Local tourism study: the 50 most searched French cities with less than 10,000 inhabitants on the Internet

Following the publication of the ranking of the 30 most sought-after French villages by the French and on the occasion of the Easter holidays that have already begun for certain areas, the holiday rental comparator Likibu.com has compiled the ranking of the 50 small villages in France most searched on the Internet. Among the more than 4,300 French cities with less than 10,000 inhabitants, the main seaside resorts in Normandy, Landes and the Mediterranean occupy the top ten in the ranking, along with Chamonix and Sarlat-la-Canéda, proud representatives of small mountain villages and from the inside. They are especially closely followed by Gérardmer, in twelfth place, and charming Breton towns such as Quiberon, Carnac and Perros-Guirec, which also complete this beautiful panorama of small French towns not to be missed.

The top 10 most searched French small towns on the Internet by name and by “What to see”, “What to do”, “What to visit”

• Deauville (145,600 applications)
  

  Particularly known for its American film festival, the splendid seaside town of Deauville is one of the jewels of the Côte Fleurie in Normandy. Its huge beach is bordered by the famous Promenade des Planches, along which you can have fun finding the huts with the names of your biggest idols on the big screen before arriving at the legendary casino in the city. Between thalassotherapy, boat trips, beach sunsets and architectural wonders, Deauville is the promise of an unforgettable spring break.

• Hossegor (137,670 requests)
  

  A paradise for surfers, Hossegor is without a doubt one of the most unmissable spas on the French Atlantic coast. ! Located between Seignosse and Capbreton in the Landes, it offers an exceptional living environment and is ideal for recharging your batteries with family or friends. Take advantage of your holiday to discover its sea lake during a walk or a paddle tennis session, taste delicious oysters under the sea pines and immerse yourself in the vibrant and artistic atmosphere of this charming little coastal town.

• Honfleur (120,370 requests)
  

  If you go to Normandy, Honfleur is an unmissable stop that promises you a real change of scenery. Ideal for a romantic weekend or with your loved ones, it hosts a magnificent small port surrounded by tall, narrow and colorful houses whose reflection in the sea will not fail to surprise you. The birthplace of Erik Satie and Eugène Boudin, he knows how to satisfy lovers of art with its museums, water activities with its beaches, but also gastronomy thanks to the many restaurants located behind the doors of their splendid houses. framework.

• Cassis (118,260 requests)
  

  Located a short distance from Marseille, the beautiful coastal town of Cassis is a prime access point to the fabulous coves such as Port-Miou, Port-Pin and En-Vau, all nearby. After a day of swimming and diving, you will appreciate the incomparable Provencal atmosphere of the beautiful port of colors and the typical shops of the center of Cassis. Stroll the streets in a train, then succumb to delicious local specialties at their market stalls or during a wonderful dinner with sea views.

• Collioure (114,200 requests)
  

  Between sea and mountains, Collioure is a real little paradise on the shores of the Mediterranean and at the foot of the Pyrenees. Just take the time to stroll through its narrow streets before you reach the beach or the hiking trails to discover the splendid landscapes and colorful houses that have inspired great French painters like Matisse and Derain. Bordered by the turquoise waters of the Vermeille coast, Collioure will delight you with its charming cafés and sidewalk shops, a wide range of activities on the sea and the sumptuous panoramic views of the Albères massif.

• Sarlat-la-Canéda (106,290 requests)
  

  During a stay at the Périgord Noir, the discovery of Sarlat-la-Canéda will no doubt leave you speechless. Opting for a guided tour will allow you to learn more about all the buildings that line the cobbled streets of this charming medieval city. It is, in fact, the French city with the highest density of historical and cataloged monuments, among which we find especially the splendid castle of Puymartin. Gourmet tables, small craft shops and entertainment of all kinds complete this wonderful picture.

• Le Grau-du-Roi (105,370 requests)
  

  Known for its lively city center, but also for its immense wild beach on the Espiguette and its magnificent lighthouse, Le Grau-du-Roi is without a doubt one of the most familiar and popular French seaside resorts in the world. summer. A visit to its unmissable aquarium, a horseback ride on the Camargue and a photo safari in the heart of the nature reserve are among the most popular activities to explore the surroundings. At the end of the day, the many terraces of the marina welcome summer visitors in a charming setting that will appeal to young and old alike.

• Chamonix (98,850 requests)
  

  Located at the foot of the majestic Mont Blanc, the charming village of Chamonix is ​​a place to discover in summer and winter thanks to the multitude of activities on offer. Of course, you can take advantage of the many ski slopes to admire the stunning landscapes of the Alps, but also reach the Aiguille du Midi by cable car to contemplate the most incredible panoramic views. The sea and the ice cave, the Diosaz gorges and the Merlet park are exceptional natural places located around this alpine resort where life is good.

• Lege-Cap-Ferret (96,180 requests)
  

  Spending a holiday at Cap Ferret is a dream come true for many French people for obvious reasons: a relaxed lifestyle, unparalleled local cuisine, large expanses of sand and organized bike lanes make this place a real little paradise for holidaymakers looking for a change. of stage and tranquility. Staying in Lège-Cap-Ferret is an opportunity to live with your feet in the water in a beautiful wooden hut with a colorful facade and enjoy an incomparable view of the Atlantic coast from the legendary lighthouse of Cap Ferret. .

• Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer (95,930 requests)
  

  Enjoy an unforgettable sunny holiday at the gates of the Camargue in this magnificent small emblematic village in the south of France. Known for its fortified church, the town of Saintes-Maries-de-la-Mer keeps all its promises: its picturesque streets full of charming whitewashed houses and small shops will illuminate your promenade to the promenade or in the sands. Nature lovers in the wild will also be delighted by the city’s proximity to the Pont de Gau Park and the Camargue National Nature Park.

Methodology:

This study was conducted between 11 and 18 April 2022. All French localities with less than 10,000 inhabitants have been taken into account, ie any town with a population of between 2,000 and 10,000 inhabitants. (INSEE 2018 database).

The data is the average number of monthly Google searches over the last 12 months for:

• the most searched queries between “What to do”, “What to see”, “What to visit” + the name of the city, for example, “What to do in Deauville”, “What to see in Deauville”, “Visit Deauville”, etc. .),
• city ​​name only (e.g., “Deauville” has an average of 135,000 monthly queries over the past 12 months on Google).

Cities with a monthly search volume of less than 500 for the “What to do”, “What to see”, “What to visit” queries were not taken into account for the overall ranking.