There are about 32,000 villages in France and just 157 of them are awarded the accolade of being one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France. Along or just inland from the French Atlantic coast there are eleven such villages, all of them worth a visit.

Here is our list of those beautiful villages.

ARS-EN-RE on Ile-de-Ré, Charente-Maritime

On the northwest coast of the island, this pretty port village with its winding streets is quintessentially l’Ile de Ré. The houses are in the traditional style of white with green shutters and framed by hollyhocks, the prettiness a contrast to the surrounding saltpans that have been worked for the past 800 years. The town is famous for Saint-Étienne church, whose black and white painted bell tower is a beacon for passing ships. During the summer, you can climb to the top of the church for a view of the surrounding forest and oyster beds. If you can, try to be there for La fête de la Sardine et du Port which takes place of the July 5 and celebrates the village’s history.

LA FLOTTE-EN- RÉ on the Ile-de-Ré, Charente-Maritime

The hub of activity in this lovely village on the north coast of the island is around the port, which is filled with small sailing and fishing vessels — it’s a great place to have a drink and watch the world go by. La Flotte not only boasts the pretty homes and gardens of l’Ile de Ré villages, it’s also the site of two impressive fortifications. Fort de la Prée, built in 1626, is the oldest fortification on the island and played a major role in the battle against the English. L’Abbaye des Chateliers was built by Cistercian monks in the 12th century. Pillaged and set on fire in the past, today it’s been restored and is an atmospheric sight. Great for children are the guided tours and treasure hunts that allow them to explore the village and the seashore. Sign up at La Maison du Platin. Tourist office: Quai de Sénac.

MORNAC-SUR-SEUDRE, near Royan in the Charente-Maritime

Once a commercial fishing port, today like much of this part of France  oysters and salt are the economic mainstays, along with tourism. As pretty as Ars and Flotte with similar village style, it also has some fine Romanesque architecture, especially the church of Saint Pierre. The nearby salt marsh is a great place for a ramble, not just for the views of oyster farms and wilderness but also the wildlife. Tourist office: 46 Place du Port.

COULON, near Niort, Deux-Sèvres

Please note this is no longer officially one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France — it removed itself from the category in 2008 — but visitors will beg to differ! Situated in the Marais Poitevin, the watery landscape of slow moving rivers, meadows, fens and fields, Coulon in the Deux-Sèvres is considered the capital of the Venise Verte (Green Venice). Here you can see the typical marshlander houses with their whitewashed walls and brightly coloured shutters as well as the more elegant Renaissance architecture in white stone. The Maison du Marais Poitevin by the river was once where river taxes were collected. Today it’s a museum where you can learn about the history and life of this atmospheric area. From Coulon you can hire punts and spend a few hours exploring the area. Or take the miniature train. Tourist office: 31, rue Gabriel Auchier.

ANGLES-SUR-L’ANGLIN, east of Poitiers, Vienne

This village is dominated by the ruins of Chateau Guichard high up on a hill; wander the narrow winding streets and take in the architecture that dates back to medieval times. You can visit the chateau and see the remainders of two towers, the donjon and two chapels. The village is also known for its fine embroidery – see the tourist office for details of where you can see the craft in action. Recently opened in the Roc Aux Sociers or ‘Witches Rock’, replicas of prehistoric carvings that date from 14 000 years ago that were found here in the 1950s but are closed to the public to preserve them. Tourist office: La Place.

VOUVANT, Vendée

This village about a hundred kilometres east of Les Sables d’Olonne and 55 km northwest of Niort, between the Marais Poitevin and Puy-de-Fou, is situated in a bend of the River Mère, and has a magnificent 11th century AD Romanesque church. But this pretty village is perhaps best-known for the legend that its 13th century château – of which the watchtower is all that remains – was built by the fairy Melusine who erected it in a single night with the aid of ‘a few apron pocketfuls of stones and a gulp of water’. It is still known as the ‘Tour Mélusine’. Tourist office: 31, rue du Duc d’Aquitaine.

NAVARRENX, near Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques

This village 30km west of Pau was formally decreed one of France’s most beautiful villages in October 2014. This is one of the oldest settlements in the historic Béarn region and an important stop on the pilgrims’ trail from across Europe to Santiago de Compostela in nearby Spain. In the mid-16th century this medieval bastide or fortified town on the lovely Gave d’Oloron river became the first place in France to be defended by bastion-style fortifications  in France. Tourism office: 2 place des Casernes.

LA BASTIDE-CLAIRENCE, near Biarritz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques

This fortified village has serious history; it was founded in 1312 by Louis king of Navarre, who two years later ascended to the throne of France as Louis X (though he only lived two more years), to give his kingdom an outlet towards the Atlantic. Situated about 40 km east of Biarritz, this Basque village has wonderful architecture and a lively culture of arts and crafts. Tourist office: Place des Arceaux.

AINHOA, near Biarritz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Ainhoa is about 30 km south of Biarritz and a short distance from the Spanish border. Another Basque bastide, this striking village is noted for the red and white façades of its traditional houses. As with all these beautiful villages it remains a thriving, lively community.

SARE, near Biarritz, Pyrénées-Atlantiques

Sare (or Sara in Basque) is surrounded by mountains, including La Rhune which has an altitude of nearly 3,000 feet. It shares a long border with Spain and is just 14km from Saint-Jean-de-Luz. Not only is it a lovely village to visit, it is also set in stunning countryside that is perfect for walking. Tourist office: Herriko Etxea – Quartier Bourg.

Photo 1 of Angles sur l’Anglin by Alexis Bross/ CC BY 2.0, image cropped.