12 most beautiful towns in the South of France (near Spain)

Even one of my most recent trips to France I was not aware of the existence of an association that brings together the so-called Most Beautiful Towns in France.

I knew that one of the attractions of trip through the Occitania region, and specifically in the area occupied by the ancient region of Midi-Pyrenees, was to discover the Great Places that announces its official advertising.

And preparing the trip, looking at photos of some of the places to visit, I realized that I was going to have the opportunity to discover several pretty towns.

And such was the attraction of these places, that I have already done several trips to the south of France, not only for the region of Occitania, but also for that of New Aquitaine, with the main objective of discovering more pretty towns.

The conclusion is that they have much more charm live than you can imagine through the photographs.

Most beautiful villages in France

La association Most beautiful villages in France was created in 1982 and currently brings together 168 towns of up to 96 French departments (provinces), which are characterized by their special monumental appeal and beauty.

To belong to this prestigious list, they must be very small towns (no more than 2.000 inhabitants) that have a minimum of two protected places or monuments.

If you look at the map of the most beautiful towns in France, you see that there is a special concentration in the interior region that is located north of Toulouse,

It is an area that is near Spain, occupied mainly by the departments of Aveyron, Tarn, Tarn and Garonne, Dordogne y Lot-et-Garonne, these last two where the natural region of Perigord.

As a prelude, I will tell you that it is an area of mid-mountain landscapes, green and leafy, that in a way take you to Galicia…but without coast.

12 prettiest towns in the South of France near Spain

Next I will recommend you 12 beautiful towns to visit in the south of France, which you can easily reach by car as they are located near Spain.

Some of these towns belong to the aforementioned network and others do not, but all those included in this list that we propose have great charm.

Belcastel, medieval castle and stone houses

The first surprise in my first trip through the south of France was Belcastel, postcard town Located in a valley on the banks of the Aveyron river.

Very small and secluded, with only 48 inhabitants, in Belcastel Scenes with great charm await you, all in an atmosphere marked by its stone houses.

Presided over by a castle whose first construction dates back to the 1480th century, you will cross a stone bridge that was built in XNUMX by the same architects of the Avignon bridge.

A 15th century church with its adjacent cemetery completes the scene.

The credit for the great current beauty of Belcastel goes to the French architect Fernand Pouillon, who in 1974 was captivated by the charm of Belcastel castle and decided to face its total reconstruction.

Currently the town is completely restored and many tourists take excursions to visit it.

• What to see in Belcastel

Conques, charming medieval town on the Camino de Santiago

If you want to have the feeling of being in the Middle Ages touring the the Camino de Santiago, you have an appointment at Conques.

The first panoramic views of Conques, which you have from a viewpoint that you access from the road that runs next to a river, already announce the charm of this town.

From that enclave you already discover the majestic figure of its great romanesque church, The Holy Faith Abbey.

Its towers will preside over any of the scenes of great beauty that you will enjoy during your stay. walk through Conques.

With only 90 inhabitants residing throughout the year, for Conques Every year about 3.000 pilgrims pass by on their route through the French Camino de Santiago, but it also receives about 500.000 visitors.

I can tell you that you will not get tired of walking through its narrow and steep streets, and if you are fond of photography, you will find many corners to capture its half-timbered houses.

Of course, a visit to its imposing Romanesque abbey will be an essential moment.

Its 22 meter high vault stands out and, above all, its spectacular portico tympanum depicting scenes from Paradise and Hell, which you will not get tired of seeing.

• What to see in Conques

Najac, stone houses and a castle

La route through the most beautiful towns in the south of France has another very pleasant surprise in store for you: Najac.

Can you imagine a town whose medieval stone houses They extend along a single street that leads you along the steep cliff of a hill to the remains of a castle?

This curious arrangement of Najac It takes you from the most modern area of ​​the town, from the 16th century, to the oldest, which is located at the foot of the aforementioned 13th century fortification.

At its feet you find a large church, a good example of the style southern gothic of France.

With only 750 inhabitants, you Najac visit It will be a long walk along said street from the large square at the entrance to the town until you reach the remains of the castle, from where you will have splendid panoramic views of the town.

• What to see in Najac

La Couvertoirade, the charm of a walled Templar village

On my second trip through this area I discovered one of the most wonderful towns I have ever seen.

It has become a cliché to say that you feel transported to the Middle Ages, but I assure you that in this case it is a total reality.

Located near the small town of Millau, now known for the impressive Millau Viaduct, which you cannot miss on a route through said region, The Couvertoirade is one of those known as templar towns.

Indeed, in the landscape environment of natural park of the Grandes Causses you find this little one walled town, a dependence on the nearby Saint Eulalia de Cernon, where the Templars settled in the 12th century.

It is surprising how it has been preserved in its current state, with all the stone houses and great architectural uniformity.

This town later passed into the hands of the order of the Gentlemen Hhospitalarians, now known as order of maltese, whose story you will have your best reflection in a trip to Malta.

With barely 25 inhabitants within the walled enclosure, in addition to walking through its narrow streets you can tour part of the wall built in the century.

You can also visit its church and the remains of its castle.

• What to see in La Couvertoirade

Santa Eulalia de Cernon, Romanesque church of the Templars

When you get closer to Saint Eulalia de CernonFrom afar you will see the small walled enclosure which was built in the 15th century to defend what was the main encomienda that the Templars settled in the 12th century in this region.

When you cross the gate of the wall you will already feel the medieval atmosphere,

You will go deeper into this environment when you visit the Romanesque church of the Templars, as well as the building with its patio that later served as the residence of the hospitable.

In visit with audio guide You will be able to learn about the history of these religious orders in this region of the South of France.

Cordes sur Ciel, beautiful medieval town on a hill

Other great surprises from my last trip to Occitania has been Ropes on Sky, a precious medieval village with a spectacular location on a hill.

Located in the department of Tarn, Ropes on Sky It was founded in the 13th century and had a great commercial boom after the War of the cathars.

I tell you that Ropes on Sky It is currently a very tourist town.

When you arrive to visit it you must go up from the 15th century lower neighborhood along a very steep street to the medieval enclosure defended by a double wall.

Once inside this walled enclosure, through its narrow streets you will be able to see numerous gothic houses, all with great charm as it preserves the medieval atmosphere of stone houses and half-timbered houses.

A prominent corner in Cordes Sur Ciel It is the old covered market, as well as certain palaces and its church.

• What to see in Cordes Sur Ciel

Lauzerte, medieval walled bastide

In another of the departments of the old Midi-Pyrenees, Tarn-et-Garonne, you can must visit Lauzerte, another of the pretty medieval towns in the Occitania region.

This bodegón, which surprises with a proposal of traditional dishes, is located in the heart of the Camino de Santiago French, is also located on a hill and has a walled enclosure.

Lauzerte It is distinguished from other towns in the area by its characteristic white stone houses.

Furthermore, it is a bastida, characteristic configuration of a town that extends around a large central square.

I tell you that in your walk through Lauzerte  You will find corners with great charm.

• What to see in Lauzarte

Montjoi, walled town from the 13th century

In the aforementioned department of Tarn-et-Garonne, I suggest a very small town located on a rocky hill, very little known, but which contains charming corners.

Is Montjoi, a place where it is worth stopping on a route between the aforementioned Lauzerte y Moissac, the latter place where you can see its wonderful Romanesque cloister.

Montjoi It dates back to the 13th century and currently maintains its walled configuration.

When you enter his front door of Gothic style you can walk through its two parallel streets, with cobblestone floors and stone houses.

I also advise you to go out and walk along the path that surrounds the wall.

• What to see in Montjoi
• What to see in Moissac

La Roque Gageac, pretty village in Perigord

In the department of Dordogne, very close to the small and beautiful medieval town of Sarlat, you will find La Roque-Gageac, considered one of the most beautiful towns in all of France.

Its appeal lies in its special location at the foot of a rocky gorge and on the banks of the Dordogne river.

The stone houses are arranged in a row in the small space between the river and the gorge.

Therefore, the best way to see a panoramic view of La Roque-Gageac It is sailing on one of the traditional barges that make excursions along the river.

• What to see in La Roque Gageac
• What to see in the medieval city of Sarlat

Medieval castle of Beynac, on the banks of the Dordogne river

Also near Sarlat is Beynac, a small town with stone houses on the banks of the same river in which the rocky promontory stands out on which a large medieval castle.

You should know that this area is known as the Valley of the Castles, because in a panoramic view you can see several fortifications, one of the most notable, the aforementioned Beynac castle from the thirteenth century.

Terrasson-Lavilledieu, stone houses and Imaginary Garden

Terrason It is another attractive town in the region of Perigord, whose historic center is located on a hill.

It is located around the church of Sant Sour, Gothic style, and on your walk through said center you can see beautiful corners of architecture with stone houses.

To highlight in Terrasson echoppes, traditional-style wooden facades that decorate the shops in the historic center.

And now outside its historic center you can visit the curious Imaginary Garden, a 6-hectare landscaped enclave inaugurated in 1996.

Collioure, the charm of a medieval coastal town

In this review of beautiful towns in France that are found near Spain can't miss Collidenear the city of Perpignan, on the Mediterranean coast near the Pyrenees.

It is a beautiful coastal town well known for being the place where the poet is buried Antonio Machado.

With a fortification that surrounds the port, it is a place with a long history, and already in more modern times, it was a place that inspired artists who followed the artistic trend of fauvism.

In short, a Mediterranean enclave whose narrow streets in the historic center show houses with very colorful facades that give great charm.

It is true that it is not close to the other places that appear in the article, but depending on your route and where you start from, it may be on your way, especially if you arrive from the Catalan coast by car.

• What to see in Collioure
• What to see in Perpignan

Map and route through the most beautiful villages in the South of France

You can do this route in either direction, and you can even vary it to include other visits.

But if you want to visit the places listed in this article, here is our recommendation to include the largest number of beautiful villages in the south of France.