The 27 French Cities to Visit once in a lifetime!

France is a beautiful country. It’s hard to know which cities to see first. To help you, I’ve compiled a list of the 27 cities in France that you should see once in your life.

Paris

Department and region: Paris, Île-de-France.

The best things to do in Paris :

The Eiffel Tower.
The Louvre Museum and its art treasures, including the Mona Lisa.
A romantic stroll along the banks of the Seine.
The Montmartre district and the Sacré-Coeur basilica.
The Champs-Élysées, for shopping and department stores.
Impressionist masterpieces at the Musée d’Orsay.
Shows at the Opéra Garnier.
The tranquility of the Jardin du Luxembourg.
The history and architecture of the Marais district.
The magnificent Sainte-Chapelle de Saint Louis.
Notre-Dame Cathedral, Paris.
The modern architecture of the Fondation Louis Vuitton.
The Latin Quarter and the Sorbonne.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild and sunny, with a few showers.
Summer: Warm and sunny, occasionally stormy.
Autumn: Cool and damp, autumn foliage.
Winter: Cold, but rarely snowy.

Typical dish to eat: The ham and butter sandwich, a crusty baguette topped with butter and Paris ham.

Lyon

County and region: Rhône, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

The best things to do in Lyon :

Old Lyon and its historic traboules.
Notre-Dame de Fourvière Basilica.
The Musée des Confluences for its futuristic architecture and exhibitions.
Parc de la Tête d’Or, a vast green space with a lake and a zoo.
Lyon’s murals, notably the Mur des Canuts.
The Croix-Rousse district, cradle of Lyon’s silk industry.
Les Halles de Lyon Paul Bocuse for a gastronomic experience.
The Opéra de Lyon, for lovers of classical music and dance.
Lyon’s Musée des Beaux-Arts, one of the largest in France.

Weather by season :

Spring: Gentle and pleasant.
Summer: Warm and sunny.
Autumn: Cool with autumnal colors.
Winter: Cold, sometimes with snowfall.

The typical dish to eat: Pike quenelle, a soft and tasty Lyonnaise specialty.

Bordeaux

Department and region: Gironde, Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

The best things to do in Bordeaux :

The Place de la Bourse and the Miroir d’eau.
La Cité du Vin, a modern museum dedicated to wine.
Saint-André Cathedral and Pey-Berland Tower.
The Marché des Capucins for an authentic culinary experience.
The Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux, an architectural masterpiece.
A walk along the quays of the Garonne.
The Musée d’Aquitaine for the history of the region.
The Pont de Pierre, historic and picturesque.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild and sunny.
Summer: Warm, ideal for sightseeing.
Autumn: Temperate with colorful leaves.
Winter: Cool, rarely very cold.

The typical dish to eat: Cannelés bordelais, small soft caramelized cakes.

Nice

County and region: Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

The best things to do in Nice :

The Promenade des Anglais and its views over the Mediterranean.
Old Nice, with its narrow, colorful streets.
The Cours Saleya market, for local produce.
Castle Hill for its panoramic view of the city.
The Musée Matisse, dedicated to the work of artist Henri Matisse.
Place Masséna, the vibrant heart of the city.
The Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art (MAMAC).
Phoenix Park, a large green space with a botanical garden.
Sainte-Réparate Cathedral in Vieux-Nice.
A visit to the Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild with beautiful sunshine.
Summer: Warm (even scorching) and sunny, perfect for the beach.
Autumn: Temperate, pleasant for walks.
Winter: Relatively mild, ideal for sightseeing.

The typical dish to eat: Salade niçoise, fresh and tasty, typical of the region.

Strasbourg

Department and region: Bas-Rhin, Grand Est.

The best things to do in Strasbourg :

Strasbourg’s Notre-Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
The Petite France district, with its half-timbered houses and canals.
Palais Rohan, Museum of Fine Arts, Decorative Arts and Archaeology.
The European Parliament, to discover one of the EU’s main institutions.
Parc de l’Orangerie, the city’s oldest park.
The Alsatian Museum, to learn more about local culture and traditions.
Place Kléber, the heart of the city.
The Christmas market, one of the most famous in Europe.
A boat trip on the Ill.

Weather by season :

Spring: Temperate with sunny days.
Summer: Warm and pleasant.
Autumn: Fresh and colorful.
Winter: Cold, ideal for Christmas markets.

Typical dish to eat: Alsatian sauerkraut, accompanied by different types of sausages and meats.

Marseille

County and region: Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

The best things to do in Marseille :

The Old Port, the city’s vibrant historic center.
The iconic Notre-Dame de la Garde basilica.
The Panier district, Marseille’s oldest neighborhood.
The Calanques National Park, for hiking and spectacular views.
The MUCEM (Musée des Civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée).
Le Corbusier’s Cité Radieuse, a building that symbolizes modern architecture.
The Noailles market, for its flavors and colors.
A boat trip to the Frioul Islands.
The Cathédrale de la Major, an impressive monument.
Prado beach for a day by the sea.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild with sunny days.
Summer: Warm and sunny, perfect for the beach.
Autumn: Temperate and pleasant.
Winter: Mild, with often sunny days.

Typical dish to eat: Bouillabaisse, a traditional fish soup from Marseille.

Annecy

Department and region: Haute-Savoie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

The best things to do in Annecy :

Lake Annecy, for its crystal-clear waters and water sports.
The Old Town, with its picturesque canals and cobbled streets.
The Palais de l’Isle, an emblematic building on an island in the middle of the Thiou.
Annecy Castle.
The Parc Naturel Régional des Bauges, for hiking and nature.
The Basilica of the Visitation.
Cruises on the lake to admire the scenery.
The old town market, rich in local produce.
The beaches around the lake, for relaxing and swimming.
A hot-air balloon flight over the lake.

Weather by season :

Spring: Temperate with sunny days.
Summer: Warm, ideal for enjoying the lake.
Autumn: Cool with beautiful autumn colors.
Winter: Cold, often snowy, with ski resorts nearby.

The typical dish to eat: Tartiflette, a gratin of potatoes, Reblochon cheese, bacon and onions.

Carcassonne

County and region: Aude, Occitanie.

The best things to do in Carcassonne :

The Medieval City, a fortified complex unique in Europe.
The Château Comtal and its ramparts.
The Basilica of Saint-Nazaire, a testament to Gothic and Romanesque architecture.
Walks along the ramparts.
The Pont Vieux, for a beautiful view of the city.
The Canal du Midi, for boat or bike trips.
Medieval shows in summer.

Weather by season :

Spring: Gentle and pleasant.
Summer: Warm, ideal for sightseeing.
Autumn: Temperate and colorful.
Winter: Cool, sometimes damp.

Typical dish to eat: Cassoulet, a bean and meat stew.

Aix-en-Provence

County and region: Bouches-du-Rhône, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

The best things to do in Aix-en-Provence :

Cours Mirabeau, an avenue lined with cafés and fountains.
Saint-Sauveur Cathedral and its mix of architectural styles.
The Musée Granet and its art collection.
Cézanne’s workshops, to discover where the painter created some of his works.
The Sextius thermal baths, for a spa experience.
The Vieil Aix district, full of charm and history.
The Vasarely Foundation, for optical and kinetic art.

Weather by season :

Spring: Soft and flowery.
Summer: Warm and sunny.
Autumn: Temperate, pleasant.
Winter: Mild, sometimes cool.

The typical dish to eat: Tapenade, a spread made from olives and capers.

Avignon

County and region: Vaucluse, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

The best things to do in Avignon :

The Palais des Papes, Europe’s largest Gothic palace.
The Pont d’Avignon, famous for its song.
The Rocher des Doms, for a panoramic view of the city.
The Musée du Petit Palais and its collection of medieval art.
Place de l’Horloge, the lively heart of the town.
The Festival d’Avignon, one of the world’s leading contemporary theater festivals.
Stroll through the medieval streets.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild and sunny.
Summer: Warm, perfect for festivals.
Autumn: Temperate and pleasant.
Winter: Mild, often sunny.

Typical dish to eat: Ratatouille, a stewed vegetable dish typical of Provence.

Rouen

County and region: Seine-Maritime, Normandy.

The best things to do in Rouen :

Notre-Dame Cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture.
The Gros-Horloge, an ancient belfry with an astronomical clock.
Place du Vieux Marché and Jeanne d’Arc church.
The Museum of Fine Arts.
A visit to the historic quarter with its half-timbered houses.
Panorama XXL, for large-format immersive exhibitions.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild, sometimes rainy.
Summer: Temperate, pleasant.
Autumn: Cool, with colorful foliage.
Winter: Cold, sometimes snowy.

Typical dish to eat: Rouen-style duck, a traditional regional dish.

Dijon

County and region: Côte-d’Or, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté.

The best things to do in Dijon :

The Palais des Ducs and the Museums of the City of Dijon.
Stroll along the Parcours de la Chouette, a famous tourist trail.
Saint-Bénigne Cathedral and its Gothic architecture.
Les Halles market, designed by Gustave Eiffel.
The Jardin de l’Arquebuse, a green space with a botanical garden.
Burgundy wine cellars for tastings.
The Musée de la Vie Bourguignonne, to discover local history.

Weather by season :

Spring: Gentle, with nature in full bloom.
Summer: Warm and sunny, perfect for wine tasting.
Autumn: Cool, with magnificent autumn colors.
Winter: Cold, sometimes snowy.

Typical dish to eat: Burgundy snails, a classic of French cuisine.

Nantes

Department and region: Loire-Atlantique, Pays de la Loire.

The best things to do in Nantes :

Les Machines de l’île, a unique artistic project featuring mechanical creations.
The Château des Ducs de Bretagne and its history museum.
Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul Cathedral.
The Passage Pommeraye, a historic shopping center.
The Jardin des Plantes, for a stroll through thousands of plant species.
Le Lieu Unique, a cultural center housed in a former cookie factory.
The Île de Versailles and its Japanese garden.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild, with sunny days.
Summer: Temperate, pleasant.
Autumn: Cool, with autumnal colors.
Winter: Cold, sometimes wet.

Typical dish to eat: Nantais cake, a delicious almond and rum cake.

Lille

County and region: Nord, Hauts-de-France.

The best things to do in Lille :

Old Lille, with its cobbled streets and historic buildings.
The Grand’Place and the Vieil Bourse, the heart of the city.
The Palais des Beaux-Arts, one of France’s largest museums.
The Lille Citadel, a masterpiece by Vauban.
The Wazemmes market, for its local produce and atmosphere.
The birthplace of Charles de Gaulle.

Weather by season :

Spring: Gentle, with bright days.
Summer: Temperate, pleasant.
Autumn: Cool, sometimes rainy.
Winter: Cold, with possible frost.

Typical dish to eat: Welsh, a dish based on bread, melted cheddar and beer.

Saint-Malo

County and region: Ille-et-Vilaine, Brittany.

The best things to do in Saint-Malo :

The ramparts of Saint-Malo, for a walk overlooking the sea.
The Sillon beach, for relaxation or water sports.
Fort National, accessible at low tide.
Saint-Malo’s Grand Aquarium.
Saint-Vincent Cathedral.
A walk along the Sentier des Douaniers.
Discover the Chausey Islands and the Emerald Coast.
Fresh seafood tasting in a restaurant.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild, with sunny days.
Summer: Temperate, perfect for the beach.
Autumn: Cool, with sea breezes.
Winter: Cold, sometimes windy.

Typical dish to eat: Breton crêpes and galettes, served with cider.

Colmar

Department and region: Haut-Rhin, Grand Est.

The best things to do in Colmar :

The Little Venice district, with its picturesque canals.
The Musée Unterlinden, famous for the Issenheim Altarpiece.
The Maison des Têtes, a historic building adorned with sculptures.
Stroll through old Colmar, with its colorful half-timbered houses.
The Bartholdi Museum, dedicated to the creator of the Statue of Liberty.
The Alsace Wine Route, to explore the region.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild and sunny.
Summer: Warm, ideal for wine tasting.
Autumn: Cool, with colorful vineyards.
Winter: Cold, but not enough to skip a visit to its famous Christmas market.

Typical dish to eat: Onion tart, a traditional Alsatian dish.

Toulouse

County and region: Haute-Garonne, Occitanie.

The best things to do in Toulouse :

Saint-Sernin Basilica.
The Capitole and its square, the heart of Toulouse life.
La Cité de l’Espace, for astronomy and space enthusiasts.
The banks of the Garonne, for a stroll or a picnic.
The Musée des Augustins, for its art and cloister.
The Canal du Midi, a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Victor Hugo market, for an authentic culinary experience.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild and sunny.
Summer: Warm and bright.
Autumn: Temperate, pleasant.
Winter: Mild, sometimes cool.

Typical dish to eat: Cassoulet Toulousain, a stew of white beans, sausage and meat.

Grenoble

County and region: Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

The best things to do in Grenoble :

Grenoble’s Bastille, accessible by cable car.
The Musée de Grenoble, for its art collection.
The Vercors Regional Nature Park, for hiking and exploring.
The old town and its charming alleyways.
Fort de la Bastille, for a panoramic view of the Alps.
The Museum of Resistance and Deportation.
Ski areas in winter.

Weather by season :

Spring: Gentle, with flowers in the mountains.
Summer: Warm, ideal for mountain activities.
Autumn: Cool, with magnificent colors in the mountains.
Winter: Cold and snowy, perfect for skiing.

A typical dish to eat: ravioles du Dauphiné, small pasta dishes stuffed with cheese and herbs.

Reims

Department and region: Marne, Grand Est.

The best things to do in Reims :

Notre-Dame de Reims Cathedral, a World Heritage Site.
The Palais du Tau, former residence of the kings of France.
Champagne cellars, for tours and tastings.
The Musée Saint-Rémi, for history and art.
Place Royale, with its classical architecture.
Discover the vineyards of Champagne.

Weather by season :

Spring: Soft and flowery.
Summer: Temperate, pleasant.
Autumn: Cool, with harvest.
Winter: Cold, sometimes snowy.

Typical dish to eat: The pink Reims cookie, served with champagne.

Montpellier

Department and region: Hérault, Occitanie.

The best things to do in Montpellier :

Place de la Comédie, the vibrant heart of the city.
The Antigone district, an example of modern architecture.
The Jardin des Plantes, France’s oldest botanical garden.
The Musée Fabre, for its rich art collection.
Saint Peter’s Cathedral.
Visit nearby beaches such as Palavas-les-Flots.
The Lez market, a creative and dynamic market.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild and sunny.
Summer: Warm, perfect for beach outings.
Autumn: Temperate, pleasant.
Winter: Mild, often sunny.

Typical dish to eat: brandade de morue, a mixture of cod and mashed potatoes.

Biarritz

Department and region: Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Nouvelle-Aquitaine.

The best things to do in Biarritz :

La Grande Plage, for surfing and lounging.
Le Rocher de la Vierge, with its superb ocean views.
The Musée de la Mer, to discover marine life.
The Biarritz lighthouse, for a panoramic view.
The Halles market, for fresh local produce.
The Port Vieux district, for its charm.
The Casino Barrière, for an entertaining evening.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild, with sunny days.
Summer: Warm, ideal for the beach.
Autumn: Temperate, pleasant.
Winter: Gentle, with surfing possibilities.

The typical dish to eat: Basque cake, traditionally filled with cream or black cherry.

Cannes

County and region: Alpes-Maritimes, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

The best things to do in Cannes :

La Croisette, for a stroll along the beach.
The Palais des Festivals et des Congrès, famous for the Cannes Film Festival.
The Suquet district, for its historic charm.
The Lérins Islands, for a day trip.
Rue d’Antibes, for shopping.
La Bocca beach, a little quieter than La Croisette.
A boat cruise on the Mediterranean.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild and sunny.
Summer: Warm and bright, perfect for the beach.
Autumn: Temperate, pleasant.
Winter: Mild, often sunny.

The typical dish to eat: Socca, a pancake made from chickpea flour.

Chartres

County and region: Eure-et-Loir, Centre-Val de Loire.

The best things to do in Chartres :

Notre-Dame de Chartres Cathedral.
The Centre International du Vitrail, for all you need to know about the art of stained glass.
Old Chartres, with its medieval streets and houses.
The Chartres Museum of Fine Arts.
Stroll along the Eure, for a moment of tranquility.
The Festival of Lights, illuminating the city every evening in summer.
The Chartres horticultural garden.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild, with sunny days.
Summer: Temperate, pleasant.
Autumn: Cool, with autumnal colors.
Winter: Cold, but rarely snowy.

Typical dish to eat: Pâté de Chartres, a pie stuffed with poultry meat and liver.

Saint-Tropez

County and region: Var, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur.

The best things to do in Saint-Tropez :

Visit the old port and its luxurious yachts.
Pampelonne Beach, famous for its fine sand and beach clubs.
The Musée de l’Annonciade, for its collection of modern and post-impressionist art.
The Citadel of Saint-Tropez
Stroll through the picturesque streets of old Saint-Tropez.
Evenings out at trendy clubs and restaurants.

Weather by season :

Spring: Mild and sunny.
Summer: Warm, perfect for the beach and parties.
Autumn: Temperate, pleasant.
Winter: Gentle, calmer.

A typical dish to eat: the tarte tropézienne, a pastry made from a brioche with cream.

Chamonix

Department and region: Haute-Savoie, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes.

The best things to do in Chamonix :

Climbing Mont Blanc for experienced mountaineers.
The Aiguille du Midi cable car, for a spectacular view of the Alps.
The Mer de Glace and the Montenvers train.
Chamonix Leisure Park, for family activities.
Hiking in the Mont-Blanc massif.
Skiing and snowboarding in one of the world’s best ski areas.
A visit to the Espace Tairraz – Musée Alpin and the Centre d’interprétation de l’alpinisme.
Spas and wellness centers after a day in the mountains.

Weather by season :

Spring: Cool, with early-season skiing possibilities.
Summer: Gentle, ideal for hiking.
Autumn: Cool, with autumn colors in the mountains.
Winter: Cold and snowy, perfect for winter sports.

Typical dish to eat: Savoyard fondue, a convivial dish based on melted cheese.

Honfleur

County and region: Calvados, Normandy.

The best things to do in Honfleur :

The Old Basin, with its colorful houses and boats.
Saint Catherine’s Church, built entirely of wood.
The Eugène Boudin Museum, for Impressionist art lovers.
Stroll along the jetty to admire the Seine estuary.
The Jardin des Personnalités, a park with busts of celebrities linked to Honfleur.
Discover art galleries and artists’ studios.

Weather by season :