In March 1982, mayor Charles Ceyrac of a red sandstone village in Corrèze launched an initiative to curb rural exodus from his region. The association Plus Beaux Villages de France (PBVs) now includes 180 villages across 14 regions and 70 departments and has inspired similar schemes internationally. Membership requires around 30 criteria covering architectural heritage, protected natural surroundings, and harmonious rural development. Benefits include new craft businesses, restaurants, increased tourism, and population upturns. Each PBV has no more than 2,000 inhabitants and preserves distinctive architecture, history, and animated community life that sustains local traditions.
In March 1982 in the heart of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, the mayor of a red sandstone village in the department of Corrèze came up with an innovative idea that he felt could help stem the rural exodus, not just from the beautiful but sleepy countryside around his home, but perhaps even across France. Charles Ceyrac's scheme had the potential to inject new life into historic villages that were packed with history and heritage, but struggling economically as people left to live in bigger towns.
Today, more than 40 years on, the association of Plus Beaux Villages de France (PBVs) numbers 180 rural gems and has not only spread across 14 regions of France and 70 departments, but also inspired similar schemes from Quebec to Wallonia, Switzerland to Japan. The department of Aveyron currently boasts the most designated PBVs with 11, followed by Dordogne with 10.
To become a member, candidates must satisfy some 30 criteria that include architectural heritage, protected natural surroundings, and harmonious rural development. In return for maintaining standards, the chosen villages have welcomed new craft businesses and restaurants, enjoyed increased tourism, and, equally important, seen an upturn in their dwindling populations. With a maximum of 2000 inhabitants, each PBV is individual in its architecture, history, and location, but when you visit a village with the official classification, you know you are in for a treat.
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