5 Magical Medieval Villages in France You Have to See to Believe

5. Conques, Aveyron

Sitting in the green hills of the Aveyron region, Conques is a medieval village with striking Romanesque architecture. It’s a key stop on the Camino de Santiago route as pilgrims are drawn to the grand Abbey Church of Sainte-Foy.

The church houses a famous tympanum depicting the Last Judgment, a masterpiece of medieval art with over 100 detailed figures. The church also houses the relics of Sainte-Foy, a young martyr whose gilded reliquary sparkles with jewels donated by pilgrims over centuries.

The village itself is a web of narrow, cobbled lanes and stone houses with slate roofs. The village has artisan workshops where local craftspeople produce traditional Aveyronnaise leather goods and pottery. Each summer, Conques hosts classical music concerts in the abbey.