When we talk about France we tend to focus on Paris, which is undoubtedly the most beautiful city of all. It is because of its architecture, because of the beauty of the Eiffel Tower, because of how incredible the Louvre Museum is or because of how interesting it is to walk through picturesque neighborhoods such as Montmartre.
It is precisely for this reason that it should not surprise us at all that it is considered one of the most beautiful cities in the world. However, in France there are other localities that are worth knowing, such as those that I list in this article.
Paris
As I just mentioned, the capital of France is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, one that attracts the most tourists year after year. In addition, in 2018 it has been chosen as a favorite destination for influencers, so we could say that it falls in love with people of all ages. Population: 2.24 million people.
Bordeaux
The wine capital, which was named a UNESCO heritage site , is not only a great place to taste the best French wines, but it also has other attractions worth discovering. It is in the southwest of the country and has such emblematic buildings as the Bordeaux Cathedral, the Grand Theater of Bordeaux or Tour Pey Berland, a tower that can be climbed to enjoy privileged views of the city. Population: 240,000 people.
Recommended article: Essential visits in Bordeaux.
Lille
The capital of the Haute-France region is in the north of the country, very close to the Belgian border . It is famous for the Braderie de Lille, a second-hand object market that is considered the most important in all of Europe. The event begins on a Saturday at 2:00 p.m. and ends on a Sunday at 11:00 p.m. During that period of time, it is estimated that between 2 and 3 million interested parties are visited. Population: 230,000 people.
Strasbourg
Strasbourg is a city located in the Alsace region, in the northeast of the country, very close to Germany. It is the seat of the European Parliament and it has been said that it is the capital of Christmas because of how beautiful its Christmas market is. The best thing to do is go to Petit France, an old fishing area where you can see little houses like the ones shown in the image you see above these lines. Population: 280,000 people.
Recommended article: The most popular Christmas markets in the world.
Nice
It is the most important city on the CĂ´te d’Azur and is located very close to the border with Italy . There are spectacular beaches and narrow streets that you will fall in love with if you want to walk through Nice without stepping on the main avenues. The old town is wonderful. Population: 350,000 people.
Toulouse
It is in the south of France, in the Haute-Garonne department. It is well known among students for being the place chosen by many foreigners to go on Erasmus. Beyond that, in Toulouse you can enjoy beautiful squares and you have the possibility of having a drink on a terrace as if you were in a town on the Spanish coast. Also, if you still want an extra bit of relaxation, you can get it by visiting the Japanese Garden in Toulouse. Population: 450,000 people.
Marseilles
It is the second city in importance if we stick to the number of inhabitants. Marseille is on the Mediterranean coast and it shows. It is a beach destination full of spectacular buildings, monuments and museums. In addition, it has a very beautiful port, the Vieux-Port. There you will delight in strolling while listening to the anonymous musicians who fill its streets with joy and nostalgia. Population: 860,000 people.
Nantes
The capital of the Loire-Atlantique department is in northwestern France. I would say that it is one of the essential cities , a must-see almost on the same level as Paris. It is not nearly as big and it does not have as many monuments, but I am convinced that you will love it for different reasons. On a cultural and artistic level, it has a lot to offer the tourist who arrives wanting to soak up something new. Population: 300,000 people.
Montpellier
Montpellier, located in the south of France, boasts the most picturesque trams in the whole country. Lines one and two were decorated by Garouste and Bonetti, while line three was the work of the famous Christian Lacroix . In addition to that detail, it must be said that in Montpellier there are beautiful squares, such as the Place de la Comédie or the Place de la Canourgue. I recommend you go to Lo Monaco, which is the best pastry shop in the city and is on the same street where Jean-Jacques Rousseau lived. Population: 270,000 people.
Saint-Malo
It is probably the least known of this list, which does not mean that it is not worth visiting. Saint-Malo is a small port city located in Brittany , in north-western France. It still preserves the walls that served it so well in the past to protect its old town, in which it is certainly worth getting lost. Once there, I recommend you take a ferry to Dinard, a city located a short distance away that has several beaches where you can relax. Population: 50,000 people.
Recommended articles:
– The most beautiful castles in France.
– Customs in France.
– The best villages in France.