32 Times Small-Town America Felt Like a Hidden European Village
29. The French Flair of Prairie du Rocher, Illinois
Founded by French colonists in 1722, Prairie du Rocher is one of the oldest settlements in the Mississippi River Valley and retains a distinct French colonial character. The town hosts annual reenactments of its 18th-century roots, including La Guiannée, a medieval French tradition that predates Mardi Gras. With its simple stone homes, quiet farmland, and echoes of old-world customs, Prairie du Rocher feels like a forgotten corner of rural France. There's no pretense here—just history, community, and a deep connection to place. It’s a gentle, grounding experience, like stepping into a page from an old French storybook.
