11 Cities to Visit in France That Aren’t Paris

France is the most popular destination in the Schengen zone, with millions of travelers exploring its rich culture every year.

A surprise to no one, Paris is the top city in France when it comes to tourism. The largest city and the most globally recognized, traveling to Paris is a dream come true for people from every walk of life.

But what if you're looking to explore what France has to offer outside of The City of Lights? Maybe you've already been to Paris, or you are curious about what else this sought-after country has to offer.

Don't worry; we have you covered.

In this guide, we'll explore 11 of the best cities in France... that aren't Paris!

Nice, France

Nicknamed Nice la Belle (Nice The Beautiful), this coastal city is a great choice for travelers looking for warm weather and a beachy feeling.

It's not just about the coast, though. Nice (rhymes with "geese") is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In addition to the colorful architecture and palm trees, there is a vast collection of museums, parks, and historic sites around the city.

For art lovers, Nice's history is intertwined with artists.

It has been a popular port of call for beloved painters like Matisse and Chagall. In fact, there's even a Chagall Museum with an impressive collection of his work.

With festivals throughout the year and energetic markets (such as the Marché aux Fleurs pictured above), there's always something to do.

Tourists typically enjoy Nice's mild Mediterranean climate. The winters are gentle, and the warm summers don't get too hot. They do, however, persuade you to stick your feet in the sand.

Nice is easyt o get to, as it's accessible by plane, train, or automobile.

While there, make sure to try some of the local cuisine, like salade niçoise, a tomato salad with tuna or anchovies, olives, and hard-boiled eggs.

Fish-fanatics should also look out for Nice's famous Pissaladière, a traditional flatbread with caramelized onions, black olives, and anchovies. It's kind of like a pizza.

⭐️ Fun fact: Nice is a sister city to Houston, Miami, and the state of Louisiana!

Lyon, France

The third largest city in France, Lyon, is nestled where the Rhône and Saône rivers meet. For those still discovering France's geography, that's in central Eastern France, heading toward Switzerland and Italy.

History lovers will be happy to learn that Lyon has a Roman background with ancient Roman sites that can still be visited today, including a well-preserved amphitheater.

If history isn't your cup of tea, might we suggest wine? Wine aficionados should add Lyon to their list. Located near both Beaujolais and Côtes du rhône (two very famous regions for grapes), you'll find a variety of high-quality wines at prices likely lower than you'll find back home.

While in Lyon, try ordering mâchons: charcuterie accompanied by Beaujolais red wine that is served for brunch. At dinnertime, enjoy coq au vin, a local chicken dish known around the world.

Lyon is easily accessible by train and plane, and can be enjoyed year-round because of its temperate climate. Winters don't get too cold, and summers don't get too hot. Win-win.

⭐️ Fun fact: Lyon is a sister city to St. Louis and Boston!

Strasbourg, France

For those looking for a complete fairytale experience, Strasbourg should shoot to the top of your list.

The town is on the eastern border of France and Germany, making it a unique blend of French and German culture.

Just 16 miles from the Black Forest and 12 from the Vosges Mountains, the city satiates travelers who like to get out and move, as well as those who are self-described "indoor cats".

Strasbourg is known for its medieval thoroughfares and half-timbered architecture. In fact, several streets there still exist according to the city's medieval blueprint, such as Rue Mercière (which means haberdasher), Rue des Dentelles (lace), and Rue de Serruriers (locksmiths).

Their names give a nod as to what sort of services could be procured there in medieval times.

Strasbourg is most famous for, however, its internationally recognized Christmas market: Christkindelsmärik. This market has been held since the year 1570, making it one of the oldest Christmas markets in all of Europe.

Strasbourg has a small airport, but it is easily accessible from major Western European cities by high-speed train. It's just a couple of hours from Paris by train.

⭐️ Fun fact: Strasbourg is a sister city to Boston!

Bordeaux, France

Bordeaux has a few nicknames, most famously "La Belle Endormie", or Sleeping Beauty.

Built on the bend of the Garonne River, not far from the Atlantic Ocean, Bordeaux does get a fair bit of rain in the winter, but the temperature doesn't get too cold. The summers are warm and pleasant, making Bordeaux a popular choice for travelers who want to explore the France outside of Paris.

With tons of museums, churches, and monuments, there are plenty of activities to fill your day with. For a more leisurely vacation, the region prides itself on its array of vineyards, where travelers can usually find tours and tastings.

Of course, Bordeaux is celebrated for its vineyards and superior wines, but it's also a treasure trove of art and history.

After all, it is home to 362 historic monuments and national heritage sites spanning the eras. Some even date back to ancient Rome.

While there, don't forget to pop into a local boulangerie and pick up a canalé, a rum and vanilla pastry that is a Bordeaux specialty.

With an airport and daily trains (even from Paris), this city is easy to get to...but you might find it difficult to leave ;-)

⭐️ Fun fact: Bordeaux is a sister city to Los Angeles!

Toulouse, France

Toulouse is a mid-sized city near the border of Spain in Southern France. With its iconic orange brick architecture and pastel blue window shutters, Toulouse has a unique aesthetic you will be hard-pressed to find elsewhere.

Toulouse is a historic city. In fact, it boasts three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Canal du Midi, a waterway that was constructed to link the Atlantic to the Mediterranean. Large, lazy trees hang over the river in the summer.

Those with an interest in space and air transport might be excited to learn that Toulouse is the center of Europe's Aerospace industry and also has Europe's largest space center!

When it comes to travel plans, Toulouse has an airport, but is also well-connected by train (even from Paris), making it easy to get to and from.

Summers are long and hot in Toulouse, and winters are cool and mild.

Autumn is the perfect time to visit because it's a little less crowded, but the weather is still comfortable.

While in La Ville Rose (warmly called The Pink City, due to its red brick-induced pink glow), make sure to try some of the local cuisine. For meat lovers, you can't go wrong with cassoulet, a hearty bean and meat stew. Or, try the traditional Garbure. Garbure is a stew with confit d'oie (salted and seasoned, fatty goose meat) and cabbage.

You'll find both on menus all over town, as they're specialties of the region.

It's also worth picking up something made out of violets or blue pastel (another type of plant). Both of these plants are deeply woven into Toulouse's history, and you'll find countless shops that sell everything from soaps and candles to violet syrups and sweets.

⭐️ Fun fact: Toulouse is a sister city to Atlanta!

Rennes, France

Labeled as the city of art and history, Rennes provides both en masse.

With ornate cathedrals, winding old town streets, and a location not too far from one of France's most visited historic sites, Mont Saint Michel, Rennes offers something for everyone.

Renne's city center is a historic goldmine with cobblestone streets and half-timbered buildings. In this old part of town, you'll find beautiful parks and gardens, popular restaurants, and the winding River Vilaine running through.

While strolling the old streets of Rennes, don't forget to savor the local flavors by trying a Breton galette (galette Bretonne in French). This is a thin, salty "pancake/crêpe" made with buckwheat. The French typically enjoy their hot galettes made-to-order with popular fillings like ham, cheese, and even a fried egg.

When in Rennes, you'll find a lot of cathedrals, museums to explore, and opportunities to shop, so it's easy to plan an itinerary with something new to explore each day.

Traveling to Rennes is very easy. While the city does have a small airport, there are more options when traveling there by train from Paris. Trains run every day, multiple times daily.

In addition to all of that, Rennes came in third for the Access City Award in 2026, showing its dedication to making the city more inclusive and accessible for all!

Summer is the most popular time to visit Rennes, as the weather is similar to the UK, which means there is a fair amount of rain throughout the year.

⭐️ Fun fact: Rennes is a sister city to Rochester!

Marseille, France

The seaside city of Marseille is a must-visit. With turquoise blue waters, once-in-a-lifetime sunsets, and plenty to see and do, you'll quickly see why Marseille is the second largest city in France, as well as one of the most popular to visit.

Not only is this city large, but it's also the oldest city in France. It was founded by Greek settlers circa 600 BCE!

Of course, Marseille looks a lot different now than it did back in ancient times. Today, you can explore gorgeous cathedrals built throughout the centuries, stunning monuments, and even a beachside castle with stunning ocean views.

While there's a moderate amount of rainfall in the winter, the summers are hot and mostly dry, making them perfect for a dip in the sea.

Like Nice, Marseille was a popular getaway for beloved French artists including Cézanne, Dufy, and even Renoir.

One thing hasn't changed since its Greek origins, though: the sunshine. Marseille is the sunniest city in France, seeing almost two times the sunshine that other French cities see.

Nantes, France

Only 31 miles from the Atlantic Ocean, Nantes is a small city in Western France famous for its art scene, gastronomy, and wine.

Tucked against the Loire River, Nantes used to be known as "La Venise d'Ouest" (The Venice of the West) because of its water-filled quays and channels. In the mid-20th century, though, most of these waterways were removed. Still, it bears the nickname.

Because of the wet, oceanic climate in Nantes, crops grow really well. It might not be surprising given its nickname, but Nantes sees rain almost year-round. This actually provides the perfect, lush environment for growing vegetables and fruits, as well as animal husbandry.

This region grows much of France's leeks, radishes, and carrots, making it one of the most important agricultural spots in the country. It's also France's largest producer of dry white wines.

When it comes to dishes themselves, some local favorites include gâteau Nantais (a rum cake) and beurre blanc (shallots with a white wine butter sauce).

While Nantes is rainy, the city is lively with tons of museums, art, and events throughout the year. It's easily accessible by train from Paris, as well as several other cities in France.

⭐️ Fun fact: Nantes is a sister city to Seattle!

Montpellier, France

Montpellier is a city on the southern coast and has enjoyable weather and a friendly energy.

Known for its pedestrian-focused design, Montpellier is especially alluring for tourists. When you visit, you can stroll along the old streets and stumble upon vast gardens, historic buildings, and museums.

Montpellier is sometimes called "The Gifted", perhaps due to its blend of French and Mediterranean culture, great weather, and sunny beaches. Its popularity shows in the numbers, too, as it is one of the fastest-growing cities in France.

Aside from being beautiful, Montpellier has a lot to offer history-lovers. Throughout the ages, it has been a hub for medical education; in fact, it still is home to the oldest medical school still in operation (no pun intended). It's also been a primary center for the spice trade.

Montpellier has an airport, as well as a well-connected train system. While winters tend to be cool and damp, summers are hot and dry - perfect for long days at the beach...just don't forget your sunscreen ;-)

⭐️ Fun fact: Rennes is a sister city to Louisville!

Dijon, France

It's a mustard; it's a city: it's Dijon!

Perhaps not surprisingly as it's in the name, Dijon mustard was invented here.

This small city in Eastern France is a must-visit for travelers looking for a combination of incredible gastronomy and page-turning history.

In ancient times, Dijon was the Roman city Divio. Later, it was the home to the famous Dukes of Burgundy. The city has all kinds of resources and engaging museums that detail its history and day-to-day life. There are also art museums.

Dijon also has an impressive number of preserved churches, like its very own Notre Dame. On an exterior corner, Dijon's Notre Dame has a famous owl carving on one of its walls. Local legend says that visitors who touch this sculpture with their left hand will be granted a wish.

Dijon, while located in inland France, has an oceanic climate. Its winters are quite cool, and summers are hot and humid with regular thunderstorms.

⭐️ Fun fact: Dijon is a sister city to Dallas!

⭐️ Fun fact: Gustave Eiffel, the designer and engineer of the Eiffel Tower, was from Dijon.

Limoges, France

Limoges is a small city in Western France with so much to offer its visitors, from stunning churches to luxury shopping and beautiful outdoor spaces nearly begging for picnics.

Limoges has ancient roots. It was founded in 10 BCE under a different name, Augustoritum. Augustoritum was an important city in Rome, with theatres, aqueducts, and sacred sites. In fact, archaeologists are still uncovering new artifacts to this day.

Today, Limoges is most famous for its porcelain production. For anyone interested in antiquing or tablewares, you may already know about Limoges porcelain. It's famous around the world.

While enjoying the city, you can see examples of it in dedicated porcelain houses, museums, and gift shops.

While classified as an oceanic climate, Limoges usually gets a little bit of snow in the winter. The summers are quite warm, so it's a popular time for tourists to visit.

If you feel peckish between museum jaunts and garden exploration, you can find this region's famous galetou in boulangeries all over the city.

Usually rolled into a pinwheel, galetous are savory pancakes with meat and cheese inside. For those feeling a little more adventurous, it's also worth trying chestnut boudin - aka black pudding with chestnut!

⭐️ Fun fact: Limoges is a sister city to Charlotte!

⭐️ Fun fact: Celebrated French painter Renoir was from Limoges!

Add these cities to your list:

• Nice: Southern France, warm weather, and beaches

• Lyon: Eastern France, Roman sites

• Strasbourg: Eastern France, Christmas Market

• Bordeaux: Western France, wine, and history

• Toulouse: Southern France, long summers, and hearty stews

• Rennes: Northern France, half-timber buildings

• Marseille: Southern France, abundant sunshine

• Nantes: Western France, gastronomy 

• Montpellier - Southern France, pedestrian-focused

• Dijon: Eastern France, history and gastronomy

• Limoges: Western France, home of Limoges porcelain