There are few countries in the world that can rival with France for the beauty of its rural architecture (Italy may be one of them). The French are proud of their heritage and do everything they can to save it and enhance it.
An independent association called Les Plus Beaux Villages de France was even founded in 1982 to promote small and picturesque French villages (max. 2000 inhabitants) of quality heritage. As of 2012, 157 villages were listed. Here is a selection of the best among them.
Beynac-et-Cazenac, Dordogne, Aquitaine
Beynac-et-Cazenac came in 7th position in the favourite village of the French people in 2012.
Rocamadour, Lot, Midi-Pyrénées
Conques, Aveyron, Midi-Pyrénées
Conques ranked 5th in the 2013 edition of the favourite village of the French people TV programme. Its Romanesque Abbey-Church is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Locronan, Finistère, Brittany
Locronan came in second position nationwide in the 2013 edition of the favourite village of the French people.
Pérouges, Ain, Rhône-Alpes
Pérouges was elected 5th favourite village of the French people in 2013.
Eguisheim, Haut-Rhin, Alsace
Eguisheim won the 2013 edition of the favourite village of the French people.
Kaysersberg, Haut-Rhin, Alsace
Riquewihr, Haut-Rhin, Alsace
Riquewihr came in 6th position in the 2012 edition of the favourite village of the French people.
Les Baux-de-Provence, Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Les Baux-de-Provence ranked 8th in the 2012 edition of the favourite village of the French people.
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie took the 10th position in the 2013 edition of the favourite village of the French people. It is the favourite village of celebrity chef Alain Ducasse, who owns a hotel and restaurant there (a class="o" rel="noopener" href="http://www.alain-ducasse.com/en/auberge/la-bastide-de-moustiers" target="_blank">La Bastide de Moustiers).
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Lot, Midi-Pyrénées
Saint-Cirq-Lapopie was voted favourite village of the French people in 2012.
Turenne, Corrèze, Limousin
Turenne came 9th in the 2013 edition of the favourite village of the French people.
