Best small villages near sites to stay like a local

Small picturesque villages in France have tourist economies and the only locals you are likely to see are retired Brits, vacationing folks from all over and people who work in souvenir stands and restaurants. Some people refer to the Dordogne for example, which is filled with picturesque villages, as 'Dordogneshire' as English is heard as often as French. That said, it is fun to do but have no illusions about whom your neighbors are likely to be.

We once spent a week at the base of the hill of the Semur en Auxois hill town in Burgundy; it is just thrillingly picturesque and we did love it. It is also a good base for driving around the region: https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2010/08/25/medieval-towns/

We once spent a few days in Bedoin a village at the base of Mt. Ventoux in Provence and it was fun watching bike races as they started up the mountain. The Dauphine came through the time we were there. We have also spent a week in Limeuil in the Dordogne and will spend a week in nearby Cadouin this fall. We are also planning to spend a couple of weeks in Roquebrune Cap Martin this fall another tiny medieval village composed almost entirely of vacation properties.

In Normandy we stayed briefly in Honfleur which is a lovely small town. https://janettravels.wordpress.com/2013/12/22/honfleur-picture-perfect/

Near Paris some pretty towns include Moret sur Loing, Crecy la Chapelle and Senlis. You can see snapshots of each here: https://janettravels.wordpress.com/category/day-trips-from-paris/ There are towns like these all over France, so decide on a region and then take a look at some of the towns in each region in a guide book and look further on line to see what might work for you. There is some wisdom in choosing a town that has a couple of bakeries at least and a weekly market and of course you want a rental with parking and easy access to tour in the region.

In Italy the Val d'Orcia in Tuscany is filled with perfect little towns. I personally really like Montepulciano which has lots of restaurants, bars etc in the historic center. I don't know how easy it is to meet other people to socialize with though in any of these small towns compared to say Paris where it is fairly easy to do so.

What a quick response! Thank you Janet and the tip about "tourists".... Not really considered that in depth....

I'm really looking for a small French village where I might be interested in spending some months in future where I can immerse myself in village life, so this time will be looking for that/those villages and just relaxing and taking my own sweet time.
I'm keen to visit Sarlat and surrounding areas so I guess I'll look at places near there.... and perhaps further south.

Any further help from other posters would be appreciated.
Many thanks.
Susan

Hi again Janet, I've just been looking at your site - very impressive.. You are your husband are do well-travelled and you give the best posts I've ever seen as they go beyond the usual tourist information. I meant to say in my last post that I shall look at the suggestions you have given. Your help is very much appreciated.

Here is where Google Maps is your friend. I pull up the map of an area I like and just start clicking on the town names. I use the Google Earth view & and the Street view. If I see one that is interesting I google the name of the town.

If you want one with rail service follow the tran tracks on the map away from a larger place.

Not sure how small a village you are looking for

https://goo.gl/maps/LEHczHjnoTS2

Hi Christie
Thanks for your post.

I've done the Google map and simply can'tchoose.... I'm after a small village with at least a cafe and market day/meeting place (bar?) where I can meet the locals. I want to get out and about as well and explore other villages as well. (I'm not into hiking). Preferably somewhere in the south rather than northern France. Really after recommendations on villages that people have been to....
Regardd
Susan

Christi makes a great point. We actually 'discovered' the Cinque Terre about 35 years ago this way. I saw it on a calendar (pre-google and pre=internet) and then decided to visit -- we were the only Americans we met in the area -- a handful of German hikers were the only other tourists. Those were the days.

Now with the internet, you can identify towns and then investigate them to see if they feel right.

I suggest castelnaud in the Dordogne. I think it may have everything you may be looking for. In thst vein you may want to read book castle in the back yard about a couple who bought a home there and became part of the village.

France is about the size of Texas--do you know what region(s) will be your focus?

If heading to the Pyrenees, maybe Argeles Gazost is a good fit. Public transit will connect you into bigger Lourdes or to smaller villages in the mountains if you won't be renting a car.

Sorry, but I find your question pretty open-ended for such a large, geographically diverse country!

Susan, you don't mention whether you'll be traveling around by car or public transportation, which makes a difference where you might want to stay. If driving and interested in Provence, there are lots of small towns/villages that might appeal. Most are pretty touristy but still nice. I stayed in Roussillon and found it very convenient for visiting nearby towns and villages and sights (by car, not by public transportation). Since you'll be there in July the lavender will be blooming in that area so it's great to just drive around the area and see where you end up. A nice place to come back to in the evening and hang out in the main square, many tourists but locals also. A few cafes/restaurants and very quiet. The other two places near there that I thought would be nice to stay in were Bonnieux and Lourmarin. All have a weekly market so mingling with locals and tourists alike is possible. All three of these have populations <1500. There are lots of smaller villages but the really small ones don't have the variety of restaurants/cafes that the ones this size do.

I spent a week in Cotignac last August and am returning again next month. It's a small village - the population is around 2,200 - but it feels bigger because of the numerous restaurants and shops. There are even 2 boulangeries. But it also doesn't feel "touristy".

Here's a link to my blog post about it: http://www.parisonadime.com/blog/2015/8/10/on-a-dime-destinations-cotignac-france

Nancy brings up an important point. Public transport to small villages in France that are not well-known tourist destinations is often EXTREMELY limited or non-existent. Expect to have to rent a car and drive everywhere.

I agree with Tripatty....Cotignac in the Var is a wonderful village with a weekly market and a very nice square. Just the right size also. You would want a car to travel to other areas but would not really need one to settle in for a few months...check it out.

Mirepoix. In the Ariege department. It´s a bit far from Paris, it is in the general direction of Italy.

This is from the wikipedia, but it is a good, short, description: "At the heart of Mirepoix is one of the finest surviving arcaded market squares - Les Couverts- in France. The square is bordered by houses dating from the thirteenth to the fifteenth centuries."

Around Mirepoix you also have Foix with a wonderful castle, and you are not far from Carcassonne.

Cotignac is charming, but it's populated by Americans and Brits. Sarlat, where I just was last month, has spectacular architecture, although it's incredibly touristy. We spent a week last month in Beynac (near Sarlat), and the village is beautiful, with amazing views. But again, it's not a place you're likely to meet too many locals that are not in some way connected to the tourist trade. Here is a link to my blog, which includes the recent trip mentioned above, but also trips to other parts of France. You might be interested in villages in the Bugey and Jura regions. Both areas are quite rural ant untouristy. http://mainelywinenews.blogspot.com/

You asked about Italy as well. My friends have a rental in Italy between San Casciano dei Bani and Celle Su Rigo. If you'd like info PM me. LOVELY area. Take a train from Rome to Chiusi and get your rental car there.

Hello all. Thank you SO much for all your help. There are some great suggestions there and I will look at all of them. Travelling from New Zealand is expensive so I want to make the best of my time away. I've been asked about my mode of travel. In NZ we drive on left side of road so I am a llttile nervous about driving on the right, but I think I will hire a car as it looks as tho I cannot do the small villages without it. In any case it will give me a greater sense of freedom.

Any further ideas greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Susan