France is one of those countries where it feels like you travel differently in each region. We’ve spent the most time in Paris (we’ve lived there and have an embarrassing amount of posts to prove it), but we’ve also explored Bordeaux, soaked in Normandy, and have a running list of French cities that we’re slowly working through.
Here are some French cities we’d like to recommend: They are listed in the order in which we feel most strongly.
fly
I know, I know. Paris is the obvious answer. But hear me out. Will and I have spent several months in this city, and it still surprises us every time we return. Neighbors make it happen. Le Marais is trendy without trying too hard. Montmartre is romantic in a way that actually lives up to the hype. Saint-Germain is the place to go when you want to drink expensive coffee or feel intellectual.
There is a lot of Parisian content (I told you it was embarrassing). Start with the 25 best things to do in Paris, then check out 10 mistakes to avoid. If you’re planning your first visit, we’ve put together a beginner’s guide and three-day itinerary. Some of the best areas to stay for a good night’s sleep are:
Trying to choose between Paris and Rome? We wrote a whole post about that too.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux surprised us. I expected a stuffy wine town with expensive restaurants and not much to do unless you’re interested in tasting. I was wrong. The city center is beautiful (all honey-colored limestone), the food scene goes far beyond the wine pairing menu, and the Miroir d’Eau at sunset is one of the most beautiful things we’ve seen in Europe.
The wine is definitely incredible. But even if you’re not a wine lover, Bordeaux has enough charm, history, and good food to keep you busy for a few days. Check out our guide to visiting Bordeaux for full details.
wonderful
Nice is located on the French Riviera and is both a beach town and a cultural city. The Promenade des Anglais is the kind of walk where you won’t realize how far you’ve gone after only an hour of walking. The old town (Vieux Nice) is full of narrow streets, markets and restaurants where you can eat socca (chickpea flatbread) and wonder why it’s not popular elsewhere.
Nice is also a great base for exploring the rest of the Riviera. Monaco, Antibes and Cannes are all a short train ride away. The best time to visit is late spring (May) or early fall (September) when the weather is perfect and summer crowds have thinned out.
Normandy
Normandy is one of those regions where beauty and history overlap in the most powerful way. The D-Day landing beaches are sobering and worth every minute of your visit. But Normandy is also home to the white cliffs of Étretat, the medieval streets of Rouen and the stunning island abbey of Mont Saint-Michel.
Mont Saint-Michel alone justifies a trip to Normandy. It rises above the sea like something out of a fantasy novel. The monastery dates back to the 8th century and has been a place of pilgrimage for over a thousand years. Visit during low tide when you can walk across the sand to the island. It’s a day trip from Paris (about 3.5 hours by train), but we recommend staying overnight nearby to see it at sunset.
Lyon
Lyon is considered the food capital of France, and that says something about a country that values every meal. The traboules (hidden passages) of Vieux Lyon are very interesting to explore, and the Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere overlooking the city is truly beautiful.
Lyon also has fewer tourists than Paris, so prices are cheaper, there are fewer crowds, and there are more locals in the restaurants. It’s about two hours south of Paris by TGV, making it an ideal weekend getaway.
Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is Provence without the lavender field Instagram cliché (although you can have one nearby if you want). The city itself is elegant and walkable, with tree-lined boulevards, dotted with fountains and one of the best outdoor markets in southern France.
Cézanne painted here, and you can visit his studio just outside of town. The light in Provence is truly different from the rest of France. There’s a warm golden glow to everything that makes you want to eat cheese and drink roses at 2pm on a Tuesday.
Strasbourg and Alsace
Alsace is the most fairytale-like region of France. Half-timbered houses, cobblestone streets, vineyards stretching to the horizon. Strasbourg is the capital and it is beautiful. This is especially true in the Petite France area, with its canals and flower boxes.
The wine route through Alsace (Route des Vins) is legendary. Unlike Bordeaux or Burgundy, Alsace focuses on white wines, especially Riesling and Gewürztraminer. If you visit in December, the Christmas markets in Strasbourg and Colmar are some of the best Christmas markets in Europe.
toulouse
Toulouse is called La Ville Rose (Pink City) because of its unique terracotta brick buildings. Although it is France’s fourth-largest city, it remains off the tourist radar, keeping prices affordable and authentic. The Capitol Square is beautiful, the cassoulet is hearty and the Canal du Midi, which runs through the city, makes for a perfect afternoon stroll.
loire valley
The Loire Valley is a country of castles. Chateaux are everywhere and range from fairytale-romantic (Chambord, Chenonceaut) to legitimately gigantic (Chambord has 440 rooms). The valley is also a major wine producing area and the scenery is particularly beautiful in late spring.
The easiest base is Tours, about an hour from Paris by TGV. From there, you can rent a car or join a tour to visit the main castle. Chenonceau, built on the river, is the best photo opportunity.
brittany
Brittany is a Celtic region of France and it feels that way. The coastline is rugged, the food is buttery (crêpes and galettes are the main event), and the port city of Saint-Malo is one of the most dramatically beautiful cities in the country. The area is dotted with megalithic sites, including the famous standing stones of Carnac.
Part of Brittany’s appeal is that it attracts fewer visitors than southern France. If you want a truly unique trip to France, go here.
Giverny
Giverny is a small town on the edge of Normandy, and it’s famous for one reason. Claude Monet lived here for the last 43 years of his life, and his house and gardens (including the water lily pond) are open to the public. It’s a perfect day trip from Paris and well worth it if you’re interested in art or gardens.
Be careful. Closed from November to March. Please plan accordingly.
Reims
Reims is the capital of the Champagne region of France. This means exactly what you think. Champagne cellars, tastings, and more bubbles than you know what to do with. But beyond wine, the city also has amazing Gothic architecture. The cathedral was where 25 French monarchs were crowned from 1223 to 1825. It’s about 45 minutes from Paris by TGV and is one of the best day trips from Paris.
Best Cities in France (Quick Summary)
- fly
- Bordeaux
- wonderful
- Normandy (Mont-Saint-Michel, Rouen, Étretat)
- Lyon
- Aix-en-Provence
- Strasbourg and Alsace
- toulouse
- loire valley
- brittany
- Giverny
- Reims
Frequently Asked Questions
Bordeaux, Nice and Lyon are top recommendations outside of Paris. Bordeaux with its wine and architecture, Nice with its beaches and easy access to the Riviera, and Lyon with its food. Normandy is worth the trip just for Mont Saint-Michel.
For your first trip it will take at least a week. Give Paris 3-4 days and choose one or two other locations. You can comfortably add a couple of weeks to the South of France (Nice, Provence) or wine country (Bordeaux, Loire Valley). France is big and diverse, so don’t try to see everything in one trip.
Late spring (May-June) and early fall (September-October) are ideal. The weather is pleasant, crowds are smaller than in peak season, and prices are more reasonable. Paris is beautiful all year round, but southern France is best when it’s warm enough to enjoy the outdoor markets and coastline.
