It was in Collonges-la-Rouge in 1982 that the idea for the association Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages of France) was born. It's easy to see why...

Collonges, a former stop on the Way of St James, boasts remarkable red sandstone buildings topped with blue slate roofs, most of which date back to the 16th century. At sunset, the walls of Collonges glow red. It's magnificent.

Difficulty ****