@ainsleydurose Another one of my favorite places to go to in Île-de-France☺️ But truly truly truly, my favorite thing about living in Paris is how many amazing small towns are less than an hour away and just how easy and affordable it is to travel to them like Moret sur Loing for just a day getaway! From Gare de Lyon, you take ligne R to Moret sur Loing which is about a 45 minute trip for 5€ per person roundtrip, or if you have a Navigo pass, it’s free as it’s located within Ile de France! Then from the train station, it’s a straight walk to the center of the town, about a 15-20 minute walk. We first headed to Boucherie Meme for ham and pate, then to Fromagerie de Moret for the local Fountainebleau cheese and their specialty le Morétain cheese, which is a sweet cheese that uses the barley sugar that has been made by the town for over 300 years. The mill on the river is actually now a museum where they used to make the sugar, which you can visit on Saturdays. Once you’re done with the picnic, wander through the town to see the cathedral and go across the bridge to view the city. Moret sur Loing is an easy half day trip from Paris, and I’d definitely suggest if you’re wanting to have a bit of a getaway from the city☺️ #travel #france #countryside #comewithme #vlog #picnic ♬ It Happened One Night - Gordon L Goodwin

🌅 Le Sud, Where Time Walks Barefoot

MONTMARTRE’s Le Sud feels like the secret soundtrack to France’s most picturesque small towns — the ones where beaches whisper, vineyards glow at golden hour, and medieval stones hold centuries of quiet stories. The song’s dreamy nostalgia mirrors the slower rhythm of these places, where life stretches gently like a summer afternoon in Provence, where children play in sun‑drenched lanes, and where every village from Alsace to the Basque coast seems to promise a return to something simple, warm, and eternal. It’s as if the track were written for these landscapes: a soft pulse of memory and sunlight drifting across France’s most charming corners.

🎶 🇫🇷📜🏞️🍷🧀🕍🎨🚶‍♂️🌬️🌊🪗🏛️🥖🌿🔥 🔊 Le Sud - MONTMARTRE

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France contains numerous small towns known for their historical architecture, natural landscapes, and regional cultural traditions.

Many of these communes have preserved medieval centers, coastal environments, or vineyard‑based economies, and several are classified among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. They represent a wide geographic range, from Provence and the Mediterranean coast to Alsace, Normandy, and the Basque Country. These towns attract visitors for their heritage sites, local gastronomy, and outdoor activities. Together, they illustrate the diversity of France’s rural and semi‑rural settlements.

1. Cassis — 🏖️⛰️⛵

Cassis is a coastal commune in the Bouches‑du‑Rhône department of southern France, known for its small fishing port, beaches, and proximity to the Calanques National Park. The town is characterized by limestone cliffs, sheltered coves, and a Mediterranean climate. Cassis is a popular destination for boating, hiking, and wine production, particularly white and rosé wines. Its economy is largely tourism‑based. The commune is located east of Marseille.

2. Eguisheim — 🍇🏘️🐈

Eguisheim is a commune in the Haut‑Rhin department of Alsace, recognized for its concentric medieval street plan and half‑timbered houses. It lies on the Alsace Wine Route and is surrounded by vineyards. The village is classified among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Eguisheim has a long winemaking tradition and a well‑preserved historic center. Tourism and viticulture form the core of its economy.

3. Île de Porquerolles — 🚲🌊🌴

Île de Porquerolles is the largest of the Îles d’Hyères, located off the coast of the Var department in southeastern France. Much of the island is protected as part of Port‑Cros National Park. It is known for its car‑free environment, beaches, pine forests, and cycling paths. The village center dates from the 19th century. Tourism and conservation activities dominate the island’s use.

4. Les Baux‑de‑Provence — 🏰🪨🌞

Les Baux‑de‑Provence is a commune in the Bouches‑du‑Rhône department, situated on a rocky outcrop in the Alpilles. It is notable for its medieval citadel, narrow streets, and panoramic views. The site has been inhabited since antiquity and contains numerous historical monuments. The village is classified among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Tourism is the primary economic activity.

5. Saint‑Jean‑de‑Luz — 🌊🎣❤️🤍💙

Saint‑Jean‑de‑Luz is a commune in the Pyrénées‑Atlantiques department on the Basque coast. It is known for its fishing port, sandy bay, and Basque cultural heritage. The town played a role in 17th‑century Franco‑Spanish diplomacy, including the marriage of Louis XIV. Today it is a major seaside resort. Fishing, tourism, and regional gastronomy are central to its economy.

6. Revel — 🧺🕍🌾

Revel is a commune in the Haute‑Garonne department of southwestern France. It is recognized for its 14th‑century covered market hall and radial urban layout. The town is located near the Montagne Noire and the Saint‑Ferréol reservoir, part of the Canal du Midi system. Revel has a tradition of woodworking and furniture craftsmanship. Agriculture and local commerce remain important.

7. Aigues‑Mortes — 🧱🦩🌅

Aigues‑Mortes is a fortified medieval town in the Gard department of southern France. Founded by Louis IX as a port for Crusades, it retains extensive 13th‑century ramparts and towers. The surrounding Camargue region includes salt marshes and wetlands. Salt production and tourism are major economic activities. The town is known for its distinctive pink salt ponds.

8. Sancerre — 🍷⛰️🌿

Sancerre is a hilltop commune in the Cher department of central France. It is internationally known for its Sauvignon Blanc wines, produced within the Sancerre AOC. The town features medieval fortifications, narrow streets, and panoramic views of the Loire Valley. Viticulture is the dominant economic sector. Sancerre is a key destination on the Loire wine route.

9. Colmar — 🏘️🌸🚤

Colmar is a city in the Haut‑Rhin department of Alsace, noted for its well‑preserved old town, canals, and half‑timbered architecture. It is a major center of Alsatian wine production and lies on the Alsace Wine Route. The city contains several important museums, including the Unterlinden Museum. Tourism, commerce, and viticulture are central to its economy.

10. Gordes — 🪨🏡🌞

Gordes is a commune in the Vaucluse department of Provence, built on the slopes of the Monts de Vaucluse. It is known for its stone houses, Renaissance castle, and views over the Luberon Valley. The village is classified among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Gordes has a history of agriculture, particularly olives and lavender. Tourism is now the primary economic driver.

11. Honfleur — 🎨⚓🌧️

Honfleur is a commune in the Calvados department of Normandy, located at the mouth of the Seine estuary. It is known for its historic harbor, slate‑fronted houses, and association with Impressionist painters. The town includes several preserved medieval and early‑modern buildings. Maritime trade, tourism, and cultural heritage shape its economy. Honfleur is a major regional visitor destination.

12. Riquewihr — 🍇🏰🎄

Riquewihr is a commune in the Haut‑Rhin department of Alsace, situated between vineyards and forested hills. It is noted for its intact medieval fortifications and colorful half‑timbered houses. The village is part of the Alsace Wine Route and is classified among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Wine production and tourism dominate local activity. The town retains a strong Alsatian identity.

13. Yvoire — 🌼🏰🌊

Yvoire is a medieval village on the French shore of Lake Geneva, located in the Haute‑Savoie department. It is known for its preserved fortifications, stone houses, and extensive floral displays. The Château d’Yvoire overlooks the lake and forms the village’s historic center. Tourism is the main economic activity. Yvoire is classified among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France.

14. Étretat — ⛰️🌊🕊️

Étretat is a coastal commune in the Seine‑Maritime department of Normandy. It is famous for its chalk cliffs, natural arches, and pebble beaches. The town developed as a 19th‑century seaside resort and attracted numerous artists and writers. Tourism is the principal economic sector. The surrounding cliffs form part of a protected natural area.

#FranceTravel 🇫🇷✨ #SmallTowns 🏘️📜 #ScenicFrance 🗺️🌞 #BeachAndVineyard 🏖️🍇 #MedievalCharm 🏰🌿