8 fairytale towns in France that look straight out of a storybook
If you are traveling to Europe, think beyond Venice and discover France’s most enchanting “little Venices” filled with canals, flowers, and timeless charm
As we all start planning our travel plans for the year and this summer, why not dream big? We have enough time to book ahead before flights fill up and itineraries get locked into the usual suspects. If you’re someone who loves romantic escapades, consider using Venice as inspiration rather than a blueprint. You don’t have to follow the exact same itinerary everyone else does to get that magic.
Other cities s in Europe offer charm and atmosphere, yet feel quieter, more intimate, and delightfully off the beaten path. Imagine slow, cozy mornings, wandering past pastel houses, stopping for coffee on a tiny bridge covered in flowers, and catching that golden-hour glow on a boat ride that feels like your own little secret.
Across France, a handful of towns nicknamed “Little Venice” are full of that same storybook energy, with waterways winding through the prettiest streets and balconies overflowing with blooms. We pulled together a list of French fairy-tale towns that bring the romance, with their own twist. They might not be as famous, but they’re every bit as cinematic.
Known as the “Venice of the Alps,” Annecy charms visitors with nearly 2.5 miles of canals winding through its Old Town. Colorful facades and flowered balconies reflect in the water, while the medieval Palais de l’Isle rises dramatically from the middle of a canal.
Everything leads to Lake Annecy, one of Europe’s clearest lakes, stretching like a blue mirror beneath the mountains. Located in Haute-Savoie, this town invites you to wander cobblestone streets, markets, and terraces where the sound of water becomes part of the experience.
At Christmas and any time of year, this Alsace town feels straight out of a fairy tale. Its La Petite Venise district charms visitors with pastel-colored, half-timbered houses that seem to float above the canals of the Lauch River.
Boat rides here reveal storybook corners that look like something out of a classic illustration, complete with flower-covered bridges and the inviting aromas of Alsatian bistros.
In northern France, Amiens earns its nickname “Little Venice of the North” thanks to the Hortillonnages, floating gardens crisscrossed by canals in the Saint-Leu district. Traditional flat-bottom boats called barques à cornet navigate more than 700 acres of waterways. Above them rises the majestic Gothic Cathedral of Notre-Dame, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, reflected in the calm water.
Located in southern France between the Mediterranean Sea and the Rhône delta, Martigues is known as the“Venice of Provence.” Canals connect lagoons and rivers, creating shimmering reflections beneath charming bridges. The Miroir aux Oiseaux (“Mirror of Birds”) is especially picturesque, a small canal bordered by houses and gardens that looks like a painting come to life.
Near Avignon, this village is built over the crystal-clear Sorgue River. Canals run through the Old Town, past ancient mills, stone bridges, and colorful houses whose reflections dance on the water. The town is famous for its antique markets and artisan shops, and every walk is accompanied by the soothing sound of flowing water.
In the heart of the Marais Poitevin wetlands, Coulon is known as France’s “Green Venice.” Canals wind through reeds, willows, and flooded meadows, creating a serene, almost poetic landscape. Traditional flat-bottom boats drift silently as birdsong and rustling leaves set the rhythm. Each bend reveals wooden bridges and tiny hamlets where nature reigns.
Often called the “Venice of the Gâtinais,” Montargis blends medieval heritage with canal-lined tranquility. Stone bridges cross waterways bordered by traditional houses, inviting slow strolls or boat rides. Located in the Loiret department, it offers historic churches, cobblestone streets, and lively markets that bring everyday life into this watery dreamscape.
Designed in the 1960s by architect François Spoerry, Port Grimaud is a modern canal town on the French Riviera. Inspired by Venice but adapted for contemporary living,its waterways run past pastel homes with sunny terraces, each with direct access to the water and a private boat. Exploring by foot or by boat feels like stepping into a living painting on the Côte d’Azur.
