Visiting France without visiting its many enchanting towns is like missing 90% of the fun. Subdivided into 342 arrondissements, there’s more to discover on the French map than you could ever imagine!
If you truly want to experience France in its entirety, I encourage touring through its often-overlooked bucolic hamlets.
Below are some of the most breathtaking fairytale towns to visit in France – hidden gems awaiting your discovery.
Author Bio: Jessie Moore
Jessie Moore is a luxury travel expert with years of experience travelling the world to find the best destinations, hotels and adventures.
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1. Colmar
Colmar is nestled in the heart of Alsace’s wine region and is often touted as one of the prettiest towns in France.
Crisscrossing flower-lined canals, reminiscent of Venice, and coloured houses make the city appear like it belongs to a picture book.
I love walking on Quai de la Poissonnerie, through its winding alleys, past vivid medieval cottages, and finding amazing boutiques and eateries hidden from plain sight.
The scene is picturesque all over no matter the season. Be sure to try the boat rides for a serene experience!
The entire city is small and best appreciated on foot. Colmar has several museums.
The mist-visits are the Unterlinden Museum, which houses the Isenheim altarpiece, and the Bartholdi Museum, brimming with lifelike stoneworks.
2. Rocamadour
A famed pilgrimage site for centuries, Rocamadour is utterly breathtaking.
Perched atop a towering cliff in the Lot department of southwestern France, this beautiful artefact of a town looms over the Alzou Valley.
The area is said to be the final resting place of Zaccheus of Jericho, who, according to legend, brought with him a statue of Mary.
A celebrated shrine, the Shrine of Our Lady of Rocamadour, now stands on the said burial site of the ancient saint.
I’d recommend visiting the shrine and exploring the quaint Romanesque-Gothic style architecture of the upper structures and lower towns.
You can also scale the Grand Escalier and conquer its 216 steps, which pilgrims often trudge on their knees.
3. Eguisheim
Eguisheim is a small medieval town in Alsace, northeastern France – a mere 7 kilometres from Colmar.
Like a hamlet taken from Hans Christian Andersen’s tales, it’s filled with narrow, cobbled streets lined with half-timbered cottages, and many are well-preserved.
I was pleasantly surprised by the unique atmosphere of Eguisheim.
Walking in its medieval alleys, you’ll realise that the coloured abodes encircle the 13th-century octagonal Château de Sain-Léon-Pfalz castle.
Although miniature, cafes, restaurants, and shops dot the old town.
4. Annecy
Known for its delectable cuisine and historical significance, Annecy, located in the Haute-Savoie region of south-eastern France, usually finds its way into tourist’s itineraries.
Seeing the place in person, you’ll understand the allure that drove Paul Cézanne to paint Le Lac d’Annecy.
The gentle waves of the lake and the surrounding French alpine peaks make a surreal subject.
I’d recommend a dinner-cruise at the Annecy Lounge Boat while viewing the sunset for a magical experience.
5. Riquewihr
Awe-inspiring architecture dating back to the 13th century, lush vineyards crawling over olden walls, and savoury wines to make you drool.
That’s what Riquewihr has in store for those curious enough to wander within its fortified walls.
As old as Riquewihr itself is the Dolder Tower, doubling as a museum, recounting its rich history and records of lords long past.
I recommend sipping locally brewed beer at the Brasserie du Vignoble and touring the fairytale town and its Alsatian vineyards on a scooter!
6. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie
Noted as one of France’s most stunning villages, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, which sits 20 kilometres east of Cahors, is a hidden gem not many are lucky enough to set foot on.
Perched on a steep 100-metre cliff above the Lot River, guests must enter the quaint town from above and descend through its medieval streets.
The views are breathtaking from the get-go, with excellent views of the entire townlet’s fortified gates and punctured bridges.
On the village’s highest point, hugging the limestone cliff, stands the Église de Saint-Cirq, a 400-year-old Gothic church with its imposing bell tower.
A castle once stood in its midst in the 8th century until its unfortunate destruction in 1471, leaving only ruins.
7. Gordes
Gordes is a must-visit for those who plan to wander the south of France. This postcard-worthy and ancient village perché sits 340 metres above the Luberon valley floor.
Having survived many major catastrophes, Gordes remained historically and architecturally pristine.
Standing smack in the middle of the town is the millennia-old Gordes Castle, which served as a fortress, prison, warehouse, and garrison.
Today, the castle houses a museum, flaunting the greatest masterpieces of the Belgian painter and lithographer Pol Mara.
8. Carcassonne
A living monument, Carcassonne is divided into two major parts: standing at the Aude, you’ll see the Cité to the right and the Ville Basse to the left.
These two parts are connected by the le Pont Vieux or the “Old Bridge.”
La Cité de Carcassonne is the highlight here, a citadel that existed for over 2,500 years.
But you’ll also enjoy touring through Château Comtal, Comptoir des Vins et Terroirs, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts.
Sampling the local duck and goose confit is a must, too!
9. Yvoire
France doesn’t come short of ancient cities, yet Yvoire is one of the few that has maintained its medieval vibes so well.
Stone cottages, wooden balconies, and ancient fortifications tangled with green vegetation – the entire package!
Strolling through the labyrinthian Garden of Five Senses is like being suddenly teleported to olden medieval gardens.
Casting its shadow on Lake Geneva is the iconic Château d’Yvoire, built in the early 14th century.
10. Mont Saint-Michel
A major pilgrimage destination for hundreds of years, the tidal island of Mont Saint-Michel sitting one kilometre off France’s east coast hides plenty of surprising gems.
But you’d be surprised to know only 30 people live here!
You get a clear view of Mont Saint-Michel from the nearby banks of the Couesnon River, but I say it’s most enjoyed up close.
The meagre 97-hectare land mass accommodates the Abbey of the Mont-Saint-Michel – standing marvellously on a rock as if without gravity.
The fun part is the journey to the Benedictine abbey, where you’ll walk through the steep stone street, lined with museums, shops, and cafes.
Inside the abbey is a wonder to behold. You’ll be awestruck by the sheer beauty of its crypts, grand pillars, and stairways!
Have you visited any of these fairytale towns in France, or any you’d add to the list? Let me know in the comments below!
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