A New England Town With European Charm And Historic Streets Is 'America's Mini France'

There aren't that many cities in the United States that give French vibes, with the exception of a select few. New Orleans, of course, has that distinct Creole heritage, and there's a street in New York christened "Little Paris" thanks to its French restaurants, cafés, and boutiques. However, as the French spent more time colonizing Canada or the Caribbean islands, traveling north out of the U.S. is generally the best way to feel as if you're in France without actually going to France, especially in places like Saint Pierre and Miquelon, the last piece of French territory in North America.

However, one Vermont city has the distinction of being known as "America's Mini France," and that is the state's capital: Montpelier.  Montpelier is named after Montpellier, one of the largest cities in France. And although both cities do have a distinctly French atmosphere, the resemblances essentially end there. Montpelier, as the smallest state capital in the United States, feels more like a town in the French countryside than a cosmopolitan city.  

The French were the very first Europeans to settle in northern Vermont after the explorer Samuel de Champlain claimed it for France following his expedition in 1609. The encroaching British in the south clashed with the French in the north until the Treaty of Paris of 1763 ceded Vermont (and the rest of New England) to the British. In 1781 during the American Revolutionary War, taking inspiration from the French remaining in the area and from French aid during the war, an army colonel named a new central Vermont settlement Montpelier in honor of the French city. 

In the early 19th century, Vermont received an influx of French-Canadian immigrants seeking to capitalize on the state's new industries. These immigrants brought their unique French-infused Canadian culture with them, rousing even more of the Frenchiness that imbues Vermont today. This long history, location in the state, and French feel combine to make Montpelier one of the most picturesque towns to visit on the East Coast. 

Vermont's capital has managed to retain this French flavor throughout the years. The bakeries scattered in town are known for their croissants and other French pastries, while the historical buildings along the downtown streets are home to many European-style cafés. The spires of the picturesque churches evoke images of the villages one passes while riding a train through the French countryside.

Although it's not the French countryside, heading out to the sticks for a road trip through this New England state is a slice of heaven, especially in the autumn. Montpelier is an ideal base for leaf peeping, with nearby trails and roads giving access to some of the most spectacular fall foliage in the world. Montpelier, with its bookshops and breweries, is a worthy destination of its own. Although the town itself showcases the fall colors nicely, it's lovely in every season, with summertime markets, snowshoeing races and winter festivals, as well as Easter egg hunts and seasonal nature walks.