The 'towns and villages in bloom' award (ville fleurie) is given to French places that make a special effort to create a pleasant natural environment for both residents and visitors by focussing on plants, flowers and open areas within the town.
The awards range from 1* to 4* (4* is the highest) - there are a great deal of places that have received 1* and 2*, rather less with 3* and approximately 200 that have received the prestigious 4* for their efforts.
In our experience 4* towns in bloom in France have made significant long term efforts to improve their gardens and parks and are worth visiting because of their efforts, even if for no other reason (some of the towns are also important tourist destinations in their own right, others less so).
List of the French Towns in Bloom
Alsace
Bergheim (Haut-Rhin)
The original fortified walls still surround the very picturesque village of Bergheim
Colmar (Haut-Rhin)
The medieval centre of Colmar, with brightly painted half-timbered houses along the canalside, is extremely attractive
Eguisheim (Haut-Rhin)
Of the many beautiful traditional villages in Alsace, Eguisheim is one of our favourites
Guebwiller (Haut-Rhin)
In Guebwilller it is the part of the town along the canal and also the churches that are the highlight for visitors
Ribeauville (Haut-Rhin)
The traditional coloured houses and the castle poised high above the town make Ribeauvillé a pleasant place to explore
Aquitaine
Anglet (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)
Anglet, close to Biarritz, has several kilometres of beaches on the French Atlantic coast
Bergerac (Dordogne)
Bergerac is a substantial town on the banks of the river and with an extensive medieval old town. One of our favourite towns!
Biscarrosse (Landes)
A small and modern sea resort Biscarrosse is also one of the liveliest and most popular in the region
Mimizan (Landes)
The resort at Mimizan Plage is a popular destination with several kilometres of sandy beaches
Mont-de-Marsan (Landes)
Not usually thought of as a tourist destination, Mont-de-Marsan has some interesting monuments and attractive river scenery and merits a visit when you are in the region
Pau (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)
The large town of Pau is well known for the views from the belvedere that cover a large section of Pyrenees mountains
Perigueux (Dordogne)
One of our favourite towns in the Dordogne, Perigueux has an imposing byzantine cathedral and an extensive medieval old town to explore
Auvergne
Vichy (Allier)
The spa town of Vichy is best known for its bottled water and as centre for the government of unoccupied Fraance during the Second World War
Brittany
Dinard (Ille-et-Vilaine)
Dinard, estblished as a fashionable resort in the 19th century, is still one of the nicest towns in Ille-et-Vilaine
Fougeres (Ille-et-Vilaine)
The castle and historic lower town are the main attraction, but be sure to also explore the newer upper town in Fougeres
Lannion (Cotes-d'Armor)
Lannion is an interesting detour, with several medieval houses and a pretty riverfront to explore
Pontrieux (Cotes-d'Armor)
The canals, river and port in Pontrieux - and the famous washhouses - make it a very scenic town to explore
Quimper (Finistere)
The important town of Quimper is also one of the most visited in Brittany, especially for the half-timbered houses and the cathedral
Rochefort-en-Terre (Morbihan)
Now listed as one of the 'most beautiful villages in France' you will enjoy a stroll around the centre of Rochefort-en-Terre and a look at the castle
Saint-Malo (Ille-et-Vilaine)
We were pleased to discover that Saint-Malo, often considered a ferry port, is also an exceptional town to explore
Vannes (Morbihan)
An unmissable highlight in this region of Brittany, the half-timbered houses in the centre of Vannes make it one of our favourite French medieval towns
Burgundy
Beaune (Cote d'Or)
Beaune is the centre of the famous wine region of the same name, with a visit to th 15th century Hotel-Dieu the highlight in the town
Dijon (Cote d'Or)
There is a remarkable range of interesting historic sites in Dijon, perhaps our favourite among the Burgundy towns
Macon (Saone-et-Loire)
After exploring the pleasant town of Macon we suggest a visit to nearby Lamartine's Castle
Paray-le-Monial (Saone-et-Loire)
The 12th century abbey and other buildings and the pretty setting make the Basilica du Sacré-Coeur at Paray-le-Monial one of the most visited sites in France
Sens (Yonne)
Sens is an important regional centre dominated by the Cathedral of Saint-Etienne, the first gothic style cathedral built in France
Champagne-Ardenne
Chalons-en-Champagne (Marne)
In Chalons-sur-Champagne it is the various churches that are the main highlight of a visit
Reims (Marne)
In the attractive and lively centre of Reims you can see three UNESCO listed world heritage sites: the Notre-Dame Cathedral, the Abbey of Saint-Remi and the Palace of Tau
Franche-Comte
Belfort (Territoire-de-Belfort)
The town of Belfort and its citadel are pleasant to exlore when you are in the southern Vosges region
Montbeliard (Doubs)
It is the castle in Montbeliard, on a raised rocky platform, that dominates the town centre
Limousin
Limoges (Haute-Vienne)
Limoges is not usually featured on a list of 'must be visited places' but actually has an interesting centre, well worth exploring.
Loire Valley
Aubigny-sur-Nere (Cher)
It is the multi-turreted castle and the Scottish connection that explain the popularity of Aubigny-sur-Nère
Blois (Loir-et-Cher)
The town of Blois, with its castle, cathedral, extensive historic centre and other monuments is one of our favourite Loire Valleyt towns
Bourges (Cher)
Although Bourges is known for its stunning cathedral, it also has a substantial medieval centre and the Palais Jacques-Coeur among its many places of interest
Briare (Loiret)
With the Loire River and the Canal de Briare crossing in the centre of Briare it is not surprising that water based activities are important here
Chartres (Eure-et-Loir)
Although most famous for its cathedral, you will also find plenty to explore elsewhere in the town of Chartres
Chateauroux (Indre)
A little remote from the main tourist routes, Chateauroux is quite a sprawling town but has some sites of interest in its historic centre
Issoudun (Indre)
There are few important monuments here in Issoudun, but we enjoyed a stroll around the old town near the 'White Tower'
Tours (Indre-et-Loire)
Tours is a large important town with numerous monuments, gardens and medieval buildings, and is also well placed to explore the west of the Loire Valley
Vendome (Loir-et-Cher)
Now listed as a 'town of art and history', Vendome retains many monuments from its active past despite extensive wartime damage
Lorraine
Bitche (Moselle)
The citadel in Bitche is very interesting, with videos explaining the history and sieges of the town
Metz (Moselle)
As well as the cathedral it is the grand squares surrounded by 18th century townhouses that are among the highlights of your visit to Metz
Nancy (Meurthe-et-Moselle)
The centre of Nancy around Place Stanislaus is impressive enough to be classed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site
Midi-Pyrenees
Cahors (Lot)
Best known for the famous Pont Valentre bridge, Cahors is a lively town which also has a small historic centre
Tarbes (Hautes-Pyrenees)
The substantial gardens of Jardin Massey are the main place of interest in the centre of Tarbes
Nord-Pas-de-Calais
Arras (Pas-de-Calais)
The belfry and the large number of baroque style houses make the centre of Arras very appealing with little clue that most were rebuilt less than 100 years ago after WW1 damage
Boulogne-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais)
The old town with its ramparts, castle and ancient streets are the highlight in Boulogne itself, while nearby there are plenty of good sandy beaches
Le Touquet (Pas-de-Calais)
Upmarket Le Touquet is probably the most popular of the coastal resorts in the region, with a lovely beach and wide range of facilties
Montreuil-sur-Mer (Pas-de-Calais)
The historic centre of the fortified town of Montreuil is lovely to explore with lots of cobbled streets and shady squares to discover
Roubaix (Nord)
Although its not a major tourist destination, the centre of the large town of Roubaix has several sights of interest
Normandy
Cabourg (Calvados)
One time favourite of Marcel Proust, Cabourg has one of the longest and active beaches in the region
Cherbourg (Manche)
The port town of Cherbourg has several monuments and museums of interest and a visit is recommended
Eu (Seine-Maritime)
The red-brick castle, built in the 16th century, is the main attraction for visitors to Eu
Honfleur (Calvados)
There are lots of interesting things to see in Honfleur - if you can drag yourself away from the lovely harbour!
Lyons-la-Foret (Eure)
The half-timbered buildings in the village of Lyons-la-Foret make it one of the prettiest places in Normandy
Pont-Audemer (Eure)
The canals and rivers are the highlight in Pont Audemer, famous for its traditional canalside washouses
Saint-Valery-en-Caux (Seine-Maritime)
The area around the beach, harbour and marina in Saint-Valery-en-Caux is always very active in summer
Paris region
Meaux (Seine-et-Marne)
Meaux is visited because of its episcopal city, with a cathedral, chapter house and bishops palace
Pays de la Loire
Angers (Maine-et-Loire)
Most famous for its castle, Angers also has a cathedral and many other interesting historical monuments, numerous parks and gardens...
Aubigne-sur-Layon (Maine-et-Loire)
The small village of Aubigne-sur-Layon is very pretty, especially in late spring and summer when the many flowers in the town are in bloom
La Baule (Loire-Atlantique)
La Baule-Escoblac is a very pleasant and popular resort with a long sandy beach - a toch of the French riviera in the north-west!
Nantes (Loire-Atlantique)
One of the largest towns in France, Nantes has many monuments, museums and places of interest to discover including the famous 'elephant' on the island.
Notre-Dame-de-Monts (Vendee)
The resort of Notre-Dame-de-Monts is one of the quiter resorts of the Vendee coast
Pornichet (Loire-Atlantique)
The emphasis in Pornichet, immediately south of La Baule, is most certainly based around the long and sandy beach
Saint-Jean-de-Monts (Vendee)
At Saint-Jean-de-Monts you will enjoy the extensive sandy beaches and one of the livelier resorts on the Vendee coast
Picardy
Beauvais (Oise)
In Beauvais you can see the important (if often rebuilt and renovated) cathedral with its famous astronomical clock and several medieval houses
Poitou-Charentes
Angouleme (Charente)
Angouleme is one of our favourite Charente towns, with several interesting historic monuments to see and nice views
Marans (Charente-Maritime)
Marans is a small town with a pretty section along the river in the town
Royan (Charente-Maritime)
At Royan you will enjoy the beaches and also the promenade along the seafront
Saintes (Charente-Maritime)
The town of Saintes is very interesting, with an extensive old-town to explore and a Roman amphitheatre
Thouars (Deux-Sevres)
Best known for its 17th century castle, in Thouars you can also see several medieval monuments
Provence
Bormes-les-Mimosas (Var)
The lovely historic centre of Bormes-le-Mimosas overflows with plants and flowers
Cannes (Alpes-Maritimes)
Cannes has a charming town and harbour area, and is one of the most visited resorts on the Riviera
Hyeres (Var)
Hyères has an extended historic centre with parks and a castle as well as a charming 19th century quarter in the town
Martigues (Bouches-du-Rhone)
The harbour area and quaint fishermen cottages is the principal attraction in the large town of Martigues
Menton (Alpes-Maritimes)
The beautiful town of Menton, on the slopes of a hill near the Italian border, is one of our very favourite towns in France
Nice (Alpes-Maritimes)
One of the largest towns in France, Nice is also the most visited resort and our favourite Riviera resort town in France
Sanary-sur-Mer (Var)
The historic boats and the palm trees around the pretty harbour are the highlight in Sanary-sur-Mer, with various beaches close to hand
Rhone-Alpes
Aix-les-Bains (Savoie)
Aix-les-Bains is one of the best preserved 'belle-epoque' spa towns in France
Annecy (Haute-Savoie)
Annecy is a very lovely town with a great deal to enjoy, enhanced further by the mountain backdrop
Evian (Haute-Savoie)
Evian is a very lovely town, also well known as a spa town and for the bottled water from here that is famous worldwide
Megeve (Haute-Savoie)
Megeve is among the most prestigious of the French ski resorts and also an active town
Valence (Drome)
Although the famous local vineyards are the main attraction there is a great deal of interest in Valence itself
Yvoire (Haute-Savoie)
The village of Yvoire on the banks of Lake Geneva is extraordinarily pretty and one of our personal favourite French villages
See more about the Towns in Bloom (villes fleuries) and a complete listing at the official site Villes et villages fleuris (French only).