Wednesday, April 20, 2011

Most Beautiful Villages in France


Traveling across France, a country of contrast and diversity from Provence to Brittany or from Normandy to Aquitaine, tourists have opportunities to explore French villages, some are well-known but some less, which reign an atmosphere of peace and still maintain the old architecture with cobbled streets, quaint corners, stone-made castles and unique churches.
Here are nine of France’s most beautiful villages that offer visitors monumental and architectural germs, medieval houses, picturesque landscapes, majestic chateaux, and etc. These villages are considered as the best based on quality of their specific architecture, environment and patrimony.

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The fortified castle at Belcastel, a commune in the Aveyron department of southern France, is located above tiers of stone-roofed houses

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Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is among the prettiest towns and most attractive tourist destinations in France. Perched on a steep cliff 100m above the river, the village mostly looks a museum with beautifully natural landscapes

The medieval fortified town of Castelnau nestles in the foothills of the French Pyrenees
The medieval fortified town of Castelnau nestles in the foothills of the French Pyrenees

Conques in the Midi-Pyrenees region hosts an exceptional wealth of medieval architecture including the Romanesque abbey church of Sainte-Foy
Conques in the Midi-Pyrenees region hosts an exceptional wealth of medieval architecture including the Romanesque abbey church of Sainte-Foy

The castle of La Couvertoirade was built by the Knights Templar in the twelfth century
The castle of La Couvertoirade was built by the Knights Templar in the twelfth century

Lautrec village, a commune in the Tarn department of southern France, is home to a great 17th-century windmill and carpets of colorful flowers. It is also listed as one of the most beautiful towns in France and a remarkable site for taste
Lautrec village, a commune in the Tarn department of southern France, is home to a great 17th-century windmill and carpets of colorful flowers. It is also listed as one of the most beautiful towns in France and a remarkable site for taste

The peaceful village of Monesties, which is nestled in a loop of the river Cero, is a stopping place for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela
The peaceful village of Monesties, which is nestled in a loop of the river Cero, is a stopping place for pilgrims on their way to Santiago de Compostela

Puycelsi situated on a rocky plateau is protected by some 800 meters of ramparts, offering wonderful views over the surrounding scenery
Puycelsi, situated on a rocky plateau, is protected by some 800 meters of ramparts, offering wonderful views over the surrounding scenery

Overlooking the river Lot, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie boasts beautiful medieval architecture including an impressive fortified church
Overlooking the river Lot, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie boasts beautiful medieval architecture including an impressive fortified church