14 Charming Small Towns in France for Beautiful Beaches, Scenic Vineyards, and Medieval Castles

When it comes to visiting France, Paris gets most of the attention, but don’t overlook the country’s gorgeous small towns. In these quaint destinations, many accessible by train, you can 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 (all home to less than 15,000 people) offer a slower pace and warm French hospitality.

Cassis

Sandwiched between Marseille and Toulon in Provence lies the tiny town of Cassis, which often gets overlooked for other glitzier South of France 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-colored buildings and a great selection of sidewalk cafes that are ideal for people-watching.

Saint-Jean-de-Luz

Although it’s on the French side of the border, this Basque Country town near Biarritz feels more akin to its twin region in Spain than any other area of France. Fishing boats line the harbor, while the beach scene attracts surfers who come to play in the breaks at Plage de Lafitenia. Intrepid big-wave riders are lured by the possibility of the legendary Belharra, though the rare break, generated by winter storms, has only formed a handful of times in the last decade. For a less ephemeral experience, visit the 17th-century Fort de Socoa, which overlooks the Bay of Biscay.

Eguisheim

Just south of Colmar near the French-German border, Eguisheim is a medieval village in the Alsace wine region. Stroll through narrow streets and little squares lined with half-timbered houses, and visit a trio of castles that date back to the Middle Ages. If Eguisheim’s historic architecture isn’t enough to lure you for a visit, the Alsace Wine Route, of which the destination is a part, might be.

Vogüé

With a name that’s oh-so-French, Vogüé is situated on the river of the same name in the Ardèche region, near the beautiful Parque Natural Regional de los Montes de Ardèche. The village is as picturesque as it gets—in fact, it’s a member of The Most Beautiful Villages of France, an association with a stringent selection process. Vogüé makes the cut for good reason, with ancient 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

From the cities of Toulon or Hyères, you can hop on a ferry that drops you off in Porquerolles, the largest of the three Hyères Islands. Since the island is car-free, visitors get around on foot or by bike (rentals are available outside the ferry). The narrow beaches that ring the island are gorgeous and wild, lined with cypress and pine trees, and the views are stunning: an endless expanse of French Riviera azure water. For a break from dips in the Mediterranean, visit Fondation Carmignac, a contemporary art museum with its own vineyards that offer wine tastings.

Les Baux-de-Provence

Built into a rocky outcropping that’s part of the Alpilles mountain chain, Les Baux-de-Provence has a rugged and wildly impressive setting. Like Vogüé, it’s recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in France. This Provençal charmer and its surroundings can be explored in a few days. Visit the town’s fields, which brim with poppies in April and May and with lavender from roughly mid-June to mid-July. The Carrières de Lumières is another highlight: a former quarry that now features works of art projected onto the underground cave walls and accompanied by music.

Arcachon

Arcachon is set inside the protected Arcachon Bay, just 50 minutes by train from the wine-rich city of Bordeaux. If you can brave the often-cold Atlantic, go for a dip before warming up with a walk along Europe’s largest sand dune (it’s nearly two miles long) or on the promenade, which is also a favorite with cyclists. In town, you’ll find beautiful 19th-century villas and plenty of restaurants serving Arachon’s local catch, including oysters, razor clams, and sea urchins.

Villard-de-Lans

Outside Grenoble, near the borders 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 Wednesday and Sunday farmers market).

Hunspach

This tiny town in the Alsace region, a stone’s throw from the French-German border, features historic half-timber houses in picture-perfect condition. It’s no wonder it’s been officially recognized as one of France’s most beautiful villages. Just outside of town are vineyards and the eastern side of the Northern Vosges Regional Natural Park, which has wooded trails and varied wildlife.

Chamonix

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

Peillon

Peillon is less than 20 miles from Nice, but despite its proximity to the always-packed French Riviera, this car-free hilltop village is practically silent. Narrow, winding streets and passageways lead up to the centuries-old Eglise Saint-Sauveur for sweeping views of the rugged valley. If you walk a few minutes outside the center to the Saint-Roch Chapel, you can take in a postcard-perfect panorama of the village itself. One reason Peillon is so untouched is that reaching it by train involves a bit of athleticism—about a 40-minute semi-uphill walk from either Peillon–Sainte-Thècle station (paved road) or Peille station (hiking trail). This is a moderate walk in the cooler months, but in summer it can be difficult because there’s little shade. Be sure to wear a hat and carry enough water—or, just look up a local taxi.

La Roche-Guyon

Known for its handsome château, this commune of less than 500 people is set along the Seine about an hour’s drive northwest of Paris. The château and its beautiful manicured gardens date from the 13th century and were gradually expanded until the end of the 18th century and the French Revolution. Join one of the guided tours of the property to get a better understanding of how the town was built around the château.

Revel

This small town in the Midi-Pyrénées region is famous for the Saturday market in its enormous 14th-century market hall. More than 200 producers sell seasonal fruit and vegetables, breads and cheeses of every kind, charcuterie, olives and tapenades, quiches, jams, and honey—and that’s just the food section. On the other side are artisans selling their wares and a number of tables piled with antiques and vintage items. After making your rounds at the market, visit the genuinely interesting Wood Museum, where exhibitions showcase Revel’s marquetry and furniture-making heritage as well as contemporary pieces.

Aigues-Mortes

Aigues-Mortes, a medieval town in southern France’s Occitania region, is less than an hour’s drive from Nîmes, Montpellier, and Arles (and accessible by train). Inside its well-preserved ancient city walls are narrow streets lined with cute boutiques and a handful of restaurants. But it’s what’s just outside the walls that makes this lovely French town worth the trip: Aigues-Mortes is within the Camargue wetlands area, which is known for its salt—and those salt marshes are a photogenic pink. Particularly if you’ve got kids in tow, a nice way to traverse the salt marshes is on the town’s “little” train.