Tags
architecture, becoming madame, Dream Villages, France, french culture, history, Holidays, Life in Paris, Paris, Travel
I read a fantastic article in this week’s Figaro Magazine entitled “Nos Villages de Rêve” – Our Dream Villages.
The travel experts-that-be always advise us to be a tourist in your own city and own country, if you like travel, as well as being an international spectator. I have no problem putting this philosophy into practice in France, especially given that it is both my home and a fabulous new playground lying in wait for me to discover. My husband can be a little less enthusiastic at times. “You want to stay in France for this vacation? Why? Let’s go somewhere different, exotic, new?” My response is 
always the same: “France is different, exotic and new to me!” And there is sooo much to see and experience.
The article details seven of France’s most beautiful, historic and magnificently situated villages. Hidden treasures, I’d say, if a French magazine is reminding the French themselves! I have had the pleasure of visiting Brantôme – billed as the Venice of France – and it was exceptional. I am looking very forward to discovering the rest. They boast everything I love about
France in one quaint, picture-perfect package: Roman churches and splendid hill-top views, tiny cobblestone streets, ancient castles. Take a peek at the pictures.
The villages are Barfleur on the very northern tip of Normandy; Vézelay near Dijon; Brantôme, Rocamadour and Conques in central France; Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port in the Southwest; and Gordes in Provence.
Here’s hoping you have a chance to discover some of these on your next visit over this way!
Bonnes vacances! (We’re on vacation for 10 days as of today!)
How fun it must be to explore these dream villages. Wonderful.
I am with you, France would be a great place to discover. These villages seem like a great place to start.
I’d rather take all my vacations in France, too. It’s not that I don’t want to see other places, but I just love visiting France and there’s more than enough to explore there. Bonnes Vacances!
Thanks for scanning the article. I wouldn’t have called Rocamadour “hidden” though, I thought it was well established on the tourist trail. Likewise St. Jean Pied a Port, which is a jumping off point for the Camino Real. (I visited it from Bayonne, don’t miss Pau if you go.)
I suppose it is hidden to those of us who haven’t yet had the pleasure to visit!
My parents-in-law live in Pau. It’s definitely a must visit!
Enjoy your vacation! (And thanks again for the blog awards — you have one new follower thus far.) I love how those villages become a part of the land.
Oh, yay, I’ve been to all seven! Enjoy your vacation, wherever you go. Such a lovely site you have.
Thoroughly enjoyed the article, thanks for scanning it. Some of these seem big enough to go out of the “village”, but it might be just an impression. I was close to Barfleur, but, when you are for the first time in Normandy, it just doesn’t make it on the list.
I have been to Barfleur! A lovely place. In fact, at the moment I am totally in love with Normandy, especially since the weather has turned off terribly hot in Paris and I can hardly breath. (Remember very few French people have air conditioning). Anyway, Normandy is a dream. I’m hoping to jump up there for a weekend soon. So glad you enjoyed the article! Take care.