top 10 cities in france to visit

Following years of subsequent decline, Biarritz has definitely rediscovered its stride. One of the major cities in France, Strasbourg is the largest city in the Grand Est region. St-Tropez @helen1 I remember ordering countless French breakfasts at Les Marronniers in Le Marais. The clock tower (pictured above) is one of the main attractions of the city. 7. In fact, there are thousands of great reasons to soak up all that joie de vivre. There are many squares to take a stroll and relax in, like the Place des Oignons, the Grand Place, and the Vieille Bourse. Nantes is undoubtedly one of the best cities to visit in France. Tours is mostly left aside by international tourists and theyre missing on something great. Troyes is also my hometown. Here, we are not far from the Alps, the Montblanc, and the border with Switzerland. At any time of year, the capital of France is worth a visit! It was important for me to choose a city with even more hustle and bustle, and I chose London. Nantes is one of the best cities in France to visit. It costs you nothing more (in fact, if anything, youll get a nice discount) but helps us to go on creating incredible French content for you. One popular activity in the Loire Valley is to explore via the many cycling trails through the region. Strasbourg in Eastern France is one of the best cities to visit in France, with an impressive gothic cathedral and picturesque architecture of half-timbered houses in the historic neighborhood. Cirque de Gavarnie. Theres a good reason why France remains the most visited countryin the world. Lille Visit the capital of Hauts-de-France and its brilliant architecture, cobbled streets, and squares and travel back in time with its incredible buildings. Thats why we still recommend taking it easy and spending 2 days in Avignon to enjoy the city at a more relaxed pace. For a city in Northern France, it does boast some pretty amazing wonders. For a more cultural visit, dont miss the Unterlinden Museum, with a stunning collection of medieval paintings, folk art, and sculptures, and the Bartholdi Museum, dedicated to the sculptor of the Statue of Liberty. The Bordeaux region in France is one of the best wine-producing regions in the world. You can literally go from the north to the south of France and feel like youre in a totally different country. One of the loveliest cities in Europe, we recommend spending at least 2 days in Nice, visiting its beautiful Baroque architecture, colorful markets, pretty beaches, and interesting museums. 3. Save it for later Top cities to visit in France: Awww what an incredible list! The capital of the French Riviera is a great destination all year round: a buzzing sea city in the summer and a relaxing sunny place for a winter break in France. Cannes 11. This green space created in 2013, features, as you would expect, many trees and plants, as well as a 3000 sq.m water. France , Chteauneuf du Pape. If you tell me youve never heard of Rouen as one of the major cities in France, I would answer: go visit it. On the sweet side, try the Nougat de Tours (a cake), the Fouace de Rabelais (brioche) and the Poire Tape (which translate to beaten pear). 5/5. There are hundreds of incredible deals and discounts to be found on the website, including reduced prices on hotels rooms, tickets to popular tourist attractions, and more throughout the country. For many people, Paris is the first contact with the country, the final destination or the starting point for fun road trips through France. For instance, cities in Normandy France attract people from all over the world. Bordeaux is the capital of wine and is the ideal place to try wine-tasting. 4. Montpellier - Mediterraean style at Christmas Discover Montpellier in its winter clothes! It seems to be one of the hit destinations right now. In July, Avignon gets totally metamorphosed into an open-air theater thanks to its reputedFestival dAvignon. French, or the French Republic, is located near the western end of the great Eurasian landmass. Nissart life centers on the Promenade des Anglais; the perfect spot to watch the world go by while soaking up the hot Mediterranean sun. With such an interesting past and its perfect location in the heart of the Loire Valley, this beautiful city in France is the perfect base for exploring some of the best Loire Valley castles. From the beginning of December to the beginning of January, these Loire Valley chteaux get into the festive spirit with exceptional tours and events. 10. 3. tretat is one of the main cities in Normandy France. Paris has many attractive sites like Boat Tour of the Seine River, Pre Lachaise Cemetery, Sacre Coeur and Montmartre, Arc de Triomphe and the Champs-Elyses, The Sorbonne and the Latin Quarter, Muse d'Orsay, Eiffel Tower and many more. Bayonne (Nouvelle-Aquitaine) Bayonne is the largest city in the French Basque Country, in the southwest of France. The list of top things to do in Nantes includes the central neighborhoods, the banks of the River Loire, especially animated in the summer, and the medieval Chteau of the Dukes of Brittany. Frances fourth biggest city, Lille is believed to have been founded in 640 by two giants. It mixes French glamour with Basque grit, creating a memorable destination on the breathtaking Atlantic coast. Bordeaux wine is a blend of Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot wine, both of which thrive in the Bordeaux region. Here are the 5 best regions to visit in Franceand 10 cities in those 5 regions. Lyon is also the food capital ofFrance. Nancy Getting Around France Car Rental Public Transport Plan Your Next Trip to France With These Resources From Paris Gare de Lyon, take a TGV to Dijon, youll be there in less than 2 hours. This three-tiered aqueduct, built in . However, these days, youll find a postcard-perfect city that is more likely overrun with tourists than marauding forces from across the border. (C) Copyright 2019 - 2022 France Bucket List. Nice is another of the prettiest cities in France to visit. And given its burgeoning cultural scene and close proximity to the picturesque Loire Valley, Nantes definitely retains its allure. Bisected by the rivers Rhne and Sane from north to south, Lyon is well known for its quality of life and its beautiful heritage from Roman times to contemporary architecture. There's more to France than Paris. French Riviera. Moreover, the pink sandstone cathedral, Notre Dame de Strasbourg, is also well worth a visit. Rich in history, Dijon used to be the capital of the powerful Dukes of Burgundy and is one of the top cities to visit in France. Aix-en-Provence 10. Paris is obviously one of the top cities to visit in France. But when you find a title youve been after for some time, and have been refusing to buy it full price for some reason you cant explain, a secondhand book is a true wonder. The city was also named one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France,which is a curated list of the most beautiful villages and cities in France. This website is reader-supported, when you buy through links on this site, we may earn a commission. I mean, it cant be one of the most famous cities in France for no reason, now can it? Each city has its unique blend of wonderful features that make it an amazing travel spot to plan a trip to. This city is very popular for its quality of wine production. Deli meat is a local delicacy, youll find the best one at the market, try the Jambon de porc noir de Bigorre (Bigorre Black Porc Ham), the Toulouse sausage and the Goose Foie Gras. A charming place to spend some time, Nice has something for everyone, as it combines city life with a beautiful setting. Mont Saint Michel can be seen rising above the flat French countryside from miles away. For more information, you can check out the Reims Tourism Offices website. Ive been to Nice and really enjoyed it but only spent a few hours here, so would love to go back. Fall has arrived! Wandering Zone is managed byMIRA Digital a startup by young women, bloggers, photographers, designers, marketing, and SEO experts. As you can see, there are cities in France that offer something for everyone. Bordeaux 5. I didnt lie, did I? The amount of time you have in France will likely dictate how many places you can visit there. 5. These 5 regions are an excellent start for your . Nantes. The Alsace region is famous for their white wines which grow in the foothills of the Vosges mountains, as well as their regional Tarte Flambee. In fact, the cathedral is so mesmerizingly beautiful that it even inspired famous impressionist, Claude Monet, to paint it more than 30 times! If youre a Foodista, then our specialties will get you head over heels. From Paris Gare de Lyon you can catch a TGV to Nice, it takes 5 to 6 hours. Still, the Annecy Castle and the Lake Annecy are elements that make the city one of the best cities to visit in France. Lille, Hauts-de-France. The good news is that the most beautiful French cities can easily be visited from Parisby train, with train journeys of 3 hours or less. Among the biggest cities in France, Lille is ranked 4th. It is also famous for its Christmas market, one of the most beautiful Christmas Markets in France and also the oldest. The city is also built on endless culture, and the museums and art galleries are all more beautiful than the next. And there we have them: the 10 best cities to visit in France. Romance seekers searching for ideal holiday destinations should look into places to visit in France. You will find plenty of cafs and boutiques to explore along the narrow streets; all the while soaking up the atmosphere of old Marseille. Strasbourg 16. Villas, gardens, beaches when youre there, you know youre in France. If history is your thing, the city's Owl Trail will lead you through over 20 . The plants are cut and shaped in such a way as to put emphasis on the biodiversity of the gardens. The first ones you should eat are the Rillettes de Tours (a type of pat), the Rillions (spiced pork confit), and the Andouillete (sausage). Versailles Versailles is a historic town in France. This includes the two-star Auberge du Pont de Collonges, which is helmed by chef Paul Bocuse, the so-called god of French cuisine. The street art, architecture, and historical background make it one of the best cities in France. Strictly Necessary Cookie should be enabled at all times so that we can save your preferences for cookie settings. This city deserves at least 3 days to truly explore its many landmarks and world-famous museums. Annecy is a small alpine city in Eastern France, quite different from the other beautiful French cities to visit on the list. Riquewihr is one of the many small villages along the famous Alsace Wine Route. Book now. The number of visitors every year exceeds 10 million tourists. Located in the heart of the Presqule district, the beautiful Place des Jacobins is also one of the most beautiful squares in Lyon. Occitanie. Still, to make matters more interesting, I decided to give in to the charm of the smaller famous cities in France. France is a stunning country to explore and if youre planning your first trip to France, you may be undecided as to which French cities to visit beyond Paris. Its the perfect way to warm up after a day on the slopes. The list of top things to do in Paris includes the Eiffel Tower, the Louvre Museum, the Tuileries Garden, Montmartre, or Ile de la Cit but believe us when we say that the city has much more to offer apart from the main tourist sights. Architecturally speaking, Strasbourg is one of the best cities in France.