3 Traditional French Towns to visit this year

It’s difficult to find anywhere that hasn’t been touched by tourism these days. Even in the remotest of places, tourism has still taken away some of the charm of the place. Finding somewhere truly authentic and traditional is a struggle, but it’s not impossible. If you’re looking for a quaint village getaway, France is one of the best places for it. There are still plenty of old villages that still retain their traditional charm, and below  are some of the best.

Traditional French Towns

Villefranche

Villefranche is a great little fishing village on the coast of France that has plenty to offer all year round. In the summer you can spend some time on the beautiful beaches, or have a cocktail in one of the great bars. There are also brilliant cafes and restaurants where you can enjoy traditional French cuisine, and some of the best wine in the country. The town is home to a local produce market that’s been going for years. You can shop for items such as seafood caught fresh by the locals.

While you’re there, you can stay in the luxury Villefranche Sur Mer apartments, complete with their own pool and balcony area, and you’re only a short walk from the beach and surrounding town. The other amazing thing about Villefranche is the location. You are only half an hour drive away from Italy, so if you fancy it you can always take a day trip over there. On the way you’ll pass through Monaco which is always worth visiting.

Saint-Cirq-Lapopie

Villefranche is a great place to go if you’re looking for a relaxing stay on the beach, but if you’re more interested in the history of the place, somewhere like Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is the destination for you. This beautiful medieval town has barely changed in the last couple of hundred years because a lot of the buildings are listed, 13 to be precise. If you follow the winding cobbled streets, you’ll find rich historical heritage around every corner. Follow them all the way to the top and you’ll find yourself at the ruins of an old 13th century fort. This incredible historical town has been home to painters and poets over the years, and it’s easy to see why.

Veules-Les-Roses

If you’re looking for history, look no further than Veules-Les-Roses. It’s one of the oldest inhabited towns in the entire country, people have been living there since as early as the 4th century. The quaint town, set on the coast of the river Veules, is littered with lots of tiny thatched cottages and old watermills. If you’re a seafood fan, you’re in for a treat in Veules-Les-Roses; the village is famous for the oysters that are found on the small beach under the cliffs, which you’ll find for sale in restaurants and shops around the town.

So many of the beautiful places around the world have been taken over by tourists, and all of the traditional charms have been replaced with tourist attractions, which is great if you’re going with the kids but sometimes you want something more authentic. But that doesn’t mean you can’t find authenticity anywhere, these French villages are still the same as they have always been.

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