Throw a dart at a map of France and you’ll probably hit a beautiful village. Whether that particular commune is a member of the prestigious association of villages known as Les Plus Beaux Villages de France depends on a set of strict requirements. In order to gain membership, the village must have fewer than 2000 inhabitants, possess at least two protected characteristics including monuments and heritage sites, and “demonstrate collective motivation for the candidacy project”. It’s no wonder the label is only applied to the crème de la crème of destinations.
Although each of the 157 members has its own charm, you can generally expect sun-soaked, ochre-hued villages encircled with some of the most awe-inspiring French countryside. Lauze rooftops rest sleepily atop traditional stonework houses that line cobblestone streets, while rivers often run below and cliffs loom above. There is food, drink, art, hiking and more to be explored on a caravan tour to these places – so where to start?
Head here for… Stunning scenery
1 Beynac-et-Cazenac
What makes it special?
Seeming to spring from the cliffs of the Dordogne Valley, this village is straight out of a fairytale. The area’s earliest settlements date back to the Bronze Age, while today, it is home to one of the
