Famous for its unbelievable delicacies, architectural wealth, and, after all, that untranslatable joie de vivre, France needs to be on the bucket listing of each tradition buff.
However, between the surging crowds and the eye-watering costs, we would perceive if you happen to’ve not been eager on visiting.
As a lot as vacationers like to flock to the one spot, it does not essentially should be a bustling Paris, an overpriced Nice, and even the jam-packed pastel cities of Provence if it is an immersion in French tradition you search––in reality, that is the place you are much less more likely to discover it.
Recently voted probably the most lovely cities in France, Villeneuve is a medieval gem that is been efficiently stored hidden from the crowds, but it surely will not be for lengthy.
Villeneuve-d’Aveyron Is One Of France’s Most Beautiful Towns!
A small village in France’s southernmost area of Occitanie, with below 2,000 residents, Villeneuve-d’Aveyron has formally been inscribed into the listing of ‘Most Beautiful Villages in France‘, or within the authentic, Les plus beaux villages de France.
If you are conversant in Mexico’s nationwide ‘Magical Town‘ distinction or Britain’s ‘Areas of Outstanding Beauty’, that is successfully the French equal to these awarding historic settlements within the nation which have made important efforts to protect their architectural ensemble.
Villeneuve is a superbly preserved instance of a medieval countryside city nestled within the Occitan hinterland. Its labyrinthine streets are flanked by Bastide-era stone homes, all resulting in picturesque courtyards, storied taverns, or that towering central church.
Though it is a current nomination on the ‘Most Beautiful Villages’ affiliation’s half, Villeneuve had really first utilized for the label way back to 1998––yep, this has been a complete 26 years within the making, however as they are saying, sooner fairly than later.
As the 176-town-strong welcomes Villeneuve into the household–that features tourist-packed villages like Gordes and Les Baux-de-Provence—it is time we discover out what makes this once-overlooked city so particular.
Why Is Villeneuve So Special?
Villeneuve is known for its Place des Conques, a postcard-perfect sq. bordered by arcades and vaulted passageways.
It’s additionally guarded by a sequence of medieval gates, two of probably the most ornate being the Great Door and Cardalhac Door.
The city’s principal attraction, nevertheless, is undoubtedly its Church of the Holy Sepulcher––to not be confused with the one in Jerusalem––constructed within the Romanesque-Gothic model, and maintained precisely because it was when it was constructed within the yr 1073 AD.
As you’ll be able to see, Villeneuve could also be tiny, but it surely suffers from no scarcity of historic landmarks, with a monumental Soubirane Tower, providing breathtaking views of the village under, and a beautifully-frescoed, Eleventh-century church of Toulongergues being two different examples.
In sum, it is storybook materials, and someplace, the passing of time has primarily come to a halt.
True French Culture
Unlike different bigger settlements in France, Villeneuve-d’Aveyron has remained staunchly French in character, and it is the closest you will get to experiencing ‘Old World’ France previous to the results of globalization.
Locals are very a lot happy with their historic heritage, a lot in order that, in summer season, they maintain a ‘medieval competition‘ each Sunday to have a good time their centuries-old traditions, and good luck looking for your typical Chinese, Indian, or Turkish takeout:
French delicacies reigns supreme, and if you happen to’re on the lookout for a not-so-expensive, but distinctive place to eat, be sure you swing by Les Arcades, housed within the arcaded galleries of Place des Conques––from soup à l’oignon to andouillette sausages, your French faves are all right here in a single place.
And one of the best half is, there aren’t any tour teams round, pesky Instagrammers, nor obnoxious vacationers!
How To Get To Villeneuve
Villeneuve has preserved its appeal, whereas a lot of France fell sufferer to the spoils of the trendy world, due to its remoteness and longer distance from bigger city facilities the place multiculturalism is the prevailing order.
The closest main commune to Villeneuve-d’Aveyron is Montauban, roughly an hour away driving, whereas Toulouse is 1h47.
By far, the simplest, and most handy technique to attain this Most Beautiful Village of France is driving, but when you do not have a automobile at your disposal, you’ll be able to take a nonstop practice from Paris (Gare d’Austerlitz), or Bordeaux to Montauban, priced $58 – $80.
From there, you’ll be able to board native inter-municipal buses or regional trains that can get you nearer to Villeneuve, as seen on the official map, however in all honesty, renting a automobile is finest for each optimizing time, and making the journey as nice as may be.
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This article initially appeared on TravelOffPath.com
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