Date and Time (Original) – 2026:06:06 12:56:43
In 2026, I once again set off on my annual journey to visit France’s Most Beautiful Villages. Every year, three or four new villages are added to the association, so I’m always delighted to have yet another reason to return to France. That said, focusing solely on visiting these villages makes for a rather inefficient itinerary. This year, I only had four new villages to visit, yet I still had to drive all the way from the Alps to the Ardennes. In particular, this year’s route was especially inefficient. Well, I’m used to it by now.
The first stop on my 2026 tour of France’s Most Beautiful Villages was Chambon-sur-Voueize. Located in the Creuse department, almost at the geographical center of France, this village was added to the list of France’s Most Beautiful Villages last year. The day before my visit, I spent the night at Charles de Gaulle Airport in Paris. At 7:00 a.m. the following morning, I picked up my rental car and, after several breaks along the way, arrived at the village nearly five hours later.
Originally, I had planned to pick up the rental car immediately after arriving in France the previous day and drive a couple of hours south before spending the night somewhere closer to the village. However, due to the heightened tensions in the Middle East since March 2026, it became difficult to make my planned connection in Dubai (I almost always fly with Emirates), forcing me to switch to a later flight. As a result, I arrived in France at night and had no choice but to stay at the airport. Starting the trip with a drive of over 400 kilometers and more than five hours behind the wheel was certainly demanding, but the rental car turned out to be very comfortable, and the air conditioning—especially welcome on such a hot day—worked perfectly. Overall, the drive was much more comfortable than I had expected.
I arrived in the village just after noon. There is a large square near the town hall and tourist office, where I parked my car before beginning my sightseeing. The first thing that caught my eye was the magnificent Abbey Church of Sainte-Valérie, dating from the 11th to 13th centuries, located right next to the square. Its imposing size and solemn atmosphere immediately made an impression on me. The weather was beautiful, allowing me to take plenty of great photographs. The entrance to the abbey church appeared to be on the opposite side of the building, so I made my way there at a leisurely pace.
As it was around lunchtime on a Sunday, the cafés and restaurants surrounding the square were filled with people enjoying their midday meals. Even so, Chambon-sur-Voueize is a very small village and had only recently been recognized as one of France’s Most Beautiful Villages, so there were not many restaurants to choose from, and I would estimate there were only around a dozen tourists visiting that day.
Afterward, I walked around to the back of the square to admire the interior of the church. Beyond that, the village’s main attractions are quite simple: strolling along the street where the church entrance is located and, at the edge of the village, enjoying the views from the river that flows nearby. But that’s exactly what visiting France’s Most Beautiful Villages is usually like. A leisurely walk along these charming streets takes no more than about ten minutes.
After walking the main street back and forth once, I returned to the square where I had parked my car and then continued on to my next destination.
For a detailed description of the village, please refer to the information below.
🌿 Summary
Chambon-sur-Voueize is a picturesque medieval village in the Creuse department of central France, nestled at the confluence of the Voueize and Tardes rivers. Surrounded by rolling green countryside, the village is renowned for its remarkably preserved Romanesque heritage, peaceful riverside setting, and harmonious stone architecture. After a long-awaited application process, it was officially admitted to the association of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France in 2025, becoming the first village in the Creuse department to receive the prestigious designation. (フランスの最も美しい村々)
✨ Key Features
- Abbey Church of Sainte-Valérie (11th–13th centuries) The village’s centerpiece is the magnificent Romanesque Abbey Church of Sainte-Valérie, one of the largest Romanesque churches in the Limousin region. Measuring approximately 87 metres in length and distinguished by its twin bell towers, it houses beautifully carved choir stalls, stained-glass windows, and the celebrated silver reliquary bust containing the relics of Saint Valérie, which have attracted pilgrims since around 985. (フランスの最も美しい村々)
- Medieval granite bridge Spanning the Voueize River since the 14th or 15th century, the elegant granite bridge features three arches and stretches roughly 40 metres. Listed as a Historic Monument, it offers one of the village’s finest viewpoints and has inspired numerous painters over the centuries. (フランスの最も美しい村々)
- A remarkably preserved medieval centre Narrow winding streets, sturdy stone houses with traditional brown-tiled roofs, and traces of former tanneries, hospitals, and judicial buildings reveal Chambon-sur-Voueize’s long medieval history. The village has retained an unusually cohesive historic centre that reflects the architectural traditions of the Combraille region. (Tourisme Creuse Limousin)
- Rivers, terraced gardens & natural scenery Located where the Voueize and Tardes rivers meet, the village enjoys an idyllic waterside setting. Terraced gardens rise above the riverbanks, while walking trails lead into the scenic Gorges de la Voueize, an 8.5 km nature loop featuring forests, wildflowers, and peaceful river views. (フランスの最も美しい村々)
- Centuries-old pilgrimage destination Chambon-sur-Voueize grew around a monastery founded in the 9th century. When the relics of Saint Valérie were transferred here around 985, the village became an important pilgrimage destination, shaping both its religious significance and its architectural development throughout the Middle Ages. (Tourisme Creuse Limousin)
- France’s newest “Most Beautiful Village” in Creuse Officially joining Les Plus Beaux Villages de France in 2025, Chambon-sur-Voueize became the first village in the Creuse department to receive the distinction. The designation recognises not only its outstanding Romanesque monuments but also the exceptional harmony of its historic streetscape and riverside landscape. (EnVols)
Chambon-sur-Voueize offers an authentic journey into medieval rural France: admire its monumental Romanesque abbey, cross the historic granite bridge, wander through centuries-old stone lanes, and enjoy the tranquil landscapes where two rivers meet amidst the green heart of the Creuse.
