This year again, “Le Village Préféré des Français” returns with Stéphane Bern at the helm. And no less than 14 villages are in competition. One in particular stands out…
Last summer, viewers voted and crowned Saint-Antoine-l’Abbaye (in Isère) as the French people’s favorite village 2025, as part of the France 3 program, hosted by the popular Stéphane Bern. This year, the voting campaign for the 2026 edition started on February 16 and votes are open… until March 6, 2026 at 11:59 p.m.! You therefore still have a few hours to make your choice (online, via the france.tv platform or by telephone at 3245).
Which are the 14 new villages in competition? Marcolès (Cantal), Nolay (Côte-d’Or), Locquirec (Finistère), La Ferté-Vidame (Eure-et-Loir), Vescovato (Haute-Corse), Dambach-la-Ville (Bas-Rhin), Chaumont-en-Vexin (Oise), Dampierre-en-Yvelines (Yvelines), Blangy-le-Château (Calvados), La Flotte (Charente-Maritime) as well as Saint-Martin-de-Londres (Hérault), Saulges (Mayenne) and Cacao (Guyana). And the 14th will you tell us? This is a village already well known to the French who are used to going to Provence during the summer season: Bormes-les-Mimosas (Var).
The latter is not only known for its undeniable charm. Among the pillars that already make it famous, there is obviously the fact that it hosts Fort de Brégançon. Located on a small island connected to the coast by a pier, this 11th century fort has been the official summer residence of the presidents of the French Republic since 1968. But it is not only Emmanuel Macron who is among the famous residents of the village…
Indeed, for some time now Bormes-les-Mimosas has also been the home of a very big French star. A popular singer with a career spanning over sixty years and hits galore. If we tell you Popular Balls, The Sickness of Love, Broadway Java or even To be a woman, The Lakes of Connemara… You recognized Michel Sardou. He bought an XXL villa worth several million overlooking the sea here to spend his retirement with his wife Anne-Marie Périer.
Furthermore, Bormes-les-Mimosas lives up to its name since it is considered one of the most flowery in France and has held the prestigious “4 flowers” label for more than 50 years! From January to March, the village is adorned with dazzling yellow and becomes an essential stopover on the famous Mimosa Route.
