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They might not be as familiar as some of the other Plus Beaux Villages but these four are all worth adding to your househunting location list, finds Vicky Leigh

- Vicky Leigh

From the 66 it started with in 1982 to the 159 in 2020 that proudly bear the instantly recognisable red and green logo, the number of villages belonging to France’s Plus Beaux Villages association has grown considerably since it first began almost 40 years ago.

While many of the names will now stand out among those 159, from Collonges-la-Rouge where it all started, to Village Préféré des Français winner Rochefort-en-Terre, others have perhaps been somewhat overshadowed by their more familiar fellow members. Here we shine a spotlight on four villages from different regions of the country.

YVOIRE

Pretty as a picture and neat as a pin, the medieval village of Yvoire in Haute-Savoie has belonged to the Plus Beaux Villages association for more than 20 years. It has several other accolades to its name too – an award-winning Ville Fleurie with a four-flower rating, it has also won first prize in a national competition for the best-kept village, and is known as la Perle du Lac Léman (the Pearl of Lake Geneva).

Situated at the northern tip of the presqu’île de Léman (Leman peninsula), Yvoire separates the two main parts of Lake Geneva, the petit lac and the grand lac. This strategic position was recognised by Amadeus V, Count of Savoy, in the early 14th century when fortifications including a castle, ramparts and gateways were built to protect the village.