Like Les Baux de Provence and Gordes, the village of Saint-Suliac is classified as one of the official “plus beaux villages de France” (most beautiful villages of France). As usual, I agree with the association’s inclusion of this village. I’m starting to believe you really can’t go wrong in any of the plus beaux villages–I’ve loved all three that I’ve visited so far.
About a half hour southwest from our base Cancale, Saint-Suliac is a fishing village located on the banks of the Rance estuary/river. All the houses and narrow streets of Saint-Suliac face the harbor, much like the buildings in Cancale face the Bay of Mont-Saint-Michel. If you looked up the word “adorable” in the dictionary, you would probably find a picture of Saint-Suliac.
Saint-Suliac’s small size made it the ideal place for my grandparents to walk around and admire the fish net-covered buildings. Some people may find that last detail a bit cheesy since it is clearly one of those things that was added to attract tourists (people don’t just randomly throw fish nets on their houses for fun), but you know what, sometimes it is okay to embrace the cheesiness factor. Sometimes touristy cheesiness is a good thing. I say this is one of those times! Think of it as taking a picture of yourself in those bright red phone booths in London or walking like an Egyptian in front of the pyramids in Egypt–it is hokey and stupid, but also lots of fun! That’s how I felt about the fish nets–cliche, yes. Unnecessarily adorable? YES!
Down by the church (the guy in the light blue shirt is my dad!):
Unintentional National Geographic moment:
The fish nets were adorable, but I thought the shutters on the houses were cute as well. In fact, the entire village reminded me of the opening scene in Beauty and the Beast in which Belle sings the opening song “Belle” (where everybody says Bonjour to her) in which she starts off with “Little town, in a quiet village…” (If you would like to watch the song, click here. It is one of my favorite Disney movies.)
Do you think Saint-Suliac deserves to be a plus beau village de France?
I know I do!
What a lovely village. It looks like a wonderful trip. A few years ago, I visited a friend of a friend who had a vacation home in the region of the Midi-Pyrénées, in a department called Aveyron. I vaguely recalled someone mentioning that several towns in the area were among the “most beautiful villages in France.” I looked it up and according to Wikipedia ten of the villages in the area belong to this association. It is a really beautiful charming area with a great nature park as well. You might want to keep it in the back of your mind for a future trip.
Thanks for the comment! I don’t think I’ve ever been to Aveyron but I studied abroad in France for a semester in Toulouse which is part of the Midi-Pyrenees region, not too far away. I will keep Aveyron in mind for future trips to France!
“Sometimes touristy cheesiness is a good thing.”- I agree completely! Anyone who has pics of themselves lifting up the leaning tower of Pisa would agree too
This is the first I´ve heard of the title of “plus beaux village de France.” How is this decided?
I have actually never been to Pisa but if I ever go, I will probably take a picture of me “leaning up” against the tower! How could you not? It’s practically an unwritten cheesy tourist rule!
Les Plus Beaux Villages de France is an association that was started in France to promote tourism in isolated, rural communities that otherwise would be overlooked by bigger cities like Paris or Nice. There is a bunch of criteria the village must have–not exceed 2000 inhabitants, have at least 2 protected sites or monuments, and give proof that the application has been approved by the town council. Then there is a whole process that takes place before the village finally acquires “plus beau village” status. You can read all about the organization and selection process at the website here: http://www.les-plus-beaux-villages-de-france.org/en/the-most-beautiful-villages-of-france
Interesting! Promoting smaller towns and villages seems like an all-around terrific idea.
Beautiful little village very like some of the ones near us in Cornwall
Yes a lot of Brittany and Normandy looks like England. I’ve seen a few episodes of the show Doc Martin here in the US, and the coastal town always reminds me of northern France!
How charming! I’ve never heard of the “plus beaux villages de France” before, but it will be helpful for planning future trips. I’d love to see more of France outside of Paris!
Most people visiting France (even expats who live there) have never heard of les plus beaux villages. I had never heard of it until the blogger over at Life on La Lune (who lives in southwest France) brought it up one day in her blog. Then this past summer when I stayed in Provence for two weeks, my father also brought it up and mentioned we would be visiting a few “plus beaux villages.” The website lists all of the towns so you can just go over there and browse by region. Good luck searching!