Most beautiful villages in France's Haut Quercy
THE French government has generated a list of 148 villages within the 65 French Departments (Counties) they protect & consider these villages true national treasures.
All of these villages date back to the Middle Ages. Within a 15 to 25 minute drive radius of Rancho Escargot, we have seven! These include: our village of Carennac, Loubressac, Autoire, Curemonte, Rocamadour, Turenne and Collonges-la-Rouge .
In total, eighteen of these plus beaux villages (including; Collonges-la-Rouge, Turenne, Curemonte & Domme not on deailed on the map above) are within an hour drive or less of Rancho Escargot. That's better than 10% of the entire List ... are right here in the Haut Quercy, how cool is that???
Over the next few months, I'll do "spotlight" features on some of these 17 wonderful Medieval Villages for you.
Journey through the most beautiful villages in France
The "most beautiful villages in France" sites are where the country's heritage has been miraculously preserved, havens of culture & architectural treasures to rouse the senses, and bastions of the French art de vivre (art of life). Tradition in these villages is not merely alive but thriving. A tour of the countryside reveals villages spread out like a fan, built against a cliff or encased in a small valley. Others are nestled in the loop of a river, at the foot of grand châteaux or at the bottom of natural gorges. Off the beaten track, safeguarded from urban development and communication highways, 148 small communes across the country, keen to preserve and promote their individual character, have been granted the "most beautiful villages in France" label.
The Plus Beaux Villages de France association was founded in 1982 by Charles Ceyrac, formerly mayor of Collonges-la-Rouge, with the aim of conserving and promoting the heritage of "the most beautiful villages in France". To qualify, villages must meet a number of demanding pre-conditions, set by the association to ensure the label is awarded on the basis of a selection process that is nothing if not rigorous. "In addition to three basic conditions - less than 2,000 inhabitants, two registered or listed sites, and the unanimous agreement of the municipal council - the village must also pursue a policy to preserve its natural heritage that is reflected in its area development plan," explains Maurice Chabert, chairman of the association.
Come to Rancho Escargot and explore these wonderful national treasures with us. a bientôt! Jack
CLICK HERE for Rancho Escargot 2008 reservations and information
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