6 Most Beautiful Cities in France That Should Be on Your Bucket List

If you are looking for the most beautiful cities in France that you want to visit, you will be spoilt with choices. One of the most beautiful countries in the world, France is home to many stunning cities, fairytale villages and medieval towns from the Alps to the Mediterranean.

The French cities symbolize glamour, fashion, rich history, renaissance, plenty of the best museums in history, arts of all ages, architecture and culture. While the France cities are all about these, smaller France small towns are home to vineyards, producing some of the best wines in the world.

Whatever you are looking for, this post will give you an idea of the most beautiful cities in France, and things to do and enjoy in these cities. These are perfect cities to pick if you are travelling in France for the first time.

Let’s explore beautiful France virtually now, shall we?

MOST BEAUTIFUL CITIES IN FRANCE

Let’s begin the list with most beautiful French cities that are popular among the tourists around the world.

Nice

Nice, located in the French Riviera, on the south-east coast on the Mediterranean Sea, at the foot of the Alps, is one of the most beautiful cities in France. Nice is the second-largest city on the Mediterranean coast that was founded by the Greeks.

Sitting on the shores of the Baie des Anges, it used to be the summer retreat for the European elite during the 19th-century. Today, home to a second-most number of hotels in France, Nice is also one of the most visited cities of France receiving over five million tourists a year. 

So it is certainly a touristy town, but Nice is worth visiting on your France trip for all that it has to offer – the mild weather makes it an excellent destination for being outdoors throughout the year. 

It has the perfect mix of many things ancient and modern, from the charming old town to shopping districts to beaches to landscape gardens – offering something for everyone. These are the many reasons why it is one of the beautiful cities of France.

Things to do in Nice

If you are here in February, don’t miss the Nice Carnival, one of the biggest festivals in France. In May, you can attend the renowned Cannes Film Festival in nearby Cannes.

The most popular place to visit in Nice is the beachside Promenade des Anglais, a lovely promenade stretching for over 5 miles.

You can people-watch or witness stunning views of sunrise and sunset, dine at one of the many restaurants for delicious French cuisine and wine, visit one of the boutique shops or cafes, and go on a shopping spree. You can rent a bike and cycle around the promenade too.

For a dose of history, architecture and magnificent views of the Mediterranean and the skyline of Nice along the shores, head to Castle Hill, which houses the Castle of Nice, a hilltop park.

Enjoy swimming or surfing in the beaches Plage Cros Dei Pin, Baie des Anges and Plage des Marinieres.

Stroll in the local market Cours Salaya, and also spend time at the popular landmark in Nice, Massena with a lovely medieval fountain at the centre.

If you love museums, you shouldn’t miss the Modern and Contemporary Art Museum, for its extensive collections of modern art, The Palais Lascaris, a musical instrument museum housed in the 17th-century Baroque style Palace and Masséna Museum for French Riveria art.

There are plenty of fascinating coastal and hilltop villages around the French Riviera that you can explore as day trips from Nice

Where to stay in Nice?

Toulouse

Another city in France known for its university community is Toulouse, which is the fourth-largest city, and definitely one of the most beautiful towns in France. Bordering Spain and divided by the beautiful Garonne River, Toulouse is the capital of Occitanie region in the south of the country.

Toulouse is nicknamed La Villa Rose or The Pink City because of plenty of beautiful buildings in hues of pink and red terracotta bricks. It is one of the best cities to visit in France for its French history, architecture, stunning canals and museums.

Things to do in Toulouse

There are many things to do in Toulouse, but the top one is checking out the historic French buildings.

Walk to the old town passing through cobbled alleys lined with terrace cafes, boutique stores, restaurants and bars to reach the centre at the Basilique Saint-Sernin de Toulouse, the majestic 11th-century Romanesque Cathedral.

Close to it is the city Hall Place du Capitole. Check out the striking medieval Saint Stephen’s Cathedral or Toulouse Church and the red sandstone ornate Gothic Couvent des Jacobins Church.

If you enjoy museums, visit the Museum of the fine arts – Musée des Augustins, the art gallery at The Hôtel d’Assézat, a renaissance building. Enjoy the views of the city from the 16th-century bridge Pont Neuf.

Sign up for a romantic cruise along the Garonne River or Canal du Midi in the evenings for stunning views of the lit city. You can also enjoy dinner and drinks on the cruise.

Where to stay in Toulouse?

Strasbourg

If you are planning to explore the Alsatian region of France, Strasbourg should be at the top of your list. Strasbourg is one of the most beautiful cities in France that’s also an underrated destination among foreign travellers. 

Due to its proximity to the German border, you will see a lot of its influence on the culture, cuisines and traditions in Strasbourg. Strasbourg is also the formal centre of the European Union.

Did you know? Strasbourg is also known for having one of the most enchanting Christmas markets in Europe.

Things to do in Strasbourg

One of the most beautiful things in Strasbourg is the timber-framed homes adorning the streets, including those cobblestone alleys, which feels like you have traveled back in time.

Walk along the streets of Le Petite France, over the many pretty bridges across the canal for experiencing the magic of this city. Take a boat tour to admire the attractions. 

Check out some of the medieval monuments including Strasbourg Cathedral or the Cathedral of Our Lady of Strasbourg, the stone bridge and Kleper Square.

If you are interested in museums, check out The Palais Rohan, and Alsatian Museum to know about the culture and history of the Alsace region. Visit The Grande Île island home to many medieval remains.

Where to stay in Strasbourg?

Colmar 

Colmar, located in north-eastern part in Alsace region is surely one of the prettiest cities in France. Situated on the Alsatian Wine Route, Colmar is called the capital of Alsatian wine, but there is more than wine that draws hundreds of thousands of tourists every year.

Colmar is known for its rich historic old town home to architectural landmarks, traditional wooden houses, canals and museums.

Things to do in Colmar

Many people plan a day trip to Colmar from neighbouring Strasbourg, but it is better to plan a few days to explore the many things to do and see in this lovely city.

Check out the medieval old town crowned with St Martin’s Church and the Dominican church. To taste delicious French food, check out the closed market in Colmar. Join one of the many wine-tasting tours in one of the vineyards, which is a must-do experience when in Colmar.

Unterlinden Museum is the most popular museum in Colmar, which houses the Isenheim Altarpiece. This 13th-century museum is the most visited in Alsace.

La Petite Venise or Little Venice is an Italian neighbourhood lined with pretty wooden buildings, including Maison Pfister, the House of Heads, Customs House and also a street market that is set up on occasion. It is the prettiest area in Colmar.

Outside Colmar is the beautiful hilltop Castle Château de Saint-Ulrich that offers stunning views, and also the other famous castle The three castles of Eguisheim, both worth visiting.

Where to stay in Colmar?

Paris

The list of most beautiful cities in France is incomplete without the inclusion of the capital city and one of the most stunning cities in the world, Paris. Paris needs no introduction.

Drawing millions of tourists every year, Paris is the most visited city in France and also the largest in the country.

Summer is the most most popular time to visit Paris, but so is the spring when the annual Paris Carnival happens in February or the winter when many stunning Christmas markets spring up in the city.

Things to do in Paris

Whether you are here for a day or a week, there are tons of activities, tours and attractions to keep you hooked.

The iconic Eiffel Tower, the Notre Dame Cathedral, The Louvre Museum, the beautiful streets with canals and stylish French restaurants, bars and cafes – these are just the highlights of the city that every traveler should visit. 

Admire the blissful views across Pont Alexandre III bridge. Shop for the best souvenirs, enjoy the city of lights at night when it transforms into a magical land full of glitz and glamour, get lost in the streets of Paris soaking in the dreamy vibes the city exudes.

There are also plenty of day trips from Paris, including a trip to the majestic Palace of Versailles.

Where to stay in Paris? 

Aix-en-province

Aix-en-province or Ax, located in southern Provence region, is undeniably one of the most beautiful cities in France, renowned for its charming medieval monuments and culture of Provence. 

Its stunning beauty has been the source of inspiration for many thinkers, writers and artists, and it is also the birthplace of the artist Paul Cézanne. 

Aix-en-province bustles with the student population, thanks to plenty of renowned universities and art schools.

It is one of the popular destinations for travelers visiting France and it should undoubtedly be on your bucket list.

Things to do in Aix-en-province

Aix-en-province is one of the popular days trips from Paris as you can reach easily by train. But if you have time, I’d recommend you to spend at least two days as there are plenty of things to do in Ax.

Check out the centre of the compact old town, which is best explored by foot, admiring the cafes, markets and boutiques. The top attraction of this old quarter is the 14th-century tower at the northwest corner. 

You will find many beautiful medieval marble fountains from the 17th-century adorning the squares, which are intricately sculpted. The most popular one is the Fontaine de la Rotonde.

Don’t miss visiting the Cours Mirabeau, a gorgeous tree-lined avenue famous for the terrace cafes. If you love books like me, you will be treated with a lot of pretty bookstores and cute Instagram locations on this boulevard. 

Philosophers like Camus frequented this street. One walk through the street and you will know why!

If you are here in summer, add the vibrant flower market to your itinerary.

There are many museums if you enjoying visiting them. Art lovers will want to visit Paul Cezanne’s art studio and the Musée Granet, which has an extensive collection of Cezanne’s works.

If you are looking for a unique museum, head to Fondation Vasarely, dedicated to the works of Victor Vasarely.

Take a trip to the scenic Montagne Sainte-Victoire, an imposing mountain featured in many of Cezanne’s paintings, from where you can witness stunning views of the city.

Where to stay in Aix-en-province?