The "worst" village in France: "we live in hell and we're happy"

This French village ranks 34,795th in the "towns and villages where it's good to live" list. Needless to say, it's far from being the place where one would want to unpack and take a holiday. 

We're talking about the commune of Valjouffrey, in Isère, that wins the award for the "worst" village in France. Here, 170 souls claim, nevertheless, to live a peaceful existence.  

What's the problem then? 

Amidst peaceful nature, snowy peaks of the Alps, and endless blue skies, one wonders what could be wrong in the little village in Isère.

As reported by the media La Dépêche, the ranking was based on 190 criteria from official organisations such as INSEE or municipal action, health, and even quality of life. And, according to locals, known as Sapparys, the main drawback is the absence of shops nearby. The very last hamlet in Valjouffrey is even called “Le Désert”. No coincidence there. 

So, no choice, to do their shopping, one must take their car to travel the about 30 kilometres that separate Valjouffrey from the village of La Mure. Health problem? The nearest doctor and pharmacy are a 30-minute drive away. And when it comes to the telecommunication network, it can sometimes be non-existent. Finally, another major drawback is highlighted: the ageing population of the commune, lacking in youth. 

A much-appreciated peace 

Despite the rather harsh classification, residents seem quite content with their place of living. "With this ranking, many people will say ‘oh dear, it's a place to avoid at all costs’. In a sense, that doesn't bother us. Because, in a way, people value their peace here." one of them states: "We're happy to live in hell," and even confessed, not without any irony, a septuagenarian in an interview with France 3 Auvergne Rhône-Alpes.

It should be noted that the "towns and villages where it's good to live" ranking was created in 2017 by the eponymous association. 

(MH with Raphaël Liset - Source: La Dépêche - Illustration: ©Unsplash)