The idea of an association to gather the most beautiful villages of France was born in
Collonges-la-Rouge, Corrèze in 1981. Charles Ceyrac, mayor of the village, was inspired by a ''
Reader's Digest'' book entitled which included pictures of Collonges. He decided to launch an association that would unite villages to give them a public face and revitalise their economies. He wrote to the mayors of one hundred villages included in the book, advising them of his plans. Sixty-six mayors responded and the association was officially founded on 6 March 1982 at
Salers,
Cantal. Charles Ceyrac remained the president of the association until 1996, when he was succeeded by Maurice Chabert, mayor of
Gordes, Vaucluse, who is the current president. The association is still situated in Collonges-la-Rouge. The association and its
certification have been very successful. Many competing certifications exist in France, differentiated by their targets (e.g. level of population), stringency of criteria and the cost of membership. The association has four employees and an annual budget of €479,000. An application, as well as each six-yearly review, requires evaluation by the Quality Committee at the cost of €800 plus €0.50 per inhabitant. Each member village contributes an annual fee calculated at the rate of three euros per inhabitant. Since 2000, the president of the association has had a seat on the
Conseil national du tourisme (National Tourist Board). Since 7 July 2012, has been part of the international association
Les Plus Beaux Villages de la Terre ("The Most Beautiful Villages of the World"). ==Principles==