French villages Gordes and Balazuc recognized for heritage and beauty

Several French villages recognized for their exceptional beauty and heritage offer distinct experiences for visitors. Gordes, located in the Luberon region at an altitude of nearly 300 meters, was named the most beautiful village in the world by Travel + Leisure in 2024. To avoid summer crowds, mid-September is noted as an ideal time to visit, offering milder temperatures and a more tranquil atmosphere to explore its stone houses and the nearby 12th-century Cistercian abbey, Notre-Dame de Sénanque.

In the Ardèche region, the village of Balazuc is highlighted as a lesser-known destination that holds both the ‘Plus Beaux Villages de France’ and ‘Village de Caractère’ distinctions. Perched on a cliff overlooking the Ardèche river, the village features medieval architecture, including cobblestone alleys, a castle, and a fortified Romanesque church containing contemporary stained glass by Jacques Yankel. The area also hosts the Muséum de l’Ardèche, which displays a collection of fossils.