Medieval town of Sévérac-le-Château
SEVERAC-LE-CHATEAU
Perched on rocky outcrops, clinging to cliffs, nestled amongst renowned vineyards… they all have a unique, special character. Discover our selection of the Most Beautiful Villages of France to explore during a visit or a stay in Occitanie. Scattered throughout the region, they offer unforgettable views and a true journey back in time.
Fancy some spectacular views? Head for the hilltop villages of Occitanie. Clinging to the rock, suspended above rivers, or standing sentinel over the vast landscapes, the Most Beautiful Hilltop Villages are sure to amaze you.
In the Gard, Lussan and La Roque-sur-Cèze stand proudly atop their rocky outcrops. In Aiguèze, the Ardèche river winds its way below, whilst Saint-Cirq-Lapopie majestically overlooks the Lot. In Bruniquel, the Aveyron Gorges provide a magnificent backdrop, whilst Curemonte, perched on its ridge, watches over the Dordogne valley.
Some villages seem to defy the laws of gravity. Rocamadour, clinging to its cliff, is an iconic pilgrimage site. Minerve, suspended above deep gorges, is as impressive as it is fascinating. And Cordes-sur-Ciel, sometimes shrouded in mist, gives the impression of floating above the clouds.
Here, every cobbled alleyway, every old house, every shaded square tells a story. If you’re passionate about heritage, you’ll be in your element: in Lavardens or Castelnou, the castle stands as the beating heart of the village.
These medieval villages are not merely beautiful. They interact with their surroundings and live in harmony with them. Puycelsi opens out onto the vast Grésigne oak forest, in the heart of the Gaillac region, whilst Olargues offers a unique panorama on vineyards and olive groves.
Situated on the banks of the famous Dordogne, Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne and Carennac offer opportunities for swimming or simply relaxing on their beaches, which provide a truly soothing spectacle! You can also board a traditional barge for a journey through the history of the Dordogne.
Water sports can be enjoyed on the Garonne, such as in Auvillar, where you can also have a picnic and stroll around the harbour.
The towpath to Saint-Cirq-Lapopie offers a scenic walk along the Lot. Enjoy the lakes and swimming spots near the villages of Camon in Ariège, and Lagrasse in the heart of the Corbières. Or admire the high waterfall in the Cirque d’Autoire, or the impressive Sautadet waterfalls at La Roque-sur-Cèze.
Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne-drone-Christophe-Bouthe-Agence-Vent-D-Autan
From the ‘town of a hundred rosebushes’ – a charming nickname given to the village of Camon in Ariège – to the ancient forest of Grésigne, home of the largest oak forest in the south of France and surrounding the villages of Castelnau-de-Montmiral and Puycelsi in the Tarn, our Most Beautiful Villages offer a unique and inspiring natural environment. Not far from Moissac, Lauzerte is the home of the « Pilgrim garden », offering an introductory trail based on the pilgrimage to Santiago de Compostela.
Flower shows, flower and plant markets, and festivals celebrating art and gardens are held at certain times of the year in the villages of Lussan, on the edge of Provence, or in Bruniquel in Quercy.
In Languedoc, the villages of Olargues and Minerve lie at the heart of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Natural Park, between the foothills of the Massif Central and valleys bathed in Mediterranean sunshine. Further east still, the Ardèche canyon ends at St Martin d’Ardèche, facing the medieval village of Aiguèze.
Puycelsi
Whether they are designated as “stopover villages” or marked by a landmark such as the Lartigue Bridge in Larressingle in the Gers, they provide a welcome respite.
In the Dordogne valley, the Rocamadour route includes a stop in Martel, the town of seven towers, and Collonges-la-Rouge.
The Puy-en-Velay route also passes through Saint-Cirq-Lapopie, Lauzerte and Auvillar, near Cahors and Moissac.
Rando Compostelle
Stop off at the medieval village of Lavardens to discover the Côtes de Gascogne region. In the heart of the Corbières vineyards, visit the wine merchants in the medieval town of Lagrasse. In the Tarn, Castelnau-de-Montmiral and Puycelsi offer you the chance to immerse yourself in the Gaillac vineyards. In Languedoc, you’ll be charmed by the wines of the Minervois, to which the village of Minerve has lent its name. At the easternmost tip of the region, the vineyards of the Côtes du Rhône stretch out at the foot of the village of Aiguèze, in Occitan Provence.
The Passa Païs greenway, a former railway line converted between Mazamet and Bédarieux, passes through Olargues, in the heart of the Haut-Languedoc Regional Nature Park.
In the Gers, the Armagnac greenway takes you to the small medieval town of Larressingle. Nestled between the cliffs and hills of the Causse du Quercy, the Lot Valley cycle route passes through Saint-Cirq-Lapopie before heading towards the Aveyron.
From central France to the Tarn-et-Garonne, the Vagabonde route includes stops at Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne and Rocamadour. As for the Vallée et Gorges de l’Aveyron cycle route, it takes you between Montauban and Cahors, with the village of Bruniquel among its highlights. If you cycle along the Canal des Deux Mers, an artistic and cultural stop awaits you in Auvillar.
Passa Païs greenway
Bruniquel
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