France’s Favourite Village 2026 announced tonight: how to watch
How and when to tune in to find out which of the 14 shortlisted villages received the most votes
Discover the winner of France's Favourite Village (le Village Préféré des Français) 2026 as voted by the publicMarina VN, CristiDumi, Oliverouge 3, Robert Harding Video/Shutterstock
The winner of France's Favourite Village (le Village Préféré des Français) will be announced tonight (July 8) during a programme presented by Stéphane Bern on France 3 at 21:10.
A total of 14 villages across France (including in the overseas territories) have been shortlisted for the 2026 edition of the competition. Members of the public were invited to choose their preferred location via an online vote that was open from February 16-March 6.
TheVillage Préféré des Françaiscontest should not be confused with the separate Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France) independent association that currently counts over 180 villages, although there are often overlaps between the two.
This year’s shortlist is:
Nolay (Côte-d’Or, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté)
The historic church and timber-framed houses of NolayTraveller70/Shutterstock
Another medieval gem, with a 14th-century market hall and an impressive Gothic church, and ideal location between cliffs and vineyards.
Locquirec (Finistère, Brittany)
Moored sailing boats rest in the sheltered harbour at Locquirec in FinistèreRobert Harding Video/Shutterstock
Located by the sea, with a marina, beaches, and pretty streets.
It is known for being the source of Locquirec stone (pierre de Locquirec) quarried from the cliff faces at several of the village's nearby coastal sites.
La Ferté-Vidame (Eure-et-Loir, Centre-Val-de-Loire)
La Ferté-Vidame’s arcaded town hallOliverouge 3/Shutterstock
A historical town with buildings from the 19th, 18th, and even 14th centuries, plus a baroque church, and forests and hiking trails across the Perche regional park.
Vescovato (Haute-Corse, Corsica)
The hilltop village of Vescovato in CorsicaRolf E. Staerk/Shutterstock
Cobbled streets and period buildings nestled in the Castagniccia hills offer expansive views of the sea.
Dambach-La-Ville (Bas-Rhin, Grand Est)
Traditional half-timbered houses in Dambach-la-VilleCristiDumi/Shutterstock
With some 2,300 residents, this wine-growing centre also benefits from the region’s beautiful and traditional half-timbered houses.
Cacao (French Guiana, Overseas Territories)
Visitors explore colourful Hmong handicraft stalls in CacaoWirestock Creators/Shutterstock
An Amazonian treasure, with a famous weekly market and a strong tradition of Hmong crafts.
Chaumont-en-Vexin (Oise, Hauts-de-France)
The historic Saint-Jean-Baptiste church in Chaumont-en-VexinTraveller70/Shutterstock
A heritage hotspot, with a former convent and Gothic church, and – more unusually – a more-than-200-year-old tree.
Dampierre-en-Yvelines (Yvelines, Île-de-France)
The classical chateau at Dampierre-en-YvelinesPack-Shot/Shutterstock
An exquisite 17th-century chateau with beautiful gardens that once played host to royalty is at the heart of this collection of charming hamlets.
La Flotte (Charente-Maritime, Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
Vivid shutters and summer flowers brighten a narrow lane on Île de RéIvonne Wierink/Shutterstock
One of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, this village on the Île de Ré stands out for its white houses and colourful shutters, marina, and market.
Bormes-les-Mimosas prides its floral displaysMarina VN/Shutterstock
A famous medieval destination for mimosa walks, a 13th-century chateau, and stunning views of the Mediterranean (and also one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France).
Dating back to the 12th Century, Marcolès is another of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, and is popular for its historical streets, houses, and crafts.
Blangy-le-Château (Calvados, Normandy)
Admire the traditional architecture in Blangy-le-ChâteauPack-Shot/Shutterstock
Nicknamed the ‘little Rome of Calvados’, this village has half-timbered buildings and a wheat mill that is thought to date back as far as 1150 or before - and is among the Plus Beaux Villages de France.
Saint-Martin-de-Londres (Hérault, Occitanie)
The ancient église Saint-Martin in Saint-Martin-de-Londresldgfr photos/Shutterstock
Narrow streets and medieval buildings collect around a historical clock tower (that was once used as a prison), and a picturesque central square.
Saulges (Mayenne, Pays de la Loire)
Saulge's town hall sits on a picturesque squareRefuse to hibernate - Mayenne Tourisme
An attractive mix of thriving biodiversity and prehistoric treasures, with a riverside location near limestone caves that date back millennia.
