Planning a vacation in France? Perhaps you've been to Paris and are wondering what are the best cities to visit in France beyond the capital?
In this guide to France's cities (beyond Paris), I'll provide a snapshot of each destination to provide some inspiration for your French itinerary.
Look at this post as your launchpad to an amazing city-focused trip to France with curated summaries of must-visit French cities including some hidden gems you may not have heard of.
Each section of the guide links out to more detailed information about that destination to help you dive deeper as you plan your trip. Let's go!
Lyon
The third-largest city in France, Lyon is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Lyon is located on the Rhône River, where visitors can enjoy a relaxing dinner cruise.
The city is known for its ancient Roman ruins. Lyon also boasts some of the best food in France. Prepare to eat well here!
✨ Discover the best things to do in Lyon
Strasbourg
This city features a blend of French and German cultures, evident in its architecture, food, and Christmas markets. Travelers can explore the picturesque Petite France area.
Strasbourg offers a variety of ornate gargoyles so photographers should be on the look out in Strasbourg's various nooks and crannies. Visitors can also enjoy the half-timbered architecture and the historic covered bridges.
Strasbourg is also home to the parliament of the European Union giving the city modern day relevance in addition to historic charm.
✨ Find out what it's like to spend Christmas in Strasbourg
Bordeaux
This charming city is a popular destination for wine lovers. Travelers can take day trips from the city to the surrounding wine regions, including Médoc and St. Emilion.
Bordeaux features the Cité du Vin, an extensive museum dedicated to the region's amazing wine.
✨ Plan a 3 day weekend in Bordeaux
Nice
Located on the French Riviera, Nice is a sophisticated city. Nice is famous for its festivals, including Nice Carnaval.
Travelers can also spot celebrities at the nearby Cannes Film Festival if they visit at the right time of year.
Visitors can stroll along the Promenade des Anglais or relax on the beach.
✨ Celebrate Nice Carnaval
Menton
Menton is located near the Italian border and is a short train ride from Nice. Menton is known for its annual Fête du Citron (Lemon Festival), which takes place at the end of February.
Combining Nice and Menton during the festival season makes for a fun itinerary.
✨ Explore Menton during the citrus festival
Montpellier
This city in southern France serves as a gateway to the Languedoc region. From Montpellier, travelers can embark on road trips to explore Languedoc by car.
One of the main attractions near Montpellier is the Camargue wetlands, home to thousands of pink flamingos. Montpellier is also a great base for visiting nearby towns like Sète, Nîmes, and Aigues-Mortes.
✨ Plan a Languedoc road trip from a home base in Montpellier
Carcassonne
Carcassonne is renowned for its well-preserved medieval citadel. The Cité de Carcassonne, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a fortified city with ramparts, towers, and a castle.
Travelers can enjoy exploring the cobblestone streets, shops, restaurants, and historical attractions in the shadow of the fortress.
Toulouse
Toulouse is located on the Garonne River. Visitors can enjoy the city's architecture or stop by the Musée des Abattoirs, a modern art museum housed in a former slaughterhouse. A must-see in Toulouse is the Pont Neuf, a picturesque bridge over the Garonne River.
Toulouse has a fabulous food market that is worth the trip in and of itself. It features an array of culinary delights, such as fruits, vegetables, fish, bacon, cheese, tripe, sweets, and bread.
In addition to the food market, Toulouse also boasts the Capitolium, an impressive government building full of artistic treasures. While the outside appears ordinary, the inside features soaring, richly painted ceilings, romantic paintings, and busts of famous French thinkers.
✨ Spend a weekend in Carcassonne and Toulouse
Reims
Located in the Champagne region, Reims is famous for being the OG of sparkling wine. Travelers can visit wine houses like G.H. Mumm and sip champagne at the source.
Reims is also where the Nazis surrendered to end World War II and you can explore this rich 20th century history in the city. Reims is easily accessible by train from Paris, making it an ideal day trip or add-on to a Paris itinerary.
✨ Take a day trip from Paris to Reims
Annecy
Nestled in the French Alps, Annecy is famous for its lake and stunning scenery. The city hosts an annual fireworks show in August, considered one of the largest pyrotechnic displays in Europe.
Visitors can wander through the charming old town, admire the canals, and photograph the Palais de l'Isle, a spectacular and highly Instagrammable Medieval castle.
✨ Head to Annecy for their summer fireworks spectacular
Angers
Situated in the Loire Valley, Angers is known for its imposing castle and charming old town. The Château d'Angers is a medieval fortress with a rich history, home to the famous Apocalypse Tapestry.
Travelers can explore the cobblestone streets and half-timbered houses of Angers' historic center. Angers is also a great base for exploring the surrounding Loire Valley, known for its chateaux, vineyards, and picturesque landscapes.
✨ Stop in Angers on a Loire Valley road trip
Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is worth a visit during the winter holidays: The town is less crowded than in other seasons, and it offers a unique Christmas atmosphere.
Aix-en-Provence has a Christmas market on the Cours Mirabeau, with vendors selling traditional Provençal gifts and treats like calissons (candied fruit and almond candies) and santons (figurines for nativity scenes).
Aix-en-Provence is home to numerous fountains which makes this French city ideal for photographers.
✨ Spend Christmas in Provence
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