I didn’t realize until we moved to France how many beautiful places there are in this country. Not just the places you’ve heard of, but a zillion others. It’s hard to find the words to describe the variety of the terrain and how rapidly it changes, the abundance of beautiful historic buildings, the gorgeous villages. It’s a small country, but you couldn’t see it all in a lifetime.
But It’s a funny thing. Though we haven’t even scratched the surface when it comes to seeing this country, when I see a French village or charming scene on the cover of a magazine or other media, it is very often familiar. There are certain locations that seem to make the photogenic cut, shots I’ve seen multiple times and always recognize. These are the Cover Girls of French Villages.
So I’ve been collecting a personal list of those photos in France that hog the media coverage. These are the pictures I constantly encounter in travel magazines, etc. I feel sure that you, happy travelers all (even if only the armchair variety), can identify many of them, and add to our list. They're great places to visit, though you shouldn’t stop there! I’ve got three for you today, and more for another day. Maybe we’ll even have a post on some unknown ones that should be added to the list.
We’re going to exclude Mont-Saint-Michel because it’s just too obvious a choice. After that the first one that comes to mind is Gordes, in the Vaucluse department of Provence (Photo above, from Wikimedia Commons). With its sun-washed houses in pale Provencal stone spilling gently down the hillside, it’s hard to beat. There is a certain spot approaching the town that always gets its picture taken.
In northern Burgundy there is a ville that to me is among the most gorgeous in France: Semur-en-Auxois. Viewed from afar, it’s my fantasy of a French town. Circle down past the very cute town center to the river that surrounds it, its steep bank lined with fine old houses, and you’ll see a spot that has graced many a magazine cover. Photo, Cote d'Or Tourisme.
Carennac is a tiny village in the Lot. When we happened across it years ago we were cycling, and we rounded a corner to a breathtaking view of a little bridge, lined with flowers boxes, that crosses a deep ravine. The sort of view that makes you gasp, and start clicking that shutter. The spot has popped up so many times in the media that I’ve lost count. Photo, All-Free Photos.
By the way, Loyal Reader Dani of American Girl in France has a Cover Girl photo on her blog this week too. Do you know all these Cover Girls, and do you have more to add to our list?
In the COMMENTS: Speaking of corn, that unloved European veggie: Cynthia M. is working on the Italians on her end. To that Lazy Girl of And Then Make Soup: Jiffy Mix, my my! Lin, of my favorite English Bookstore in Valbonne, I was eyeing the polenta in the supermarché just today. To Liza of Provence in Ann Arbor, we can get peanut butter in Burgundy now–globalization has arrived! To my mom, Mickey, I don't make corn bread with bacon grease because your daughter is trying to stay healthy and French-girl skinny, but I'm sure you will love the bacon brittle recipe over at Mary James en Provence. And Frank, yes we have to work on our British English as well! To Claude, mille mercis, may I sign you on as my honorary editor?
Loyal Reader Cynthia Hinson has a great blog you might be interested in called Archi-trouve. She's currently doing a great series on Romanesque architecture in Burgundy, surf on over and say bonjour!
12 thoughts on “The “Cover Girls” of French Villages, Part 1”
In the Sept 2005 issue of “National Geographic Traveler” is an article entitled “In Search of the Perfect French Village.” It was written by Raphael Kadushin who claims to be a Francophile since the age of 6 when his parents took him to France. The villages featured were (all in the Lot departement) Rocamadour, Saint-Cirq Lapopie, Martel and Autoire. Included in the article is a picture of the bridge in Carennac. I was so charmed by this article that in 2007 I visited all of these villages. It is a “must read” for Francophiles. We enjoyed the food as much as the ambiance of these little gems.
Another exceptionally scenic place to visit is the town of Colmar. As you said, there are a zillion others. I look forward to seeing more of your list of special places in France.
Most great, unknown ‘finds’ are found & seen on the back roads in France – hidden treasures of villages and chateaux just waiting to be discovered – luscious!
Lynn, remember to read Paris the Novel by Edward Rutherfurd. We’re avid readers of all thigs French, especailly Parisian but learned a ;pt of new info from this book, plus great entertainment from his always esceptional characters over about 500 year span of history. It’s an 800 page adventure, dangerous if you read in bed. Take my work for it! But I plan to read it again in case I missed any details. Enjoy! Sue
“Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” have been judged especially worthy. Their website discusses the criteria. There are now 157 of them. While no village is perfect, these are all wonderful.
I’ve been to all three of these villages Lynn! I know exactly the viewpoint for “that” picture of Gordes. We must not have approached Semur the same way as that photo though. It looks much prettier here. I must say that Carennac is my fave of the three. So quiet and charming. And there is indeed peanut butter in France now? I guess I can ultimately move there. One question though: do the French buy it? 😉
Lynn, today’s post is absolutely wonderful! Though we’ve only been to one of these three villages,the gorgeous pictures totally transport me away and fill my imagination with joie de vivre!
What a way to start the weekend!
THANK YOU!!!!
PS Sue is right! Paris the Novel is just a great read!
PLEASE CONTINUE SHOWING US YOUR FAVORITE PHOTOS OF FRENCH VILLAGES.
MY DREAM IS TO GO TO ALL THESE VILLAGES.
I REALLY ENJOY YOUR BLOG.
MARÍA E.SASTRE
GUAYNABO, PUERTO RICO
Your title, ‘cover girls’, is just perfect….especially for the village of Gordes. Breathtaking views on the approach to the village…fabulous photo op…always a group picture on the ledge, but I find the village itself does not have much appeal. But, my of my, how that view of the village can draw them in!
We just returned from our first real foray into France. I am hooked. We stayed in Semur en Auxois a few days, and it truly was stunning. My husband and I kept saying to ourselves, every time you turn around, you see something else beautiful in France — there must be a gazillion tiny villages, one as photogenic as the next! Also, to mention a previous post, I remarked to myself while we were there the lack of corn. Then I happen upon your post just a couple days later. Funny! Keep up the terrific website. I really enjoy it.
Ah yes, the Lot has lots (!) of “plus belles villages” – Saint-Cirq Lapopie for another. I’m kind of glad tourists mostly go there and not to Penne or Bruniquel in the Tarn et Garonne 🙂
How beautiful they are! Thank you for sharing with us these beauties!
XOXOXO IDO
Eze is a place I have wanted to visit! I am not sure if it is a cover girl or not.