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Destinations 10 Best Small Towns In France For Beautiful Beaches And Vineyards, Mountain Trails And Medieval Castles
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10 Best Small Towns In France For Beautiful Beaches And Vineyards, Mountain Trails And Medieval Castles

These are the best small towns in France to visit when you're craving a slower pace life, fewer crowds and warm hospitality.

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By: EVIE CARRICK Published: Dec 23, 2021 02:00 PM IST

10 Best Small Towns In France For Beautiful Beaches And Vineyards, Mountain Trails And Medieval Castles
Credit: Andia/Universal Images Group via Getty Images

It must be hard being a small town in France, a country that’s home to one of the most iconic cities in the world. But while Paris gets all the attention (and most of the tourists), clever travellers — both French and foreign — plan excursions to some of the country’s lesser-known destinations, many of them small towns. By Evie Carrick

In these quaint French spots, travellers exchange the bustle of the city for wide-open beaches, mountain trails, medieval castles, and sprawling vineyards. From the French-German border to the Mediterranean coast to the mountainous intersection of France, Italy, and Switzerland, these small towns and villages (home to less than 15,000 people) are where you’ll want to go when you’re craving a slower pace and warm French hospitality.

Cassis

Small towns in France
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Sandwiched between Marseille and Toulon in southern France lies the tiny town of Cassis, which often gets overlooked for other glitzier coastal destinations (here’s looking at you, Saint-Tropez). But what some people miss is a beautiful fishing port that’s lined with steep, limestone cliffs and carpeted with pebbly beaches. The town itself showcases a palette of pastel-coloured buildings and a great selection of sidewalk cafes that are ideal for people-watching.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Small towns in France
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Sitting on the French side of the French-Spanish border, Saint-Jean-de-Luz has a distinct Basque feel. Fishing boats line the harbour while the beach scene attracts surfers who come to play in the breaks at Plage de Lafitenia and Belharra.

Eguisheim

Eguisheim
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Sitting just south of Colmar near the French-German border, Eguisheim is a medieval village that’s home to half-timbered houses, narrow streets, and castles that date back to the Middle Ages. If Eguisheim’s historic architecture and buildings aren’t enough to lure you for a visit, the Alsace Wine Route, which the destination is part of, might.

Vogüé

Small towns in France
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With a name that’s oh-so-French, Vogüé is situated right on the Ardèche river near the beautiful Parque Natural Regional de los Montes de Ardecha. The village is as picturesque as it gets, with cobblestone streets, a medieval castle, and limestone cliffs that seem to shoot straight out of the water. (Bonus: If you happen to visit during the fall, you might catch the harvesting of chestnuts, a popular product in the region.)

Île de Porquerolles

Île de Porquerolles
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From the city of Toulon, you can hop on a ferry that drops you off in Porquerolles, the largest of the three Hyères Islands (Îles d’Hyères). The beaches in Porquerolles are unbelievably smooth, the snorkelling superb, and the views stunning — the island is located just off the French Riviera.

Les Baux-de-Provence

Les Baux-de-Provence
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Built into a rocky outcropping that’s part of the Alpilles mountain chain, the setting of Les Baux-de-Provence is rugged and wildly impressive. It takes just a few days to discover fields brimming with lavender (usually mid-June to mid-July) and the Carrières de Lumières, a former quarry that now features works of art projected onto the underground cave walls and accompanied with music.

Arcachon

Small towns in France
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Arcachon is set inside the protected Arcachon Bay, not far from the wine-rich city of Bordeaux. And while the sea is one of the town’s main draws (it’s also known for its oysters), you’ll find a natural sand dune, beautiful 19th-century villas, and a beachfront promenade full of walkers and bikers, too.

Villard-de-Lans

Small towns in France
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Outside Grenoble, near the border of Italy and Switzerland, is the beautiful mountain town of Villard-de-Lans. In the winter, people come to ski the snowy slopes, while the summer offers plentiful hiking and the area’s finest fare (don’t miss a visit to the twice-weekly farmers market).

Hunspach

Small towns in France
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This tiny town, located right on the French-German border, made a name for itself when a French TV show named it the “most beloved” village in France according to a local poll. Inside the town limits, you’ll find historic timber houses, nearby vineyards, and a feel that showcases the best of France and Germany.

Chamonix

Small towns in France
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Unlike many of the small towns on this list, chances are you’ve heard of Chamonix (or Chamonix-Mont-Blanc), a town that’s known for having some of the best skiing in Europe and a location at the base of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps. The town is situated near the junction of France, Switzerland, and Italy, making day trips to other European countries a breeze.

Related: 8 Best Small Towns in Iceland for Stunning Landscapes, Hearty Fare, and Northern Lights Views

Written By

EVIE CARRICK

EVIE CARRICK

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