Most travelers to France don’t venture past the big cities like Paris and Marseille. Though these cities are beautiful, it was the small charming towns in France that captured my heart. Everything from the cobblestone streets, quaint little houses, canals, open markets, and locally made wine.
You wont find large museums or attractions here, because the towns themselves are the attraction! Spend the day strolling the streets, tasting the delicious local food, and taking in “the french way of life.” Check out my top 5 picks!
Flavigny
Listed as one of the “most beautiful villages of France”, Flavigny-sur-ozerain sits high on a rock and is located in the Burgundy region of France. It’s a very charming medieval fortified town, with walls surrounding the narrow streets that wind around the traditional burgundy houses.
If you’re a movie buff, the movie “Chocolat” was filmed in Flavigny, and many of the sights and streets are easily recognizable. BTW if you haven’t seen the movie I highly recommend it!
We visited this quaint village in the off-season, and it was very quiet, with not a soul in sight. However, when we stumbled across the restaurant “La Grange” just opposite the church, and we found a big crowd feasting inside. This small restaurant is home-style french food at it’s finest, and for a very affordable price I might add! With 4-5 dishes to choose from, you order your meal cafeteria style, and don’t forget to get a carafe of local wine, which was ridiculously cheap!
Cassis
Forget the touristy town of Marseille or St. Tropez, Cassis is a tiny fishing village where all the locals go to holiday! It’s known for its rosé wine, rolling vineyards, crystal clear turquoise waters of the Mediterranean sea, pebbly beaches, and clay-colored buildings. Because Cassis is less touristy then surrounding towns, the locals are extremely friendly to those passing through their beloved village.
Cassis is hands down one of my favorite towns in France, and I wish we had stayed longer than our 2 days. On Wednesday and Friday mornings make sure to check out the Cassis market nestled between the streets of the village. You will find vendors with local fruits and vegetables, cheese, olives, jewelry, clothing and so much more. Grab some cheese and bread and have a picnic next to the water’s edge.
Cassis is protected by Cap Canaille (the tallest cliff in Europe) and the white limestone Calanques (fjord-like inlets carved into the limestone). Don’t miss a hike along the Calanques, or a short boat ride along the coast, in the off-season you can easily jump on a boat from the Cassis harbor without a reservation.
There are a ton of places to stay in Cassis, ranging from hotels to BnB’s, but when in France why not stay at a Castle overlooking the village! “Chateau De Cassis” was spectacular and one of our best stays while in France. The beds were super comfortable, breakfast was off the charts, and the view was to die for! Pick up a local bottle of wine and some pizza from La Girandole and head to the balcony of the hotel to enjoy a beautiful sunset over the Mediterranean.
Saint Emilion
Wine! Need I say more? Even if you’re not a wine drinker, forget the city of Bordeaux and check out St Emilion, a UNESCO world heritage site. The medieval village is perched above vineyards in the Bordeaux region, and is well worth a day trip from neighboring cities.
Wind your way through the city on the cobblestone streets and shop at the local boutiques and souvenir shops. If you have the energy, spiral up the 196-step staircase to the bell tower, where you will be rewarded with beautiful views of the vineyards and surrounding village.
While in St Emilion make sure to stumble into one of the many wine shops along its streets. Here you can learn about the different St Emilion appellations , and taste an assortment of wines. Most shops offer free shipping to your home if you purchase a minimum amount of bottles.
Avignon
Located in the heart of Provence, Avignon is a small city that will enchant you with its towering walls and river views. It’s an ancient city steeped in history, dating back from the 13th century. Avignon is known for its arts and culture with amazing festivals in the summer, and year round plays, concerts, street performances, and art exhibitions.
Make sure to visit the Palais des Papes, this imposing palace was built-in the 13th century, and was used as the papal court during that period. Immerse yourself in history by visiting over 20 rooms in the palace, including the popes chambers, and frescoes painted by the artist Matteo Geovannetti.
There are several extraordinary museums in Avignon, such as the Musee du Petit Palais and Musée Calvet to visit. However, the best part of this little town is exploring the Provencal atmosphere, quaint streets, and elegant squares. At the heart of the city is de l’horloge, a cute little area with shady trees and cafe’s with outdoor seating, a perfect spot to sit and watch the world go by.
Annecy
Annecy is known as the “Venice of the Alps,” because of its charming canals, small enchanting bridges, blooming flowers, colorful houses, and snow-capped peaks in the distance. Walk along the narrow pedestrian streets of this little town, enjoying the boutiques and local shops, and along the water’s edge of Annecy lake.
Towering above the old town is the imposing Annecy castle, it’s silhouette can be seen from different parts of the town, a remembrance of its medieval past. Former residence of the counts of Geneva, the museum is open everyday except Tuesday, and has beautiful 15th-16th century paintings, sculptures, and architecture, not to mention the beautiful views of the town of Annecy below.
I hope you enjoyed my favorite small towns in France! I would love to hear from you, please comment below!
