Gone are the days when you could stroll, uninterrupted, through the chocolate box villages of Bourton-on-the-Water or Broadway in the enclave that is the Cotswolds.The area has, in recent years, grown increasingly popular among American celebrities, the TikTok crowds and influencers, slowly ruining the sense of countryside calm it was once known for.Across the pond, however, France’s best villages are calling.From tiny towns with just a few shops and cafes to almost untouched gems nestled away amid the greenery, there is no single French answer to the Cotswolds – the list of quiet spots to explore is lengthy and, more importantly, relatively tourist-free.So, whether you’re after a romantic weekend away or a bargain break without the crowds, could one of these be your next Gallic adventure? Belcastel, Occitanie The Aveyron is known for its castles and chocolate box villages – and Belcastel is a hidden gemThis green spot in the French countryside is often passed over for more ‘Instagrammable’ holiday spots such as Nice and Cannes.But the Aveyron stands out as having the highest number of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France (The Most Beautiful Villages in France) – with a total of 11.Belcastel, one of these, is a true highlight, with its river, quaint row of shops and imposing castle – and is one of the most underrated spots in France.WHERE TO STAY: The Chateau de Belcastel’s guest suite can be booked for stays during the spring and summer, is a taste of medieval France with modern amenities.A stay can cost between €190 (£165) and €265 (£230) depending on the season, and fine dining experiences in the lord’s dining room are on offer too.NEAREST AIRPORT/STATION: Flights from London Stansted to Rodez start from just £28 with Ryanair.Semur-en-Auxois, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté You’ve probably never heard of Semur-en-Auxois – but that’s a mistakeSemur-en-Auxois, a town ranked as one of France’s most beautiful, has all the cobblestone streets, quiet charm and medieval architecture you might desire from a Cotswolds-style break.With red roofs, half-timbered houses and a majestic Gothic church, it’s a perfect place to enjoy a crowd-free getaway.The Collegiale Notre-Dame de Semur-en-Auxois is one highlight, as is the picturesque Pinard Bridge and municipal museum.WHERE TO STAY: The Logis Hostellerie D’Aussois, located in the Côte-d’Or countryside, overlooks the historic town of Semur-en-Auxois and has an outdoor swimming pool, garden and traditional restaurant. Rooms start from £106.NEAREST AIRPORT/STATION: Your best bet is to fly to Paris and get a train to Les Laumes-Alésia, which has TGV connections from Paris.Lavardin, Centre-Val de Loire Lavardin, situated in central France, is on the banks of the river LoirEnjoy the views of the impressive fortress, as well as the Saint Genest church, which has frescoes dating as far back as the 12th century.The local tourism board says: ‘A flower-filled village located at the foot of the magnificent ruins of its chateau. If you enjoy strolling, taking pictures, if you like the Middle-Ages, Lavardin is an obligatory stop during your stay in the Vendôme region.’ Another core attraction is what locals call the ‘rotte aux biques’, a panoramic path along the hill. This ‘goats’ path’ is worth the somewhat demanding trek.WHERE TO STAY: Le Grand Saint-Marc in nearby Vendôme is simple and budget-friendly, with rooms from £103/night.NEAREST AIRPORT/STATION: The most convenient option is to fly to Paris, then take the train to nearby Vendôme or Tours.Conques, Occitanie Conques-en-Rouergue is worthy of Disney princess magicConques, with its fairytale roots, is unmissable.In the 1991 Disney cartoon Beauty and the Beast, Belle’s hometown, the fictional village of Villeneuve looks a lot like Conques. In the 2017 film version, the production designer took the inspiration for the village directly from the town.Each tiny house in Conques could be Belle’s own.For adventurous types, the Golinhac to Conques hike, around 21km (13 miles), will take you through small towns including Les Albusquiès, Campagnac, Le Soulié, Espeyrac, Sénergues, Fontromieu and La Vernhe. WHERE TO STAY: The Moulin de Cambelong, just outside the main village, is all waterside views and chic interiors – plus Michelin-starred cuisine. Rooms from £156 per night.NEAREST AIRPORT/STATION: Flights from London Stansted to Rodez start from just £28.Estaing, Occitanie Estaing is a commune in the Aveyron department with views to rival the CotswoldsThe village, castle, church and vineyards combine to make Estaing so appealing – and you need only look at photos to see the resemblance to the Cotswolds.It’s worth a look for a September getaway, when the medieval festival gets underway with a banquet, juggling, street music and plenty of festivities. The chateau was built in the 11th century, and was bought in 2005 by the French President Valéry Giscard d’Estaing.WHERE TO STAY: Hôtel Les Monts d’Amara is a budget-friendly eco cabin in nearby Campuac, with rooms from £118/night.NEAREST AIRPORT/STATION: Flights from London Stansted to Rodez start from just £28 with Ryanair.Rouen, Normandy Rouen, the capital of the northern region of Normandy, should be on your radarRouen might be a city but it is filled with the sort of charm you’d find in the Cotswolds. It is walkable, meaning there’s no need to spend time (or money) on a crammed metro, and it’s got just as much history and culture to offer as some of France’s larger cities.Dating back to the medieval period and tied up with the tale of Joan of Arc, the sightseeing in Rouen is great for any history buffs – or, indeed, anyone just keen for a bit of a meander through ancient cobbled streets.Writer Victor Hugo famously described Rouen as ‘the city of a hundred spires’ and it’s easy to see why, even on a short stroll through the centre.There’s lots to do here – the city has its very own Notre-Dame Cathedral, Musée des Beaux-Arts (Fine Arts Museum) and exhibition of Joan of Arc, bringing her story to life. One of the city’s most beautiful spots is the Gros Horloge, its huge clock, a gem of architecture.WHERE TO STAY: The five-star Hotel de Bourgtheroulde, Autograph Collection, has doubles from £195 a night.NEAREST AIRPORT/STATION: Fly or take the Eurostar to Paris, transfer Gare du Nord to Saint-Lazare, then take a 90-minute train to Rouen River Droit.Mortagne-au-Perche, Orne, Normandy Historic Mortagne-au-Perche in Normandy is quaint and characterfulAs well as its ‘most beautiful villages’, France has what it calls the ‘Petites Cités de Caractère’ or ‘Small Towns of Character’. Mortagne-au-Perche is among them. This town is located at the crossroads between Paris and Brittany in the Perche Regional Natural Park, a great destination for cyclists, history buffs and nature lovers.Medieval adornments allow you to travel back in time… WHERE TO STAY: Book a stay at Blavou Castle for a taste of history, from £182 per night.NEAREST AIRPORT/STATION: Get the train from Paris to Gare de L’Aigle.Gargilesse-Dampierre, Centre-Val de Loire Gargilesse-Dampierre boasts a charming riverside setting and historic characterGargilesse-Dampierre was named France’s most overlooked ‘Cotswold-style’ village, attracting just 90 average monthly Google searches, in a recent study from DFDS.It’s also one of France’s most beautiful villages, with a 12th-century church as well as a castle to visit.Once the home of 19th-century writer George Sand, it’s also been frequented by painters, with the strong artistic roots demonstrated by the multitude of art galleries in the area. WHERE TO STAY: Rooms at Hotel George Sand start from €130 (£110) per night.NEAREST AIRPORT/STATION: The nearest airport is Limoges – Bellegarde, 50 miles from Gargilesse-Dampierre, or you can get the train to Argenton-sur-Creuse, a 15-minute drive away, from major hubs such as Paris (Gare d’Austerlitz).