Every year, the television show The Favorite Village of the French, hosted by Stéphane Bern, puts villages from each region of France in competition to elect the most beautiful in the land. In 2025, the charming village of Rochefort-en-Yvelines, a medieval treasure nestled in the Haute Vallée de Chevreuse, represented Île-de-France. This year, the town of Dampierre-en-Yvelines, located between Versailles and Rambouillet, will represent the region. But watch out! To give it the title, you need to vote before Friday, March 6, 2026!
A Little Historical Gem in Yvelines
Once again, Yvelines has been chosen to represent Île-de-France in the show The Favorite Village of the French, broadcast on France 3. And for good reason: the department is filled with treasures that are still too little known. With Dampierre-en-Yvelines, located in the heart of the Chevreuse valley, we discover perhaps one of the mostBeautiful classical castles of the region, designed in the late 17th century for the Duke of Chevreuse. The building (listed as a Historical Monument) is signed by Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the architect of the Palace of Versailles, and the gardens were envisioned by André Le Nôtre. This adds a cultural touch that truly makes this village a wonderful destination. But besides its castle, Dampierre-en-Yvelines – which has just over 1,000 residents – has managed to preserve its charming, quiet atmosphere, even being just an hour away from Paris.
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Facing her, 13 other towns have been selected: Marcolès (Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes), Nolay (Bourgogne-Franche-Comté), Locquirec (Brittany), La Ferté-Vidame (Centre-Val de Loire), Vescovato (Corsica), Dambach-la-Ville (Grand Est), Cacao (Overseas), Chaumont-en-Vexin (Hauts-de-France), Blangy-le-Château (Normandy), La Flotte (New Aquitaine), Saint-Martin-de-Londres (Occitanie), Saulges (Pays de la Loire), and Bormes-les-Mimosas Village (Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur).
A first victory for Île-de-France?
The teams from France Télévisions will visit the locations in spring to shoot a presentation film, which will be aired during the grand finale, hosted by Stéphane Bern between June and July on France 3. We hope that Dampierre-en-Yvelines will secure the first spot!
this could be a possible first victory for Île-de-France since the show's creation in 2012.See this post on Instagram
The 14 exceptional villages in the running will be judged on their heritage, gastronomy, craftsmanship, and art of living. With an audience ranging from 2 to 2.5 million viewers, this contest has become a prestigious label. But to hope to win the title, Dampierre-en-Yvelines needs the support of all Francilians and has.lovers·of their heritage. Until March 6th, everyone can vote online or by phone to make this heritage treasure shine at the top of the rankings.