The 186 villages of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France label (Sep 2026) are the best map of the most beautiful villages in France. For a first trip, 15 of them cover the regions that repay the effort most: Eguisheim and Riquewihr in Alsace, Gordes and Les Baux in Provence, La Roche-Guyon near Paris. Without a car, 9 of these villages work well.
| Official label | 186 villages in the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France network (Sep 2026); maximum of 2,000 inhabitants each |
|---|---|
| Near Paris | La Roche-Guyon: under 1 hour by train to Vernon–Giverny, plus 45 minutes by bike |
| Day trip from Lyon | Pérouges: about 30 minutes by train and a 20-minute walk from the station |
| Paris–Colmar train | from €34.70, 2nd class, one way (SNCF Connect, Nov 2026, for Jan 20, 2027) |
| Without a car | 9 of the 15: Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Les Baux, La Roche-Guyon, Pérouges, Rochefort-en-Terre, Montsoreau, Najac and Villefranche-de-Conflent |
| Only by car or tour | Gordes, Roussillon, Beuvron-en-Auge, Beynac-et-Cazenac, Rocamadour and Yvoire |
Status checked on Nov 8, 2026 with the official sources. Villages, access and prices checked on the official websites.
What is the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France label?
The Les Plus Beaux Villages de France label is a private network that, on Sep 26, 2026, grew to 186 villages after the entry of Marols (Loire) and Montréal (Yonne), according to the network’s official website. To join, a village must have at most 2,000 inhabitants and at least two sites or buildings protected as heritage, and it undergoes an on-site assessment against 32 criteria (network criteria).
Dica: Aproveite também para fazer estes passeios em Paris
Tour pelo exterior da catedral de Notre Dame + Ingresso da cripta . Duração: 2 horas
Disneyland Paris Duração: 3 horas ou mais
Passeio de barco pelo Sena. Duração: 1h
Ingresso do 3º andar da Torre Eiffel. Duração: 2 a 3 horas
Ingresso do Palácio de Versalhes. Duração: 2 a 3 horas
Veja mais passeio em Paris aqui.
In practice, the label works as a filter: the village has uniform architecture, well-kept streets and a preserved centre. The label says nothing about how to get there; that is why the list below gives, for each village, the last stretch of the journey.
Which are the 15 most beautiful villages in France to visit?
Alsace: Eguisheim and Riquewihr
Eguisheim is a few kilometres from Colmar and has medieval streets in concentric circles, colourful half-timbered houses and the Saint-Léon castle, with a chapel with a painted vault. From Colmar, bus line 68R030 reaches the village (Fluo 68 network, Colmar Tourist Office).
Riquewihr is the best-known wine village on the route: ramparts, half-timbered houses and the Schoenenbourg and Sporen grands crus. The museum in the 13th-century Dolder Tower ends with a view over the rooftops. Line 68R016 links Colmar to Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé. The Colmar guide plans a day with both villages.
If you’d rather not depend on bus timetables, there is the tour to Hunawihr and Riquewihr with wine tasting, leaving from Colmar.
Provence: Gordes, Roussillon and Les Baux
Gordes is the dry-stone village stacked up the Luberon hillside, with cobbled streets, a Renaissance castle and views over the countryside. The Abbey of Sénanque, in a lavender valley a few minutes away, charges €8 per adult for the interior visit, with booking (Luberon.fr, Aug 2026). The Provence lavender guide explains the flowering season.
Roussillon sits on Europe’s largest ochre deposit, and the houses and cliffs range from yellow to red. The Sentier des Ocres has two routes, of 30 and 50 minutes, and the network itself warns: beware of white clothes and shoes. Gordes and Roussillon have no train station; the simplest way without a car is the tour from Aix through Roussillon, Gordes and Lourmarin, lasting 10.5 hours with two wine tastings.
Les Baux-de-Provence climbs a rock in the Alpilles, with a medieval castle, stone streets and workshops. Bus line 707 links Avignon, Saint-Rémy, Les Baux and Arles, and the village’s official site notes there is its own summer timetable (how to get to Les Baux). The nearest stations are Arles, 20 km away, and Avignon-TGV, 30 km away, 2h40 from Paris.
Loire, Paris and Normandy: Montsoreau, La Roche-Guyon and Beuvron-en-Auge
Montsoreau has white tuffeau houses with slate roofs and a castle from 1455 that Alexandre Dumas used in The Lady of Monsoreau; today it houses a contemporary art museum. You reach it by train to Saumur and then continue by bike along the Loire: 35 minutes to the Montsoreau bridge and 10 more to Candes-Saint-Martin (network, train and bike). The Loire Valley castles guide covers the base in Tours.
La Roche-Guyon is the easiest village to do from Paris: from Saint-Lazare station, the train to Vernon–Giverny takes under 1 hour, and from there it is 45 minutes by bike on an almost flat route, with a rental shop a few metres from the station. The village nestles against a chalk cliff above the Seine, with a castle with a 13th-century medieval tower and a kitchen garden listed as a Remarkable Garden (network, train and bike).
Beuvron-en-Auge, in Calvados, is the village of the Cider Route: flowered half-timbered houses, covered markets, craftspeople’s workshops and geranium and cider festivals. The network does not mark it as reachable by train, so count on a car. It fits well into a day in Normandy based in Caen or Bayeux.
Lyon and Brittany: Pérouges and Rochefort-en-Terre
Pérouges is a medieval town of cobbled streets, weavers’ houses with overhanging balconies and the Place du Tilleul. From Lyon-Part-Dieu, the train to Meximieux–Pérouges takes at most 30 minutes, and the station is a 20-minute walk from the village, with a 65-metre climb (network, train on foot). See also the Lyon guide.
Rochefort-en-Terre, in Brittany, mixes half-timbering, Gothic houses and Renaissance mansions, all in stone, and has had flowered balconies since 1911, a tradition begun by the American painter Alfred Klots. From Rennes, the train goes to Malansac, 20 minutes away by bike (network, train and bike). At Christmas, the village fills with lights and people: go midweek.
South-West and Pyrenees: Beynac, Rocamadour, Najac and Villefranche
Beynac-et-Cazenac, in the Périgord Noir, has pale stone houses beneath a 12th-century fortress on top of the cliff, with views over the Dordogne valley and boat trips on the river. Neighbouring La Roque-Gageac reflects its golden houses in the Dordogne. Both call for a car.
Rocamadour stands 120 metres above the Alzou canyon, with thousand-year-old sanctuaries and a staircase of 216 steps; an inclined lift goes up to the sanctuaries from the castle car park. The network marks it as reachable by train but does not detail the last stretch: check on SNCF Connect. By car, parking costs €8 for 12 hours and Brive airport is 38 km away (Rocamadour official site, Nov 2026).
Najac, in Aveyron, has a royal fortress from the 12th and 13th centuries above the gorges of the Aveyron river. From Toulouse-Matabiau, the train takes under 1h30, and the climb from the station to the castle is a 25-minute walk on a woodland path, with almost 150 metres of elevation gain (network, train on foot).
Villefranche-de-Conflent, in French Catalonia, is a walled town by Vauban, a UNESCO World Heritage site, at the foot of the Canigó. From Perpignan, trains run to Villefranche–Vernet-les-Bains station, less than 1 km away (15-minute walk). From there you climb to Fort Libéria in under half an hour, and the Train Jaune continues 63 km through the mountains to the Cerdanya.
Lake Geneva: Yvoire
Yvoire, in Haute-Savoie, is a medieval village founded by the Counts of Savoy, with a castle, ramparts, two harbours and the Garden of Five Senses. It is 32 km from Geneva airport, and Perrignier station is 13 km away; the CGN, the lake boat company, also serves the village (Wikipedia, Nov 2026). Prefer the boat or the bus from Geneva rather than relying on a station.
Which villages can you visit without a car?
Nine of the 15 villages work without a car, as long as you accept a last stretch on foot, by bike or by bus. The network’s own train routes (for example, train and walk) serve as the basis for the table. Check the train on SNCF Connect and first read the beginner’s guide to trains in France.
| Village | Departure | Last leg |
|---|---|---|
| Eguisheim | Colmar | Bus 68R030 |
| Riquewihr | Colmar | Bus 68R016 |
| Les Baux-de-Provence | Avignon or Arles | Bus 707 (check the timetable for your date) |
| La Roche-Guyon | Paris Saint-Lazare | Train to Vernon–Giverny (under 1 h) and 45 min by bike |
| Pérouges | Lyon Part-Dieu | Train (up to 30 min) and 20 min on foot, with a 65 m climb |
| Rochefort-en-Terre | Rennes | Train to Malansac and 20 min by bike |
| Montsoreau | Saumur | 35 min by bike along the Loire |
| Najac | Toulouse | Train (under 1h30) and 25 min on foot, with a 150 m climb |
| Villefranche-de-Conflent | Perpignan | Train and 15 min on foot |
For the other six, the way without a car is a tour, such as the one from Aix to Gordes and Roussillon, or a private transfer. For Rocamadour, confirm the final train stretch before booking accommodation.
Which village goes with which base city?
The best base is a big city with a direct train, from which the village becomes a day trip. Colmar serves Alsace; Avignon or Aix serve Provence; Paris is enough for La Roche-Guyon; Lyon, for Pérouges.
| Base | Villages | How |
|---|---|---|
| Colmar | Eguisheim and Riquewihr | Bus or tour |
| Avignon or Aix-en-Provence | Gordes, Roussillon and Les Baux | Tour or car; bus 707 to Les Baux |
| Paris | La Roche-Guyon | Train and bike |
| Tours or Saumur | Montsoreau | Train and bike |
| Lyon | Pérouges | Train and walk |
| Caen or Bayeux | Beuvron-en-Auge | Car |
| Rennes | Rochefort-en-Terre | Train and bike |
| Sarlat or Brive | Beynac, La Roque-Gageac and Rocamadour | Car |
| Toulouse | Najac | Train and walk |
| Perpignan | Villefranche-de-Conflent | Train and walk |
| Geneva | Yvoire | Boat or bus |
In Alsace, sleep in Colmar to do both villages without rushing: see the hotels in Colmar on Booking.com. If you plan Provence from Avignon, you’ll find hotels in Avignon on Booking.com. If your trip includes driving, read the rules and tolls in driving in France.
How many villages fit in one day?
Without a car, 1 village a day is reasonable; with a car or a tour, 2 or 3 in the same region. The tour from Aix to Roussillon, Gordes and Lourmarin lasts 10.5 hours and covers 3 villages; in Alsace you can do Eguisheim and Riquewihr on the same day by bus from Colmar.
When to go: flowers, lavender or Christmas?
It depends on the village. In Gordes, the Luberon lavender blooms until mid-July, and Sénanque is at its best early in the month (Provence lavender). In Rochefort-en-Terre, the balconies are in flower in spring and Christmas fills the village with lights. In Alsace, the Colmar Christmas market runs from Nov 23 to Dec 29, 2026 (Alsace Christmas markets). For the rest of the country, see when to travel to France.
How much does it cost to visit these villages?
The budget weight is in transport and castle tickets, not the village. The Paris–Colmar train starts at €34.70 per leg in 2nd class (SNCF Connect, Nov 2026, for Jan 20, 2027), but the price changes by date. In torreeiffel.com.br’s Nov 2026 survey, the fixed costs we found in the villages were:
- Abbey of Sénanque (Gordes): €8 per adult (Luberon.fr, Aug 2026).
- Parking in Rocamadour: €8 for 12 hours (official site, Nov 2026).
- Tour from Aix to Gordes and Roussillon and the tour to Riquewihr: see the price on the Civitatis pages linked above.
What nobody tells you about the villages
- The list changes. The network’s committee meets at the end of June and the end of September and can both classify and declassify villages; check the network’s site before building an itinerary on the label alone.
- The station is not the village. In Pérouges, Najac and Montsoreau, the station is 20 to 25 minutes away on foot or by bike, uphill.
- Roussillon stains. The ochre on the trail dirties light-coloured clothes and shoes, according to the network itself.
- Sénanque requires booking for the interior visit, even in high season.
- A small village at Christmas gets packed. The network recommends visiting Rochefort-en-Terre during the week at that time.
- The Les Baux bus has a summer timetable. Check line 707 for your travel date.
Frequently asked questions
How many villages does the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France label have?
The Les Plus Beaux Villages de France network has had 186 villages since Sep 26, 2026, when the committee approved Marols, in the Loire, and Montréal, in Yonne. The list changes, because the committee can also withdraw the label.
Which are the most beautiful villages in France near Paris?
La Roche-Guyon is the easiest label village from Paris: the train from Saint-Lazare to Vernon–Giverny takes under 1 hour, and from there it is 45 minutes by bike to the village, on the banks of the Seine.
Can you visit the villages of France without a car?
You can visit 9 of the 15 villages in this guide without a car: Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Les Baux, La Roche-Guyon, Pérouges, Rochefort-en-Terre, Montsoreau, Najac and Villefranche-de-Conflent. Gordes and Roussillon call for a tour from Aix.
Which villages can you see on a day trip from Colmar?
On a day trip from Colmar, go to Eguisheim, by bus 68R030, and to Riquewihr, by bus 68R016. Both are on the Alsace wine route and fit in the same day.
How does a village get onto the list of the most beautiful in France?
A village gets onto the list if it has up to 2,000 inhabitants, at least two protected sites and the support of the town council. It then undergoes an on-site assessment against 32 criteria, and the network’s committee votes on the classification.
Conclusion
For a first trip without a car, start with Eguisheim and Riquewihr from Colmar, and with La Roche-Guyon or Pérouges as a day trip from Paris or Lyon. With a car, or a tour, the villages of Provence and the South-West are worth the detour. To fit it all into your itinerary, start from the first-time France itinerary. torreeiffel.com.br updates prices every season.
How we checked this information
Descriptions, number of villages and criteria on the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France network’s site; Les Baux access on the village’s official site; Colmar buses from the Colmar Tourist Office; prices for Sénanque (Luberon.fr) and Rocamadour (official site); train fare from SNCF Connect, in Nov 2026. Access to Yvoire comes from Wikipedia, and the last train stretch to Rocamadour was not checked. Photos: Pexels and Pixabay, free use.