Claiming the spot as the world’s most popular tourist destination, France is home to numerous incredible towns and cities to explore. From the luxurious streets of Paris and its landmarks like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre, to the Côte d’Azur, to the wine regions of Bordeaux and Burgundy, it’s no surprise that France attracted over 100 million visitors in 2024. 

But being home to over 68 million people, it’s often wondered where the locals go on holiday to escape the crowds. Well, nestled between Lyon and Grenoble in southeastern France lies a beautiful little village that is virtually unheard of for foreign visitors, but was in fact voted the favourite French village by viewers of the TV show “Le Village Préféré des Français 2025”. Tucked away in the hills of Chambaran in the Isère department sits Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye, a charming medieval town boasting half-timbered buildings, cobblestone streets and a Gothic abbey that has stood for nearly 730 years. 

A visit to the commune is like stepping back in time, particularly when you catch a glimpse of the incredible medieval abbey with its intricate Gothic façade, decorated with carved religious details that give Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye its name.

“Saint-Antoine is a tiny little village lost between the mountains and the countryside,” Maryline Longis, mayor of the village, told Travel + Leisure. “The village of Saint-Antoine was a major medical and religious centre, one that truly combined faith, science, and hospitality.

“This history has profoundly shaped the identity of the village, and we have preserved not only the landscapes but that sense of warmth and hospitality. Our guiding principle in the village is really about welcoming visitors well.”

For those seeking even more history, they can enjoy fascinating medieval displays and interactive exhibitions, including a fragrance exhibit, at the Musée de Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye.

Food lovers can also rejoice in Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye, where the region is known for a range of products, from Noix de Grenoble (walnuts) to Saint-Marcellin cheese and Chartreuse, a green-yellow herbal liqueur that has been produced by Carthusian Monks since 1737.

Plus, while major French cities like Marseille, Nice and Paris have been putting in measures to tackle its overtourism crises, Mayor Longis called higher visitor numbers in her village as a “great honour”.

“We haven’t got the problem of overtourism and it won’t happen here,” she told The Times. “This is a great honour and we’re perfectly well able to handle more tourism. It will help our restaurants, hotels and shops.’

Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye is just an hour and a half’s drive from Lyon, with Brits able to easily access the village from Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport (LYS) or Grenoble Alpes Isère Airport (GNB) and travel to the village by rental car. According to Skyscanner, direct flights to Lyon Airport are as low as £16 in mid-January with Wizz Air.