When people dream about France, they usually picture Paris cafés, lavender fields in Provence, or glamorous days on the French Riviera. All lovely. All iconic. All very crowded.
But tucked between those famous stops are hundreds of small towns in France that most tourists barely notice. These are the places where church bells replace traffic noise, bakeries still feel like neighborhood secrets, and you can wander medieval streets without bumping into 40 selfie sticks before lunch.
If you love slow travel, old stone houses, scenic views, and towns that feel like they accidentally wandered out of a storybook, this list is for you. Let’s talk about underrated small towns in France tourists skip, but absolutely should not.
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Why You Should Care About Small Towns in France
Before we get into the list, a quick love letter to small towns in France.
Small towns are where France slows down. Meals take longer. Markets feel friendlier. Views appear around random corners. And you actually hear French being spoken instead of six different tour groups negotiating croissants.
They are also often cheaper, less crowded, and more connected to regional traditions. You do not just visit France in these towns. You experience it, usually with a pastry in hand.
Now let’s get to the good stuff.
Conques, Aveyron
A medieval gem hiding in plain sight
Conques is a tiny medieval village in southern France, best known for the Abbey of Sainte-Foy, a major stop on the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route. The village is a cluster of stone houses with red-tiled roofs, winding lanes, and flower-filled balconies, all tucked into a green valley.
What makes Conques special is how untouched it feels. Walk through its narrow streets and you will see half-timbered houses, quiet squares, and tiny artisan shops that still feel local. The abbey itself is a masterpiece of Romanesque architecture, famous for its sculpted tympanum and remarkable treasury.
Despite its beauty and history, Conques is often skipped in favor of larger southern towns. Which is great news for you.
Perfect for: medieval architecture lovers, slow wanderers, photography addicts.
Salers, Cantal
Volcanic landscapes and storybook streets
Salers sits in the Auvergne region, an area shaped by ancient volcanoes and largely ignored by international tourism. The town is built almost entirely from dark volcanic stone, which gives it a dramatic, fairytale feel.
It is officially classified among Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, and one look explains why. You get Renaissance-era buildings, cobbled streets, old ramparts, and views over green pastures where the famous Salers cattle graze.
Salers is also known for its namesake cheese, which is traditionally made only between spring and autumn when cows graze on fresh mountain grass. If you like your travel with a side of regional food culture, you will be very happy here.
Perfect for: mountain scenery fans, food-focused travelers, people who enjoy dramatic village backdrops.
Rochefort-en-Terre, Brittany
Stone houses, flowers, and Breton charm
Rochefort-en-Terre is a small town in Brittany that feels like it was designed specifically for long, aimless strolls. Stone houses line steep little streets. Window boxes overflow with flowers in warmer months. Tiny squares pop up just when your feet need a break.
The town has medieval roots, Renaissance architecture, and a long tradition of crafts and arts. Today it is filled with small galleries, local shops, and cozy cafés. It is also near the Gulf of Morbihan, which makes it a great inland base if you want to explore Brittany’s coast without staying directly in a busy seaside town.
Despite being one of the prettiest small towns in France, Rochefort-en-Terre is still overlooked by many international visitors.
Perfect for: Brittany lovers, art and craft fans, slow café people.
Eguisheim, Alsace
Circular streets and half-timbered dreams
Eguisheim is located near Colmar in Alsace, yet many travelers rush past it on their way to bigger towns. That is a mistake.
The village is built in concentric circles around a central square, with narrow streets lined by brightly painted half-timbered houses. Flower boxes explode with color in spring and summer, and vineyards wrap around the village like a green scarf.
Eguisheim is also in the heart of the Alsace Wine Route, which means excellent white wines, especially Riesling and Gewürztraminer, are never far away.
It is known within France, but compared to major Alsatian stops, Eguisheim remains refreshingly calm.
Perfect for: wine lovers, architecture enthusiasts, fans of charming village layouts.
Collonges-la-Rouge, Corrèze
The red village that stops you mid-sentence
Collonges-la-Rouge is famous for its deep red sandstone buildings, which glow warmly in the sunlight. The entire village looks different from almost anywhere else in France, which is part of its magic.
You will find noble houses, small towers, arched doorways, and quiet squares all built from this distinctive stone. The result is a village that feels both medieval and slightly unreal, like someone turned the saturation up on a postcard.
Collonges-la-Rouge played an important role in the creation of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France association, which was founded to protect rural heritage. It remains one of the best examples of why small towns in France deserve more attention.
Perfect for: unique architecture seekers, history fans, slow photographers.
Pérouges, Ain
A medieval town that time politely forgot
Pérouges is perched on a hill not far from Lyon, yet it feels worlds away from city life. The town is beautifully preserved, with stone houses, cobbled streets, and defensive walls that date back to the Middle Ages.
Walking through Pérouges feels like stepping onto a film set, except it is all real. The central square, Place du Tilleul, is a classic gathering spot lined with old buildings and outdoor tables. The town is also known for its galette de Pérouges, a sweet, buttery local specialty that tastes like vacation.
Many visitors pass through Lyon without realizing a medieval gem is sitting so close by.
Perfect for: medieval town lovers, history wanderers, pastry enthusiasts.
Châteauneuf-en-Auxois, Burgundy
A castle on a hill and views for days
Châteauneuf-en-Auxois rises above the Burgundy countryside like it is posing for a painting. At the top sits a well-preserved 12th-century castle. Below it, stone houses cascade down narrow streets, all overlooking green fields and distant forests.
The town is small, peaceful, and incredibly scenic. From the ramparts, you can see the Burgundy Canal and the rolling landscape that defines this region. It is the kind of place where you arrive for a quick stop and accidentally stay half a day.
Despite its postcard looks, Châteauneuf-en-Auxois is often skipped by travelers racing between Dijon and the wine villages.
Perfect for: castle fans, scenic viewpoint hunters, Burgundy explorers.
How to Add These Small Towns in France to Your Trip
One of the best things about visiting small towns in France is how flexible they are. You can:
- Add them as day trips from larger bases like Lyon, Toulouse, Bordeaux, or Dijon.
- Build a slow road trip around one region.
- Use them as peaceful overnight stops between major destinations.
Trains get you surprisingly close to many of these towns, but a car gives you the most freedom, especially if you want to explore surrounding countryside, vineyards, or smaller villages nearby.
Related Story: Cheapest Small Towns in Spain for Travelers – Big Charm, Tiny Prices
Final Thoughts on Exploring Small Towns in France
Big cities show you France’s greatest hits. Small towns in France show you its heart.
These underrated towns are where you linger longer than planned, eat lunch without checking the time, and realize you have not thought about your phone in an hour. They remind you that travel does not have to be loud or rushed to be unforgettable.
If you are planning a France trip and feel tempted to squeeze in “just one more major city,” consider swapping it for one of these small towns instead. Your feet, your photos, and your sanity may thank you.
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These all sound wonderful.
Great article, thanks for the tips. It is always good to know about lovely places to visit away from the crowds!
This is such a cool insiders guide, thank you!