![]() Splurge to dine at La Chèvre d’Or, with its Michelin-star restaurant and stunning Mediterranean views, or spend time popping into art galleries and craft shops to pick up souvenirs of your trip.Īt the foot of the hill, it’s possible to visit one of France’s largest perfumiers – Fragonard, who have a factory here. Wander the car-free cobbled streets of the village towards Èze Church or stroll to Moyenne Corniche for incredible views. Spend time discovering several species of cacti and exotic plants before venturing to the caves and cascades. The Exotic Garden of Èze is set on the site of an old fortress with panoramas stretching as far as Saint Tropez. Following this, the small village underwent turbulent times before being finally recognised as part of France in the mid-1800s.Ī popular first stop on arrival to Eze is the botanical gardens. One of the best medieval towns in southern France, Èze, sits resplendently on a hilltop along the French Riviera near Nice.ĭuring medieval times, around the late 1300s, Èze was ruled by the House of Savoy, a powerful royal dynasty from northwest Italy. ![]() Truffles and mushrooms of the chanterelle, porcini and morel varieties, chestnuts and strawberries all feature heavily in the town’s cuisine.įor more relaxing pursuits, spend a few hours in Les Jardins d’Eau, akin to the Gardens of Giverny, peppered with bridges, trees, and ponds filled with waterlilies or enjoy a canoe trip, gliding along the Dordogne River. This medieval town in France is also known for its gastronomy. Here, an elevator can transport you to the top of the church for fantastic views across Sarlat-La-Caneda. See the famous La Boetie Residence, bronze statues of the three geese (des trois oies) and browse the covered market at St Mary’s Church. ![]() Unmissable highlights of Sarlat include Place de la Liberté, Sarlat’s pretty main square, and Saint Sacerdos Cathedral, with its 9th-century belfry. Proud residents of this town value their Occitanie roots and some schools still teach students the ‘language of the d’oc’ to help preserve its heritage. Sarlat has a rich history, it was once protected by the Holy See of Rome, was part of England in the mid-1300s and played a key role in bringing supplies to soldiers during the Hundred Years War. One of the best preserved medieval towns in the region, it boasts over 75 iconic monuments and protected buildings to visit during your stay. Sarlat-La-Caneda is the glittering prize of Black Périgord in the Dordogne region of France. The limestone cave complex contains paintings and drawings of mammoths and horses dating back almost 30,000 years. The trail, which leads to Bouziès, sits alongside the river, and much of it is carved into the rockface, giving shelter from the elements as you walk.įollow up with a trip to Pech-Merle prehistoric caves less than 20 minutes’ drive away. ![]() Flat-bottomed boats were once towed along this path transporting tobacco, grains, wine and dried fish to larger cities. One highlight is to walk Le Chemin de Halage de Ganil (the towpath). Pop into L’église Saint-Cirq-et-Sainte-Juliette to admire beautiful stained-glass windows, visit Rignault Museum, a small 15th century building containing a collection of ancient statues, or opt to see Maison Andre Breton and learn of the poet’s works. As you begin your descent into the town, winding cobbled streets are lined with old stone houses hiding wine caves, charming boutiques, and restaurants. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie is entered from the highest point by the car park, where the remains of ancient fortresses still stand. The storybook town is surrounded by a lush emerald landscape with whimsical houses and a gothic church, set along a steep rugged cliff overlooking the Lot River. Once a major seat of the viscounties of Quercy, Saint-Cirq-Lapopie was on the original pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela in Spain. To visit these historic towns in France is to become part of their heritage, so get ready to pack your bags and enjoy this curated list of some famous, and a few lesser-known, French medieval towns. Step inside intricate churches, admire the craftsmanship of half-timber houses, sit in the gardens of grand châteaux, and sample wine from centuries-old vineyards. Photograph breathtaking landscapes and idyllic town squares, as you imagine life through the eyes of people who lived in times past. Wander along winding streets of medieval villages in France and take a deep dive into the history and mystery that lies within. During the Middle Ages, incredible feats of engineering, art and architecture, religious movements, and economies took shape, and all of this can be explored as you begin to discover the incredible medieval towns in France. From Normandy to Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Provence to the Grand Est each of France’s regions has its own unique story to tell.
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