You can find the most beautiful cities in France all throughout the country, with classic options like Paris and Marseille, seaside getaways like Nice and Saint-Malo, and country retreats like Bordeaux and Strasbourg. The best cities in France are varied and complex,
Best Cities in France: Paris
France’s capital, Paris, is a top bucket-list destination for travellers from all over the world who want to visit the ‘City of Love’ and take in sights like the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre and experience some of the best French cuisine in the world. There are several free walking tours in Paris, some focusing on specific areas like Montmartre, while others give you an overview of the whole city and focus on the city’s most interesting stories and mysteries.
Tourism peaks during summer, particularly in July and August, but Paris is especially beautiful in spring and cheapest in winter. However, the city is gorgeous year-round, and if you stay in one of the central areas like the 7th arrondissement, you’ll be close to the Eiffel Tower and many of the city’s best museums and restaurants.
Marseille
Marseille is the oldest city in France, dating back to around 600 BC when Greek settlers from Phocaea founded it, and it was once one of the most important trading hubs in Europe. It’s also one of the biggest cities in France, and you can get to know it quickly by following this self-guided Marseille Introduction Walking Tour. This self-guided tour takes you from the Quai de Belges in the Old Port and into the city, where you’ll explore the town squares, Saint-Victor Abbey, Pharo Palace, and more. You’ll get lovely weather from May to November, and there are usually fewer crowds between September and November. The Old Port is a beautiful area of the city to stay in, while Notre Dame du Mont will put you close to the nightlife, and Le Panier will keep you within walking distance of many museums and galleries.
Lille
Lille sits close to the border of northern Belgium, and to this day, you can find plenty of Flemish influence in this beautiful university town. The city is beautiful all year round, but April can be the perfect sweet spot for good weather and fewer crowds. If you don’t have long to spend in Lille, you can see the top sights on this Lille Self-Guided Walking Tour where you can visit the city’s main historical monuments, such as the Hospice Comtesse Museum and Notre-Dame de la Treille Cathedral. Vieux Ville (or Old Town) is one of the best places to stay in Lille (particularly near Grand Place), putting you within walking distance of the city’s main attractions.
Grenoble
The city of Grenoble in south-eastern France is renowned around the world for its pioneering scientific research, but visitors love it for its museums, food and nearby alpine retreats. You can visit Grenoble year-round, though there are more crowds between June and August, and temperatures can get quite high in July. In winter, you can take advantage of the cold weather and go skiing in the nearby mountains or ice skating at the Polesud Ice Skating Rink. You can get to know the city with a free Grenoble walking tour, which local volunteers run. They are passionate about sharing their city with travellers, and they’ll take you to some of the city’s top attractions like the Fort de La Bastille and the Parc Paul Mistral.
Bordeaux
The main hub of the Bordeaux wine region, the city of Bordeaux is home to many fascinating attractions, beautiful monuments and, of course, plenty of delicious wine. The best times to visit the city are late summer and early autumn, especially from August to late September. Later in autumn, the city sees fairly frequent rain. Most of central Bordeaux is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and you can explore the main attractions in the area on a self-guided UNESCO Heritage loop walking trail that takes you from the Monument aux Girondins to the Miroir d’Eau in around 2 hours. In addition,
Bordeaux has lots of lovely neighbourhoods any traveller will love visiting. Saint Pierre and Saint Paul are the most central neighbourhoods, and you’ll find plenty of excellent restaurants nearby, while Pey Berland is the museum district, home to museums like Musée des Beaux-Arts and the Musée d’Aquitaine. The Triangle d’Or is where you’ll find luxury shopping and four-star hotels, and the Jardin Public park is right next door.
Nice
The French Riviera has been the go-to getaway for many travellers throughout history. Nice is the largest city in the region with plenty of museums to visit and beaches where you can relax. If you want to make the most of Nice’s beaches, you might prefer to visit during summer, though this is also the busiest time of year. The shoulder seasons of April to May and September to October are less crowded and can still be warm enough for sunbathing.
You can join a free walking tour of Nice that starts at Massena Squares and takes you along the French Riviera, through the Old Town and attractions like Cours Saleya Market and the Belanda Tower in around two and a half hours. The Old Town, or ‘Vieux Nice’, is the central neighbourhood of Nice and one of the best places to stay, particularly for first-time visitors.
Toulouse
Toulouse is France’s fourth-largest city. First settled in 2AD, it is now a hub for aerospace research and development, and visitors can learn more about space at the Cité de l’Espace Museum. Toulouse is an excellent autumn destination with relatively little rain (the most rainfall is usually in spring) and mild temperatures that are perfect for exploring the city.
You can dive into the history of Toulouse with this free guided tour that will take you to many of the city’s major attractions like Saint Stephen’s Cathedral and Couvent des Jacobins, giving you some tips on the best places to eat and drink along the way. Capitole de Toulouse is the heart of the city, and the Grand Hotel de l’Opera is one of the most luxurious hotels in the city.
Dijon
Known worldwide for its mustard, Dijon is also one of France’s major wine-making regions. You’ll find plenty of excellent restaurants that use the region’s delicious local produce. Dijon is beautiful year-round, and unlike some other French cities, summer and autumn are the peak seasons. The popularity of tourism in summer and autumn is partially due to the Gastronomic Fair held in November and other food festivals that celebrate the region’s local harvest.
You can experience many of Dijon’s best attractions in a few hours on this self-guided walking tour. Starting at the Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy, the tour takes you down the Rue de Liberté to the Jardin Darcy and back up the Rue Musette past the Maison Milliere, finishing in the Tour de Bar. Check out Maison Philippe Le Bon, a beautiful hotel in the heart of Dijon, made of three mansions surrounding a Gothic courtyard. It also has a gourmet restaurant with delicious wine pairings.
Reims
Reims is the unofficial capital of the Champagne wine region and many travellers will want to visit one (or more) of the city’s champagne houses that offer tours and tastings. Like other wine regions, autumn is an excellent (and popular) time to experience harvest festivals. The warmest weather is usually in summer, particularly in July, and the city also hosts traditional Christmas markets during December.
Reims has a few free walking tours available, some of which focus on the city’s churches, galleries or quick overviews of the top sights. Centre Ville is the most central neighbourhood in Reims, while the Saint-Remi neighbourhood, a little further away, will put you close to both the city centre and some of Reims’s best champagne houses.
Lyon
This beautiful university town has some incredible food experiences and is considered the gastronomy capital of France. The city is gorgeous in autumn with crisp weather and fewer tourists, while the warmest weather is in summer (early summer in June can sometimes be quieter than July and August). You can find free walking tours of Lyon that will take you to the city’s top attractions with a knowledgeable guide who can introduce you to Lyon’s beautiful history and culture. La Presqu’île arrondissement is Lyon’s city centre. If you stay here, you’ll be within walking distance of many of the city’s top attractions and a variety of restaurants and shops.
Montpellier
Montpellier is a beautiful historic city in southern France where travellers can explore the city’s old town, wander through the Jardin des Plantes (the oldest botanical garden in France) and take in the art at the Musée Fabre. There is a daily 2-hour free walking tour of Montpellier that lets you see the city and its sights through a local’s eyes. Montpellier is beautiful and warm between May and July, and the big crowds don’t usually arrive until late July and August. Montpellier has many beautiful neighbourhoods, such as L’Ecusson, Montpellier’s historic centre and the most walkable area of the city and Les Beaux-Arts, which is home to Montpellier’s more alternative cultures and frequent festivals.
Saint-Malo
The port city of Saint-Malo is known for its tall city walls that speak to its history as a stronghold, and one of the best ways to take in the city is to walk the ramparts. You can begin at Porte Saint-Vincent and take in the beautiful coastline, soaking up attractions like the Bidouane Tower. Saint-Malo is gorgeous year-round but summer is the best time to visit for warm weather that’s perfect for making use of the city’s beautiful beaches. For an unforgettable seaside holiday, the Les Charmettes hotel sits right on the promenade and provides scenic views of the coast.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is the capital of the beautiful Grand Est region, home to Alsatian wine and culture with a fascinating history and delicious culinary experiences. The Happy Strasbourg tour is a free guided tour that will take you from the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg through the city to the German District. It passes many of the city’s top attractions along the way, including some lesser-known gems like Saint-Etienne Square. Strasbourg is beautiful and warm in late spring and summer but you should also consider visiting in December to experience the city’s Christmas markets.
Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is a university city known for being the birthplace of the artist Paul Cézanne; art lovers can follow the walking trail that takes you from his childhood home to his studio. For an overview of the city, Civitatis offers a free walking tour of Aix-en-Provence that meets at the Sculpture of Paul Cézanne near the Rotond Fountain and takes you through the city squares, past historic mountains, and to ancient Roman ruins. Aix-en-Provence’s best weather is in summer and early autumn. The Aix-en-Provence Historic Centre is a great place to stay for first-time visitors, putting you within walking distance of the city’s main attractions with a range of hotels available for different budgets.
Amiens
Amiens is a gorgeous small city, best known for its stunning Gothic Amiens Cathedral and the unique floating market gardens on the city’s canals. The city is particularly pleasant in summer, but you’ll have an amazing trip whenever you visit. You can explore Amiens for free with a local who can take you to the city’s top sights and give you inside local tips. The city is gorgeous year round but summer brings the best weather and long days that let you pack in plenty of sightseeing.
Rouen
Rouen is a remarkable city full of fascinating history, including being the city where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake and playing a major role in the development of Impressionism. You can see the top sights in and around central Rouen in just a few hours, and this self-guided walking tour is a great place to start. Starting at the Hôtel de Ville de Rouen, the city’s town hall, the tour takes you to La Tour Jeanne D’Arc, the tower that was once part of the castle that guarded the city. Rouen’s city centre is an excellent place to stay, close to the city’s top sights and with many excellent restaurants and shops.
Nantes
Nantes is a gorgeous city, home to the remarkable Châteaudes Ducs de Bretagne, once the home of the Dukes of Brittany and now a museum of local history. Summers in Nantes are lovely, with mild, sunny weather perfect for sightseeing. There are free guided tours of Nantes on Fridays and Saturdays that will take you through the city’s major attractions and history.
Nancy
Nancy is a beautiful city on the Meurthe River. It is best known for its architectural landmarks like the Place Stanislas, a stunning square with large, gilded gates and surrounded by historic mansions and churches. Explore the city at your own pace with a self-guided walking tour of Nancy that spans just over 4.5km and 20 sights from the Chapelle du Couvent des Dominicains to the Immeuble Georges Biet. Nancy is beautiful year round and if you stay in a hotel close to the city centre, like the Hôtel d’Haussonville, you’ll have an excellent home base for sightseeing.
La Rochelle
This seaport city on the Bay of Biscay has plenty to offer travellers, from its beautiful old town with medieval houses to its sunny, sandy beaches. You can get a great overview of the city on a free walking tour of La Rochelle that takes around 1.5 hours and takes you through the highlights of the city. With long sunny days, summer is the most popular time to visit, but La Rochelle is beautiful all year round. The city has plenty of beautiful places to stay, including central options that put you close to the sights and beachfront properties that keep you within walking distance of the water.
Tours
Tours sits between the Cher and Loire rivers and is a beautiful, vibrant city that any traveller will fall in love with. Get to know the city with a self-guided walking tour through the Old City District and walk by attractions like the Tours Cathedral and Museum of Fine Arts. The best times to visit are late spring and early summer, though these will also be the busiest and most expensive times. Alternatively, you could also consider the shoulder seasons of early spring and autumn.
