France has long been a preferred destination for tourists seeking to explore a coast and countryside embroidered with some of the most charming and beguiling towns and villages found in Europe. In fact, many of these fairytale destinations are members of the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France ("The most beautiful villages of France") association. And these rural and seafront havens all make perfect bases from which to explore the many different regions of this fascinating country.
Click through for inspiration on where to go and what to see.