A total of 14 new villages have been shortlisted for the 2026 Village Préféré des Français (France’s Favourite Village) competition, with the public invited to vote for their chosen location before March 6.
The contest, which is organised by France Télévisions with the final ranking presented by Stéphane Bern, awarded the 2025 title to the village of Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye (Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes).
Now, 14 villages across France (including in the overseas territories) have been selected for the 2026 edition. The public vote opened on February 16, and will close on March 6. You can find out more and vote on the official France TV website here.
The Village Préféré des Français contest should not be confused with the separate Plus Beaux Villages de France (Most Beautiful Villages of France) independent association that currently counts 174 villages among its number, although there are often overlaps between the two.
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.
La Ferté-Vidame (Eure-et-Loire, 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.
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 château at Dampierre-en-YvelinesPack-Shot/Shutterstock
An exquisite 17th-century château 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.
Panoramic,View,Of,The,Village,Bormes-les-mimosas,In,Winter.,Mimosa,TreesCopyright (c) 2019 Marina VN/Shutterstock. No use without permission.
A famous medieval destination for mimosa walks, a 13th-century castle, and stunning views of the Mediterranean (and also one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France).
Marcolès (Cantal, Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes)
Dating back to the 12th century, Marcolès is one of the Plus Beaux Villages de France, and is popular for its historical streets, houses, and crafts.
Blangy-le-Château (Calvados, Normandy)
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.
Saint-Martin-de-Londres (Hérault, Occitanie)
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)
An attractive mix of thriving biodiversity and prehistoric treasures, with a riverside location near limestone caves that date back millennia.
