Beauty spots

If you’re not sure where to live, one of France’s most beautiful villages would be a great place to start

- Holly Howard

From whitewashed island villages set around pretty harbours in Charente-Maritime to dramatic, cliff-perched, medieval half-timbered houses in Tarn-et-Garonne, Les Plus Beaux Villages de France currently showcases the 159 most beautiful villages from 70 departments across France.

What started as an idea by Mayor Charles Ceyrac of Collonges-la-Rouge in 1981, as he sought to create an association to protect and promote the heritage of such communities, has grown into a well-recognised label held in high esteem.

Mayor Ceyrac was concerned that many of the rural communities would become – and were being – deserted due to rural flight. He knew something had to be done and he wasn’t alone: 66 mayors quickly joined Ceyrac in his venture so that by 6 March 1982, the organisation had become official. Since then the organisation has steadily grown, almost annually. Dordogne and Aveyron are the departments with the most member villages, each with 10, followed by Vaucluse, with seven and Lot, with six.

So successful is the Plus Beaux Villages concept that an international association The Most Beautiful Villages of the Earth was created in 2012, including Italy, Quebec and Japan, to name a few.

Les Plus Beaux Villages de France only accepts around 20% of applications, keeping it a credible and sought-after label. Criteria starts with a population size of 2,000 or fewer, two or more heritage sites or historic monuments, and agreement from the municipal council to apply.

The association then considers the heritage and architectural qualities of the village, such as village access and harmony of roofing façade materials and then development efforts such as the quality of urban planning policy, treatment of public spaces and traffic control.