Best cities in France & places to visit in France
France is a country overflowing with several destinations to explore and discover. You’ve heard the famous quote from Audrey Hepburn about Paris always being a good idea. Let’s take it further and say France is as a country is an awesome idea. If you plan on traveling to France in the near future indulge yourself by checking the list of cities below and the best tips on what to discover in France.
Paris
Popularly known as the City of Love, Paris is the capital of France and one of the must-see cities in the world. This in part thanks to the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris, which is the most visited theme park in the whole of Europe. Have you seen the world famous Mona Lisa painting outside of movies and TV? If you answer to this is no, then go visiting the popular Louvre Museum in Paris where this painting is housed. Apart from these tourist attractions, Paris is also known for its luxury fashion houses and restaurants just like other major cities in Europe. Are you are one of those who saves the best for the last then maybe Paris is the first city you should visit before any other city in France.
Lille
It is one of the major metropolitan cities in France and within proximity of the Belgian border. Lille is a great place to visit if you are one that enjoys delicacies such as French fries, waffles, and mussels. The football club Lille OSC is also in this city and you can enjoy watching a good game of football if you wish. Roam around and explore museums such as the Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille and get to experience great art masterpieces.
Nice
Nice can be found in the Côte d’Azur and houses the very popular Promenade des Anglais which is a major tourist sight and stretches for about 7 kilometers. It also quite a few pebble beaches which are some of the best in France, you can easily take a dip in the sea while also enjoying the sun. Another thing you have to ensure not to miss in Nice is the elegant St Jean Cap Ferrat where you can play at the beach as well as see many historical monuments.
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the principal city of wine; this makes it a perfect place to immerse one’s self in a delicious wine-tasting journey. The city is located in the south west of France, of which the Aquitaine region is a part of, the city has a lot of bars. Enjoy the water in the Miroir d’Eau at Place de la Bourse and have an overview of the city’s minute houses that will remind you to toy houses. You can round up a tour of this nice city by having canelé a pastry which Bordeaux is well known for. As with most cities in Europe, you can also enjoy shopping and visit museums in this city.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is another city in France which located near the border of another country. It is near Germany and houses several European Union institutions such as the Council of Europe and the Eurocorps. Enjoy walking through this city in spring while also having an awesome view from the city’s Cathedral of our Lady. Despite being a relatively small city in France, Strasbourg has a large number of museums of a different variety. There are also a lot of parks that have been remodeled in the city to be modern and allow for people to enjoy a classic walk in the park.
St. Malo
This citadel city was initially built on a stony island and is located in Brittany. In St. Malo, you will enjoy the taste of butter cakes, there are both sweet and spicy crêpes or the option of kougin-amanns which are cakes made with dough for bread and contain sweet layers of butter.
When you are in St. Malo you should not miss the chance to take a ship to the neighboring city of Dinard which has an atmosphere and experience that is different. The view while on the waters will help with a great view of the city and give you a better understanding of its structure.
Annecy
This city may not be the first city that comes to mind when you think of France. However, it is well known for its lake that is usually filled with tourists in during the summer. Also known as the ‘pearl of French Alps’ the city has canals that go across the town. There are certainly lots of activities and attractions to keep you busy in this awesome city, but make sure you do not miss out on Château d’Annecy the restored castle that looms over the town.
Riquewihr
Can you resist a charming village tucked into the east of France? Riquewihr is said to be the village that is used as the model or setting for the story of Beauty and the Beast. Explore alleys and view the several half-timbered houses from 15th and 18th centuries. You will be amazed by the colors of that surround you in this village with most houses painted in colors such as blue, red, yellow and so on.
Legend has it that in the past houses and building were painted based profession and you had seamstresses, bakers and so on have their own color of buildings
Colmar
The town of Colmar is only a few miles away from Riquewihr. This lovely town is especially nice to visit during Christmas time. The Christmas market is very genuine and traditional. If you are not fond of cold weather, spring and summer time in this town is also magical.
Make sure you stop by the Maison des Têtes (House of Heads), a monument built in a peculiar design similar to German Renaissance architecture.
Chamonix
Located at the center of the Rhones Alpes region, Chamonix is the haven for those who enjoy skiing. Think of chalets, slopes, and snow and Chamonix is the place for you. There are cable cars that take visitors to several peaks which give an awesome view of the glaciers fields. To summarise Chamonix one can call it a resort town for winter sports.
Toulouse
The pink city or ville rose as Toulouse is also known as a city that students are particularly fond of. You can easily find them relaxing or socializing on the squares within the city.
The city’s most popular square situated in the heart of Toulouse is the Place du Capitole from this square you can access several streets and explore the city. If you wish you add a more glamorous experience to your visit in France you can visit the peaceful Japanese Garden within close proximity of the congress center.
Aix-en-Provence
This city is often referred as the city of a thousand fountains and is located in the south of France. One of the notable fountains is the Fountain of the Four Dolphins
There are lots of restaurants and squares for you to relax and quench your thirst during the hot summer days. There is also a chocolate industry in this city and some factories even offer tours.
Marseille
This city located near the Mediterranean coast in France is full of museums and contemporary art galleries. There are lots of activities to do in this bustling city where you can listen to street musicians and watch dance performers. However, if you want something different from a typical buzzing city life you can escape to Calanques, where you can take a walk on the rugged terrain spanning 20 kilometers. Its highest point is Mont Puget and it has slightly been submerged by water.
Nantes
If you were told you could ride on an elephant’s back you will probably think of India, Africa or an Asian country. But do you know you can also enjoy a ride on an elephant’s back in Nantes, France? There is also the famous Castle of the Dukes of Britanny which fascinating and has a lot of history behind it.
The Voyage a Nantes is an event that allows you discover the city of Nantes from both a cultural and playful perspective. You simply have to follow the green trail painted on the ground. To top up your visit you can go to La Cantine a bar where you can also get food to eat.
Montpellier
Are you aware that Montpellier has most well-designed trams in France? You can get to experience trams going through the city which give you a good view of life in Montpellier. There are also lots of beautiful squares in this city south of France. One of such is the Place de la Canourgue which has a relaxing atmosphere or you can opt for Place de la Comédie which is usually buzzy and exciting. The city also has universities and a football club which is present in the top league in France and you can enjoy watching a game. There are also several options to enjoy fantastic French pastries in restaurants and cafés in this city.
Cannes
It is likely that you have heard of Cannes because of the highly celebrated annual film festival which has been held in Cannes for the past 70 years. But are you aware that all through the year Cannes is a location popular for its luxury and appeal for tourists? There are several notable events also held here such as the Cannes International festival of creativity which is a global event for the advertising industry and MIPIM the world’s largest real estate trade show. This city also attracts celebrities and you can enjoy any of the several beaches in the city while also spotting celebrities. Even if you feel you are less attuned to the luxury lifestyle this city offers, you can browse through shops, view the several yachts at the Vieux Port and enjoy a good meal in one of the several restaurants in this beautiful city.
Best cities in France & places to visit in France