Customer Reviews

The Most Beautiful Villages of France (Most Beautiful Villages)

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France is the most beautiful place on earth--bar none. But different regions of France have such different characteristics and there is a lot more to this wonderful country than Paris, Dijon, Nice, etc. In The Most Beautiful Villages of France, you'll discover gorgeous photographs of little, out-of-the-way towns and villages that will bring you new and unexpected delights. For those lucky enough to actually visit France, this book is definitely a must-have. For those who can only dream, there is no better way! In my opinion, The Most Beautiful Villages of Burgundy, The Most Beautiful Villages of Provence and The Most Beautiful Villages of Tuscany are equally well done. Don't leave home without them!

Although every picture is astoundingly beautiful, there is one of the home where Andre Breton lived that really takes my breath away. I find myself turning back to it whenever I need an escape. When friends come over, they always ask to see the books in this series. It is worth the price. Also, check out Most Beautiful Villages of Provence and Burgundy. I thought the Tuscany one could have been a little better, but still check it out.

Dominique Reperant's "village" has fewer than 1,050 inhabitants and he defines "most beautiful" as most preserved. So it's no surprise that his photographic essay that explored even the tiniest corners of France resulted in a collection of impressive shots that showcase France's roots in the medieval middle ages. And while the coffe table sized book will serve as a pleasurable souvenir of a trip into the French countryside, I was considerably underwhelmed with the quality of the photographs. They have a frustrating sameness of style and composition from photograph to photograph that failed to capture the distinctness of each town and enormous variation in the geographical settings of the towns from region to region. And, if there was a rationale to the order in which the towns were presented, it escaped me entirely.

A nice memory to be sure but certainly not a book that I would categorize as so stunning that it would prompt an armchair traveller into booking a trip on the next available flight to France.

Paul Weiss

I have five of these ''Most Beautiful..." books, and have to say there is something of a problem with this particular book. Many of the images here seem to lack any real black tones in them, and consequently lack depth. It is not because they are meant to look misty and atmospheric, it is simply something missing either in the original photography or in the printing. Compared to the images in "The Most Beautiful Towns of England", for example, where the images are pin sharp and full of contrast, they are simply not as well produced.

Still worth the money if you want to see some of the villages here, but there is little within quite as alluring as the cover photo, in my opinion.

For those who would like to travel, to find somewhere in the world for living for a while, to take a rest, to walk with someone you love, you would just determine to choose that place once you've read the brief depiction and viewed those fantastic pictures in this book. The first time I saw that book was almost seven years ago, the images of those pictures/ photographs showing in this book could not help but drive me to that area through the time tunnel. I have been introxicated by the photos with the authors' brief description. However, I believe that the only way to have that kind of feeling is to visit this place following the guide suggested by the author. May be you could discover some other unbelieveable area within this romantic place in the world.

Yes, the villages in this book are beautiful, but having been to France several times, I was a bit disappointed that the photos in this book are all relatively similar. Although some of the photos and descriptions are impressive, this book could have provided more intimate or unique photos of the villages and shops as well as more interesting prose.

This is my third copy of this book. I give it as gifts to everyone I love. I live the dream with a home in Turenne (the picture on the cover) My aim is to visit every single one of these exceptional villages.

The book is beautifully illustrated, and the text has the essence of each village exactly. It whets one's appetite to see The Most Beautiful Villages of France.

This is a thoroughly enjoyable and easy reading book. The authors take you through rural France and anyone who has visited there can identify with it. The process of social and cultural acclimmatization is both facinating and entertaining.