1. PARIS
Paris is a must-visit city, with a wide variety of things to see and do. Situated on the banks of the Seine, the capital of France is a romantic place, with picturesque streets and buildings, as well as famous landmarks such as the Eiffel Tower and the Sacre-Coeur Church. Renowned for its cuisine, Paris has many restaurants to choose from, from the high-end to the more affordable street food.
As the center of fashion throughout Europe and even the world, Paris, France is one of the most dreamed urban vacation destinations in the world. Paris is located on the north side of the country and has many Michelin-starred restaurants serving a variety of delicious food; designer label stores such as Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Cartier, and Versace. Apart from shopping, you will also enjoy the beauty of the city and the nuances of art that encourage talented young artists to show their potential.
Paris City
2. NICE
Located on the French Riviera or Cote d'Azur, as it is known in French, Nice is a city always bathed in sunshine. Located in the southeast corner of France, the city sits at the foot of the Alps and stretches along the Mediterranean coast. As the fifth largest city in France, Nice has a vibrant cultural mix. A port city, Nice has many sandy areas that stand out in stark contrast to its Italian-influenced architecture and the medieval streets of the old town.
Nice is the largest city on the French Riviera, besides that it is more affordable than other cities in Paris. Apart from charming beaches and always warm weather, which is 300 days sunshine per year. When traveling to Nice, France, you will feel a mix of French-Italian culture. There are art museums, restaurants with French and Italian cuisine, and shopping centers that are definitely not to be missed.
Nice France
3. BORDEAUX
Located on the banks of the River Garonne, Bordeaux is a large city with a lot to offer. Bordeaux is an old city with so much impressive architecture. Around Place de la Bourse, you can find 18th-century mansions nestled with decadent palaces, as well as a number of large art museums. For a great leisurely stroll experience, head to Les Quais and gaze at the river waters at night.
One of the landmarks that you shouldn't miss is the Place de la Bourse which is an icon of the city of Bordeaux. Its splendor managed to bring it into the UNESCO World Heritage List. Built in the 18th century, the building process took 20 years. This magnificent courtyard complete with fountains is framed by the Hotel des Fermes and Hotel de la Bourse. Very Instagrammable!
Bordeaux
4. LYON
Lyon, the third largest city in France, is situated at the confluence of the Rhone and Saone Rivers. Its strategic location has made the city able to attract traders since it was founded by the Romans in 43 BC. An orderly and orderly place, the streets of Lyon seem to be filled with renaissance buildings. Lyon Cathedral is one of the most impressive sights, with the old town area ideal to explore.
The old city of Lyon dates back to the Middle Ages and has many buildings of the Renaissance period. The old town of Lyon is located across the Saone River from the Presqu'ile district in the heart of the center of beautiful and picturesque Lyon. The old town is full of monuments, very good restaurants and beautiful narrow streets. It is easy to get to public transport but is best explored on foot.
Lyon France
5. MARSEILLE
Marseille is the second largest city in France and has a diverse mix of inhabitants and cultures. Historically, Marseille's economy was dominated by the port belonging to the French Empire, which connected the North African colonies of Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia with Metropolitan France. The Old Port was replaced by the Port de la Joliette during the Second Empire and now contains restaurants, offices, bars and hotels, and mostly functions as a private marina. The oldest area, Le Panier, is a place worth visiting. So is the Notre Dame de Major cathedral, which is stunning and overlooks the sea.
Just like inParis, Marseille also has Notre-Dame de la Garde or Lady of the Guard. Notre-Dame de la Garde itself is a basilica church located on Rue Fort du Sanctuarie, Marseille. The church is situated on a 149 meter high bank, on the southern edge of Marseille's Old Port. Notre-Dame de la Garde was first built in 1853, replacing the previous basilica church which had been built in 1214.
Marseille
6. NANTES
Situated on the banks of the Loire, Nantes has a long and tumultuous history. During the 17th century, Nantes was the largest port city in France and a major trading center with other areas located on the Atlantic coast. Today, Nantes has a population of around 300,000 and has a thriving service industry. As the historic capital of Brittany, the city has many interesting cathedrals and castles to explore. One of the unique attractions of Nantes is Machines de l'Ile, a futuristic exhibit featuring giant mechanical beasts.
For those of you who like shopping, don't miss the The Passage Pommeraye area in Nantes. This place itself is a mall area that has unique and historic buildings. When you are in this mall, it will feel like you are in ancient times because there are statues that adorn this mall and the building looks like a castle. In this mall, of course, you can not only shop but also take pictures with amazing backgrounds.
Nantes
7. STRASBOURG
Strasbourg is one of the popular tourist destinations in France, but in some ways, it has a lot more in common with Germany. Located near the eastern border with Germany, the city is part of the Alsace region in France. Many of the locals speak the Alsatian language, which is one of the German accents. Many of Strasbourg's street signs are written in classical German script, and many dishes are German-like such as sauerkraut.
The Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg is one of the buildings that has survived since the Middle Ages and is the largest cathedral church in Strasbourg. Apart from outside, you can enter and go up to certain floors to enjoy the view of Strasbourg from a height. Even from here you can see the Black Forest in the city of Freiburg, Germany.
Strasbourg France
8. MONTPELLIER
Montpellier is the seventh largest city in France and is located in the southern region of the country. The city has undergone rapid development, thus being able to distinguish itself as more than just a port city on the edge of the Mediterranean. Montpellier has many beautiful squares, some very bright and elegant, like the Place de la Comédie, others more serene and enchanting like the Place de la Canourgue. Stop by Lo Monaco which has been named the best pâtisserie in Montpellier and is located on the same street that was once inhabited by Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
The city, which is famous for its cultural arts festival, also has many historical relics. The first thing to do is to visit the tourist information center located in the town square, place de la comedie. Free maps and guidebooks can be found here. For those who don't want to get sore feet, you can take a tour with a small tourist train that takes us around the old city of Montpellier, of course, you have to pay money, which is 6 euros for adults and 3 euros for children under 12 years.
Montpellier
9. AVIGNON
Famous for the popes who founded palaces in the city after fleeing Rome in the 14th century, Avignon was the capital of the Catholic Church during the Medieval period. The colossal palaces built by the popes look impressive with their Gothic architectural style, while the forts, towers and gates of the old town are also fantastic to visit. One of the best times to visit Avignon is during the arts festival in July, although you'll have to scramble for space with lots of other visitors.
In this city there is the Palais des Papes (palace of the Popes or Papal Palace), which is a landmark of this city and is also a UNESCO world heritage site. There is also the Chartruese Notre Dame Du Val de Benediction monastery, as well as a fortress located on the hill, Fort Saint André. There is also Place d'Horloge, a lively square full of cafes and restaurants in the shade of shady trees. In this square you can see many old buildings that are no less beautiful in architecture.
Avignon
10. TOULOUSE
Toulouse has the nickname la villa rose, or “pink city”, because of its buildings consisting of pink terracotta bricks made from the reddish mud of the Garonne River. Toulouse was once France's wealthiest city, but the economy took a hit when a cheaper alternative pigment, indigo, was introduced from India. After that, the restoration progressed quite slowly, but in the 18th century the city began to modernize.
One of the places you can visit in Toulouse is the Place du Capitole, which is the meeting point of activity in the city. What is famous about this place is the stones that are in the pink Town Hall in downtown Toulouse. In this place there are also various historical streets filled with restaurants, shops, bars, and so on.
Toulouse
11. LILLE
The largest city in northern France, Lille was once a merchant town due to its strategic location between Flanders and Paris. Today, Lille has a beautiful city center and a vibrant culture, with many museums worth visiting. With a vibrant university community, places for shopping and a vibrant nightlife, Lille is a vibrant city.
This city has several great landmarks and tourist destinations. Starting from, the Grand Palace, several museums, zoos and casinos are in Lille which is a must-have destination for travelers. The buildings in this city are characteristic of Belgian-French because they are side by side. The famous museum here is the Palace of Fine Arts which is the second oldest museum in France.
Lille
12. DIJON
Once the capital of the Dukes of Burgundy, Dijon flourished in the 14th and 15th centuries as a center for the arts and sciences. The old town of Dijon is exotic to explore with its various statues and grand architecture and its great cathedral. While not huge, Dijon is well worth a visit as it is one of the most beautiful French cities.
In Dijon, which is also a winter tourist destination, there is also a Christmas market that you can visit. There are more than 60 sales stalls there. They sell local products such as rotis, mustard, honey, various handicrafts to children's toys. There is usually an ice skating area around the Christmas market where you can play.
Dijon
13. SAINT MALO
Located in Brittany, this fortified town is built on a rocky island. There, visitors can sample delicious Breton dishes such as sweet or savory crêpes or kouign-amanns, which are crunchy round cakes made with bread dough that has a layer of sweet butter. Once in Saint-Malo, don't miss the opportunity to catch a ferry to Dinard, a neighboring town that has a very different atmosphere. Also, the view of Saint-Malo from the ship is the best so you can understand the city structure better.
This waterfront area that was transformed into a tourist destination in France was originally a fort built to protect the Rance river from pirates. Not only enjoying the beauty of the beach and playing in the shallow sea, there are various other French tourist attractions that can be visited in this area such as the Grand Aquarium, Grande Porte, Musee de la Ville, and also Porte St Vincent.
Saint-Malo
14. ANNECY
Annecy is nicknamed the “French Alps pearl” or “Venice of the Alps” because of the many canals that run through the city. Annecy may not be the first city that comes to mind when it comes to France, but this hidden gem won't disappoint. Known for its tourist-filled lakes in the summer, this picturesque town has many attractions such as the Château d'Annecy that towers over the city.
Lake Annecy is one of France's leading outdoor tourism spots. People use it for water skiing, rowing, fishing, sailing, and swimming. This lake is famous for being the cleanest in all of Europe. The water comes from springs, rivers and rain. The best place to view the lake is Le Paquier or Champ de Mars. This 7.5 hectare field is bordered by trees whose canopy covers chairs and pedestrian paths that can be used for walking or jogging.
Annecy
15. PLACE DE LA CONCORDE
Place De La Concorde is another tourist spot in France that will present a typical French view. This octagon-shaped square between the Tuileries Gardens and the Champs Elysees avenue is beautifully designed with garden ornaments, fountains, and beautiful garden lights, especially at night. Not far from this tourist spot, there is a giant wheel that allows you to enjoy the city view from a height with a different experience.
The Place de la Concorde, which can still be enjoyed today, is the result of a redesign done by Jacques Ignace Hittorf from 1833 to 1846. Here you will find eight sculptures designed by Jacques placed in every corner of the square. The fountains at the Place de la Concorde or what is commonly called the Fontaines de la Concorde are two monumental fountains located on the Place de la Concorde in the center of Paris. There are still many iconic and instagrammable landmarks that you can visit at Place de la Concorde.
Place de la Concorde
16. SAINT VERAN
Saint Veran is located in the middle of “Parc Naturel Regional du Queyras”, Nature Park in the northern Alps. This city is in the highest area in France. In Saint Veran you can see wooden churches, springs, sundials, old copper mines, Le musée du Soum, and L 'Observatoire.
Saint Veran is in the highest area in France, and the third highest in all of Europe. It is located in the middle of the “Parc Naturel Regional du Queyras,” which is a Nature Park in the northern Alps. When you enter Saint Veran, you will see its traditional hamlet, its springs, its wooden churches, its sundial, and much more.
Saint-Véran
17. ARS-EN-RE
The town of Ars-en-Ré has the allure of white houses with green windows, salt pans, hollyhocks and views of the coast. The hallmark of this city is an open field with a church tower. Exploring this small town with a calming atmosphere will be very pleasant.
The city center is in an open central square with the Church Tower being its landmark. In summer the tower is open to the public. It is a great place for relaxation accompanied by views of the city and sea. This small village on the island of Ré has been a destination for sailors and traders since centuries ago, but adventurers too are conquered by the beauty of the beaches and the splendor of this place.
Ars-en-Ré
18. DINAN
Dinan is often touted as the most beautiful city that looks like a Disney fairy tale. The city sits on a hill on the banks of the French Rance river. The city of Dinan looks very beautiful with buildings with high walls, Tudor-style houses, cobbled streets, a harbor, shops and art galleries.
Some of the buildings were built since the 13th century and still stand against its solid walls, no wonder the city looks like a medieval city. Interesting places that you can visit include Duchess Anne's Tower, Savior's Basilica, he Chateau de Dinan, and The Jacobins Theater, St. Malo's Church.
Dinan
19. EGUISHEIM
If you want to take a walk and see the sights like in a fairy tale, you can visit the French city of Eguisheim. The attraction of this city that makes tourists fascinated are the colorful houses filled with various flowers that are also colorful. This city is one of the cities that produces wine. This can be seen from the existence of wineries, wine cellars, and wine bars that can be found in this city.
Eguisheim is indeed on the Alsatian Vineyard Route, which is a route for a winery area in the Alsace region which is known for producing high-quality wines. The shape of this village is also unique because all the houses are laid out in a circle in layers. When photographed from above, it looks like a fortress. This pretty little village is beautifully laid out, with cobblestone paths that wind between the colorful wooden houses.
Eguisheim
20. PEROUGES
The city of Perouges lies to the northeast of Lyon. This city in France with its medieval and romantic style scenery is widely used for shooting films, including the films The Bride (1985) and The Hour of the Pig (1993). Its romantic scenery attracts lots of tourist to come and you can get your best experience in this city.
Perouges is indeed an expert at caring for his ancient landscapes. If you visit this city in April and June, you will get a pleasant surprise in the form of its spring festival in April and various music events, from the Baroque genre to Jazz every June. Take a train from Paris Gare de Lyon to Lyon Part Dieu, then continue your journey by another train to Meximieux-Perouges.
Pérouges
