Since 2012, when it was first broadcast, the show “Le village préféré des Français” – hosted by Stéphane Bern – has won over millions of viewers. This televised event takes us on a journey of discovery of the most beautiful villages in France, as 14 finalists vie for the title of “France’s Favorite Village” 2024. This year, it was Collioure, the pearl of the Pyrénées-Orientales, that won the hearts of the French. Toulouse Secret tells you more.
Collioure elected France’s favorite village 2024
If we had seen the Revel market lose the title of favorite market of the French, we can console ourselves with the victory of an Occitan village in the show “Le village préféré des Français” 2024. Just 2.5 hours by car from Toulouse, Collioure boasts a small Catalan port that was once home to colorful boats, of which only a few vestiges remain. Set in a cove on the Côte Vermeille, this village in the far south of the Occitanie region has many charms.
Nestled between sea and mountains, this village is famous for its picturesque landscapes and vibrant colors, which have inspired many artists, including Henri Matisse and André Derain. This historic village is also renowned for its royal castle and its emblematic church – the Eglise Notre-Dame-des-Anges – which offers a breathtaking view of the sea. A true gem of the Occitanie region – Collioure’s cultural heritage attracts many visitors every year.
Occitanie often has one of its villages among the finalists in the “Le Village préféré des français” TV show. Among them, Belcastel. Since the show’s inception, however,only 3 villages in the region have been awarded the coveted label. Saint-Cirq-Lapopie (Lot) in 2012, Cordes-sur-Ciel (Tarn) in 2014 and Collioure (Pyrénées-Orientales) in 2024. We hope we won’t have to wait another 10 years to see an Occitan village at the top of the podium!