The Prettiest Village In France, Voted By The French—In Pictures
Beauty is, of course, subjective, but for a European village, it is usually measured in old houses, castles, churches, rivers, and cobbled streets. A television program in France asks its viewers to vote every year on the prettiest village in France, and for 2025, the results include one near the birthplace of one of the Musketeers, the northernmost town on the island of Martinique in the Caribbean (this is one of France's overseas territories and is officially part of France), and plenty of abbeys.
These are the top ten villages voted for by the French viewers on Les Plus Beaux Villages En France (The Prettiest Villages in France). This isn't a prize given out lightly; every village considered must have no more than 2,000 residents, already have at least two sites that are protected or considered historic monuments or heritage sites, and the local council must be ready to argue their case.
Once a village has passed this pre-selection process, there are 32 criteria for judgment, including the quality of building renovations, the management of public spaces, the control and flow of traffic, its biodiversity, energy-efficient lighting, and the presence of accommodation and leisure facilities.
It's taken very seriously as a way to protect French heritage sites and traditional ways of life. Driving around France, it is common to pass through villages that are labeled as one of the prettiest villages in France.
The Musketeer d'Artagnan, in Lupiac, voted one of France's prettiest villages in 2025. AFP via Getty Images
The village of Lupiac near the Pyrenees and the Spanish border in southern France is probably best known for being the birthplace of Charles de Batz de Castelmore d'Artagnan in 1611, who became a Musketeer; the elite guard to the king of France. His life was fictionalised by Alexander Dumas in The Three Musketeers and there is a museum dedicated to d'Artagnan in the village.
Abbey of Longpont in Aisne, voted one of the prettiest villages in France. getty
Situated in northern France in the Aisné region, north of Paris, Longpont village is packed full of listed buildings, the ruins of an abbey, and a medieval bridge, surrounded by the Retz forest—one of France's largest forests that hasn't much been touched since 1672, attracting a multitude of cyclists and hikers on its many trails. Ferrières-en-Gâtinais, The Eighth Prettiest Village In France, 2025
Ferrières-en-Gâtinais, one of France's prettiest villages in 2025. getty
Ferrières-en-Gâtinais, an hour's drive south of Paris is home to a benedictine abbey, known for its magnificent library in the Middle Ages, picturesque bridges and architecture, as well as traditional markets. Grand'Rivière, The Seventh Prettiest Village In France, 2025
Grand'Rivière is the northernmost town on the island of Martinique, and voted one of France's prettiest villages in 2025. getty
Pass north through the winding roads of the French Caribbean island of Martinique, and Grand'Rivière is the northernmost village before the ocean and the island of Dominica, further north. This village, comprised of fisherman and volcanic beaches, surrounded by rainforest and mountains, is often called by locals, the village at the end of the Earth. Sierck-les-Bains, The Sixth Prettiest Village In France, 2025
Sierck-les-Bains, France's sixth most loved village in 2025. getty
Sierck-les-Bains sits almost exactly on the border between France, Luxembourg and Germany and is known best for its medieval 11th century castle that sits on the Moselle river. Influenced over the ages by both French and German culture, travelers arrive for health reasons too, as the region has been known for its thermal baths since the 19th century. Clécy, The Fifth Prettiest Village In France, 2025
Clécy, Normandy, the fifth prettiest village in France. getty
In 1932, Clécy, in the north of France, was named the capital of 'Swiss Normandy', as the region is called because of the resemblance of its natural beauty and that of the Swiss Alps. Its gorges were carved by the river Orne and its tributaries, on which the village sits, and the region is renowned for its 18th century aqueduct, and the multitude of swimming, water sport, hiking and mountain biking routes. Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, The Fourth Prettiest Village In France, 2025
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, the fourth prettiest village in France, 2025. getty
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, the fourth prettiest village in France, 2025 is renowned for its medieval abbey from the 12th century on the banks of the river Dordogne, although only the church remains in situ today. Semur-en-Auxois, The Third Prettiest Village In France, 2025
Semur-en-Auxois, Burgundy; the third prettiest village in France, 2025. getty
Located in the famous wine region of Bourgogne, also home to the city of Dijon, known for its gastronomy and mustard, the village of Semur-en-Auxois is worth visiting not just for its medieval beauty but also for its military ramparts. It was built on a bluff made of pink granite surrounded by the river Armançon. Malestroit, The Second Prettiest Village In France, 2025
Malestroit, the second prettiest village in France, 2025 getty
In the northwest of Brittany near France's Atlantic coastline, sits France's second prettiest village, 2025. It is on the Nantes-Brest canal, which holidaymakers explore by barge, mooring up in town to potter around the cobbled streets and half-timbered houses. Saint-Antoine-l'Abbaye, The Prettiest Village In France, 2025
Saint Antoine l'Abbaye in Isére, voted France's prettiest village of 2025. getty
The abbey of Saint Anthony is the main draw in France's prettiest village, 2025, classified as a historic monument in 1840 because of its medieval architecture.
Saint Anthony was an Egyptian monk whose relics were brought to France during the Crusades in the Middle Ages, after inspiring many people to take up seclusion and self-denial.
Many people made pilgrimages to the prettiest village in France, to the south east of Lyon, from the 13th century onwards, to ask Saint Anthony to cure skin infections such as shingles. MORE FROM FORBES Forbes 5 Trending Retirement And Golden Visa Destinations For Americans By Alex Ledsom Forbes French Town Asks Holidaymakers To Put Clothes On Or Face A Fine By Alex Ledsom Forbes Here's How Retirement Visas For U.S. Expats Compare, Based On New Data By Alex Ledsom
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