Cities and Towns in France
When it comes to beautiful and interesting French cities, Paris is just the start. There are 22 regional cities in France and each department also has a capital. Roman remains, medieval magic, contemporary chic, charming squares, peaceful rivers, picturesque harbours, bustling markets, majestic cathedrals, local industry, architecture, arts and sport…the cities and towns of France all have their own unique character and attractions.
Did you know these facts about some of the major cities in France?
Bordeaux in the South West is well known for its wine. Over 700 million bottles of Bordeaux wine are produced every year, ranging from everyday table wine to the most expensive and prestigious vintages in the world. Bordeaux wine is made in 9,000 wineries from the vines of 13,000 grape growers.
Toulouse, one of the most important cities in France, gets it nickname, "La ville rose", (the rose red city) from the warm glow of its red bricks and tiles. Culture is a keyword in Toulouse; the city is proud of its operatic traditions and has long nurtured music and entertainment. Sport is also strong here, especially rugby, Toulouse being the French centre of the sport.
Avignon, as well as boasting a bridge celebrated in song, was once the home of the Pope. Its enormous, ancient Gothic palace is the size of four cathedrals.
Limoux is actually the birthplace of the French sparkling wine now made famous by the Champagne growers who, it is said, simply stole the idea.
Lourdes is the second most popular tourist city in France, attracting pilgrims from all over the world to the cave where a simple peasant girl had visions of the Virgin Mary.
Agen (Lot-et-Garonne)
Agen, the capital of Lot-et-Garonne department, owes its current prosperity to its location between Bordeaux and Toulouse, transport depots, fruit-packing and bureaucracy. The town has developed between the banks of both the Garonne and the Canal lateral to the Garonne. Its inhabitants are called the Agenais.
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Ajaccio (Corsica)
Best known as the birth place of Napolean Bonaparte, the town lies on the west coast of the island of Corsica, southwest of Italy and southeast of France.
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Albi (Tarn)
The elegant medieval town of Albi , the capital of Tarn offers a feast of cultural delights with its renowned Gothic cathedral and works of Toulouse Lautrec. It lies along the Tarn River where the river leaves the Massif Central for the Garonne Plain, northeast of Toulouse.
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Alencon (Orne)
Alençon is a handsomely restored old market town, north of Le Mans, known for its traditional lacemaking industry.
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Amiens (Somme)
Amiens is located in North of France. It is the capital city of the Somme département. It is considered the Picarde capital of France.
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Angers (Maine et Loire)
Angers is a city in the department of Maine-et-Loire, South West of Paris.
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Angouleme (Charente (16))
Angouleme is a large fortress town and capital of the Charente Department. This ancient town, with wonderful ramparts, overlooks the Charente valley below.
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Annecy (Haute-Savoie)
Sitting on the northern shore of the lake of Annecy with a picturesque backdrop of mountains, the town is probably best known for hosting festivals, especially the International Festival of Animated Films each June.
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Arras (Pas-de Calais)
Arras, the capital of Artois, is renowed for its tapestries of the late Middle Ages. The town is very busy and there is a lot to see in the centre the flemish style houses and shops.
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Auch (Gers)
The city of Auch expands on either side of the river Gers. On the left bank, around the cathedral lays the medieval part, whereas on the right bank, 19th and 20th century buildings stand in the plain, on the side of large avenues opened to the exterior.
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Aurillac (Cantal)
Aurillac is the capital of the Cantal region in the Auvergne.
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Auxerre (Yonne)
Auxerre is a picturesque old town, located in north Burgundy, on the west bank of the River Yonne.
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Avignon (Vaucluse)
Located at the confluence of the Rhône and Durance rivers, Avignon is well known for its ramparts, its famous Pont Saint-Bénezet and the Palais des Papes. It is known as the City of the Popes. Avignon is a UNESCO world heritage site and home to the largest gothic palace in Europe.
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Balazuc (Ardèche (07))
Balazuc is a 9th century village overhanging the River Ardeche and is one of the plus beaux villages de France.
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Bar Le Duc (Meuse)
County Town of Meuse, Bar-le-Duc is situated in greenery about 200 kilometres from Paris and is twinned with the towns of Griesheim and Gyönk. It is one of the nicest places to visit in France!
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Beauvais (Oise)
Beauvais is located in the north of France (80 kilometers north of Paris) in Picardy, where agriculture is concentrated in cereal production and diversified breeding. Beauvais is an interesting historical center known for its astronomical clock and tapestry production.
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Belfort (Territoire de Belfort)
Belfort sits across the border from Germany and Switzerland between the Vosges and Jura mountains.
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Besancon (Doubs)
Besançon, known as the greenest city in France, is the capital and principal city of the Franche-Comté région of northeastern France. It is the préfecture (capital) of the Doubs département and was the centre of the French watch making industry.
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Bethune (Pas-de Calais)
The medieval town of Béthune’s most remarkable landmark is its 14th century belfry with its 36 bells which peal every hour. It is situated only 50 minutes/83 km from Calais just off the A26 motorway making this little attractive, bustling town easy to reach. Towards the end of the First World war Bethune was almost left in ruins by the bombardments and fighting, but was rebuilt between 1920 – 1930 with an usual mix of architecture.
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Biarritz (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Biarritz is a luxurious seaside town and is really popular with tourists and surfers. Biarritz is located in the Pyrénées-Atlantiques département, in the Aquitaine région.
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Blois (Loir-et-Cher)
Known for its beautiful countryside, its temperate climate and its refined way of life, "La Loire, Chateaux Country", was between the 14th and 16th centuries, a region much loved and appreciated by the Kings of France who were happy to build their castles here.
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Bordeaux (Gironde (33))
Bordeaux is the capital of the most famous wine region in the world. It provides all the culture and shopping of a large and sophisticated city associated with the centuries old wine trade.
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Bourg En Bresse (Ain)
A city at the base of the Jura mountains, 50km north east of Lyon.
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Bourges (Cher)
Bourges is a beautiful medieval town. It is situated in central France, located on the Yèvre river and is the capital of the department of Cher.
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Caen (Calvados (14))
Situated between land and sea, with beaches just 10 minutes away and 2 hours from Paris, on the Mont Saint-Michel road, Caen is a thriving and dynamic city offering a rare wealth of heritage and culture.
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Cahors (Lot - Midi Pyrenees)
Cahors, the capital of the Quercy area, is tucked inside a bend in the river Lot. A lovely old town with quaint shopping streets and an impressive cathedral.
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Calais (Pas-de-Calais)
Like Dover, Calais is one of the world's busiest passenger and vehicle ferry ports. Calais is your first sight of "abroad" when you cross by ferry or tunnel from Dover or Folkestone. Calais overlooks the Strait of Dover, the narrowest point in the English Channel. Calais is the closest French town to England. The white cliffs of Dover can easily be seen on a clear day.
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Cannes - Cote d'Azur (Alpes Maritimes (06))
150 years ago Cannes was nothing more than an unimportant fishing village. Since then it has become an elegant city known round the world and attracts an international clientele.
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Carcassonne (Aude)
Carcassonne is situated in the Languedoc region of France, in the south of the country, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On a clear day, there are views of the Pyrenees. Visiting the medieval fortified town of Carcassonne - the Cité - is like stepping back in time.
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Chalons en Champagne (Marne)
Châlons-en-Champagne is the préfecture (capital) of the Marne département, and the capital of the Champagne-Ardenne région.
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Chambery (Savoie)
55km north of Grenoble, Chambery lies just south of the lake of Bourget.
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Charleville Mezieres (Ardennes (08))
Charleville-Mezieres is the capital of the department of the Ardennes in the region of Champagne-Ardenne. Located on the banks of the Meuse River, an ideal spot for walkers and fishermen.
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Chartres (Eure-et-Loir, Loire Valley)
Chartres, within easy reach of Paris and the Loire Chateaux, enjoys international renown thanks to its cathedral, which is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site.
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Chateauroux (Indre, Loire Valley)
The pretty floral town of Chateauroux lies two hours south of Paris and despite its proximity to the capital enjoys a tranquil, laid-back way of life.
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Chaumont (Haute-Marne, Champagne-Ardenne)
Chaumont is in the Champagne-Ardenne region and is the capital town of the Haute-Marne department. It is situated in Eastern France south east of Paris. It languishes on the edge of a plateau at the confluence of the Marne and the Suize rivers in the upper Marne valley.
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Clermont Ferrand (Puy-de-Dôme)
Clermont Ferrand is the capital of the Puy-de-Dôme department.
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Colmar (Haut-Rhin, Alsace)
Colmar is a gem of a town in Alsace, south of Strasbourgh. It is big enough to have lots to do, and small enough to get around easily. Some say it is the prettiest town in France, or Europe even.
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Digne Les Bains (Alpes de Haute Provence (04))
Digne Les Bains is the capital town of the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence department, and lies in a superb position between the Durance valley and the start of the real mountains.
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Dijon (Côte d'Or)
Dijon is a city in eastern France, the administrative capital of the Côte-d'Or département and of the Bourgogne région. Dijon is the historical capital of the province of Burgundy.
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Epinal (Vosges, Lorraine)
Epinal is best known for the "Images d'Épinal", the popular prints created by a local company, which is now a common expression in French language.
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Evreux (Eure, Normandy)
Evreux, capital town of the department of Eure in Normandy, is an important commercial and market center. It is the seat of a bishop, and its cathedral is one of the largest and finest in France.
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Foix (Ariège, Midi Pyrenees)
Foix serves as an excellent base from which to explore the local area, rich in cultural and historic sites and perfect for outdoor enthusiasts. The cobbled streets provides a medieval setting for a stroll and invite you to stop at one of the many bars or restaurants along the way.
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Gap (Hautes Alpes (05))
The busy town of Gap, on the River Luye in the north of Provence, is an important traffic junction on the Route Napoléon. Gap has a charming situation, with a backdrop of the Alps to the north of the town. Its pleasant climate has led to its becoming a popular health resort and it has a good reputation as a base for winter sports.
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Joyeuse (Ardèche (07))
Named after the sword of Charlemagne this ancient fortified town was once known as the city of Charlemagne
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La Roche Sur Yon (Vendée)
La Roche sur Yon located in North West France, in the region of the Pays de la Loire.
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La Rochelle (Charente-Maritime)
La Rochelle is a seaport town located in the South West France on the Atlantic coast, between Nantes and Bordeaux. It is the capital of Charente Maritime, as well as being a major port and sailing centre.
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Laval (Mayenne - Pays de la Loire)
The town of Laval, is located in the West of France, in the department of La Mayenne.
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Le Mans (Sarthe - Pays de la Loire)
Le Mans is situated in the North West of France. It is a good stopover between Normandy and the Loire and is situated 80 kms from Tours.
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Lille (Nord)
Lille and its districts (in northern France) have a style of their own - somewhere between Flemish and baroque. Since the 17th century Lille has been enlarged three times, giving the town its present day look, which is that of a fairly new town. Eurostar trains stop at Lille, so it's an easy destination to visit.
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Limoges (Haute-Vienne)
The home of Limoges porcelain, enamel and even oak barrels.
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Lyon (Rhone)
Lyon is the third largest French city, it is a major centre of business and has a reputation as the French capital of gastronomy and is registered as a World Heritage site.
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Mâcon (Saône-et-Loire)
Mâcon is the capital of the Saone-et-Loire department, to the south of the Burgundy region, north of Lyon and near Cluny.
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Marseille (Bouches-du-Rhône)
Marseille is one of the most exhilarating cities in France, offering a mix of cultures and races, and some of the best restaurants in the country.
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Metz (Moselle)
Metz is a city in the North-East of France, capital of the Lorraine région and of the département of Moselle (57). It is located at the confluence of the Moselle and the Seille. Metz is well renown for its glamour and its awe-inspiring cathedral and stained glass.
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Montauban (Tarn-et-Garonne)
Montauban lies on the banks of the River Tarn, 50 miles (80km) north of Toulouse and is one of the most ancient cities in southwest France.
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Montpellier (Hérault)
Montpellier is the capital of the Languedoc-Roussillon région, as well as the préfecture (administrative capital) of the Hérault département. Montpellier is an ideal place to discover a lively city and some of the world's most prestigious heritage sites.
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Nantes (Loire-Atlantique)
Nantes is a city in western France, near the Atlantic coast. Nantes is the capital of the Pays de la Loire région, as well as the prefecture of the Loire-Atlantique department.
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Nevers (Nièvre)
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Nice (Cote D'Azur)
Nice is The capital of the Riviera and fifth largest city in France. It has a distinct culture due to its unique history. The city is a major tourist centre and a leading resort on the French Riviera (Côte d'Azur).
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Orleans (Loiret)
Orléans is situated in the heart of France, on the north of the Loire, it is just over 100km from Paris.
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Paris (Paris)
Paris is the capital of France and one of the world’s great cities with endless amount of things to do. Despite the massive size of the city, Paris is also an easily navigable destination as the city centre itself is relatively compact and all areas of Paris are connected by a highly efficient public transport system.
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Pau (Pyrénées-Atlantiques)
Pau, chief town of the department of Pyrénées-Atlantiques, is magnificently situated on a plateau above the valley of the Gave de Pau. It is a climatic resort popular in both summer and winter as well as an important economic center.
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Perigueux
Perigueux is a Gallo-Roman city going back to 16th century B.C. with a wealth of architecture including roman remains and the beautifully restored renaissance quarter in the town centre.
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Poitiers (Vienne)
The two poles of communal life in Poitiers are the tree-lined place du Maréchal-Leclerc, with its popular cafés and lively outdoor culture, and place Charles-de-Gaulle to the north, where a big and bustling food and clothes market takes place.
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Pontoise (Val-d'Oise)
The city of Pontoise is situated in the region of Paris-Isle-of-France, Ile-de-France, and is the capital of the department of the Val d'Oise. It is located about thirty kilometers northwest of Paris on the right bank of the Oise. The city walls still remain along with much in the way of medieval architecture, in particular the Cathédral Saint-Maciou. Also, the annual Foire Saint-Martin has been held every year since 1170!
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Privas (Ardèche)
Privas is located in south east France and is the capital of Ardèche department.
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Quimper (Finistère)
Quimper is the capital of the Finistere department of Brittany. It is situated in a pretty valley in the southwestern corner of Brittany. It was the ancient capital of La Cornouaille, Brittany’s most traditional region, and has a Breton character.
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Redon (Ille-et-Vilaine)
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Reims (Marne, Champagne-Ardenne)
Reims is a city in northern France, situated in the department of Marne in the Champagne-Ardenne region. It is probably best known for its cathedral, Notre-Dame de Reims, where the kings of France were crowned.
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Rennes (Ile-et-Vilaine)
Rennes is the regional capital of Brittany. It is located in the extreme east of Brittany, about 75km south of St Malo. Between tradition and modernism, cultural identity and an open spirit, Rennes is a 'must visit' destination before heading for rural Brittany.
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Rodez (Aveyron)
Rodez is built high above the river Aveyron and is dominated by the massive red sandstone Cathedrale 'Notre Dame' which was one of the first Gothic buildings in Southern France.
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Rouen (Seine-Maritime)
Rouen is the historical capital city of Normandy, in north-western France on the River Seine, and currently the capital of the Haute-Normandie région. Rouen is renowned for its medieval cobbled streets and antique shops.
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Saint-Lô (Manche)
The city of Saint-Lô in north western France is the capital of the department of the Manche. It is situated in the region of Lower-Normandy, Basse-Normandie. It lies on a promontory dominating the Vire River valley.
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Sarlat La Caneda (Dordogne)
Sarlat-la-Canéda, or simply Sarlat, is located in a region known in France as the Périgord Noir (the Black Perigord), is one of the most attractive and alluring towns in Southwest France.
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St Brieuc (Côtes d'Armor)
Saint-Brieuc is the capital town of the Côtes-d'Armor in Brittany. A panoramic view of the Gouët estuary and valley can be seen from the north end of the town. Saint-Brieuc is named after a Welsh monk, St. Briocus from the 6th century and the inhabitants are called Briochins.
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St Etienne (Loire - Rhone Alps)
Saint-Étienne in the Massif Central, is a city in the central eastern part of France, 60 km southwest of Lyon. It is the capital of the département of the Loire in the Rhone Alps which is not to be confused with the Loire Valley.
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Strasbourg (Bas-Rhin)
Strasbourg has flavors of both France and Germany, and sits right on the border of the two countries. The home of the European Parliament, this surprisingly cosmopolitan destination hosts France's oldest Christmas market and features a stunning cathedral.
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Toulon (Var)
Located on the south coast between Marseille and St.Tropez the picturesque, diverse city of Toulon is full of ancient fountains, public gardens, colourful daily markets, long sandy beaches and also a traditional fishing harbour. Toulon has an ancient fishing heritage and is the venue for many summer evening events.
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Toulouse (Haute-Garonne)
Toulouse, with its beautiful historic centre, is one of the most vibrant and metropolitan provincial cities in France.
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Valence (Drome)
Valence is a town in south east France and is the capital of the département of Drôme.
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Vannes (Morbihan)
Vannes is in the South East of Brittany, adjacent to the Golfe du Morbihan. It is the major tourist town in the southern of Brittany.
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