France’s most beautiful villages

Just 50 minutes from Camping les Hirondelles Sites & Paysages ****, Collonges-la-Rouge is the Correze village to discover! It is classified as one of France’s most beautiful villages. The village owes its name to the red sandstone that makes it so atypical. It’s everywhere, under the slate and lauze roofs of the 15th and 16th-century noble houses, the grain and wine market and Saint-Pierre church.

The village is attractive for its narrow medieval streets, Castels and fortified towers. It proudly displays the Maison de la Sirène and the Romanesque church with its tympanum. Also worth a visit: the covered market hall and its communal oven. Along the way, you’ll find the Chapelle des Pénitents Noirs and its contemporary art stained-glass windows dating from 2016.

A village with the “Plus Beaux Villages de France” label, it is home to the national headquarters of the association of the same name. An ideal place for hiking, it is also a secondary stop on the Rocamadour pilgrimage route to Santiago de Compostela.

Just 55 minutes from Les Hirondelles Campsite ****, discover a beautiful village in Corrèze: Curemonte! At the southernmost tip of the Corrèze region, this medieval village is listed as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”. Its origins lie in a Gallo-Roman settlement. The site, on its rocky ridge, holds a strategic and defensive position.

Today, with its magnificent covered market and 7 noble houses, this village is well worth a visit. Curemonte is nicknamed the village of 3 because it has 3 churches, 3 private castles and 3 fountains.

The first written mention of the village dates back to 860. It was in the 11th century that the village really took off. The village then belonged to the Viscounty of Turenne. Three historical events have left their mark on the village:

• The first Crusade, in 1096.
• The Hundred Years’ War.
• La Guerre des Biens Publics sous Louis XI, circa 1465.

As well as the architecture and the various treasures to be found in Curemonte, you can also enjoy the gastronomy. The speciality is the sweet, licorious aperitif made with dandelion flowers. And don’t miss the Corrèze AOC wines.

Just 45 minutes from the Camping Sites & Paysages Les Hirondelles ****, discover a beautiful village: La Roque-Gageac! Just 12 km from Sarlat, visit one of France’s most beautiful villages. France’s third most beautiful site, after Mont-Saint-Michel and Rocamadour.

Numerous narrow streets lead to the foot of the cliff, from where you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Dordogne. With its brown tiles, typical roofs and landscapes, take the opportunity to stroll through these pretty little streets. Take time to admire the 14th-century church with its typical bell tower and lauze roof. From the church courtyard, admire the exotic garden: palm trees, banana trees, fig trees, cacti and bamboo.

To discover the river village, you can take a trip aboard the “gabarres”. These traditional boats were used in the 19th century to transport goods.

Local producers’ market from May to September at the foot of the village every Friday.

Just 1h00 from Camping les Hirondelles Sites & Paysages ****, discover the village that was voted France’s favorite: Saint-Cirq-Lapopie! Clinging to a cliff 100 metres above the River Lot, Saint-Cirq Lapopie is one of the Lot Valley‘s major attractions.

Straight out of the Middle Ages, this partly listed village can only be discovered on foot. As if to let yourself be immersed in the beauty of its architecture. But also the elegance of its arcades, staircases and fortified gates.

The medieval town boasts 13 historic monuments. It has thus preserved all its heritage, but above all its charm. Voted France’s favorite village in 2012, you’ll find shops, restaurants and numerous cafés.

At the foot of the Lapopie rock, mills, dams, harbors, locks and towpaths evoke the glory days of a flourishing boating industry.

Saint-Cirq Lapopie cruises: embark on a magnificent cruise aboard authentic wooden barges.

Just 55 minutes from Les Hirondelles Sites & Paysages ****, discover the village of Loubressac in the Lot department! It’s one of the most harmonious villages in the Dordogne Valley! Overlooking three valleys (the Dordogne, the Cère and the Bave), it offers an exceptional panorama. The castles of Castelnau, Montal and the Towers of Saint-Laurent can all be admired from this vantage point.

The first mention of Loubressac dates back to the 9th century, in the cartulary of the Abbey of Beaulieu. The village was also occupied by the English during the Hundred Years’ War. During the Second World War, the village was the site of one of the most important parachute drops. It took place on the plateau on July 14, 1944. Around 500 containers enabled the distribution of 110 tons of weapons to the Maquis du Lot.

It has been classified as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France” since 1983. The village’s charm lies in its beautiful medieval houses of ochre stone and brown tiles. But you’ll also be seduced by its narrow streets with balconies, staircases and courtyards full of flowers. The church and castle are also not to be missed.

Just 55 minutes from Camping Sites & Paysages Les Hirondelles in Loupiac, Lot, discover the village of Autoire! Classed as one of the “most beautiful villages in France”, Autoire is nestled in a narrow valley with steep cliffs. Here you’ll discover an impressive 30-metre waterfall, the highest in the département.

Discover a pretty village set in a natural cirque! A haven of greenery close to the Causse de Gramat, the village exudes serenity. The village’s architectural character features sloping, dark-tiled roofs and beautiful blonde, half-timbered facades. You’ll also find numerous square dovecotes and turrets, manor houses and castles on your walking tour. Once a popular holiday resort for the notables of Saint-Céré, the village was nicknamed the “Little Versailles”.

Autoire boasts the highest waterfall in the département! This majestic 30-meter waterfall is protected as a listed site. A great hike for the whole family! Also worth a visit is the Château des Anglais, a medieval structure set against a limestone cliff. The castle is just two meters wide.

Just 20 minutes from Camping les Hirondelles in the Lot, discover Gourdon. Gourdon is the capital of the Bouriane region of Quercy, next to Périgord.

It’s impossible to evoke the past of the Pays de Gourdon without going back to prehistoric times (Cougnac caves). But it was the Middle Ages that marked the apogee of the region’s lordly and artisanal power. The town has retained its medieval character, with a fortified gateway, half-timbered houses and narrow streets winding up to the esplanade of the old castle…

During the medieval festivities, which take place every year at the beginning of August, you’ll discover the medieval city mixed with the clash of swords and the songs of the troubadours.

Today, the town, which became a sub-prefecture at the turn of the 19th century, is the third-largest in the Lot department and has been awarded the label “Plus beau détour de France” (Most beautiful detour in France). On Tuesday and Saturday mornings, discover the market and its specialities: truffles, foie gras, confits and duck breast, as well as honey, walnuts and goat’s cheese. And don’t forget Cahors wine.

Just 30 minutes from Camping Les Hirondelles ****, discover the pretty village of Martel. The town grew out of a convergence of roads that carried precious Atlantic salt and Aquitaine wine. By the early 12th century, the town had become a wealthy merchant city. At the same time, it became an important stage on the pilgrimage route to Rocamadour.

Martel, known as the “Town of 7 Towers”, enjoyed its heyday in the 19th century thanks to the truffle trade. Even today, you can take a ride on the “Truffadou”, the steam train that carried the truffles up the cliffside. An outstanding taste site, the town is the ideal place to taste walnuts and truffles. A Town of Art and History, the town is now a dynamic place, where shops and entertainment complement its remarkable heritage.

Sightseeing in Martel :

• Chemin de fer Touristique du Haut Quercy “Le Truffadou”.
• Reptiland: discover Europe’s finest collection of reptiles and France’s largest collection of venomous species. Snakes, turtles, lizards, crocodiles, tarantulas and scorpions are all on the menu.
• Walnut oil mill.

Camping Sites & Paysages Les Hirondelles in the Lot department is just 50 minutes from the village of Beynac et Cazenac. Listed as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, the village is set against the cliffs of the Dordogne.

On the agenda: historical and cultural heritage, and a listed château. Between the Dordogne river and the rock face, discover the stone lanes and houses of blond stone. A total immersion in the Middle Ages!

The magnificent Château de Beynac is sure to be a highlight of your visit! Easily identifiable, this 12th-century monument overlooks the village. The château has been a listed historic monument since 1944. It’s a famous location for film-makers. It has been used as a location for films such as Les Visiteurs and Joan of Arc.

As you make your way down to the village, you’re sure to find a lovely walk along the harbor. Come aboard Beynac’s “gabarres” and follow in the footsteps of the gabariers of yesteryear.

Just 40 minutes from Camping les Hirondelles ****, discover Turenne. The village is listed as one of France’s most beautiful villages. Located south of Brive in Corrèze, it bears the name of a powerful viscounty that ruled Limousin, Périgord and Quercy for ten centuries.

Situated on a premontory, the village has preserved many traces of its history: the César and Trésor towers, the remains of the castle, old mansions from the 15th to 17th centuries adorned with turrets or watchtowers. As well as simpler dwellings with slate or lauze roofs.

Turenne is also the center of several hiking trails, on the GR 46, as well as the GRP 480, which follows the Most Beautiful Villages. Take advantage of your visit to Corrèze to discover Collonges-la-Rouge, also classified as one of France’s most beautiful villages!

A must-see when visiting Turenne:

• Remains of the feudal castle.
• Narrow streets and old houses.
• Capuchin Chapel.
• Collégiale Notre Dame-St Pantaléon and its Baroque altarpiece

Just 50 minutes from Camping les Hirondelles **** in the Lot department, discover Carennac. Listed as one of the ” most beautiful villages in France”, the village stretches along the banks of the Dordogne. The site has been occupied since the Gallo-Roman period. But it was the Cluny abbey that made it famous by founding a priory here in 1407.

After a long period of prosperity, the monastic village was ravaged by the Hundred Years’ War. It was rebuilt at the end of the 15th century. It’s also worth noting that the village later embraced Renaissance art nouveau. The château des doyens was built along the north side of the church. This castle now houses the Pays d’Art et d’Histoire.

A must-see when visiting Carennac:

• Château des Doyens.
• The 11th-century Saint-Pierre church and its sculpted tympanum.
• The cloister is half-Romanesque and half-Gothic-flamboyant.
• The chapter house with its 15th-century tomb.

In the sky, a flight of turrets and tall chimneys reminds us of the elegance of a village classified as a “Pays d’Art et d’Histoire”.

Just 40 minutes from Camping les Hirondelles at Loupiac in the Lot department, discover Domme in the Dordogne and its renowned Bastide! Just 12 kilometers from Sarlat, discover one of the most beautiful villages in France. From the top of its rocky promontory, this bastide will take you back to the time of the Templars.

As you enter the village, the imposing Porte des Tours stands before you. These two half-towers flanking the entrance have a rich historical past. Indeed, they were used as guardrooms and also as prisons for 70 Templars, who were held there from 1307 to 1318.

On your own, on board the little train or on a guided tour, the streets of Domme have a lot to offer! Domme was erected as a bastide town in 1281 by Philip III the Bold for defensive purposes. Ramparts were also built, with 3 gates.

Once past the abbey church, you’ll discover an exceptional panorama of the Dordogne. You can admire the Château de Beynac, La Roque Gageac and the Château de Montfort.

The bastide has the particularity of having been built on a limestone rock containing the largest natural cave in the Périgord Noir.