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Selection criteria for candidate villages

Thirty assessment criteria

In total, more than 30 criteria serve as a framework for assessing villages applying for inclusion in the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France® ranking:

  • The first three are preliminary criteria, assessed on the basis of the application, which determine whether the application is admissible.

  • Thirty-two assessment criteria, assessed during an on-site visit, used to rate the quality of the village across various aspects.
     

PRE-SELECTION CRITERIA (eliminatory)

  • 1/ The candidate village must have a population of no more than 2,000 inhabitants (although the total population of the local authority may exceed 2,000),
  • 2/ Have, within the village’s boundaries, at least two protected areas designated as Historic Monuments, sites or sites of outstanding heritage value,
  • 3/ Demonstrate collective commitment to the application by providing a resolution from the Municipal Council.
     

ASSESSMENT CRITERIA

 

> The village’s heritage and architectural qualities

 

Urban planning qualities

  • 1/ Quality of the village’s surroundings and access routes
  • 2/ Size, compactness and uniformity of the built environment
  • 3/ Scale of the road network and diversity of routes

Architectural qualities

  • 4/ Harmony and consistency of building volumes
  • 5/ Harmony and consistency of roofing materials and colours
  • 6/ Harmony and consistency of materials and colours on façades
  • 7/ Presence and diversity of small-scale heritage

> Efforts to showcase these features

  • 8/ Existence of a town planning document and/or town planning control
  • 9/ Quality of the town planning document and town planning policy
  • 10/ Quality of building refurbishments
  • 11/ Control and management of advertising and signage
  • 12/ Management of public spaces
  • 13/ Greening, floral displays and landscaping
  • 14/ Lighting of heritage features
  • 15/ Organisation and management of parking
  • 16/ Organisation and management of traffic
  • 17/ Concealment of utility networks (electricity, telecommunications, water, sewerage, etc.)
  • 18/ Aesthetic design of street lighting

> Protection of the natural heritage

  • 19/ Preservation of the rural character
  • 20/ Measures to promote biodiversity
  • 21/ Preservation, development and enhancement of tree heritage
  • 22/ Creation of sustainable transport routes
  • 23/ Energy-efficient lighting and illumination

> Hospitality and development

  • 24/ Understanding tourist numbers
  • 25/ Availability of accommodation and leisure facilities
  • 26/ Presence of craftspeople, shops or services
  • 27/ Availability of a visitor information centre
  • 28/ Organisation of guided tours
  • 29/ Publication of promotional materials
  • 30/ Installation of directional and information signage
  • 31/ Availability of covered or open-air venues for festive events
  • 32/ Organisation of high-quality events

Download the list of criteria