The three initial selection criteria are the rural nature of the village (a population of less than 2,000 inhabitants), the presence of at least two national heritage sites (sites classés or monuments historiques) and local support in the form of a vote by the council.
Tiga kriteria seleksi awal adalah sifat pedesaan (populasi kurang dari 2.000 jiwa), keberadaan paling tidak dua situs warisan nasional (sites classés atau monuments historiques) dan dukungan dari dewan setempat.