Every year, as if by some unwritten French accord, the Journal du Dimanche and the association Villes et villages où il fait bon vivre band together to release a list that sparks nationwide chatter. It’s a rundown of which towns and villages offer the crème de la crème of living conditions in France. They scrutinize nearly everything under the sun – from the vibes of the local café to the greenness of the parks, assessing over 34,808 municipalities across the country.
This year, finances and local taxes also muscled in on the action as fresh metrics. But who clinched the 2024 top spot for villages? None other than the utterly bewitching Guéthary in the Basque Country.
The Lowdown on Guéthary’s Charm
Guéthary, with its modest population of under 2,000 souls, is the kind of place that postcards get jealous of. Situated on the Atlantic Coast, this village, a former fishing and farming haven, beams with charm that’s timeless.
The waves here – especially the legendary “Parlementia” and “Avalanche” – have made Guéthary a global surfing beacon. Beyond the surf, it’s a place where days end in fiery sunsets by the pier, with a drink in one hand and a plate of tapas in the other.
What’s the fuss all about, you ask? Well, imagine a place where neo-Basque architecture hugs the landscape, temperatures stay kindly year-round, and the cultural scene hums quietly but impressively – with a museum housing the sculptures of Georges Clément de Swiecinski at its heart.
More Than Just Great Waves
Guéthary isn’t just riding its way to happiness on waves alone. The Basque Country, with Guéthary as its sparkling jewel, scores big on quality of life indicators and security, making it a region where worries seem to dissolve into the ocean air. Yet, as Jakes Larre from the Basque Cultural Institute gently reminds us, the siren call of this region brings both joy and challenges, especially when it comes to blending cultures and embracing the Basque way of life with open arms.
A Seaside Village With a Message
You might think a place as idyllic as Guéthary would guard its secrets closely. Yet, it stands as a testament to the beauty of shared culture, integration, and the pure joy of living in tune with both nature and tradition. And while Guéthary and its fellow Basque neighbors – Bayonne, Biarritz, and Anglet – keep topping the charts, they invite us all to reflect on what makes a place truly great to live in.
Is it the sunsets, the architecture, or something deeper woven into the fabric of the community?
The top 10 best cities in France:
- Angers
- Bayonne
- Biarritz
- Anglet
- Annecy
- Lorient
- Rennes
- La Rochelle
- Brest
- Rodez
The top 10 best villages in France:
- Guéthary
- Martinvast
- Epron
- Peltre
- Authie
- Saint-Quay-Perros
- Mazères-Lezons
- Buros
- Marcellaz-Albanais
- Cambes-en-Plaine
This article first appeared on grazia.fr – Author: Luce Picat
