Plus Beaux Villages de France facts

Plus Beaux Villages de France’s origin

“Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” means “The Most Beautiful Villages of France.”

Plus beaux villages de France - Limeuil in the Dordogne — Limeuil – Dordogne

While travelling through the picturesque regions of France, you might come across villages marked by two distinct road signs.

The first sign is the classic village entrance sign.

The second displays the emblem of a stylised village, in a grey-ish hue, on a red and white background. Les Plus Beaux Villages de France is a prestigious label awarded by a private association founded on March 6, 1982, by Charles Ceyrac.

At the time, Mr Ceyrac was mayor of Collonges la Rouge, in the Corrèze department. The main objective of this association is to promote and preserve the architectural, cultural, and historical heritage of the most beautiful villages in France.

Plus Beaux Villages de France, a prestigious label

Plus beaux villages de France - - Brousse-le-Chateau in Aveyron — Brousse-le-Chateau – Aveyron

Indeed, 155 villages spread across 21 regions and 69 French departments have been awarded the prestigious Les Plus Beaux Villages de France label.

These villages offer a range of landscapes, from picturesque mountain hamlets to charming coastal towns and peaceful rural havens.

Many are perched on rocky promontories, offering exceptional panoramic views.

Most possess a rich historical heritage dating back to the Middle Ages, characterised by well-preserved architecture, significant cultural heritage, and a strong attachment to traditions.

The selection process for membership in the association is based on rigorous criteria to guarantee the high level of excellence of the label.

Villages must have fewer than 2,000 inhabitants and be located in a rural area. They also must have at least two listed historical monuments.

Once selected, the villages pay an annual membership fee and are evaluated every six years to ensure they continue to meet the association’s criteria.

Les Plus Beaux Villages de France label significantly boosts local tourism, attracting between 10% and 50% more visitors to these charming villages.