10 Magical Towns in France That Are Straight Out of Fairy Tales

Set between the patchwork vineyards and wooded mountains of the Alsace, and a short hop from the German border, rumor has it that Colmar served as the inspiration for Belle’s hometown in Beauty and the Beast.

Channel your inner Disney® prince or princess as you stroll the cobbled lanes past candy-colored shopfronts and half-timbered townhouses, take a boat cruise along the flower-lined canals of Little Venice, or browse the seasonal Christmas market for an extra dose of festive magic.

Clinging to the vertiginous slopes of the Alzou River canyon, the medieval town of Rocamadour takes the prize for the most spellbinding setting in the Dordogne. Ancient church spires, château turrets, and dizzying ramparts appear to hang from the cliff edge, while weather-worn steps wind up to the mountaintop. (You’ll be glad to hear that there’s also a funicular.) Meanwhile, in summer, armored knights and stunt riders duel in the shadows of the castle.

Join modern-day pilgrims for a guided tour of the seven cliffside sanctuaries, take a peek at the sacred Black Madonna, or get your fix of fairy-tale romance with a hot-air balloon ride over the valley.

Bordered by lush forests and straddling the Rance estuary, Dinan is brimming with medieval charm and Breton culture. Climb up to the old ramparts for views over the corbelled and half-timbered houses of the riverfront town, before marveling at the 14th-century keep of Dinan Castle, where the Celtic flag still flies.

Then, enjoy a scenic bike ride along the Ille-et-Rance canal or combine your visit with a tour of the Loire Castles and D-Day beaches.

The Loire Valley is peppered with Disney®-esque châteaux, bucolic villages, and romantic vineyards, and the Western Loire city of Saumur checks all the boxes for a fairy-tale retreat. Once you’ve climbed up to the hilltop Château de Saumur for a view along the Loire River, stroll through the half-timbered Old Town and stop for croissants at one of the flower-lined terrace cafés.

Let your imagination run wild as you tour the Saumur caves and discover the region’s troglodyte history, then head over to the Cadre Noir to watch a dazzling performance of elite French dressage.

A medieval wonderland of soaring ramparts, ancient drawbridges, and more than 50 turrets and towers, the sprawling hilltop citadel of Carcassonne is the largest of its kind in Europe and a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Follow in the footsteps of the Cathars with a walking tour of the Cité of Carcassonne, brave a visit to the Museum of Medieval Torture Instruments, or ride a horse-drawn calèche up to the Château Comtal, which is said to have inspired Walt Disney®’s Sleeping Beauty castle.

Insider tip: The most magical time to visit? July 14 to see the show-stopping Bastille Day fireworks.

Rising up from the clouds on its mountaintop pedestal, it’s easy to see how Cordes-sur-Ciel earned its suffix “in the sky.” Arrive early for the most magnificent views from afar, when the morning mist affords the town an ethereal air, then drive up to the hilltop to explore the tangle of steep lanes.

You can easily spend a full day browsing the art workshops, handicrafts boutiques, and artisan bakeries—be sure to pick up a bag of Croquants de Cordes (almond and meringue cookies), a local specialty.

Against a pictorial backdrop of snow-crested peaks and glittering blue canals, Annecy is the postcard-perfect star of the French Alps—and just a short hop from the Swiss border.

Discover the atmospheric Old Town, scenic canals, and lakefront gardens on a walking tour of the alpine town, cruise around Lake Annecy on a traditional rowing boat, or admire the views from the Château d’Annecy.

Postcard views don’t come more bewitching than Mont Saint-Michel, the part medieval monastery, part fairy-tale castle marooned on a wave-lapped island off the coast of Normandy. Not only is the UNESCO World Heritage site one of France’s most photographed landmarks, it was also the inspiration for Rapunzel’s castle in Disney®’s Tangled.

Lose yourself in its cobbled alleyways on a walking tour, climb up to the hilltop abbey, and stroll the ramparts for a spectacular view across Mont Saint-Michel bay.

Forget fictional heroes and heroines—the golden sands and glittering turquoise waters of the French Riviera have long been the vacation spot of choice for real-life royalty.

Smuggled away in the hilltops, the labyrinthine lanes and bougainvillea-clad cottages of Eze make this small village one of the most charming spots along the Côte d’Azur. Here, wander through idyllic cacti gardens, tour a historic perfumery, and gaze out along the Mediterranean Coast.

With its UNESCO-listed monuments, striking 13th-century cathedral, and ancient bridges all chiseled from rose-tinted stone, the episcopal city of Albi provides a storybook setting for France’s Cathar crusades.

Dive into the city’s fascinating history on a guided tour, cruise down the River Tarn on a traditional gabarre (barge), then admire the landscaped gardens and Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec paintings at the regal Palais de la Berbie.