France is a beautiful country to explore! With gorgeous regions like the picture-perfect Dordogne Valley, stunning villages like Gordes and France’s gorgeous national parks. It’s the perfect country to visit, and that’s even before we start discussing the best cities in France to visit. Now, when thinking of cities in France, it’s easy to just think of megacities like Paris, isn’t it? But don’t be fooled, France has a completely diverse and historical list of cities across the country. From historic Roman settlements to coastal havens. France has it all! So, to help make your trip easier, we wanted to share some of the best cities in France to visit. enjoy your trip! 1.) Nîmes is probably one of the favorite, and sometimes underrated, French cities to visit in Nîmes. Nestled in the gorgeous countryside of southern France, Nîmes is a historic Roman town perfect for a long weekend getaway. Once you get here, be sure to check out the Roman Amphitheater and explore the beautiful city streets that include one of the few Roman temples located in the center of Nîmes. Oh, and don’t forget to take a trip towards Pont du Gard. It is the Roman aqueduct that is nearly two thousand years old! It’s really easy to visit by booking this half day tour from Nimes. It includes a visit to Uzes and Nimes and the entrance fee is included too! Plus, while you’re here, you can head to the river by kayak or hike the trails around this beautiful area. It is absolutely amazing. Just be sure to book these tickets before you get to the south of France. Places can fill up quickly at peak times. Further Read: Best Things To Do In Nîmes 2.) Carcassonne Another historical gem, Carcassonne is one of the best cities in France to visit if you love history. It’s the kind of city that exudes charm and a place that you can’t miss if you want to see a quintessential French city. Of course, once you arrive, you should check out the Cité de Carcassonne – or commonly referred to as Carcassonne Castle. It is a UNESCO protected castle and is one of the most famous castles in all of Europe. Best of all, book those queue castle tickets to miss those pesky lines to get in. In this way, you can save the wrap or wait and increase your valuable time exploring this wonderful city. Next, head to the beautiful Church of Saints Nazaire and Celse or take a day trip to the Château de Quéribus. The latter is a ruined castle located at a high altitude and overlooking this region of France. This is beautiful. 3.) Bordeaux Bordeaux… It’s a very tasty city and an absolutely beautiful place to visit while exploring some of the best places in western France. Before arriving, be sure to book your La Cité du Vin tickets to go inside and explore all about wine in the area. Best of all, with this ticket, you’ll get a good batch of it! After arriving, be sure to discover the historic gateway to Porte Cailhau (which looks like it’s from a fairytale), and check out the local cafés and shops around Calle Santa Catalina. We spent about 5 days exploring Bordeaux, and the surrounding countryside…and it was perfect. Further Read: Best Things To Do In Bordeaux 4) Lille Lille is one of the best cities in France to visit if you are traveling in the North. It’s small enough to visit for 2-3 days, but not so big that you don’t have an exhausting journey. If that makes sense? Ha! Best explored on foot, be sure to head to the old market stalls on the Place du Général de Gaulle. We found a lot of little gems to take home. Oh, and don’t forget to grab some delicious cakes, waffles and hot chocolate at Pâtisserie Méert. It’s something that’s in an establishment in Lille that can’t be missed. Finally, to make your trip nice and easy, book a guided walking tour of Lille. It’s a great way to see the highlights of Lille – which saves in planning walking routes and searching for information on the go. 5.) Montpellier Perched on the southern tip of France, Montpellier is an absolutely beautiful city to visit. Steeped in history, it has that perfect blend of history, cute little bars and gorgeous scenery that makes it perfect for a city break. After arriving, be sure to visit the Gothic cathedral of Montpellier. It is very majestic and one place you cannot miss in Montpellier. Oh, and on a nice sunny day (which is where you get a lot in Montpellier), take a stroll around the Parc du Perot. Alternatively, if you’re looking for a different vibe, head to the Marché du Lez for great food trucks and events. We love her. Read more: Exploring Montpellier for the first time 6.) Aix-en-Provence Not too far from Marseille, Aix-en-Provence is a city that is not only historically beautiful but also has a young and lively feel. It was once home to the likes of Paul Cézanne, the world-famous Impressionist painter. You can even explore Cézanne’s studio which is well worth a visit if you want to learn more about his role, influences, and his studio itself. If art isn’t your thing, take a look at Pavillon Vendôme with its stunning grounds and stunning collections inside. We love her. 8.) Paris There is no doubt that Paris is one of the best cities in France to visit. In fact, I’d go so far as to say you can’t miss it – it’s world-famous, and for good reason. Of course, when you are in Paris, you will not forget to visit the Eiffel Tower, especially at sunset, when the views are amazing. To make things easier, book this Eiffel Tower ticket that will get you to the top in no time at all. Oh, and don’t forget to check out the unique sites in Paris – like the Statue of Liberty (yes, you read that right). It is very interesting to see. Next, wander through some of the best markets in Paris and explore some of the free things to do around the city. Alternatively, take the short 20-minute train to Disneyland Paris. You can book these one-day Disney tickets which make a lot of sense if you’re only in Paris for a few days. Finally, book these tickets to take a river cruise through Paris. It is a stunning French city that can be seen alongside the waterways and absolutely beautiful at sunset. Further Read: Free Things To Do In Paris 9.) Lyon Once known by its Roman name Lugdunum, Lyon holds a very rich history and past within its walls. All of this makes it an ideal Roman city to explore, just like Nîmes (which we mentioned earlier). You see, the Romans arrived in Lyon over 2,000 years ago, and over time, they helped lay the foundations for some of the city landmarks you see today. After standing on your feet on the ground, don’t forget to visit the famous Notre-Dame de Fourviers, the arcades of Tripoli, the Cathedral of Lyon and the Cathedral of Lyon. They are absolutely stunning and are truly iconic buildings that you cannot miss in the city. Also, for a truly relaxing and beautiful cruise, book the Lyon Guided Cruise which is very nice. It’s the perfect way to meander in the city, especially on a hot day! 10.) Considered one of the best places in the south of France, Marseille thrives on spirit and character that is well worth exploring. Now, it has a slightly more boisterous vibe than the likes of Carcassone or Nimes, so be prepared for a busier city feel. When you arrive in Marseille, book this 5-hour cruise through the gorgeous Mediterranean coast around Calanques National Park. Plus, you’ll enjoy a delicious lunch as well. Then, don’t forget to visit Le Panier, the Pharo Palace with its garden, and the old port. It is absolutely beautiful. 11.) Nantes In many ways, Nantes is an underrated city in France. Yes, it’s the beating heart of Francis’ largest shipyard but absolutely gorgeous to visit. Once in town, check out the famous Palace of the Dukes of Brittany and the Jules Verne Museum as well. Both are incredible to visit and well worth dedicating a few hours to your trip. Also, if you get stuck in one of those pesky bathrooms, go to the Natural History Museum in Nantes which houses thousands of artifacts, dating back to the present and even thousands of years old! 12.) Avignon Known as the capital of the Catholic Church for some time during the Middle Ages, Avignon is one of the best cities in France to visit due to its long, rich history. The shops, buildings, and the huge palace built by the Popes during the 14th century are a must-see in Avignon. Especially if you are interested in the development of the city. Now, in my opinion, summer is the best time to visit. However, you will see raucous crowds in July, especially with the various events and art festivals taking place throughout the season. Further Read: Best Places To Explore In Avignon 14.) Beautiful If you are looking for beautiful and beautiful beaches, head to the best places in Nice. It’s one of the best cities in France to visit that has a mix of coastal walking trails, great cafés, historic fishing ports, and the old town, especially around Vieille Ville. Oh, and be sure to see the Cathédrale Saint-Nicolas de Nice. It is quite unique in the city and is a well-preserved monument in Nice itself. Read more: Best things to do in Nice 15.) Toulouse A city of youth, Toulouse is a great place to explore in France. This is especially true if you are traveling to the southwestern fringes of France. When in Toulouse, don’t forget to visit the Basilique Saint-Sernin and Couvent des Jacobins which are easy to find and hit in the city itself. The wonderful Place du Capitole is also a favorite of ours, so you might want to see this part of Toulouse before heading to the Japanese Garden. Finally, you can easily partake of a day trip from Toulouse to Carcoson and combine two of the best cities in France to visit. Book this day trip to Carcassonne, right from the heart of Toulouse itself. It is totally worth it, especially because of how attractive and beautiful both cities are. 18.) Rouen Being the capital of Normandy, you probably won’t miss Rouen when you stumble along the best sites in northern France. Now, it can seem a lot quieter than some other big cities like Paris, but don’t let that bother you – that could be a good thing. Far fewer crowds and bustle making exploration cooler and more relaxing. Well, in my opinion at least. As you wander around Rouen, be sure to spot the iconic clock of Le Gros-Horloge. It is located in the heart of the city and cannot be missed. Also be sure to visit the Roanne Botanical Garden. It is not only one of the best Francis software, but it is also completely free to enter. Enjoy the best time exploring Rouen! We love it and it is one of the best cities in France to visit easily. Further Read: Best Places To Visit In The South Of France 10 Amazing Places To Visit In The South Of France Check Out The Best Places In Great Britain! Head over to our YouTube channel to watch travel videos!
