The Most Beautiful Medieval Towns in France

Steeped in history, France is home to some of the most beautiful medieval towns. Hidden amongst vineyards, olive groves and lavender fields, these medieval towns tell tales of times gone by through their ancient architecture and historical sights. Think defensive walls, majestic castles and cathedrals with stained-glass windows. Half-timbered buildings that now house boulangeries and fromageries, line narrow cobblestone lanes leading you to market squares that still manage to retain that medieval charm.

If you fancy unpacking centuries-worth of history in the most stunning surroundings then here's our round-up of the most beautiful medieval towns in France, guaranteed to transport you back to the Middle Ages...

Dinan

Dinan is one of the most beautiful medieval towns in France. Perched along the riverside and surrounded by ramparts, it looks like something out of a fairytale. It's winding streets are picture-perfect with half-timbered houses housing creperies and boutiques. Rue du Jerzual is the most popular, a medieval street that transports you into Dinan’s rich past.

Have a leisurely stroll along the town’s ancient ramparts. Here you can soak up beautiful views of both the town and the surrounding area. If that wasn’t enough, Tour de l’Horloge, a historic clock tower, offers stunning views too.

One of the medieval town’s most popular sights is the Château de Dinan, a 14th century castle that’s now home to a museum. You also can’t miss a visit to Place des Merciers, a medieval square lined with ancient architecture – it’s the perfect place to grab a coffee and watch the world go by.

The nearest ferry port to Dinan

St Malo is the closest ferry port to Dinan. You can get ferries to St Malo from Portsmouth, Poole and Plymouth. Ferries range from 6 hours on the Poole to St Malo route to 11 hours on the Portsmouth to St Malo ferry. 

Once you've arrived in St Malo, the port is located around 20 miles from Dinan. If you're travelling by car, you can drive to Dinan in around 40 minutes. Alternatively, you can get a BreizhGo bus from the centre of St Malo direct to Dinan, although these services aren't very regular. If you're travelling by public transport then getting a train is probably your best option. The journey takes just over an hour and requires a change in Dol-de-Bretagne.

Mont Saint-Michel

Our round-up of the best medieval towns in France wouldn’t be complete without Mont Saint-Michel. In fact, it’s probably one of the most breathtaking sights in the whole of France. Its tidal island setting, encased by deep blue waters with an abbey piercing the skies above, is pretty spectacular. But don’t just admire it from afar – Mont Saint-Michel is just as impressive up close. 

What was one a pilgrimage site is now a fairytale-like village with flocks of tourists admiring its spires, defensive walls and stopping off in the quaint cafes that spill out onto its cobbled lanes. 

Just wandering through the medieval streets with the historic architecture towering above will give you a glimpse into the town's rich past. Sights-wise, the abbey tends to steal the show. Sitting at the very top of the hill, this Gothic-Benedictine abbey was built between the 11th and 16th centuries. But there’s also the Bay of Mont Saint-Michel, a mix of sand, sea and salt marches that creates a breathtaking view. La Grande Rue, the main street in the village is also a must, a charming street packed with souvenir shops, cafes and restaurants.

The nearest ferry port to Mont Saint-Michel

St Malo is also the nearest ferry port to Mont Saint-Michel. It's located around 28 miles from the port, taking around 1 hour by car. If you're not travelling by car, Keolis Armor also operate a direct coach service between St Malo and Mont Saint-Michel, which also takes about an hour.

Carcassonne

Step back in time with a trip to the hilltop town of Carcassonne. Located in the Occitanie region of southwest France, Carcassonne is one of Frances’s most famous medieval towns. It's a well-preserved town with centuries-old sights comprising of churches, watchtowers and defensive ramparts that make it a dream for history lovers.

Cité de Carcassonne is the main sight, a medieval fortress with 52 towers and double walls. But there’s plenty of other sights to fill up your itinerary with too such as Comtal Castle, a medieval castle dating back to the 12th century. There's also the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire. It's got an amazing Gothic Romanesque design with intricate stained-glass windows.

For a picture-perfect view, check out The Old Bridge. Also known as Pont Vieux, this stone bridge dates back to the 14th century and divides the town. From here, you can soak up beautiful views of the city.

The nearest ferry port to Carcassonne

UK to France ferries take you to the north of France, quite a way from Carcassonne. However, this doesn't mean it's not doable. In fact, getting a ferry to Carcassonne makes a great excuse for a fun road trip. Even better, you could arrive into one French ferry port and depart from another so you can explore the region further.

We'd recommend getting the fastest ferry to France as you'll be spending a while driving once you're there. The fastest ferry is the Dover to Calais route, taking just 90 minutes. Calais is located around 660 miles from Carcassonne or a 10-hour drive. On the way, you can explore some more of France's medieval towns too, such as Sarlat-la-Canéda and Troyes. You can find out more about travelling from Dover to Calais here.

Sarlat-la-Canéda

Sarlat-la-Canéda is located in the Dordogne in southwestern France and is said to be one of the best-preserved medieval towns in France. It’s home to countless protected buildings dating back centuries.

Just wandering through the centre is a sight in itself with its limestone buildings and cobblestone lanes that lead you to ancient sights. Place de la Liberté is the town’s main central square, lined with beautiful architecture. Here you’ll find the town hall which dates back to the 17th century. With many cafes spilling out onto the square, it’s also the perfect place to grab a coffee and soak up the medieval atmosphere.

Whilst you're here, you also can't miss a visit to the Saint Sacerdos Cathedral. This Romanesque-Gothic cathedral sits in the heart of the Old Town and was originally built in the 9th century.

Foodies will also be in heaven here. As well as its medieval side, Sarlat-la-Canéda is also known for its culinary scene with amazing food markets such as Sarlat Market where you can taste the delicious local produce!

The nearest ferry port to Sarlat-la-Canéda

Sarlat-la-Canéda is located around a 7 hour drive from both Caen and St Malo ferry ports. Although the drive is quite long, taking a ferry here also gives you the opportunity for a road trip. En-route to Sarlat, you can stop off in destinations such as the historic cities of Bourges and Limoges.

Provins

Back in the 12th and 13th centuries, this beautiful French medieval town was an important trading hub between northern Europe and the Mediterranean, playing host to many annual trade fairs. Nowadays, the fortified town, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is famous for its medieval architecture and vibrant festivals. The town's convenient location, around 90km southeast of Paris and just over an hour away by train, makes it a popular spot with tourists.

Make sure you head to Grange aux Dîmes, a 13th century building where the trade fairs took place. Place du Châtel, the town square, with its timber buildings is also a must-visit. Then there’s also Caesar Tower, an incredible 12th century tower that dominates the town’s skyline. Climb up it for the most beautiful views of the countryside below!

Time your visit to Provins right and you’ll also get to experience the town’s lively festivals. The Medieval Festival takes place during the second weekend in June. Everyone dresses up and the town comes alive with performers, market stalls and parades. You’ll literally feel like you’re in the Middle Ages!

The nearest ferry port to Provins

Caen is the nearest ferry port to Provins. The medieval town is located around 200 miles from the port. The journey takes about 3 hours 30 minutes by car. If you're coming by public transport, your best bet is to get a train from Caen to Paris and then a train from Paris to Provins.

Eze

Medieval towns might not be the first thing that springs to mind when it comes to the French Riviera. However, nestled along the south of France’s picture-perfect coastline is the just as picture-perfect town of Eze.

This medieval town in France sits upon a cliff overlooking the glistening waters of the Med. As you can imagine, the views here are pretty special. The best place to see them? At the Exotic Garden of Eze. These beautiful botanical gardens are situated on the site of the original medieval fortress of Château d’Èze and offer the most stunning coastal vistas. You can still see the remains of the castle walls too.

The town itself is a medieval maze of charming cobblestone alleys draped with colourful flowers. The streets are lined with historical buildings that house quaint cafes, French restaurants and souvenir shops. 

The nearest ferry port to Eze

Getting to Eze can take a while if you're travelling by ferry. We'd recommend getting the ferry from Dover to Calais and then continuing your journey to the south of France by car or public transport. Although it's a long journey, you can stop off in so many beautiful destinations on the way such as the medieval town of Rouen, the cultural city of Dijon and Lyon with its rich history.

Bayeux

Bayeux is another one of France’s most beautiful medieval towns. It's located in northwestern France in the Normandy region and it's bursting with history. Its historical centre will take you back to the Middle Ages with its well-preserved architecture. Half-timbered houses that have been transformed into artisanal shops, galleries and quaint cafes, line its medieval cobbled streets.

The most famous sight in Bayeux and one that attracts so many tourists from all over the world is The Bayeux Tapestry. It tells the story of the conquest of England by the Duke of Normandy in 1066 and you can view it at the Bayeux Museum 

The cathedral, Notre-Dame de Bayeux, is another must-visit. It lies in the heart of Bayeux’s medieval old town and dominates the skyline. With its Gothic-Romanesque style, it's another example of the town’s incredible medieval architecture.

The nearest ferry port to Bayeux

Caen port is located around 27 miles from Bayeux, making it the closest port to the medieval town. You can reach Bayeux by car in around 30 minutes. From Caen centre, you can also get a train to Bayeux in around 20 minutes or take a bus which takes approximately 1 hour.

Getting to France

One of the great things about holidays to France is how easy it is to get there. You can get a direct ferry to France from the UK. And even better, many of the country’s beautiful medieval towns are within easy access of French ferry ports such as Bayeux, Mont Saint-Michel and Dinan.

Although the southern French towns are harder to reach by ferry, it's still possible. Take a ferry to any of the French ports and enjoy a leisurely drive, stopping off at some beautiful destinations on your way down!

The quickest route to France by ferry is the Dover to Calais ferry, with a duration of about 90 minutes. If you're heading to the medieval towns in the south of France such as Eze or Carcassonne then we'd recommend taking the ferry to Calais, as although the journey from Calais is slightly longer, you'll save time on the ferry. Travelling from Calais to the south of France makes the perfect road trip too. You can stop off at so many different destinations, from the Loire Valley with its countless castles to the beautiful lavender fields of Provence and the wine-growing region of Bordeaux.

If you're looking for an exciting weekend away, then Mont Saint-Michel, Provins or Bayeux are perfect. As well as offering you a glimpse into medieval times, they're located within an hour of the ferry port making them a convenient choice if you're short on time. 

Not sure which route to take? You can find out more about popular Channel ferry routes here.

Ready to discover some of the most beautiful medieval towns in France? Just book your ferry to France today at Direct Ferries.