August 17, 2026, 3:12 pm | Read time: 4 minutes
Since 2012, all French citizens have been able to vote annually for their favorite village in the country as part of a TV show. One village from each of the 13 regions of mainland France and the overseas territories is up for selection. This year, the town of Bormes-les-Mimosas on the Mediterranean coast won and is considered the most beautiful village in France for a year.
While visitors crowd into Paris in the summer, hotel rooms on the Côte d’Azur become scarce, and well-known hotspots like Nice or Saint-Tropez are bursting at the seams, many travelers yearn for quieter alternatives. Instead of big cities and tourist magnets, smaller places with authentic charm are increasingly in focus. This is exactly where the nomination of “Le Village Préféré des Français” comes in.
Also interesting: Travel trend “Townsizing” – authentic places instead of mass tourism
France annually crowns its most beautiful village – in a TV show!
Since 2012, the television show by France Télévisions has been searching for the most beautiful village in the country each year. The goal is to make charming, often lesser-known places more famous and to highlight the cultural diversity of the French regions. For the participating villages, the award is much more than just a title. Many subsequently benefit from significantly increased attention and become visible on the tourism map for the first time.
The show has long become a staple TV event in France. Every year, millions of viewers follow the selection, which takes place over a few weeks in the spring online and by phone. This year’s results were announced on July 8 in a prime-time show, accompanied by a detailed presentation of the winning village and its special features.
Medieval Bormes-les-Mimosas is likely the most beautiful village
Bormes-les-Mimosas is located in the Var department on the Côte d’Azur, between Toulon and Saint-Tropez, nestled between the Mediterranean Sea and the wooded hills of the Massif des Maures. With more than 300 sunny days a year, a mild climate, and views of the deep blue sea, the area is one of the most charming places on the French Riviera. From many spots in the village, the view extends over the coast to the islands off Hyères.
The real treasure of Bormes-les-Mimosas, however, is its historic town center. Perched high above the coast, the village has preserved its medieval character to this day. Narrow alleys wind between pastel-colored houses, small staircases connect the different levels of the hill, and behind old stone facades, hidden squares with views of the sea open up. Everywhere, traces of centuries-old history can be found, giving the place its unique flair.
Blooming mimosas as namesake
The village owes its distinctive name to a plant that greatly shapes its appearance: the mimosa. Between the old walls, the bright yellow flowers grow in large numbers, turning the place into a sea of colors, especially in the winter and early spring months. But even outside the mimosa season, Bormes-les-Mimosas is exceptionally green and blooming. Bougainvillea climb over facades and archways. In addition, hundreds of other plant species make the place look more like a botanical garden than an inhabited village.
Between floral scents, history, and bathing bays
Those who stroll through Bormes-les-Mimosas discover something new around almost every corner: winding alleys full of flowers, traditional markets with specialties from Provence, and quiet spots with views reaching to the Mediterranean. Particularly charming is the so-called “Path of the Wise,” which leads visitors to lesser-known corners of the village and stories from its past.
The surrounding area also contributes to the special charm of the place. Hiking trails lead through the Mediterranean landscape up to chapels and viewpoints, while some of the most beautiful beaches in the region are located along the coast. The coast, with its fine sandy beaches, sheltered bays, and turquoise waters, is also not far from the village.
The ranking of the most beautiful villages in France 2026
- Bormes-les-Mimosas, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur
- Dambach-la-Ville, Grand Est
- Locquirec, Brittany
- Saulges, Pays de la Loire
- Marcolès, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
- Nolay, Burgundy-Franche-Comté
- Blangy-le-Château, Normandy
- Saint-Martin-de-Londres, Occitanie
- Chaumont-en-Vexin, Hauts-de-France
- La Ferté-Vidame, Centre-Val de Loire
- La Flotte, Nouvelle-Aquitaine
- Vescovato, Corsica
- Cacao, French Guiana (Overseas)
- Dampierre-en-Yvelines, Île-de-France