The 16 most beautiful villages in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes

Discover the most beautiful villages in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes and experience a varied holiday at the rhythm of history, art and culture.

The region offers everything: landscapes of high-montagnes, cultural cities, rivers scintillating the plains, volcanic craters. Then, add to this wide palette already evocative of wonders, the charming villages of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes.

Discover our 16 favourite villages: promises of time travel, authentic flavours and enchanting heritage discoveries.

1. Peru

The medieval city of Peruges is inimitable with its round pebbles and fortifications that testify to its rich history. The charm of the old paved streets of Peruges immediately suspends time. It must be said that the fairytale decor is well maintained and served as a backdrop to several films.

The best thing is to get lost in this middle-aged maze and discover its remains by surprise. Then finally, to sit in the heart of the village to taste the famous cake with local sugar.

2. Balazuc

This village rises above an ardéchoise loop that draws a dazzling circus. Perched on its cliff, Balazuc proudly bears traces of its rich medieval past. The stacked ramps finally lead to the castle walls.

This village of character also enjoys itself on the terrace of a café or in the clusters with medieval ornaments. The Romanesque church of the 12th century is a lively place, from which an incredible panorama is admired.

3. Charroux

This ancient fortified city is one of the most beautiful villages in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes and it is not surprising. This former major crossroads of the Middle Ages are inspired by its carved stone facades, wood-paned houses and “Cour des Dames”.

Although trapped behind its fortified doors, Charroux is greatly animated. Over four-cent meters above sea level, the view of the Puys chain and the Limagne plain is breathtaking.

4. Vogüé

This town of character is part of the essential villages to visit in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes. Vogüé turns the back on a cliff and borders the river Ardèche .

Only when we arrive, the show is grand. This medieval village, with shimmering colors and styled with round tiles roofs, invites to the stroller. Let yourself be seduced by its castle, towers and rue des Puces: the narrowest street in France. So much to say that the parenthesis is total and idyllic.

5. Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise

The painting is splendid: an imposing Gothic church dominates the entire village. At sunset, the view of this martial-style collegial is breathtaking. The atypical architecture of Saint-Symphorien-sur-Coise, its medieval fortifications, its private buildings with typical decoration, earned it a label.

Lose yourself also with pleasure in the streets and let yourself be surprised, suddenly, by the shaded houses and Art Nouveau-style buildings.

6. Tournemire

This small town of Cantal belongs to Auvergne Volcano Regional Park . Here, chlorophyll flows in every direction. The village is completely bathed in nature.

Of course, Tournemire has other assets such as its medieval fortress that still murmurs the stories of the great battles. The village stretches along a main street, lined with squares. The beautiful houses sleep under alfal roofs and relate to small gardens and gardens suspended.

7. Yvoire

Yvoire, nicknamed "La Perle Du Lac", is a medieval village overlooking Lake Geneva. His nickname has nothing of usurpation. The medieval village enjoys an exceptional location, a Remarkable Garden and fortifications erected in a unique setting.

Its castle, an unshakeable symbol, watches over the houses stacked with beautiful wooden balconies. This village to visit in Auvergne-Rhône Alpes offers a romantic atmosphere thanks to its flowery alleys. Imagine all this, dancing in a crystalline mountain lake...

8. Arlempdes

At each turn, Arlempdes takes out the big game and offers a real show. Woven at the top of a rocky piton and surrounded by the Loire, this small village is remarked by its castle and its eras.

If it is one of the most beautiful villages in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, it is also for its intimate setting and views of the volcanic summits. A place that appeals to nature lovers as well as to history mordus.

9. Montbrun-Les-Bains

This village to visit in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes offers stunning landscapes between lavender fields and poppies. Its country setting is ideal to relax, almost at the gates of the charms of Provence.

Montbrun-les-Bains offers a wide range of outdoor activities and renowned thermal resorts. Its houses, its church, its fountains, flourish at the foot of an ancient medieval castle. All, perched on a sweet hill.

10. Bonneval-sur-Arc

This small village to visit in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes is the highest in the Maurienne valley. Loved in Vanoise Park, it immediately plunges you into tranquility. It also offers fabulous views and a multitude of outdoor activities.

The authenticity of its architecture will leave you an indelible memory. It is indeed impossible to resist the charm of stone houses, surmounted by lauze roofs, where the typical chimneys blow.

11. Lavaudieu

Lavaudieu is a wonderful witness to her past, especially religious. This patrimony is distinguished by its Benedictine abbey erected in the Middle Ages and its Roman cloister toizing time. At the edge of the Senouire River, this haven of peace offers spectacular paintings. Especially when one falls on his vineyard houses in golden stones and styled with round tiles.

On your passage you will also find many craft workshops, precious know-how guards.

12. Oingt

Among the most beautiful villages in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, Oingt is a medieval village perched on a hill overlooking the valley of Azergues. From its fierce fortress, there is only one door in which one always enters the city.

However, from the first steps in the village, time seems suspended. Historical monuments and ochre stone houses put their eyes full. Here, the culture of the vineyard is omnipresent: after all, we are in the Beaujolais.

13. Lavoûte-sur-Loire

The sumptuous castle of Lavoûte-Polignac overlooks the Loire and leaves the ground in a sparkling greenery. It is also the second castle on the Loire, whose successive changes have made fame.

Cross the beautiful Renaissance garden, full of buoys and roses and visit the sumptuous pieces. Around the village, the valley is rich in varied landscapes. The Auvergne alluvions and former volcanoes gave birth to the iconic sucs.

14. Salers

Salers is one of the most beautiful villages in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes but also one of the richest historically speaking. He was able to keep his walls and special Renaissance hotels, all grouped on a rocky promontory.

All around the Grand Place, the houses of the lava bear witness to the vestiges of ancient times. They are decorated with turrets, anthracite conical roofs and ornamented doors. After a traditional tasting truffade or pounti with plums, taste the famous squares of Salers.

15. Le Poët Laval

Poët Laval, perched on its hill and deployed from its massive medieval ensemble, has a unique cachet. Swipe its paved alleys and let yourself be guided to the castle. Poët Laval has also developed great craftsmanship and a typical aesthetic sense, as well as the Raymond-du-Puy art centre.

16. Oh, God.

This beautiful village, among the most beautiful to visit in Auvergne Rhône-Alpes, shines with its superb church and its maze of alleys. Godlefit is a small paradise that lives at the rhythm of Provençal influences and its pottery art. To the heights, the herds quietly buzz in pastures and offer unique and spicy cheeses.

So, when are you going to discover the sublime villages of Auvergne Rhône-Alpes?