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France's Favorite Small Villages for Summer Holidays: Sancerre Tops 2021 List

On Wednesday, June 30, anticipation peaked during the France 3 broadcast at 9:05 p.m. of "Le Village Préféré des Français," hosted by renowned historian Stéphane Bern, as it revealed the 2021 winner. Last year, the commune of Hunspach in Bas-Rhin claimed victory. This time, the village of Sancerre in the Cher department captivated voters. Renowned for its world-class vineyards, superb panorama, medieval streets, and gourmet specialties like crottin de Chavignol, Sancerre stands out as a premier vacation destination.

France's Top Favorite Villages to Explore This Summer

For this 10th edition, competition was intense among 14 villages. Voting ran from March 4 to 25, drawing over 600,000 participants. In 10th place: the enchanting Saint-Véran at 2,040 meters in the Queyras Regional Natural Park, Hautes-Alpes. Eleventh: the island of Houat off Brittany, a serene escape of natural beauty and peace. Rounding out the top three: the medieval village of Hérisson in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the historic fortified town of Fresnay-sur-Sarthe in Sarthe. These gems offer ideal spots for your summer getaway.

Also read:

Holidays: The 10 Favorite French Destinations for Summer 2021!

Holidays in France: The 12 Most Beautiful Seaside Towns This Summer

Holidays in Corsica: 15 Stunning Spots on the Island of Beauty