Cities in France
The most important cities in France at a glance – from the bustling metropolis to the charming small town. Each city links to a detailed page with map, attractions and travel tips.
Nizza
Nice is the pearl of the French Riviera and the fifth-largest city in France.
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Nantes
Nantes, the capital of the Pays de la Loire region, is a dynamic city on the banks of the Loire River.
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Montpellier
Montpellier is a dynamic city in the south of France, known for its medieval streets, its university, and the sunny Place de la Comédie.
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Straßburg
Strasbourg, the capital of the Grand Est region, uniquely combines French and German culture.
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Bordeaux
Bordeaux, located on the banks of the Garonne, is the world capital of wine.
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Lille
Lille, located near the Belgian border, is a vibrant metropolis in northern France.
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Rennes
Rennes is the capital of Brittany and a lively university city with half-timbered houses and a strong cultural scene.
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Saint-Étienne
Saint-Étienne is a former industrial city that is now reinventing itself through design, football, and innovation.
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Reims
Reims, a city in the Grand Est region, is closely linked to French royal history and Champagne.
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Toulon
Toulon is an important Mediterranean port and a maritime city with a strong link to the French Navy.
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Le Havre
Le Havre is a major port at the mouth of the Seine and is known for its modern city center rebuilt after the war.
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Brest
Brest is an important naval port in Brittany and sits on a deeply indented Atlantic coastline.
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Grenoble
Grenoble, known as the 'Capital of the Alps,' is a major European center for science and technology, surrounded by mountains.
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Dijon
Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, is famous for its mustard, the Kir cocktail, and its rich history as the seat of the Dukes of Burgundy.
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Angers
Angers is a green city on the Maine River, famous for its castle, gardens, and cider tradition.
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Nîmes
Nîmes preserves France's Roman heritage with its arena, temple, and a strong southern identity.
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Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is an elegant city known for its plane tree-lined boulevard, Cours Mirabeau, its fountains, and as the birthplace of the painter Paul…
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Saint-Denis
Saint-Denis lies north of Paris and is known for the basilica of the kings of France and the major stadium district.
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Clermont-Ferrand
Clermont-Ferrand is located in the Massif Central and is famous for its chain of volcanoes, the Chaîne des Puys, and as the home of the Michelin tire…
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Tours
Tours is a historic city on the Loire and a great starting point for the castles of the Loire Valley.
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Amiens
Amiens is the capital of Picardy and is famous for its Gothic cathedral and the floating gardens of the Hortillonnages.
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Limoges
Limoges is known worldwide for its porcelain and combines craftsmanship, history, and a peaceful setting on the Vienne River.
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Metz
Metz is an elegant city on the Moselle with a grand cathedral, plenty of green space, and a long military and border history.
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Perpignan
Perpignan sits near Spain and blends Catalan flair with a Mediterranean climate and a lively old town.
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Besançon
Besançon sits in a bend of the Doubs and is known for its fortifications, watchmaking industry, and historic center.
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Caen
Caen is the capital of Normandy and combines medieval history with the memory of the Normandy landings.
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Orléans
Orléans is closely tied to Joan of Arc and is a tradition-rich Loire city with a strong historic core.
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Rouen
Rouen is the historic capital of Normandy, known for its impressive cathedral painted by Claude Monet and as the place where Joan of Arc was burned a…
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Argenteuil
Argenteuil sits on the Seine in the Paris metro area and is a typical suburb strongly tied to industrial history.
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Mulhouse
Mulhouse is an industrial and museum city in Alsace, known for technology history and its proximity to the three-country border area.
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Roubaix
Roubaix is a historic industrial city in northern France, renowned for its textile heritage, Art Deco architecture, and iconic cycling race.
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Tourcoing
Tourcoing is a prominent industrial city in northern France, situated on the Belgian border and characterized by its rich textile heritage.
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Nanterre
Nanterre is the capital of the Hauts-de-Seine department and a major economic and educational hub located west of Paris.
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Vitry-sur-Seine
Vitry-sur-Seine is an industrial city south of Paris, now famous for its vibrant street art scene and the MAC VAL contemporary art museum.
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Avignon
Avignon is famous for the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes), where the Popes resided in the 14th century.
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Asnières-sur-Seine
Asnières-sur-Seine is an elegant city northwest of Paris, famous for its château, impressionist connections, and the world's oldest pet cemetery.
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Créteil
Créteil is the capital of the Val-de-Marne department, known for its innovative modern architecture and large artificial lake.
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Colombes
Colombes is a historic suburb northwest of Paris, famous for its Olympic heritage and its blend of industrial history and residential charm.
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Poitiers
Poitiers is a historic city with Romanesque churches and a long role as an educational and administrative center.
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Aubervilliers
Aubervilliers is a dynamic city north of Paris, known for its cultural scene, the Canal Saint-Denis, and its massive textile trading centers.
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Dunkerque
Dunkerque is a North Sea port city known for sailing, industry, and its wartime history.
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Aulnay-sous-Bois
Aulnay-sous-Bois is a diverse city northeast of Paris, famous for its extensive parks and its historical industrial significance.
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Courbevoie
A dynamic city on the banks of the Seine, hosting a significant portion of the modern La Défense business district.
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Béziers
Béziers sits near the Mediterranean and is known for the Canal du Midi, vineyards, and its distinctive old town.
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Rueil-Malmaison
This historic city is famous for the Château de Malmaison, the residence of Napoléon Bonaparte and Joséphine.
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Pau
Pau sits at the foot of the Pyrenees and offers wide mountain views and a calm southwestern French atmosphere.
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Cherbourg-en-Cotentin
Cherbourg-en-Cotentin is an important harbor on the Cotentin peninsula and a gateway across the Channel.
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La Rochelle
La Rochelle is an elegant Atlantic city with an old harbor, towers, and a long maritime trading history.
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Champigny-sur-Marne
A vibrant city on the banks of the Marne, known for its parks and its role in the Franco-Prussian War.
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Antibes
Antibes is a resort town on the Côte d'Azur between Cannes and Nice.
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What are the largest cities in France?
This page lists the most important cities by population – each with its own detail page, map and attractions.
How do I find attractions per city?
Click a city – the detail page lists the top attractions, a map and travel tips.