A road trip through the most beautiful villages in France is a dream come true.
France is one of those destinations that seems made for leisurely exploration. Half-timbered houses, cobbled streets, and villages straight out of a fairytale make every stop special.
On this road trip through France, we explore some of the country’s most beautiful towns and cities, passing through Champagne and Alsace, until we reach Strasbourg and end at one of the most impressive palaces near Paris.
It’s a perfect itinerary to do in 7 days, combining medieval villages, historic cities and vineyard landscapes.
Indice:
🎥 A tour of the most beautiful villages in France (video)
Before starting with the complete guide, here you can watch the video of this road trip through some of the most beautiful villages in France.
In it, we show the full route, the villages of Alsace, the Christmas markets, the vineyard landscapes, and all the places we visited during the trip.
▶️ Video of the Route Through France
In the video, you’ll see places such as Troyes, Colmar, Eguisheim, Turckheim, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Ribeauvillé, Strasbourg, and the Palace of Fontainebleau, along with tips for planning the route.
🚗 Car Rental to Travel Around France
For this route, we decided to rent a car, as we believe road trips through villages are an excellent option.
Traveling by car allows you to explore the region with complete freedom, stop in the villages that catch your attention the most, and adapt the pace of the trip.
We booked the vehicle through DiscoverCars, a platform that compares different rental companies and makes it easy to choose the best option based on your dates and destination.
➡️ Rent a Car with a Discount on DiscoverCars
The process is very simple:
- Choose the pickup and drop-off location
- Select dates and times
- Compare models and prices
- Add the recommended insurance coverage
- Confirm the reservation online
Itinerary Through the Most Beautiful Villages in France
Circular route:
Paris → Troyes → Mulhouse → Eguisheim → Colmar → Turckheim → Riquewihr → Kaysersberg → Ribeauvillé → Strasbourg → Fontainebleau → Paris
Troyes, One of the Best-Preserved Medieval Cities in France
Troyes was the first stop of the trip, about 170 km from Paris, in the Champagne region.
This medieval city is famous for its leaning half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, and squares full of history.
Among the places you shouldn’t miss:
- Cathedral of Saint Peter and Saint Paul
- Church of Saint Madeleine
- The medieval historic center
Walking around Troyes is an experience in itself: hidden courtyards, colorful façades, and architecture that seems frozen in time.
If you visit the city in December, you’ll also find a beautiful Christmas market that fills the squares with lights and traditional stalls.
Where to stay in Troyes
Recommended hotel in the historic center:
🏨 Best Western Premier de La Poste & Spa
Mulhouse and Its Unique Museums in Europe
The next stop was Mulhouse, in the Alsace region, about 300 km from Troyes.
Although its historic center is small, the city is known for hosting some of the most important museums in Europe.
Mulhouse Automobile Museum
It is the largest private collection of classic cars in the world, featuring historic vehicles, luxury models, and Bugatti masterpieces.
💰 Approximate entrance fee: €18
Train Museum
One of the most important railway museums in Europe, featuring original locomotives and train cars from different eras.
💰 Approximate entrance fee: €16
After the visit, we continued toward one of the most beautiful villages in Alsace.
Eguisheim, One of the Most Picturesque Villages in France
Eguisheim was our base for three nights while exploring several nearby villages.
This small Alsatian village is surrounded by vineyards and is part of the Alsace Wine Route.
Its most curious feature is that the village is organized in concentric circular streets around the central square.
Among the highlights:
- Half-timbered houses in pastel colors
- Central square with the Castle of the Counts of Eguisheim
- Saint-Léon Chapel with views over the vineyards
It is also said to have inspired the village in Disney’s film “Beauty and the Beast.”
At night, the atmosphere becomes especially magical, when the tourists leave and the village regains its tranquility.
Where to stay in Eguisheim
Bed & Breakfast where we stayed:
Colmar, the Jewel of Alsace
Just 6 km from Eguisheim lies Colmar, one of the most famous destinations in Alsace.
Its historic center is a perfect blend of a city and a medieval village.
The most famous area is La Petite Venise, with canals lined by colorful houses and balconies full of flowers.
Other highlights:
- Church of Saint Martin
- Perfectly preserved medieval houses
- Historic squares and markets
At night, the lighting of the old town creates a very special atmosphere, especially during the Christmas market.
Where to stay in Colmar
Turckheim, a Medieval Village with City Walls
Just 7 km from Colmar, Turckheim is another of the most charming villages in the area.
It is characterized by:
- Its original medieval gates
- Half-timbered houses
- Cobblestone streets filled with flowers
It is a small and peaceful village, perfect for wandering around without any rush.
An important advantage is that there are free parking areas at the entrance of the village, which makes the visit much easier if you are traveling by car.
Riquewihr and Kaysersberg
Both villages are located along the Alsace Wine Route and are two of the most famous in the region.
Riquewihr
It is one of the most visited villages in Alsace, with perfectly preserved medieval streets and colorful houses.
During the Christmas season, it can get quite crowded, but it is still a must-visit destination.
Kaysersberg
Just a few kilometers from Riquewihr lies Kaysersberg, a village with a much quieter atmosphere.
Highlights include:
- Its medieval fortified bridge
- Traditional Alsatian houses
- Kaysersberg Castle
It is a perfect place to take a break and enjoy the regional cuisine.
Ribeauvillé, Another Must-Visit Village in Alsace
Before arriving in Strasbourg, we made a stop in Ribeauvillé.
This medieval village is famous for:
- Its three towers on top of the hill
- Its main street lined with colorful houses
- Its traditional Alsatian atmosphere
It’s a short stop but highly recommended if you’re exploring the region by car.
Strasbourg, the Capital of Alsace
From Ribeauvillé, it’s about 50 km to Strasbourg, one of the most beautiful cities in France.
Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Must-see places include:
- Strasbourg Cathedral
- La Petite France
- Medieval canals and bridges
- Historic squares and markets
During December, the city also hosts one of the most famous Christmas markets in Europe.
Where to stay in Strasbourg
🏨 Hotel Ibis Strasburgo Petite France
Palace of Fontainebleau
Before returning to Paris, we made one final stop at the Palace of Fontainebleau.
This palace was the residence of the kings of France for almost eight centuries, from Francis I to Napoleon Bonaparte.
Here, Napoleon signed his first abdication in 1814 before leaving for exile.
The visit allows you to explore:
- Imperial halls
- Royal apartments
- Historic gardens and courtyards
💰Approximate entrance fee: 14 €
It is recommended to spend at least two hours exploring it at a relaxed pace.
Excursion to Fontainebleau from Paris
If you don’t have a car, you can visit it on an organized excursion.
🎟️Excursion to Fontainebleau from Paris
Conclusion: A Perfect Route Through the Villages of France
This route through France combines medieval villages, historic cities, and vineyard landscapes, making it an ideal trip for those who want to discover some of the most beautiful places in the country.
In just one week, it’s possible to explore the Champagne and Alsace regions, visit cities like Strasbourg, and finish the trip with a historic palace near Paris.
And what makes this itinerary especially unique is doing it by car, as it allows you to travel freely between villages and stop at every corner that appears along the way.
🗺️ Map of the Route Through the Villages of France
To help you organize the trip better, here is the map with all the stops on this road trip through France.
🗺️ Route Map
❓ Frequently Asked Questions About the Route Through the Villages of France
How many days are needed to explore the villages of Alsace?
Ideally, you should spend between 3 and 4 days visiting the main villages of Alsace such as Colmar, Eguisheim, Riquewihr, Kaysersberg, Turckheim, and Ribeauvillé.
Many of them are less than 15 km apart, making it easy to visit several of them on the same day.
Is it recommended to do this route by car?
Yes, it is the best way to explore the region.
Although some cities have train connections, many small villages are not well connected, and having a car allows you to visit several places in the same day and move around with complete freedom.
In addition, the vineyard landscapes of the Alsace Wine Route are much more enjoyable when driving between villages.
Which is the most beautiful village in Alsace?
It’s difficult to choose just one, but the most famous are:
- Eguisheim
- Riquewihr
- Kaysersberg
- Ribeauvillé
- Turckheim
Each one has its own charm, but Eguisheim and Colmar are often listed among the most beautiful villages in France.
What is the best time to visit the villages of Alsace?
Each season has its own charm:
Spring: green vineyards and peaceful villages
Summer: pleasant weather and open terraces
Autumn: harvest season and incredible colors
Winter: Christmas markets and a magical atmosphere
December is especially popular because of the Christmas markets.os mercados navideños de Alsacia, considerados de los mejores de Europa.
Where is the best place to stay to explore Alsace?
Many travelers choose Colmar because of its size and services, but staying in Eguisheim or another nearby village can be a more authentic experience.
In addition, most villages are less than 15 minutes away by car, so almost any base works well.
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NOTE: The information in this article is based on our own experience and is completely objective. This article contains affiliate links.
