10 Charming Villages to See in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Get Back to Basics in These Mountain Villages
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes is a region of medieval villages, ancient abbeys, ruined castles, and mountain hamlets perched high above the surrounding countryside. From sweeping views across the Alps and the vineyards of the Rhône Valley to the shores of Lake Geneva and the dramatic landscapes of the Ardèche, there’s no shortage of spectacular scenery.
If you love historic architecture, local traditions, excellent food, and beautiful countryside, you’ll find plenty to enjoy in the villages scattered across this diverse and picturesque region. Exploring them is one of the best ways to experience the character of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. Here are some of the region’s most charming villages.
10 charming villages to see in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Salers (Cantal)
- Tournemire (Cantal)
- Lavaudieu (Haute-Loire)
- Balazuc (Ardèche)
- Mirmande (Drôme)
- Le Poët-Laval (Drôme)
- Charroux (Allier)
- Oingt (Rhône)
- Pérouges (Ain)
- Yvoire (Haute-Savoie)
1. Salers (Cantal)
A medieval town in Haute Auvergne
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Perched on a rocky promontory, Salers is renowned for its namesake cheese and famous beef cattle. Located on the western edge of the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park, it’s near Aurillac and around a two-hour drive from Clermont-Ferrand. Beyond the remains of its medieval ramparts, you’ll find elegant Renaissance mansions that reflect the village’s former prosperity.
The dark volcanic-stone buildings around the main square are characteristic of the region, while a charming shopping street leads up to the village belfry. For the finest views, head to the Esplanade de Barrouze, where sweeping panoramas reveal the Maronne, Rat, and Aspre valleys.
Salers (Cantal)
2. Tournemire (Cantal)
A typical Cantal village and medieval fortress
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, História
Tournemire is a small village in the Auvergne Volcanoes Regional Natural Park, surrounded by the rolling landscapes of the Cantal countryside. Located not far from Salers and around 2.5 hours from Clermont-Ferrand, it is one of the region’s most attractive historic villages.
The village’s single main street overlooks the Doire Valley and is lined with volcanic-stone houses, many fronted by small gardens. Explore the 12th-century Church of Saint-Jean-Baptiste, known for its colorful wall paintings, and the 14th-century Château d’Anjony, one of the best-preserved medieval fortresses in the region.
Tournemire (Cantal)
3. Lavaudieu (Haute-Loire)
A pretty Auvergne village with an abbey that shouldn’t be missed
Ideal para: Casais, História, Foto
Lavaudieu, whose name means “Valley of God,” grew around the Benedictine Abbey of Saint-André, founded in the Middle Ages. Located about 60 km south of Clermont-Ferrand, the village is one of the most beautiful and historically significant religious sites in the Auvergne region. Its beautifully preserved abbey is the main attraction, particularly the peaceful cloister, which is considered one of the finest in the area.
Inside the abbey, the former refectory is adorned with remarkable Byzantine-style wall paintings. Beyond the monastery, Lavaudieu’s charm continues through its golden-stone houses, timber balconies, and narrow streets. For one of the village’s most memorable views, take a leisurely stroll across the picturesque stone bridge that spans the River Senouire.
Lavaudieu (Haute-Loire)
4. Balazuc (Ardèche)
A picture-postcard village on the banks of the River Ardèche
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Perched on a limestone cliff above a loop of the River Ardèche, Balazuc is a striking medieval village of ramparts, winding cobbled streets, and historic stone houses. Located near Montélimar, its maze of arches, passageways, and narrow lanes reveals centuries of history. You can also admire the beautiful 12th-century Romanesque Church of Sainte-Madeleine.
The nearby Muséum de l’Ardèche showcases the region’s prehistoric past through an impressive collection of fossils and dinosaur exhibits. After exploring the village, head down to the riverbank to relax by the water. During the summer months, rent a canoe or enjoy a swim in the Ardèche.
Balazuc (Ardèche)
5. Mirmande (Drôme)
A medieval hilltop village
Ideal para: História, Foto, Compras
Mirmande is a beautifully preserved hilltop village between Montélimar and Valence, with sweeping views of the Vivarais mountains. Its narrow medieval streets reflect a history shaped first by silk production and later by the fruit orchards that still surround the village today.
At the highest point stands the Church of Sainte-Foy, a former medieval church that now hosts exhibitions and concerts. As you climb through the village, look out for carved wooden doors, stone archways, and flower-filled lanes. Mirmande is also home to several artists’ studios and craft workshops, so make sure to shop for some local artwork and handmade goods.
Mirmande (Drôme)
6. Le Poët-Laval (Drôme)
A village bearing witness to the wars of religion in Provençal Drôme
Ideal para: Casais, História, Foto
Le Poët-Laval is a picturesque hilltop village overlooking the Jabron Valley, around 20 km east of Montélimar. Once a stronghold of the Knights Hospitaller, its narrow stone streets climb through the old village to a 12th-century castle enclosed by medieval ramparts, which commands sweeping views across lavender fields, farmland, and the surrounding mountains.
Below the castle stands the Romanesque Chapelle Saint-Jean-des-Commandeurs, part of the former Hospitaller commandery and a venue for temporary art exhibitions and cultural events. Visit Le Poët-Laval’s historic Protestant temple, dating back to the era of the Edict of Nantes, and explore its Musée du Protestantisme Dauphinois, dedicated to the history of Protestantism in the Dauphiné region.
Le Poët-Laval (Drôme)
7. Charroux (Allier)
A medieval town famous for mustard
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Charroux is a historic fortified village in the Allier department, north of Clermont-Ferrand and close to Vichy. Its narrow streets still bear the names of the trades that once shaped village life, while vaulted cellars, old market buildings, and stone houses reflect its long history.
In the heart of Charroux lies the Cour des Dames, a peaceful green square surrounded by historic buildings and overlooked by the village church, whose distinctive bell tower appears strikingly truncated. The village is also renowned for its traditional mustard, produced here since the 18th century. Stop by the local moutarderie to learn about its history and browse a range of mustards to take home.
Charroux (Allier)
8. Oingt (Rhône)
Where Beaujolais meets the Middle Ages
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Oingt is a medieval hilltop village overlooking the Azergues Valley, about 30 km northwest of Lyon. Now part of the commune of Val d’Oingt, it is known for its honey-colored stone houses and beautiful setting among the Beaujolais vineyards.
Enter through the fortified Porte de Nizy and wander the narrow streets to the Church of Saint-Mathieu at the village summit for fine views across the valley. The medieval castle remains include a tower housing a local history museum and an orientation table explaining the landscape. If you’re a music lover, make sure to visit the Museum of Mechanical Music, which helps organize the village’s annual barrel organ festival, filling the streets with the sounds of historic instruments from across France.
Oingt (Rhône)
9. Pérouges (Ain)
An old fortified village with delicious biscuits
Ideal para: Alimentação, História, Foto
Pérouges is a beautifully preserved medieval hilltop village in the Ain department, around 40 km northeast of Lyon. Once a thriving weaving center, it remains enclosed by double ramparts and watched over by the fortified Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine. Its cobbled streets are lined with stone houses dating from the 15th and 16th centuries.
Many of the lanes lead to the picturesque Place du Tilleul, the village’s main square. The Maison des Princes, once owned by the Dukes of Savoy, now houses a museum, while its watchtower offers views across the rooftops and the Dombes plateau. Don’t leave without trying the famous Galette de Pérouges, a local sweet biscuit that makes a wonderful gift for those back home.
Pérouges (Ain)
10. Yvoire (Haute-Savoie)
A medieval lakeside village
Ideal para: Casais, Famílias, História
Yvoire is a flower-filled medieval village on the shores of Lake Geneva, often nicknamed the Pearl of the Lake. Its stone houses and narrow lanes are clustered around a castle with a distinctive square keep, while colorful floral displays brighten the streets throughout much of the year.
Tucked within the village is the Garden of the Five Senses, a remarkable garden designed to engage sight, smell, touch, taste, and hearing. From there, it’s a short walk to the lakeside harbor, where boats bob alongside cafés and restaurants overlooking the water. Explore the nearby Domaine de Rovorée-La Châtaignière that offers peaceful lakeside walks beneath centuries-old chestnut trees and access to swimming spots during the summer months.
Yvoire (Haute-Savoie)
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