy-en-Velay in Auvergne to St. James of Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
Pilgrims would stop in the village to admire its remarkable treasures. Today, you can do the same. The original town walls still stand proudly, circling the medieval center and cobbled streets. The Romanesque Saint Faith Abbey Church of Conques dominates the village. Other points of interest include Musée Joseph Fau, Pilgrims’ Bridge, and the Treasure of Conques.
Read also: Surreal Places in Southern France
Hunspach
Hunspach is a unique village in France’s Alsace region, best known for its blend of French and German heritage. Considered by many as the most loved village in France, this charming village offers visitors an escape from reality with old-timbered houses, locals dressed in costumes, and thriving local traditions.
Hunspach was voted the Village Préféré des Français (Favorite Village in France) and with good reason. The village has old-time charm, vibrant flower beds, rich culture, and exciting attractions. Things you don’t want to miss in Hunspach include the Hunspach houses, Fort of Schoenenbourg, and Ma petite ferme d’antan.
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Rocamadour
Like something out of Beauty and the Beast, Rocamadour is a small clifftop village famed for La Cité Réligieuse, a complex of religious buildings accessed via the Grand Escalier staircase. This complex is home to significant sites such as the Chappelle Notre Dame and the Romanesque-Gothic Basilica of St-Sauveur.
Rocamadour clings to the steep slopes of the Alzou River canyon, offering spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. When you’re not admiring the village’s ancient church spires, precarious ramparts, and Château turrets, explore some of the village’s more unique attractions. This includes La Forêt des Singes, a park where 150 Barbary macaques roam freely. The Rocher des Aigles bird park and its 400+ birds of prey can also be found in Rocamadour.
Read also: Stunning Cities Along the French Riviera
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Another clifftop village in France worth visiting is the medieval village of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie. Located in the Lot department in southwestern France, this village is a member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, an independent association created in 1982 to promote small rural villages with cultural significance.
Steeped in history, it’s not hard to see why Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is highly regarded. The village has 13 listed buildings, winding, narrow medieval streets, half-timbered houses, and mind-blowing river and hillside views. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie’s 13th-century fort steals the show, but the Church of Saint-Cirq-Lapopie dominates the skyline. Attractions you don’t want to miss in the village include the Musée de la Mémoire du Village, the Rignault Museum, and the medieval houses.
Read also: Awesome Places To Visit in Southern France
Cassis
Nestled away along Southern France’s Mediterranean coastline is a quaint village called Cassis. Much loved for its pebbly beaches, limestone cliffs, and vibrant village, it was once a Roman trading port. It has since become a quintessentially French fishing port. Maintaining most of its charm and character despite becoming more popular with tourists, Cassis is a beautiful place to explore.
The wine flows easily, the scenery is out-of-this-world, and the village looks straight out of a storybook. Cassis is also a gateway to Calanques de Cassis, a national park known for its vast hiking trails and limestone inlets. In Cassis, visit the centuries-old château, Port de Cassis, the Calanque de Port viewpoint, and Plage de la Grande Mer.
Read more: Cassis, France
Chevreuse
Next, we have Chevreuse, a picturesque village in the Île-de-France region in North-Central France. Approximately one hour and thirty minutes drive from Paris, this colorful village allows tourists to step back in time. Founded in the 11th century, it still maintains much of its original architecture and old-world charm.
The main attraction in the village is the Château de la Madeleine. Built in the 13th century, this castle has watched over the village for over 1,000 years. Today, the castle looks tired, but it’s still well worth visiting. Once you’ve explored the castle, walk around the village’s medieval streets in search of hidden gems and Little Venice. The village is often dubbed Little Venice because a beautiful river meanders through it.
Read also: Beautiful French Places Beyond Paris
Cordes-sur-Ciel
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Cordes-sur-Ciel is a hilltop village that overlooks the Tarn department’s lush forest landscape. Located in the Occitania region of Southern France, this fortified village was constructed in 1222 by Raimond VII, the Count of Toulouse. As such, it’s home to fascinating architecture with an air of mystery and intrigue.
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The village is steep, but exploring on foot is still a fantastic experience. You’ll be transported into your favorite fairy tale as you pass through ancient arches and lush gardens. Notable attractions in Cordes-sur-Ciel include Jardin des Paradis, Halles de Cordes-sur-Ciel, Porte des Ormeaux, and Musée Charles Portal. After a busy day of exploring, settle down for a refreshing beer at the Brasserie Aürós microbrewery on the outskirts of the village.
Read also: Tourist Traps To Avoid in Southern France
Mont Saint Michel
Mont Saint Michel is the best fairy-tale destination on this list. This tidal island in Normandy, Northern France, is a spectacular sight you have to see to believe. Mont Saint Michel is an island abbey approximately half a mile (one kilometer) off France’s northwestern coast. It only encompasses 17 acres (7 hectares) of land, but it’s breathtaking.
While it’s tempting to simply admire the island’s beauty from afar, you must explore the historic town, too. On the island, a gravity-defying abbey sits above a lovely French village. Make sure you explore the interior of the abbey and stroll around the village to take in the incredible architecture. Don’t miss the old Town Hall.
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Pérouges
If you want to travel back in time to medieval France, where, let’s face it, fairy-tale movies like Beauty and the Beast are set, visit Pérouges. It’s a quintessential medieval French village located not too far from Lyon. Pérouges, in the heart of Rhône Alpes, is a walled village on a hill overlooking the River Ain.
The village was most loved during medieval times when its wine and textile industry thrived. Today, it’s a big hit with history buffs and storybook lovers who want to admire its architecture and escape the daily grind. You’ll instantly fall in love with the captivating 15th and 16th-century houses, Place du Linden – a 13th-century inn, Musée du Vieux Pérouges and its garden, and the fascinating High Gate, which is surprisingly low.
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Saint-Véran
Saint-Véran is a heavenly mountain village perched 6,561 feet (2,000 meters) in the Hautes Alpes department of southeastern France. Home to approximately 300 residents, it’s one of the highest communities in the country. Covered in snow throughout the year, this fairy-tale destination is best known for its picture-perfect scenery and outdoor opportunities.
Unsurprisingly, skiing is one of the most popular attractions in the area. The village’s vast surrounding countryside is also popular with hiking enthusiasts. In Saint-Véran, spend time wandering through the village, taking in the scenery, admiring the timbered houses, and eating authentic French cuisine. One of the main attractions you don’t want to miss is the Church of Saint Veran.
Read also: Fairytale Towns in Europe
Eguisheim
The penultimate fairy-tale village on our list is Eguisheim, a quaint medieval village in France’s Alsace wine region. This vibrant village is most famous for its narrow, concentric streets, breathtaking old town lined with colorful half-timbered houses, and Château. Sitting on the French/German border, Eguisheim is also known for its unique mix of cultures.
You’ll likely leave the village with a sore neck from all the looking up you’ll be doing. At every turn, there’s something new to look at. The best thing you can do is get lost along the village’s cobblestoned streets. After exploring the village and visiting the middle-aged Château Saint-Léon, settle down in the central square, alongside Saint-Léon IX Chapel and a majestic fountain, for a bite to eat.
Read also: Scenic Villages in Europe
Najac
The final village on this list is Najac, a postcard-perfect destination sitting on a ridge above the Aveyron River in Southern France. Surrounded by dense forests and home to a 14th-century fountain, ancient housing, and a once royal castle, you’d easily be mistaken thinking Najac was an image from a Disney movie. However, we’re pleased to report the village is a real place.
You’ll want to spend most of your time in Najac exploring the medieval streets and visiting the most famous historical landmarks. Points of interest include Najac Castle, the Governor’s House, and Saint John the Baptist Church. Once you’ve explored the village, it’s time to enjoy the great outdoors. Picturesque hiking trails surround Najac, and you can kayak along the Aveyron River.
Read also: Must-Visit Villages in Europe
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