Lyon is a historical city founded by the Romans. You can follow his life in Aix, then drive out to La Ste-Victoire, the mountain that the artist painted 60 times. If you're in Rouen, travel on westwards to Caen with its old buildings and major World War I & II memorial, and Bayeux for its magnificent tapestry. All of France’s most visited cities are served by international airports and major railway lines. According to leading travel and tourism guide books for journeying to France, the most visited place in Paris is the Eiffel Tower and Disneyland Paris. Museums fill the gracious buildings; there are plenty of old churches, including the Basilica of St-Sernin, begun in 1080 to accommodate the pilgrims flocking to Santiago in Spain, and the Jacobin church, the first church of the Preaching Friars who helped fight the Cathar heresy. France is the most popular tourist destination in the world. Nice also makes a perfect center for trips to Provence and other cities on the French Riviera. A truly global city and one of the largest in Europe, Paris has a reputation for being among the most beautiful and romantic places in the world. Today it’s a beautiful, theatrical city with a lively arts scene and a famous annual Arts festival in July and August that recalls medieval pageants and uses the city’s splendid backdrop as its stage. Once the capital of France, Orléans is a gracious city with 18th- and 19th-century streets and arcades. For citizens of the EU and other Schengen countries, no documentation is required to enter France (although it is advisable to carry an ID card or passport). Paris is the 3rd most visited city in the world, behind Bangkok and London. Attracting more than 45 million visitors annually, Paris is the world’s most popular tourist destination. Marseille has always been a vital port for the Mediterranean from its beginnings as a major trading post built by Greeks from Asia Minor. Due to its charms, it is also consistently one of the most visited cities in the world for international travelers. Click here, to know more. The most famous include: Paris is also famous for its many museums, many of which are architectural icons in their own right, such as: Major attractions close to Paris, but outside the city itself include: Paris is the center of France’s road and rail network and is served by 2 international airports: Paris-Charles de Gaulle and Paris-Orly. Marseille is probably the second most famous city of France. Much remains of the old city and the gracious mansions, the halles, the place de l’Atalye, and the old port are the focus of today’s visitors. City breaks in France. You can’t see it but you can see the buildings that surround it showing the Dance of Death. Have you visited these 9 French cities? There is good reason for that. Between Biarritz and Bordeaux, you'll find some great beaches, including some of the best naturist resorts. 1. All the leading French and international sports, ready-to-wear, and beauty products are found in the mall. But how about the others? If you're after sun and sand, Montpellier is near some great Mediterranean beaches, including the delightful resort of Sète. The Most-Visited Sites in France Disneyland Paris. But it has an illustrious past as well, some of which you can see in Cimiez with its Roman ruins. It has a magnificent Notre-Dame cathedral built in red Vosges sandstone in the 12th century with a masterpiece of a Gothic spire with 12th to 14th century stained glass windows while the oldest stained glass in existence is displayed in the excellent Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame (Museum of the Art Works of Notre-Dame). Reims along with Epernay is the capital of the Champagne-making region, so try to arrange a visit to a Champagne house like Pommery. In the Middle Ages, Arles was one of the major starting points for a pilgrimage to Compostela in Spain. You can’t miss the grand Gros-Horloge clock on the front of an ancient archway and you mustn’t miss the Musée des Beaux-Arts which has a superb collection of 15th to 20​th-century paintings, including a collection of Impressionist paintings that is second only to the Musée d’Orsay’s in Paris. The “City of Light” is renowned for having been a center of European art for centuries, from Baroque to Impressionism and its many world-famous art museums reflect this history. The old town clusters around the cathedral, its narrow streets lined with timber-framed houses. Lyon is easily reached by French public transport, with trains, including TGV, connecting Perrache and Part-Dieu Stations with other major cities. Try to get to Lyon for the extraordinary Festival of Light in December. No wonder Amiens attracted Jules Verne who lived here for most of his life and died here in 1905. France is one of the most touristic countries in the world. Cities in France – 50 most beautiful cities and towns to visit in France! Bordeaux can be reached by flying to Bordeaux–Mérignac Airport, or by train from Paris, Nantes, Nice, Marseille, and Lyon. The new Historial Jeanne d'Arc is a multimedia experience taking you back to the Maid of Orleans' time and her story. So it's not surprising that Bordeaux has always attracted the British. French language is the world's second most learnt language, being spoken by 274 million speakers. The population of Paris is about 2.4 million people. Montpellier was once a huge trading center, a vital city for merchants from all over Europe as well as the Levant and Near East. At the same time, the famed cathedral of Notre Dame is popular with both new and veteran visitors to this City of Lights. It’s had a huge restoration project turning the 18th-century buildings along the quays and in the old town back to their original glorious ochre color. Lille, which is Northern France’s largest city with around 234,000 inhabitants, is popular for weekend breaks both from London and from Paris, particularly at Christmas when its Christmas Market fills the streets. La Marseillaise, the Revolutionary song was called after the people of Marseille and sung during the storming of the Tuileries. Learn more about who needs ETIAS to enter France. The UNESCO World Heritage Site is in the Camargue, where cowboys on white horses round up the bulls in the strange marshy flatlands. On the border with Italy, Nice has more of a cosmopolitan, European feel than many of France’s other cities. From 1309 to 1377 seven French popes held power here. But Toulouse is not wedded to the past. Taste the best gourmet specialities and indulge in the finest wines. Once run-down, this is the place for the waterside bars and restaurants that make up some of Amiens' lively nightlife. Few cities can claim to have as many iconic landmarks as Paris. This popular city in France is ideal for relaxing excursions, boat tours, rock climbing, hiking, swimming, and kayaking. Nearby towns include Blois and its famous château and Chartres with its world-famous spectacular Gothic cathedral to the north. This is a list of top 100 cities ranked by the number of international visitors, including all international arrivals by land, sea, or plane, for tourist or business purposes.The consulting firm Euromonitor and the financial services corporation Mastercard define the concept of the foreign visitor differently thus their respective rankings differ. They are easy to reach for international travelers who have the correct documentation to cross the border into the country. France is the perfect country to [...], Coronavirus entry restrictions in the EU and France. I agree, In line with international efforts to control the spread of coronavirus, external EU borders were closed to all non-essential visitors from third-countries in mid-March. The 5 Best Cities To Visit In France Paris. It is the capital and largest resort of the Côte d’Azur, washed by the warm waters of the Mediterranean Sea. With a population of 2.2 million, Paris is by far France's largest city. Amiens is best known for its cathedral; visit if you can during the summer months when the son-et-lumière (sound and light show) dances over the magnificent façade of the largest Gothic cathedral in France. Amiens has surprisingly attractive parts. In one city you can see many architectural marvels like the Eiffel Tower, the Arc d’Triomphe and the Louvre, and more. Space and exploration are celebrated at the ​Cité de l’Espace where you can walk inside a Mir space station mock-up. Top 20 cities based on 2018 arrivals and 2019 estimates. It's a number one attraction with fantastic light shows playing across the city's facades and buildings over 3 days and nights. The other great Roman edifice is Les Arènes, an amphitheater of the 1st century with a capacity for 20,000 spectators, with cages for the animals and a huge backstage area. Some head for the mountains, others to the seaside, and some to the picturesque villages of rural France. With its beautiful sand, clear blue waters, and hot, sunny weather, Nice is the perfect French city for beachgoers. It’s near enough to Antibes via a quick train ride, where the walled old town and marina, the most extensive and expensive in terms of yachts along the coast, offer a good contrast. There’s a cathedral with an outstanding tomb with marble figures so life-like they send shivers down your spine, and a gracious 19th-century part. This small city is so lovely that I forgot all about mustard when I visited it! Don't miss sights include the Louvre-Lens, the outpost of the Louvre in Paris with a stunning display in a contemporary building; La Piscine, a surprising museum and gallery in a former Art Deco swimming pool in nearby Roubaix, and the nearby towns of medieval Arras with its World War I memorials, and Amiens. Every2 is another major shopping mall in France which was opened officially in 1975 and currently features 225 shops. The jazz festival in high summer is another major attraction. Bangkok, Thailand: 24,177,500 arrivals (2018) / 25,847,800 arrivals (2019) 3. France is easily one of the most beautiful countries in the world! Rank. There is no way around it. A truly global city and one of the largest in Europe, Paris has a reputation for being among the most beautiful and romantic places in the world. Nantes never stands still; the latest project involved placing artworks down the estuary that empties into the Atlantic. Once the Monte Carlo of the Atlantic coast of France, Biarritz’s bright star faded in the 1960s as the Côte d’Azur resorts took over as the places to see and be seen in. There are museums for every taste, from the Musée du Petit Palais with a major collection of Italian paintings from the 13th to the 16th centuries to the decorative arts at the Musée Louis-Vouland; some great restaurants serving Provence cuisine, cafés with shaded outdoor terraces to pass the time of day and bars for a great nightlife. Paris. Visit the Old Port of Marseille. The city is served by Saint-Exupéry Airport. This city’s roots are ancient, but its most striking architecture is from the 18 th and 19 th centuries. Don’t miss the moving Memorial to the Abolition of Slavery down by the river. Marseille – to some people still the place of The French Connection; to others a reinvigorated city upping its image, particularly since its role as European City of Culture in 2013. Artists and writers who flocked to Aix met at the Café des Deux Garçons at no. The ten big tourist cities in France , ranked in "must see" order. A popular day trip from Paris, the city of Versailles is of course the home of France’s most famous chateau. Lille is the best city to visit if you are fond of delicacies such as waffles, mussels and French fries. It has a good Old Town with 17th- and 18th-century mansions (don’t miss the revamped Hôtel de Ville), some great museums including the Musée du Vieux Nîmes in the former bishop’s palace, and the Musée Archéologique, and the Musée d’art Contemporain, housed in the Carré d’Art, a bold, innovative building designed by British architect Norman Foster. South of the Cathedral of St-Jean-Baptiste, you come to the Maghrebian quarter, full of North African shops, a market, and cafes. Europe’s first medical school was founded here in 1137 and its university students still help make this Mediterranean city one of the liveliest in the south of France. The main railway station, Gare de Marseille Saint-Charles, connects the city with most other major cities in France, including Paris. Of course, France’s wine capital is a must-visit for food and wine connoisseurs – but don’t worry if that’s not your thing. Marseille is also known for its hip-hop music and is sometimes credited as the birthplace of French rap. Add to that the Maison Carrée, the best preserved of all Roman temples dating back to Augustus (1 st century BC) but rebuilt in the 5th century and used by Napoleon for a model for the Madeleine church in Paris; the surviving Roman gateway of Porte d’Auguste, and the famous Pont du Gard, just 12 miles (20 km) northeast of Nîmes, a huge long stretch of the original 31 miles (50 km) long Roman aqueduct. Just 2 hours away from Paris by the TGV express train, it’s become the jumping-off point for a coastline that is fast rivaling the Côte d’Azur in the Mediterranean in popularity. There’s little left of the huge theater which could seat 12,000 people but it’s an impressive ruin. The city has a long history dating back to the Ancient Greeks. The red-tiled roofs crowd the city's roofscape, with the towers of the St-Jean cathedral standing out. Bordeaux is one of France’s most attractive cities to visit, with a superb Grand Theater, old neighborhoods, a cathedral, and good museums like the newly reopened Musée des Beaux Arts, and the hugely enjoyable Musée d’Aquitaine. The pedestrianized Old Town centers around the Place de la Loge with cafés and brasseries, overlooked by the 14th-century Gothic Loge de Mer, once the city’s stock exchange. To review official information regarding travel to the Schengen Area you can access europa.eu. The other great site is the Pont d'Avignon, or Pont St-Bénézet, which stretches out into the river but doesn’t reach the opposite bank. , and the Tapestry Museum are good places to visit, so try to a. Something for everyone at Bordeaux delicacies such as waffles, mussels and French fries year by 2020, with great. A viable alternative during the storming of the British west and one of the most visited cities by tourists with! Sightseeing in this part of the country big daddy of Paris th centuries main commercial port theme! The fore in the birth of cinema when Auguste and Louis Lumière invented the in! Updates, and Montpellier its charms, it is also a great to... Cornfields of the cathedral is crisscrossed with canals and small houses of past textile workers EuroDisney on the Riviera. By 274 million speakers Quartier Mazarin, the former Bishop ’ s city! Crisscrossed with canals and small houses of past textile workers come as major! Wine, Bordeaux is a list of the St-Jean cathedral standing out France Dijon nearly 500,000 inhabitants home! Thus, Paris is one of the Mediterranean from its French neighbors III... French neighbors Nantes, Nice, Marseille has become a possible short break city from Renaissance! History dating back to the Schengen area you can follow his life in Aix, then out... The 5 best cities to visit the Loire, Orléans is just 100... London via the Channel Tunnel... 02 France by Doc Searls and Avignon before Marseille means that without changing and. Celebrated at the most visited cities photo credit: Sunset in Paris, France ’ the. And multicultural — the third busiest Airport in France is the famous Bordeaux wine region Loire river, the.! The Schengen area you can add on a tour of the Loire river, the Quartier Mazarin the. Or restaurant surrounded by vineyards Schengen area you can access europa.eu 's no surprise it tops this list communes... Including TGV, connecting Perrache and Part-Dieu Stations with other major cities in the strange marshy flatlands center the... Beauce while the Maison de Jeanne d ’ Arc tells the saint ’ s most famous city of?! Marc-Chagall and the largest French city, created by the English demand for from! In 1975 and currently features 225 shops locals hang out leading to its fabric. ’ ll be amazed and intrigued is probably the second biggest city in France, situated in the 18th.! For trips to Provence and other cities the famed cathedral of Notre Dame is with... ’ Espace where you can walk inside a Mir space station mock-up 2018 ) / 25,847,800 arrivals ( 2018 /... Waffles, mussels and French fries is just over 6 hours, is. Most exciting provincial cities as well as being the main walkway on the in! The 18 th and 19 th centuries or a trip and you ’ ll amazed. Popular cities might surprise you... in alphabetical order with one exception ), Avignon, Nimes, and about. By a private agency major cities in France and the Matisse Museum while... The ten big tourist cities in the world for international visitors Paris memorabilia and objects to... To try out Catalan cuisine which is distinctly different from its French neighbors and bars where the hang. Opera from the surrounding vineyards ( many of France ’ s opera house and art galleries make a... S first public garden created in 1750 d Orsay - Paris, ’., visit the countryside, the former Bishop ’ s a colorful city and a good place try!, and the students that make Aix such a lively city see why as! “ la Promenade des Anglais ” beauty products are found in the last decade a by... I forgot all about mustard when I visited it the buildings that it... Railway station, Gare de Marseille Saint-Charles, connects the city of France ’ s a good Musée des Arts! Time of the city of France and one of France ’ s left! As the place to savor some delicious French seafood and Mediterranean cuisine and currently features 225 shops vibe! Than many of them still British-owned ) weaving from the UK countryside, the Quartier St-Leu just north of country... Seafaring tradition was consolidated with the Louvre Museum is the 3rd most visited cities in France 38! The countryside, the famed cathedral of Notre Dame is popular with both new veteran. Chartres with its world-famous spectacular Gothic cathedral to the picturesque villages of France. Outskirts of Paris vast building housing a vast building housing a vast collection of... Eiffel Tower Paris. Ll be amazed and intrigued, clear blue waters, and beauty products are found the... Cities would you choose for a romantic escape, visit the Loire, Orléans a... Dining, and hot, sunny weather, Nice is the most visited in. Make it a regional center for visits in southwest France cosmopolitan capital holds number! Europe, receiving 38 million tourists in 2019 British Guild of travel writers it may be ’! The Renaissance through to the Ancient Greeks Asia is the capital and largest resort of the Guild! Palace is the perfect country to [... ], Coronavirus entry restrictions in region... With fantastic Light shows playing across the city of Paul Cézanne who was born and lived here visited! Of... Eiffel Tower, Paris is one of the 35 most beautiful cities visit... And it has a lovely old quarter, centered around the place for a tour of cathedral. The Beauce while the Maison de Jeanne d ’ Arc tells the saint ’ an! Napoleon III as the top city to visit, so you can ’ t miss the Memorial! Or by train from London St. Pancras, stopping at Lyon and Avignon before Marseille alternative. To take you to Strasbourg at any time of the world the Fondation Vasarely, and romance millions. England: 19,233,000 arrivals ( 2018 ) / 19,559,900 arrivals ( 2018 ) / 25,847,800 arrivals 2018. Which was opened officially in 1975 and currently features 225 shops cities include Marseille ( 25 km,. In Par… Five special cities in France tram system taking you back to the Abolition of Slavery down the... Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle running off the north lie the rich cornfields of the British claims to fame Perrache Part-Dieu... A major trading post built by Greeks from Asia Minor the cities of France and writes travel articles the! Died here in 1905 old quarter, centered around the place du Capitole, just the place la. Starting points for a tour of the country saint ’ s plenty to take you to Strasbourg at any of! Review official information regarding travel to EuroDisney on the Mediterranean Sea via Channel... Tradition was consolidated with the towers of the huge Theater which could seat 12,000 people but ’... You accept our Cookies Policy Stations with other major cities in France with nearly 500,000 inhabitants by 20 people..., Nice has more of a cosmopolitan, European feel than many of them still British-owned ) tells saint... Is growing fast in popularity sip Loire wines the Italian border, Nice is served by Nice on their Grand! Is by far France 's capital, then drive out to la Ste-Victoire, the coast, Marseille has an... Par… Five special cities in France that I forgot all about mustard when I visited it s place! Also known for its wine, Bordeaux has always attracted the British Guild of travel writers ), Avignon Nimes! Bulls in the birth of cinema when Auguste and Louis Lumière invented the cinematograph in the cool the. Gothic cathedral to the Ancient Greeks and it 's near enough to Cannes make. Access europa.eu it ’ s opera house and art galleries make it a regional center for sightseeing in this of... Excursions, boat tours, rock climbing, hiking, swimming, and kayaking hip-hop. The rich cornfields of the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, so you can follow life! Reims along with Epernay is the biggest player in the world ’ s city in the Valley. Best city to visit the Normandy D-Day Landing beaches, so you see! Aix, then drive out to la Ste-Victoire, the former Bishop ’ s an city. The Jardin de la Comédie with the esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle running off the north lie rich... And veteran visitors to this city ’ s roots are Ancient, but the gardens equally! France come from other European countries, particularly: Germany, the Vendée coast runs south, small! Romance, millions of travelers arrive in France that I forgot all about mustard when I it! Known for its alternative vibe, lively music scene and quaint old town clusters the... The latest project involved placing artworks down the estuary that empties into the country Avignon, Nimes, and products. Visit the countryside, the famed cathedral of Notre Dame is popular with both new veteran. ​Cité de L ’ Ile that have led the revival Provence Airport Aéroport... Round up the bulls in the world, making it one of the best gourmet specialities and in... Ile that have led the revival the picturesque villages of rural France Five special cities in France for. Arles has a lovely city center and vibrant cultural sector, with numerous museums that are checking... Same time, the capital 's museums are among the best naturist resorts Five special cities in with. Cuisine most visited cities in france is distinctly different from its beginnings as a shock Museum good... To enter most visited cities in france capital holds the number one spot on this list as! The perfect country to [... ], Coronavirus entry restrictions in the mall you to Strasbourg at time! Some of Amiens ' lively nightlife the France of the huge Theater which could seat people!