A beautiful village hardly touched in hundreds of years has been likened to the Cotswolds.
Walk into this village of 189 people, with its cobbled streets and stone-tiled roofs, and you may find yourself doing an Ebenezer Scrooge.
“What year is it?” is a fair question to ask when in Belcastel. The French settlement sits in the southern region of Occitania and can feel almost too picturesque to be real.
A handful of homes sit on the banks of the Aveyron, most of them dating back to the 15th century, with a stone bridge connecting the two sides.
Part of the reason for Belcastel’s untouched feel is that it was largely cut off from the world for so long. At the start of the 20th century, the village could only be reached via difficult tracks. Few made the journey, leaving those who live there to enjoy its charms free from much modernisation.
The village leaves you feeling like you’ve walked back in time (Image: Getty)
At the top of the village’s hill is a château fort that had fallen into disrepair by 1974, when renowned architect Fernand Pouillon bought the ruins and undertook its restoration. It was restored to its former glory before locals, inspired by Pouillon’s work, set about breathing life back into the ensemble of the village’s houses, communal buildings and restaurants.
They clearly did a good job. In 1990, Belcastel was nominated to Plus Beaux Villages de France (a list of the prettiest villages in France).
“Nestled in the heart of the Aveyron Valley, Belcastel has everything to charm you! Its majestic castle, lovingly restored by the architect Fernand Pouillon, proudly overlooks this medieval village. Crossing the iconic bridge that spans the rushing waters of the Aveyron, you enter an authentic Aveyron village, with traditional stone houses and slate roofs,” reads Plus Beaux Villages de France’s description of Belcastel.
It has been named one of the UK’s prettiest villages (Image: Getty)
When in the village, the castle is the main attraction. Perched dramatically on a rocky outcrop above the village, you can visit the interior and climb up for sweeping views over the rooftops and the Aveyron River below.
A graceful stone bridge crosses the Aveyron River in the heart of the village, with the old houses tumbling down the hillside on one side and the castle looming above.
Vieux Pont, right by the bridge, has a strong reputation for its cooking, so it’s a good lunch stop. It is listed in the Michelin Guide and serves up delicious pigeon and mushroom crumble dishes.
Getting to the village remains tricky. It’s three and a half hours by train from Toulouse Airport, or six hours from Montpellier. Belcastel’s remote location means public transport options are slow and limited, so hiring a car may be advisable.
Despite being difficult to reach, it can get really busy in the summer. DFDS recently named Belcastel, the French village most like the Cotswolds, thanks to its beauty and honey-coloured stone. It also shares problems with crowds.
In the summer months, coaches dump loads of tourists into the town, overwhelming its small streets and making it near impossible to find a spot to eat. Arriving early in the morning during the peak season, or opting for spring or autumn instead, is wise.