What is the story about?
France is the place where you will find many beautiful villages. Well, for the year 2025, the honour of France's most favourite village goes to Saint Antoine-l’Abbaye.
It's a quaint village that is located between Grenoble and Valence in southeastern France. The popular French television program "France's Favourite Village" whose host is Stéphane Bern gave this honour. The idea of the show is to celebrate the local heritage, craftsmanship and villages of the country. So, for the same, public voting is done. For this award also, the voting was held for weeks. Also read: Vietnam Announces Visa-Free Entry For 12 More Countries From Aug 15; Full List Inside
Wondering what makes this village so special?
The village is deemed as the medieval pilgrimage hub and architectural gem. It's architecture also has a medieval touch to it. One of the highlights of the village is the Gothic abbey and it is known for its architectural beauty and historical relevance. When one walks through the village, one feels like one has gone back in time. The abodes there have a pebble stone facade, there are narrow lanes, the houses are half timbered - all of these things add charm to the village. With 17 chapels, stunning woodwork, an imposing high altar containing Saint Anthony's shrine, and richly decorated sacristies, it houses the “Treasure of the Antonins”—the second most important reliquary collection in France, behind Toulouse’s Saint-Sernin.
Do you know the selection is done? Well, the procedure is not simple and in fact quite rigorous. One of the criterions for eligible villages must have fewer than 2,000 residents. The village should also have at least two protected historic monuments. Plus, the village should meet 32 criteria including quality of renovations, biodiversity, traffic flow, energy-efficient lighting, and local amenities. It goes without saying that Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye not only meets these standards, but it also offers an authentic, inviting experience for visitors.
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When you visit this place, you will get a deep insight into France’s history, culture and architecture.
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