14.46 - Les Plus Beaux Villages de France
In this FREE le Bulletin we're meeting a new MyFrenchLife Magazine Contributor as we immerse ourselves in a new series: the most beautiful villages in France. Also we enjoy meeting an artist & a poet.
Bonjour friends… I’m thrilled that you’re here again this week - bienvenue !
What’s happening in MyFrenchLife Magazine - new articles.
Next, scroll down to the introduction of a new Contributor and the launch of a new 4-part series: ‘Les Plus Beaux Villages de France’
If you enjoy this edition, please note that every week there is another entirely different version of le bulletin exclusively for paying subscribers, and today that version is ‘14.46.a - Always wanted to see Paris differently? Five ways to mix it up’ and you have access to a free preview :) Look for it in your inbox (or here) where you can access a trial, a preview, or an upgrade to enjoy it fully!
Judy - 23.11.’24
1. Let’s explore & read the new articles in My FrenchLife Magazine
Did you know there are >3000 articles in MyFrenchLife Magazine, where savvy francophiles love to immerse themselves and indulge?
Thank you to all Contributors to our magazine. I love that your articles take us from one end of France to another and constantly remind us of the rich culture of this wonderful and diverse country.
Merci.
Judy.
Here are the most recently published articles:
Arts and Culture:
→Interview: Michael Francis Cartwright, All materials are equal—Materially Speaking with Sarah Monk←Podcast and article…
After what he describes as a ‘very free’ art education, Australian-born Michael Cartwright first came to Carrara in Italy 35 years ago with his wife Shona Nunan. They now live and work, in Correns in Provence, France where they have the Nunan & Cartwright Studios and display their work in St Tropez and nearby.
Arts and Culture:
→Simplicity: Black and White Flower Stamens← by Monique Eurich←
On Simplicity
A Haiku/Haïku in 2 versions: English/French anglais/français
As part of the Poem-a-Day Project [Y2: 87/366] Poème-par-Jour Projet [A2: 87/366] by Monique.
↓ CLICK IMAGE & read all the new articles on MyFrenchLife Magazine ↓
2. Introducing Betty Carlson: New Contributor to MyFrenchLife Magazine - bienvenue Betty, welcome to the team, it’s wonderful to have you on board.
Betty introduces herself as follows:
I've lived in France for over 30 years, mainly in the Occitanie region. I love getting off the beaten track and sharing my ongoing explorations. “
You can find me on Substack: France in Between | Betty Carlson | Substack - https://franceinbetween.substack.com/
I’m delighted to announce the launch of this 4-part mini-series, in which new Contributor Betty Carlson will guide you through the three villages most recently named among the official “most beautiful villages in France”.
But first, let’s find out more about this prestigious label.
→Les Plus Beaux Villages de France: What’s behind the precious title
—Part 1/4 by Betty Carlson←
France is brimming with beautiful villages — but some are more beautiful than others. At least that’s the principle behind the trademarked label “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France”, or LPBVF for short.
If you’ve explored the French countryside, you have likely encountered villages proudly bearing this credential. But how many are there? Where does the label come from? And what do you need to know about visiting these popular sites?
LPBVF by the numbers:
Currently, there are 181 Plus Beaux Villages de France
Nearly half (47%) are located in just 2 regions: Occitanie and Nouvelle-Aquitaine
5 regions have fewer than 5 LPBVF each: Hauts-de-France, Ile-de-France, Pays de la Loire, Corsica, and, rather surprisingly, Brittany
Only 1 LPBVF can be found in an overseas department: Hell-Bourg in La Réunion
With 51 labeled villages, you can enjoy the most LPBVF by far in the Occitanie region
Aveyron boasts 11 LPBVF, making it the label’s top département, followed by Dordogne with 10
A bit of history
It all started with a book published by the French Readers’ Digest, titled – you guessed it – Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. In 1982, inspired by the concept, the mayor of decidedly beautiful Collonges-la-Rouge reached out to the other villages’ powers-that-be, convincing them to join forces in promoting these scenic sites.
Membership eligibility was later expanded to include villages not presented in the volume.
The selection process
By now, you may be imagining anonymous village inspectors roaming around France like Michelin Guide reviewers, on the look-out for lucky villages that receive the delightful news that they can hang up a few Plus Beaux Villages de France signs.
Ce n’est pas si simple ! Becoming a plus beau village is a long and arduous process—one of the newly named villages I’ll be taking you to first applied in 1998!
To even be considered, there are 3 deal-breakers:
a maximum population of 2,000
2 or more officially recognized historical monuments
proof of strong town council support for the project
The candidates are then evaluated on-site based on 32 criteria. Twice a year, members of the LPBVF network and experts vote, and three possible “verdicts” are decided by a 2/3 majority:
The label is awarded
The label is refused
The label is taken away (for villages under review)
Once chosen, a village can expect a huge uptick in visitors, as well as an economic boost. For example, Polignac (Haute-Loire), no longer had a single restaurant in 2010, but since winning the label in 2021, 2 restaurants have set up and are doing brisk business.
Tips about visiting
Working a selection of France’s most beautiful villages into your next trip itinerary can be a brilliant idea. While every village is different, here are some general points to keep in mind.
The vast majority are not served by public transportation, so travelling by car or by bicycle is your best bet.
All of the villages see a big influx of tourists during the high season. For a peaceful experience, consider an early morning or late evening visit.
Or why not lean into liveliness by participating in the villages’ myriad summer activities: soirées musicales, street art festivals, and evening food markets, just to name a few. Consult Office de Tourisme websites to find out what’s happening.
An official guidebook to the villages exists, last updated in 2022 with 164 entries.
Keep in mind that restaurants, shops, and attractions may be closed off-season. In fact, the smallest villages can be dead as a doornail during the winter months – but there’s a certain charm to wandering through them all alone.
I’m so looking forward to introducing you to France’s newest plus beaux villages!
In the meantime, have you ever visited an official “Plus Beau Village de France”? Do you have a favorite?
Thank you, Betty, we’re all looking forward to your next three articles! Judy
Read the article in MyFrenchlife Magazine ←
3. “Thank you for subscribing to ‘le Bulletin’ newsletter” Judy MacMahon
I hope to see you here again soon
Judy MacMahon
Fondatrice
MyFrenchLife.org
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Betty will be writing about three new entries. Anyone interesting in trying to guess which villages they’ll be??? ;)
Driving north from Bordeaux and having ticked off the necessary vineyard and wine villages we were getting anxious as we needed a place to say. I consulted the Atlas and found a good green lined lane off to the right and several miles later was greeted by a groan of angst from the coDriver oh no this is one of Les plus beaux villages….
Why so horrified I asked “it will cost twice as much to stay here.
Well it did as I dedicated a bit of extra funds to a hotel with a swimming pool and a meal next to the pool after the swim.
Bliss.