The Most Beautiful Villages in the World

The Most Beautiful Villages in the World is a non-profit private international organization that brings together various territorial associations promoting small inhabited centers of particular historical and landscape interest.

Characteristics
The institution was founded in 2012 in Gordes (France) by five associations belonging to as many geographical areas: France, Japan, Italy, Québec (Canada) and Wallonia (Belgium). Spain also joined later.

These territories are represented within The Most Beautiful Villages in the World by the following local associations:
 * France: Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, created in 1982 and comprising 172 villages;
 * Belgium: Les Plus Beaux Villages de Wallonie, created in 1994 and comprising 31 villages;
 * Canada: Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of Quebec, created in 1997 and comprising 40 villages;
 * Italy: I Borghi più belli d'Italia, created in 2001 and including 361 villages;
 * Japan: The Most Beautiful Villages in Japan, created in 2005 and including 61 villages;
 * Spain: Los Pueblos Más Bonitos de España, created in 2011 and including 111 villages;

They are joined by 4 associated members, Switzerland, Saxony (Germany), Russia and Lebanon whose local associations are:
 * Switzerland: The Most Beautiful Villages in Switzerland, created in 2015, including 48 villages and to which the Principality of Liechtenstein is also annexed;
 * Germany: Sachsens Schönste Dörfer, created in 2011 and including 11 villages;
 * Russia: The Most Beautiful Villages in Russia, created in 2003 and comprising 11 villages;
 * Lebanon: The Most Beautiful Villages in Lebanon, created in 2016 and comprising 61 villages;