Tourism In France: The 5 Favorite Villages Of The French For A Weekend Getaway
Likibu, the French vacation home rental comparison service, has analyzed the searches of Internet users on Google to establish a ranking of the most searched villages on the web. According to this ranking, here are the 5 favorite villages of the French to go on a weekend.
1- Rocamadour
With 9620 queries on Google, the medieval city of Rocamadour tops the list of favorite villages for French people to go away for the weekend.
A high place of pilgrimage, Rocamadour overlooks the Dordogne valley. It offers breathtaking views of this valley, as well as picturesque streets lined with stone houses.
This village in the Lot has a dozen religious buildings, including the magnificent Notre Dame chapel, and a superb castle perched atop a monumental staircase.
From the ramparts of the castle you will have a breathtaking view of the surroundings of Rocamadour.
During your discovery of the region, don't forget to taste the local cheese, a goat cheese that owes its name to the village.
2- Giverny
According to Likibu, the village of Giverny in Eure is the second favorite village of the French to go on a weekend trip, with 5740 requests on Google.
A must-see village for all lovers of impressionism, Giverny is also a popular destination in spring for a weekend getaway or more.
While there, you can of course visit Claude Monet's house and its famous gardens. There you will discover the famous water lilies that inspired the painter, as well as a Japanese Bridge decorated with wisteria.
Also take time to stroll through this flowery village to admire the half-timbered facades of the medieval houses, discover the art galleries and enjoy the restaurants.
With several bike routes offered along the Seine, this Normandy village is also a destination that appeals to bicycle touring enthusiasts only an hour from Paris.
3- Les Baux de Provence
With 3210 queries on the search engine, les Baux de Provence are the third favorite village of the French to go on a weekend trip.
This medieval village nestled in the heart of the Alpilles mountains is one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France for its architectural and cultural heritage.
The village of Les Baux de Provence is home to a superb castle-fortress, as well as the attraction Les Carrières des Lumières, which offers immersive exhibitions.
In a former quarry converted into a digital art center, masterpieces of painting are projected onto impressive limestone walls.
4- Gordes
Gordes, which recorded 2,660 queries on Google, rose to 4th place in the ranking of the French's favorite villages to go away for the weekend.
This village in the Luberon offers a breathtaking panorama of the Vaucluse Mountains and the surrounding area because it is perched in the heights.
Here you can visit a Renaissance-style castle, the 13th-century Saint-Firmin church and its square tower, as well as the unmissable Sénanque Abbey inhabited by Cistercian monks.
Don't hesitate to explore its narrow streets to admire the stone houses of the village, its local craft stores and its small typical Provencal squares.
5- Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port
Another commune ranked among the Most Beautiful Villages in France, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port comes to a beautiful close in this ranking of the 5 favorite villages of the French to go away for the weekend.
Located just a few kilometers from the Spanish border, Saint-Jean-Pied-de-Port is a must-see stop on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela!
This very touristy destination located less than an hour from Biarritz is also one of the most picturesque villages in the French Basque Country.
On site, you can visit its famous Vauban citadel and enjoy the region's unmissable culinary specialties such as ewe's milk cheese, Basque cake or Espelette chili chocolate.
