1- Essoyes in Aube, one of the most beautiful villages in Eastern France
The commune ofEssoyes lies on the border between Southern Champagne and Burgundy. It is renowned for inviting visitors to immerse themselves in the world of the illustrious Renoir family. Aline Charigot, model and later wife of Auguste, was a native of the village. So much so, in fact, that he bought a house here, which you can visit today, in addition to his studio and the Espace Renoir cultural center. It's a pleasant stroll through this small town of character, with its streets lined with pretty stone houses, and the banks of the Ource populated by half-timbered houses. A setting that inspired Auguste Renoir in his day, and it's easy to see why.
2- Riquewihr, Haut-Rhin
Riquewihr is one of the must-see villages for anyone wishing to be moved by the beauty of Alsace's villages. Situated on the Alsace wine route, Riquewihr is a medieval town surrounded by the grand cru vineyards of Sporen and Schoenenbourg. While the surrounding lush greenery undoubtedly adds to the town's charm, the heart of the village reveals picturesque streets lined with half-timbered houses built between the 13th and 18th centuries, and where craftsmen's and winegrowers' stores appear here and there. The Dolder, Riquewihr's emblematic monument, not only offers a beautiful view of the village, but also houses a museum retracing the town's history and development from the 13th to the 17th century.
3- Sainte-Ménehould, Marne
Situated on the edge of the Champagne region and bordering the Argonne forest, the village of Sainte-Ménehould has a long history, which you'll be delighted to discover at the Musée d'Art et d'Histoire. The village was totally destroyed in 1719, before being rebuilt in an 18th-century architectural ensemble in 1726. Today, the most remarkable monuments are the town hall, the Hôtel Viard-Morel and the museum. Sainte-Ménehould is also thebirthplace of Dom Pérignon, the inventor of champagne. A stay in the village is therefore an opportunity not only to taste great vintages, but also to try traditional specialties in some of the great restaurants.
4- Kaysersberg, Haut-Rhin
This village on the route to Santiago de Compostela is another Alsace gem. It, too, is home to superb half-timbered houses with pastel-colored facades, which are a joy to look at and photograph. There are also several medieval monuments, and how can you miss the ruins of its imperial castle? Climb the stairs of its impressive keep and enjoya breathtaking view of the village and surroundingvineyards. While Kaysersberg can be visited at any time of year, at Christmas it boasts one of the region's finest markets.
5- Châteauvillain, Haute-Marne
Nestled in a loop of the Aujon river, the commune of Châteauvillain has preserved many treasures from its past. These include the 12th- and 14th-century fortified enclosures, the remains of the medieval and 17th-century castles, the Tour de l'Auditoire, which houses the town's small museum, the parquet wash-house, the only one of its kind in France, and the Trinité chapel with its paintings. And don't forget to explore the labyrinth of alleyways and covered walkways. A discovery tour is offered by the tourist office. And for those who still need convincing, Simone de Beauvoir herself said in her book Mémoires d'une jeune fille rangée that "one of my most pleasant memories is a stay I made at Châteauvillain with a sister of bonne-maman."
6- Mittelbergheim in Bas-Rhin, one of the most beautiful villages in eastern France
Mittelbergheim lies on a hillside in the heart of a superb vineyard. Unlike other villages in Alsace, this one isn't particularly renowned for its half-timbered houses. There are some, of course, but there are also plenty of pretty, naturally pink facades and Renaissance monuments. A charm that has survived the centuries to delight those who like to stroll peacefully through picturesque streets. And don't forget to keep your eyes peeled, as Mittlebergheim is home to such marvels as eight wooden wine presses. Beautiful stones, a love of wine, this village has everything to seduce epicureans at heart.
7- Neuf-Brisach, Haut-Rhin
A member of the network of major Vauban sites, Neuf-Brisach has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2008. Considered the engineer and architect's major masterpiece, its aerial view is intriguing, as the fortifications form a perfect star shape. The ramparts are a must-see. But don't forget to visit the Place d'Armes, the Saint-Louis Royal Church and the Vauban Museum. Guided tours are also available to make sure you don't miss a single detail of this city, which is exceptional in so many ways.
8- Éguisheim, Haut-Rhin
Another typical Alsatian village, resplendent with cobbled streets lined with colorful half-timbered houses. It's easy to fall under its spell and never stop wandering, especially as the village is lavishly planted with flowers, both along the streets and on the balconies. At some point, you're bound to come across the splendid central square with its fountain, the château of the Counts of Éguisheim and the chapel of Saint-Léon-IX. For gourmets, there are several restaurants serving local specialities. Afterwards, you can digest your meal with a stroll through the vineyards and woods surrounding Éguisheim.
9- Saint-Quirin, Moselle
This time, we're off to the Vosges mountains to spend some time in Saint-Quirin. The first monument to visit is the superb church with its two bell towers and three bubbles - a truly astonishing building! From street to street, we discover an abundance of religious buildings, including the priory. Once you've finished exploring the village, don't hesitate to lose yourself in the surrounding countryside, which is made up of green hills and mountains. A signposted footpath leads to an impressive Gallo-Roman archaeological site in the forest.
10- La Petite-Pierre, Bas-Rhin
The commune of La Petite-Pierre lies at the heart of the Vosges du Nord Regional Nature Park. Take a stroll through the old part of this small village to admire the facades of the houses, before pushing open the door of the simultaneous church of Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption, whose choir houses some lovely frescoes from the early 15th century. The château is not open to the public, but curious visitors can enter the courtyard. The street leading to the building is a pleasant one, with its shops and restaurants. The Musée du Sceau alsacien et des Arts et Traditions populaires and the Maison des Païens, just outside the old town, are other sites to visit, before taking a stroll in the surrounding countryside. We're in the Vosges mountains, and the scenery is superb, with rolling hills, forests and lakes.
11- Rodemack, one of the most beautiful villages in Eastern France
Nicknamed the "little Carcassonne of Lorraine", Rodemack is a charming medieval town surrounded by a 700-meter wall, whose history dates back to Roman times. Be sure to visit the bailiff's house, the officers' pavilion, Notre-Dame chapel, Saint-Nicolas church, Sierck gate, medieval garden and washhouse. And let's not forget the village's surroundings, which offer a variety of walks in a splendid rural landscape! A medieval festival is held every year in June. It's an opportunity to discover the traditions of the period and the past of these alleys steeped in history.
12- Hunawihr in Haut-Rhin
Situated in the Haut-Rhin region on the wine route between Riquewihr and Ribeauvillé, Hunawihr 's charm lies in its magnificent landscapes, with vineyards stretching as far as the eye can see. Its church, a listed historic monument, welcomes both Catholics and Protestants - there's no distinction in faith in Hunawihr! Together with the cemetery, it is a fine example of a fortified church , and as the village never had ramparts, it served as a refuge for the population in case of danger. As you stroll through the streets, take time to admire the beautiful Alsatian houses. For children, there's a center for the reintroduction of storks and otters!
13- Colmar in Alsace, one of the most beautiful villages in Eastern France
To speak of the beauty and authenticity of Alsace without mentioning Colmar would be a serious oversight. This thriving, serene city boasts a variety of exciting architectural and cultural attractions. Don't miss the Little Venice district, with its quintessentially Alsatian atmosphere, and the Maison des Têtes, built for merchant Anton Burger in the German Renaissance style. What follows is a leisurely stroll through the half-timbered streets, not forgetting to sit down at a restaurant table to sample the local gastronomy. To discover the town in an original way, you can hire flat-bottomed boats on the Lauch, the local river.
14- Mussy-sur-Seine, one of the most beautiful villages in eastern France
Mussy-sur-Seine's unique location (the last village before entering the Côte-d'Or département) has given it an eventful history . Occupied by the Normans in the 10th century, then by the English and their Burgundian allies, then by Protestants during the Wars of Religion (16th century), Mussy-sur-Seine was also occupied by the Germans in 1871 and 1940. The village took on the appearance of a stronghold, with a château and ramparts reinforced by 16 towers, many traces of which remain today. We also recommend a stroll through the hillside vineyards to the east and south, where you can see the last vines to benefit from theAOC "Champagne " label, along with those of Burgundy.
15- Hunspach in Bas-Rhin
Hunspach is located in the Bas-Rhin in the Wissembourg region. One of the features of this sumptuous village is its white half-timbered houses on either side of the central street. There are also fine examples of the Napoleonic benches that women used to rest on with their baskets on their way home from the market. History buffs should head for Fort Schoenenbourg, located on the Maginot Line, which housed the most important artillery in Alsace. It is buried at a depth of no less than 22 meters! Hunspach has every reason to be included in our ranking of the most beautiful villages and towns in Alsace.
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