French cities can be explored endlessly without getting enough of their beauty, unique atmosphere and absolutely stunning architecture that delights even the most indifferent. Paris, it seems, will never get bored, Nice and Cannes will always attract chic lovers, and Strasbourg and Reims will amaze with the number of historical sites included in the UNESCO list.
But in France there are still charming small communes where the streets are buried in flowers, the owners of restaurants greet guests as relatives, the stone squares still remember the rulers of the Carolingian dynasty, people still live in the houses of the 14th century. It’s hard to believe that such places are not scenery for some historical film.
The main tourist cities of France
List of the most interesting cities for cultural tourism.
Paris
The incomparable and grandiose capital of France has always attracted tourists from all over the world. This is a real treasury of world culture: Louvre, Notre-dame-de-Paris, Center Pompidou, Champs Elysees, Eiffel Tower, Versailles - these sights are heard by every traveler. And even huge queues of those eager to touch the Parisian chic do not stop people who come to visit this city in millions every year.
Population - 2 187 526 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Paris
Nice
Holidays on the Cote d'Azur have long been associated with luxury, impeccable service and spending a huge amount of money, which not all travelers can afford. That is why the rich and famous prefer to come here. Nice is one of the most popular resorts in the region, its unofficial capital and a place where important events of social life take place. It is often called the aristocrat city, meaning, of course, the local public.
Population - 533 554 people (2019)
Hotels on Booking.com: Nice
Lyon
A city of museums, gourmet restaurants, green parks and charming promenades. Many architectural objects located in the historical center are included in the UNESCO list, which by itself speaks of their historical and cultural value. Lyon will also appeal to party-goers and tourists who cannot imagine a good vacation without quality shopping: there are many entertainment venues and shops with quality products in the city.
Population - 522 679 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Lyon
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
Located in the picturesque Alps, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is a first-class ski resort, whose history dates back to the 19th century, when the first tourists arrived here. By the middle of the 20th century, local residents abandoned traditional agriculture and reoriented themselves to the tourism sector. Chamonix-Mont-Blanc has more than 100 slopes of various difficulty levels and excellent conditions for various types of winter sports.
Population - 8 611 people (2017)
Monte Carlo
Famous spa center located in the Principality of Monaco. It is known for its casino with luxurious interiors, a gorgeous harbor where the most expensive ships in the world, owned by celebrities and the powerful, are moored, as well as an incredible number of cars of the rarest and most exclusive brands. In short, Monte Carlo is a territory of success, luxury and big money.
Population - 2 874 people (2008)
Strasbourg
The completely German name of the city confuses those tourists who are not particularly strong in geography. But Strasbourg belongs to France, while being one of the most picturesque places in the country. Two cultures, two ways of life and thinking are mixed here. Even UNESCO has recognized it as a world heritage of humanity. And Strasbourg is also an important administrative center: the European Parliament and the Council of Europe sit here.
Population - 280 966 people (2017)
Bordeaux
The history of Bordeaux began in the 1st century BC, in the era of the Roman Empire it was the center of the province of Aquitaine Gaul, in the Middle Ages it belonged to England for some time. Winemaking has been developing in Bordeaux for a long time - the city is just famous for its excellent drinks, which have fans all over the world. It is visited by about 3 million tourists annually, and cruise liners calling on the Garonne from the Atlantic Ocean stop here.
Population - 254 436 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Bordeaux
Marseilles
The classic Mediterranean port city is colorful and bustling. It is known to Russian tourists largely thanks to the adventure novels of French classics. People come to Marseille to sunbathe on the beaches, get acquainted with its priceless architectural heritage, take a cruise along the coast and admire the picturesque calanques, as well as the Château d'If, the place of imprisonment of Edmond Dantes (Count of Monte Cristo).
Population - 869 815 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Marseille
Aix-en-Provence
An old Provencal town with palaces of the 17th-18th centuries, built in the style of the luxurious Italian Baroque. It is famous throughout Europe for its flea markets, where you can buy unique antiques. Collectors from all over the world come here to pick up another masterpiece for their private collections. Tourists will be primarily interested in the Old Town, the plane-tree boulevard Mirabeau and small squares decorated with copies of paintings by Rubens.
Population - 142 482 people (2017)
Cannes
In the 19th century, Cannes was transformed from an unremarkable fishing village into a fashionable resort on the Cote d'Azur. The first tourists appreciated the excellent climate, comfortable beaches and picturesque panoramas of the bay. Russian and English aristocrats were frequent guests of Cannes at that time. After the end of World War II, the city gained well-deserved fame thanks to the Cannes Film Festival, which is held here every year.
Population - 73 868 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Cannes
Toulouse
An original and vibrant city in the south of France, where the traditions of different peoples have mixed. For Toulouse, the nickname "Pink City" is firmly entrenched due to the red brick, from which the houses of the historic center were built. Many buildings were intentionally erected in a pseudo-Romanesque style in order to preserve the continuity of the eras. Toulouse is also an important scientific and industrial center of the country.
Population - 479 553 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Toulouse
La Rochelle
The city was founded in the 10th century, and a century later it turned into an important port controlled by the Knights of the Templar Order. La Rochelle is mentioned in the novel The Three Musketeers. To explore all the sights, a tourist will need at least a week: both medieval architecture and modern (sometimes even incomprehensible) collections in museums are presented here. Perhaps the most famous place in the vicinity of La Rochelle is the legendary Fort Boyard, where the popular TV show was filmed.
Population - 75 735 people (2017)
Montpellier
Located in the hills near the shores of the Mediterranean Sea. The city has a long and rich history that has left its mark on architecture and local traditions. Since the X century, the spice trade was carried out here, in the XIII the city university was founded, under Louis XIV the city became the capital of the Lower Languedoc. The main attractions of Montpellier are the Botanical Garden of the 16th century, the Fabre Museum, famous for the works of the Impressionists, and the cathedral.
Population - 285 121 people (2017)
Lille
It is located on the very border with Belgium, so the Flemish influence is strongly felt here. In past centuries, it was famous for its textile production, but with the invention of synthetics, the industry fell into decay. Today Lille is the center of the student body and the cultural capital of the region. The true masterpieces of urban architecture are the 15th century Riour Palace and the old stock exchange, erected at the beginning of the 20th century.
Population - 232 787 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Lille
Avignon
A picturesque town in the Provence region. According to many tourists, it is the most beautiful in this part of France. Until the end of the 18th century, it was completely owned by the popes, until they ceded its territory to France. Since that time, the architectural complex of the Papal Palace of the XIV century has been preserved - one of the largest in Europe. Today it hosts a theater festival. It will also be interesting to look at the preserved fortress walls of Avignon.
Population - 91 921 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Avignon
Nantes
A freedom-loving city in Brittany, which haunted the central authorities for many centuries: constant strife with the rulers, popular uprisings, revolts, demands for special privileges - there are quite a few similar events in the history of Nantes. The genius writer Jules Verne was born here and the first omnibus was launched in the 19th century. Tourists are attracted to the city by the abundance of architectural sights and delicious fish and seafood dishes - the horse of Nantes cuisine.
Population - 309 346 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Nantes
Saint-Malo
Breton port on the shores of the English Channel, founded in the 6th century. Today more than 80 architectural monuments of the city have the status of valuable historical sites. Most of them were built during the XII-XV centuries. In the Middle Ages, Saint-Malo was famous as the city of corsairs. Nowadays, this topic is actively exploited in the tourism sector, bringing a considerable income to the city from large flows of travelers.
Population - 46 097 people (2017)
Honfleur
One of the most beautiful ports in Normandy. Honfleur was often depicted in their canvases by French impressionist painters. The city flourished in the 17th-18th centuries, when ships sailed from local harbors to distant colonies of the American continent. Today the Old Port is rather of tourist interest, its cargo turnover is rather modest. Honfleur has many art workshops and antique shops with an interesting assortment.
Population - 7 425 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Honfleur
Ajaccio
Located on the west coast of Corsica, it is the island's largest port. First of all, it is famous for the fact that Napoleon Bonaparte was born here. It seems that everything in a modern city is associated with its name: the names of streets, restaurants, cafes, hotels, monuments, souvenirs and even varieties of wine and liquor. Ajaccio is a seaside resort; wine and olive oil production is also developed here.
Population - 70 659 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Ajaccio
Rouen
The city is a decoration of the north of France, it is located on the banks of the Seine. Here you can endlessly admire the masterpieces of different architectural styles - from Gothic to half-timbered houses. Walking the streets among the medieval houses hung with flower pots until it hurts in your legs, and also eat plenty of the most delicious apples in the country. In Rouen, the national heroine Jeanne d'Arc was executed, and a church was erected on the site of her burning in 1979.
Population - 110 145 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Rouen
Sarlat la Caneda
A small town in the southwestern part of the country, which has gained fame among travelers for its architecture of the Middle Ages and the Renaissance. Sarlat-la-Caneda was originally a Benedictine abbey that has existed in these places since the reign of the Carolingian dynasty. The city is home to about 25 thousand people, the annual flow of travelers has long exceeded 1.5 million.
Population - 8 869 people (2017)
Annecy
It is located very close to the Swiss border - the two states are separated by some 50 meters. It is notable for being riddled with a network of canals, which is why it is called the Venice of Savoy. Despite its small size, tourist guides highly appreciate Annecy and recommend to visit it by all means. The city stands on the shores of the lake of the same name, equipped with first-class beaches.
Population - 126 924 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Annecy
Colmar
A place with reference postcard landscapes, as if frozen in anticipation of the next artist to capture them on his canvas. It consists of old streets with half-timbered houses made of stone, pavements thrown over canals and marinas buried in flowers. The famous Route du Vin, the Wine Route, begins in Colmar and runs through the main wine-growing regions of the region.
Population - 69 105 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Colmar
Carcassonne
The city is a fortress in the heart of the Languedoc-Roussillon region. Once upon a time in its place was a Roman settlement, later - a village of the Celts and the patrimony of the Visigoths. The powerful Carcassonne citadel was erected in the early Middle Ages. It is surrounded by two rings of walls about 3 km long; more than 50 watchtowers are installed along the perimeter. The very first fortifications on this place existed in the 9th century BC.
Population - 46,031 people (2017)
Biarritz
A resort town on the Atlantic coast, located half an hour from the border with Spain. It is famous for its wide and long beaches of yellow sand, as well as excellent conditions for windsurfing. Biarritz also attracts tourists thanks to a large thalassotherapy center - a whole scientific institute engaged in research in the field of modern cosmetology.
Population - 25 404 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Biarritz
Arles
A small town that is located some distance from the Cote d'Azur coast, but it is no less popular with tourists due to the preserved Roman heritage (amphitheater and antique theater) and numerous architectural monuments of the 18th century. This is a quiet and cozy corner of Provence, fully absorbing the spirit of traditional France, with narrow stone streets, bakeries and small cafes.
Population - 52 548 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Arles
Lourdes
The city is an important pilgrimage center. The Catholic Church claims that in 1858, one of the local residents in the cave was the Virgin Mary. Moreover, the girl stated that the saint visited her more than once. After a thorough investigation, the church hierarchs decided that she was telling the truth. After that, pilgrims began to come to Lourdes en masse, today their number has reached 5 million a year.
Population - 13 389 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Lourdes
Reims
The city of kings, this is where the coronations of many French monarchs took place, starting from the 9th century. This tradition ended only in 1825. The ceremonies were held in the grandiose Reims Cathedral, which can be considered a true masterpiece of the Gothic style. Reims is the largest city in the Champagne-Ardennes region, famous for the production of sparkling wines.
Population - 182 460 people (2017)
Hotels on Booking.com: Reims
Saint Tropez
A fashionable resort, favored by movie stars and other celebrities. The town itself is rather modest in size, it is easy to get around it on foot. In the vicinity there are luxurious villas for actors, couturiers, financiers, famous secular characters. Luxurious yachts are moored at the pier, numerous restaurants with summer terraces stretch along the waterfront.
Population - 4 352 people (2017)
Mont Saint Michel
A town in Normandy, located on the island-rock of the same name, standing in the middle of the sea and connected to the land by means of narrow isthmuses along which highways are laid. The abbey and the settlement have existed since the 8th century; today, several dozen people live there, mainly employed in the tourism industry and Benedictine monks who are engaged in the production of honey and tea.
Population - 30 people (2017)
