A view of the water and distant homes.
Life in France

Four Spectacular Cities in France You Have to Visit

There is so much to see in the beautiful country of France! Jalen and I have been lucky enough to visit quite a few French cities, some more well-known than others, and we want to share the best of the best with you! We always tell people that if you’ve only seen Paris, then you haven’t seen France! Keep reading to learn about our top four recommendations for cities to visit in France.


Caen

A view of the rooftops on a cloudy day in Caen.

What?

Caen is located in northwestern France in the department of Calvados. The city is best known for its historical buildings erected in the 10th century.

When?

Visit Caen in the summer to take advantage of the mild weather.

What to see?

We recommend visiting the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Caen, the Église Saint-Pierre de Caen and the Château de Caen.

Watch us explore Caen in this video.

Troyes

A view of the canal and surrounding buildings in Troyes.

What?

Troyes is located in north-central France in the department of Aube and is famous for its timber-framed architecture and traditional French feel.

When?

Head to Troyes in the winter to enjoy the beautiful decorations and avoid the heat of the summer.

What to see?

Go see the Musée Saint-Loup, the Cathédrale Saint-Pierre-et-Saint-Paul de Troyes, and Rue Émile Zola.

Watch us in Troyes at Christmastime here.

Clermont-Ferrand

A view of rooftops on a foggy day in Clermont-Ferrand.

What?

Clermont-Ferrand is located in central France in the department of Puy-de-Dôme. This city is known for its rich history and for the chain of volcanoes that surrounds it.

When?

Head to Clermont-Ferrand in the spring to hang out in the many cafés and relax in the parks.

What to see?

Check out the Musée Lecoq, the Cathédrale Notre Dame de l’Assomption de Clermont-Ferrand, and the Jardin Lecoq.

Come with us to visit Clermont-Ferrand.

Marseille

A view of a mountain and rooftops on a sunny day in Marseille.

What?

Marseille is located on France’s Mediterranean coast in the department of Bouches-du-Rhône. Known for its large port and traditional cuisine, Marseille is the second most populous city in France.

When?

To avoid crowded beaches and fully enjoy your stay in Marseille, the fall is the best time to visit.

What to see?

Spend some time at the Musée des civilisations de l’Europe et de la Méditerranée, the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, and the Vieux Port de Marseille.

Check out our vacation in Marseille.

We hope these suggestions inspire you to plan a French getaway! What’s your favorite spot in France? Let us know in a comment!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *