Think “beautiful French villages” and you may imagine they are only found deep in the country’s rural hinterland – but do you know La Roche-Guyon, which is around 90 minutes from central Paris?
The cliff-surrounded village is an official ‘plus beau village de France’, in that it has been named as such by the official Association des Plus Beaux Villages de France (not to be confused with France’s Favourite Village).
The association names two such villages a year. To win the accolade, villages must have fewer than 2,000 residents, and be home to at least two protected or historical sites.
Inclusion on the list can be a boon for tourism, and bring recognition to the local authorities for their efforts in restoring and maintaining common spaces, gardens, and protected sites.
La Roche-Guyon is the only plus beau village in the Paris region (Ile-de-France), making it of particular interest for capital city dwellers looking for a dose of natural beauty.
The village is located some 90 minutes’ drive from ParisGoogle Maps / Canva
Tucked on the border between Ile-de-France and Normandy in Val d’Oise, the commune is in the Parc Naturel Régional du Vexin Français. It offers expansive views over the Seine Valley, and is close to the popular tourist towns of Vétheuil, Villarceaux, and Giverny.
Its most striking monument is the medieval chateau and keep, which were built into the limestone cliffs more than 1,000 years ago. The chateau was rebuilt and enlarged in the 18th century. The grounds also have a fruit and vegetable botanical garden, which was created in 1741 both for decorative purposes and to provide food to the residents.
There is also a 12-hectare arboretum managed by the Office national des forêts, which is open to the public, and particularly stunning in autumn.
The commune’s beauty has long been appreciated by painters and artists, and was visited by Pissarro, Luce, Renoir, Jouanny, Monet and Braque, in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today, visitors can climb the keep, if able to scale the 250 steep steps, and admire the sweeping views.
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Most beautiful: A strict list
There are now 184 ‘plus beaux villages’ in total, and the region of Occitanie has the most villages on the list.
To be awarded the Plus Beaux Villages de France label, villages must themselves apply to the association. They must then pass three selection stages.
Only 25% of villages that apply reach the final stages. These villages must be approved by at least two-thirds of voting members to be admitted to the scheme.
The label is also not awarded forever. Each village given the accolade is revisited every six to nine years to check that it still deserves the title.
