The Most Beautiful Villages of France Official Guide

Les Plus Beaux Villages de France Guide

I've bought the last two guides as a resource for my writing, a travel guide to find new villages to explore and simply because I love all the stunning photos. Here's more about the guide and a few beautiful villages that are worth lingering in, feeling the cool water of the village fountain and sampling the regional delicacies.

The offical guide lists 159 villages with suggested walks and hikes around the scenic villages, has the local history of each location, has events and activity suggestions and dates, lists accommodation and restaurant options and even lists the gastronomic and artisanal specialties of each village. With stunning photos throughout the book's 277 pages it's a like a treasure chest of travel ideas or dreamy daydreaming!

The Association of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France was formed in early 1981 after Charles Ceyrac found a book called Les Plus Beaux Villages de France published by Sélection due Readers Digest. Charles Ceyrac was mayor of the village of Collonges la Rouge in Corrèze and thought that he could create a similar book for the purpose of protecting and promoting the exceptional heritage of Frances's most beautiful villages. 

Sixty-six mayors signed up to Charles Ceyrac's initiative which was made official on 6 March 1982 at Salers in Cantal, France. Today, this national network of 159 villages works to protect and enhance the heritage of these exceptional locations by promoting their unique qualities to the world and actively promoting their economic development. 

The Three Steps to Becoming a Most Beautiful Village of France

There are three steps to be followed for a village to become one of The Most Beautiful Villages of France. These are: meeting the preliminary criteria; then satisfying the 27 evaluation criteria; and then receiving the verdict of the quality commission.

Meeting the Preliminary Criteria

Any village wanting to be included in the list and join the association must submit an application showing the village meets the following criteria.

• Total population of the village can be no more than 2,000 inhabitants.
• Have at least two protected sites or monuments (historic landmarks etc).
• Show proof of mass support for the application for membership via public debate.

Twenty-seven evaluation criteria

Once the application is reviewed and accepted, the village then receives a site visit. The local council is interviewed, a photographic report is prepared and a twenty-seven point checklist on the village's historical, architectural, urban and environmental positives is completed.

The Verdict of the Quality Commission

Once the site visit, checklist and photographic report is done, it all gets put before the Quality Commission. The Quality Commission has the sole power to make the decision on whether to accept the village. If a village is approved then they join the association and are re-evaluated regularly.

Collonges la Rouge in Corrèze - A Most Beautiful Village of France

Corrèze Dept 19  |  Population 455  |  Altitude 230 m 

Collonges la Rouge is where it all started with Mr Ceyrac's idea and the village is also included in the association of The Most Beautiful Villages of France. Found on the border between Limousin and Quercy, the red sandstone of Collonges contrasts with the green of the vines rambling on its façades. Built up around a Benedictine priory and founded in the 8th century the village came under the lordship of the powerful neighbouring viscount and was the place of residence of his judicial officers.

The village's church, Eglise Saint-Pierre was built in the 11th and 12th centuries and was an important stopping place when Collonges was on the pilgrimage route of the Saint James's Way pilgrim route via Rocamadour. 

In the centre of the village there is still the communal bread oven which dates back to the 16th century from when the grain and wine market was prosperous.

Beuvron-en-Auge - A Most Beautiful Village of France

Calvados Dept 14  |  Population 246 |  Altitude 10 m

Beuvron-en-Auge is nestled between valleys dotted with apple trees and half timbered farmhouses. The village is set around the large covered market and is a celebrated village of the Pays d'Auge region.  In the 12th century Beuvron was small with only a small medieval castle and a church but by the end of the 14th century, and with the influence of the Harcourt family, the town reached its heyday.

What makes Beuvron-en-Auge so special?

Bedecked with geraniums, rendered plaster and pink bricks the facades of the wooden-frame houses highlight the village's last 400 years of profitability and glory. On the edge of the village, farms, manors and stud farms stretch out into the woods and farmlands which keeps the town current with local traditions and specialities.