Do you want to visit some of the most famous French towns? Well, when you think of France, you can’t help but think of Paris and the Eiffel Tower. But there is more to France. Here are some of the best towns for you to visit.
We are here to help you enhance your trip to France by telling you about some of our favourite towns here that you can visit. No matter what your preference is, you will find something that fits you. There are many towns that go unnoticed.
Here are 17 Famous French Towns to Visit when in France.
1. Colmar
Among all the towns, this is arguably the prettiest town you will see; Colmar is the capital of the Alsace wine region and is also known as Little Venice.
The site you will be met with will be one of the prettiest ever, so be ready with your cameras. You can even say that the brightly colored houses and small canals are something straight out of a fairytale.
2. Chevreuse
If a movie-type town’s beauty is what you are looking for, then Chevreuse is the best town out of all towns for you to visit. Starting our list with one of the prettiest towns, Chevreuse is a town so pretty that it would make you feel like it doesn’t exist until you visit it.
This beautiful small town is located south of Paris. As you explore the town, you will be met with many traditional French gardens and rivers that you can walk along as you take in the beauty. You can also check out the chapel of Port-Royal-des-Champs Abbey.
3. Senlis
An hour’s drive will take you to a charming small town called Senlis, not too far from Central Paris.
This French town is filled with a lot of history as the town has three museums (the Museum of the Hunts, the Museum of Art and Archaeology & the Museum of Spahis.) Not only this, but Senlis also has the ruins of a Roman arena and a medieval cellar with a lot of history stored in it, waiting to be explored.
4. Provins
Just an hour from Paris, the French capital, Provins is a fully medieval town that has been preserved. Though getting here is a slightly longer journey, it is worth the time.
Provins was the place where the Joan of Arc attended mass. It also has a medieval tower dating all the way back to the 12th century.
Besides the history of the place, this french town also has an amazing Christmas market that is held annually every winter in the ancient city. If you are in the area, we suggest you add this destination to your trip and enjoy wandering.
5. Meaux
Famous for its Brie and Mustard, Meaux is a place around 40-50 minutes away from Paris, making it easy for anyone to visit.
Meaux is a place every foody must visit, but if you are not foody, you must not worry as Meaux offers a lot of historical and cultural activities.
You can do a lot of things here; there is everything for everyone. There are outdoor activities for all outdoor enthusiasts, like hiking, water activities, etc, for people to enjoy.
It has a variety of food to offer for people who are interested in food, and there is also the Musée de la Grande Guerre (Museum of the Great War), which is one of the biggest museums about WWI in all of Europe even the world.
6. Roussillon
Roussillon, a countryside town— located in southern France— is the best way to describe this small town. At first glance, you will see all the famous red cliffs and ochre quarries along with the beautiful, consistent structures, making this a magical village.
When you come to this town, you will be instantly blown away by its beauty. When visiting, you can do a lot of things here, like hiking, checking out the art and galleries, walking along the paths, and checking out restaurants.
Roussillon also has a lot of festivals going around, usually in the summer months, so be sure to look for those if you are visiting during that time.
7. Domme
Located on the cliff above the Dordogne River, Domme is the picturesque village you might have envisioned. This French town used to be a bastide and is filled with history. The fortified gates, ramparts, and towers still stand to this date.
This village has a very interesting cave system which sits right beneath the main square. It has been told that this place used to be used during the war but now, it can be enjoyed by locals and tourists alike to enjoy the view.
Before leaving this small town, be sure to check out the remarkable viewpoint which overlooks the Dordogne valley.
8. Chartres
Chartres is one of France’s most visited towns, located in the Loire valley. It is also the place where you will find pretty castles right out of your wonderland.
Chartres is known for its impressive cathedral, medieval architecture, and fascinating museums that you cannot help but check out. This has also been a place for many catholic pilgrimages, which makes it a place filled with history.
This is one of the many towns located near Paris. It takes around an hour and a half drive from Paris to reach this small town, which makes it a place you should definitely check out.
9. Estaing
This picture-perfect, beautiful French town is classified as one of the most beautiful villages in France.
Built by the Estaing family, Estaing has a castle that dates back to the 11th century, which consists of Gothic and Renaissance styles along with Romanesque styles. This castle is open for the public to visit in summer.
While visiting, you can check out the rivers and hiking trails. There is also a festival called Nuit Lumière that takes place on 15 August, where you can see the village lit with candles. There is also a medieval weekend here in Estaing, which you should definitely check out, along with the son et lumière show, which happens every summer on Wednesdays.
10. Vézelay
Home to one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Vézelay is a tiny village located in the north-central region of France. Vézelay was constructed between 1120 and 1150.
Vézelay was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site back in 1999 due to its exceptional landscape and historical monuments.
Anyone who is interested in architecture will feel at home here in Vézelay. Alongside the structures, this village is almost like out of a movie with its mesmerizing alleyways, sunflower fields, and vineyards. One might even call it nature’s paradise.
Among all the other towns, people also call Vézelay a major site of Christendom, and the visitors often climb over the hills to reach the church.
11. Rueil-Malmaison
Among many other towns, Rueil-Malmaison is another town situated only thirty minutes away from Paris, making this one of the top places near Paris to visit. Rueil-Malmaison is also the epitome of typical towns.
A French château, which used to be the official residence of Empress Josephine, is located here in Rueil-Malmaison. She was the wife of Napoleon. If we put it simply, you might as well be walking on the very steps where the empress once walked as you wander along the Château.
The rest of this small town is filled with patisseries, bakeries, museums, churches and much more. You can also cycle or walk along the Seine.
12. Yvoire
The classic medieval village in France, Yvoire is flower heaven in Rhone-Alpes. This small medieval town was built in the early 14th century. The village of Yvoire is nicknamed the “gem of the lake”. It once used to be a fishing village.
When you are on your trip, do not miss out on the Garden of Five Senses. It would be one of the best experiences and would tickle your senses as you get lost amidst hundreds of thousands of flowers.
13. Fontainebleau
This beautiful countryside right outside and near Paris is something that cannot be missed. With a pretty castle that could rival Versailles, Fontainebleau is a place that you should check out when on a trip.
After all, to put it simply, Fontainebleau provides the most fairytale-like day trips away from the city of love. It is often also called “Versailles without the crowds.” It would be wrong to call it anything other than magical.
The forest present here used to be used as hunting grounds for the royal family back in the day. You can definitely check it out while touring around. Book your trip prior to your arrival to ensure a smooth journey.
14. Riquewihr
A popular tourist destination for its historical architecture, Riqueqihr is a town in France that is also known for its aromatic wines. This neighbourhood is characterized by narrow streets and half-timbered houses built in the 16th century, with flower-draped balconies.
A fun fact about Riqueqihr is that a lot of shops here have signs that are the work of Jean-Jacques “Hansi” Waltz, who was an Alsatian illustrator and caricaturist. As you walk down the narrow streets, you will be able to see it.
If you are someone who loves history, you should definitely visit Riqueqihr among all the other towns, and check out the Musée du Dolder and Thieves Tower museum. You can also follow the Grands Crus wine trail and check out Maison de Vigneron, which has the old winemaking equipment to enjoy this town.
15. Moustiers-Sainte-Marie
Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, simply known as Moustiers, once used to be a major pottery centre that now serves as a getaway to the European Grand Canyon.
With a population of around 1000 people, Moustiers-Sainte-Marie is a stunning small town in France.
This village became famous in the 17th century due to a monk introducing a secret of enamelling. Even though the town’s popularity and industry disappeared in the 19th century, there are still museums nearby that have around 400 pieces of art stored and preserved from back then.
Moustiers is a great and lively place with great markets and good places to eat. Some of the highlights of this place include the 14th-century nave and square Lombard tower, the church, which still has its pre-toman vault, and the chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Beauvoir, which is said to have both Gothic and Romanesque architecture.
16. St-Guilhem-le-Désert
Situated in the narrow valley of Gellone River, on the banks of Herault Gorge, is St-Guilhem-le-Désert. This Medieval village is surrounded by cliffside and oak trees.
If you explore the area, you might even end up finding the amber stone houses that survived all this time. You will also see ancient towers, Abbaye de Gellone; the church is exceptionally beautiful and totally worth the time.
St-Guilhem-le-Désert is also one of the many towns that are recognized by UNESCO. This town is even called a UNESCO gem, which means everywhere you look, you’ll be surrounded by beautiful views.
17. Lautrec
A French town that once had a beautiful castle sitting on top of it, Lautrec now only has a cross that sits on top of the hill. However, there are still remains of the time that exists. The historic centre with half-timbered houses covers the market, which is one of the main attractions of the place. There is a traditional market that is set up every Friday.
When you are here in this french town, do visit the clog maker’s workshop. Lautrec is the center of pink garlic farming, so there are regular garlic markets. Do not miss out on the La Salette windmill, which is one of the must-sees when in town. Checking the botanical trail to take in the panoramic views is also something you must do.
18. French Cities you can visit while in France
There are a lot of beautiful cities in France that you should visit when in the country. Paris is considered to be one of the most elegant and refined cities in the world for all the right reasons.
But there are a lot more beautiful cities one can visit. France is filled with extraordinary and exceptional places people are mission out on.
Here are some of the Cities you can visit while in France.
18.1. Paris
The French capital, Paris, is a magical place that is for sure on almost everyone’s list of places they want to visit. This magical place is filled with history and love.
Besides all the famous museums and historic churches, Paris is filled with hidden gems all around. When in the city, allow yourself to explore and discover the French “joie de vivre.” When walking along the city, check out places like Montmartre and the Latin Quarter; the tourists can even chat along with the locals, have fun and make friends with people.
Paris also has elegant places like fine dining restaurants, opera, designer boutiques, and so much more. But Paris is best enjoyed by taking strolls through the city.
18.2. Bordeaux
Bordeaux has been named a world heritage site by UNESCO itself due to its rich culture and architectural treasures.
Bordeaux was a port town and reached its zenith during the Age of Enlightenment of the 18th century. The city’s role as a centre of commerce can be seen through Place de la Bourse, whereas you can note the influence of humanism at Le Grand-Théâtre.
18.3. Lille
Lille is the capital city of Flanders, located in northern France, and a stunning area you can’t avoid. Lille also shares cultures with Belgium.
Here, you can visit the Grand Place, which is a very famous place for public gatherings, and it showcases Flemish Baroque architecture that attracts tourists.
When in town, you can go for a train ride from Lille to the Musée du Louvre-Lens. The Louvre Museum in Paris lends artworks for this exhibition.
18.4. Rouen
Rouen is a captivating medieval city situated in Normandy. You can say Rouen is distinguished due to its half-timbered houses along with the gothic churches.
It is centred around the magnificent Cathédrale Notre Dame de, which is known as one of the city’s most popular destinations. Rouen’s fame is also associated with Joan of Arc, who was put on trial as well as martyred here.
18.5. Dijon
This place may feel like a small town, but it has a big influence on France. Dijon is another UNESCO-listed historic center, which has an abundance of architectural treasures that reveal the city’s aristocratic heritage. It has remained down since the Middle Ages.
The gastronomy of Dijon is known by people who appreciate and enjoy traditional French cuisine. Dijon is known for its distinct style of mustard, which has been produced here for centuries now.
The tourists also enjoy visiting Dijon’s mustard boutiques as they visit Les Halles, a culinary market. Dijon is another French town that one must visit.
18.6. Aix-en-Provence
Situated in southern France, Aix-en-Provence is known for its most popular open markets and joyful side cafés. When you visit Aix-en-Provence, you can explore the bubbly and bright attitude of Provence.
If you are visiting towns or are in the area, check this city out. The city’s most known avenue is the broad tree-lined Cours Mirabeau. Here you can take a walk and then also then you can spend some “me time” at the cafes or restaurants. You can check out the museums and art collections found in the area. This can be done at the Musée Granet and the Musée des Tapisseries.
18.7. Strasbourg
Strasbourg is known for its historic Alsatian towns, the lovely half-timbered houses, and the pedestrian streets. Besides being Alsace’s capital, Strasbourg is also known as the European capital and a cosmopolitan metropolis with top-tier tourist attractions.
The Grande-Île district, which takes up the entire centre of Strasbourg, has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
When here, you must check out the Cathédrale Notre Dame de Strasbourg, which is a spectacular Gothic monument that dates back to the 11th century, even though most of the building is said to have been constructed between the 12th and 14th centuries.
19. Travel Information for France
19.1. What is the Best Time to Visit France?
The best months are often considered April to May, early August, September, and the month of November. June is one of the rainiest months, and you should avoid December since a lot of rain can be recorded during that time, too. July is the hottest month.
The season runs from May until October, during which July and August are the busiest months, filled with tourists.
19.2. How to Communicate?
The main language spoken here is France. Even though you might end up getting away with English at some popular places, you should definitely know some of the local languages to easily communicate.
19.3. Is Pre-Nooking necessary?
Always book ahead of your trip. France is one of the most popular destinations which is why pre-booking is a good idea. You wouldn’t want to come unprepared.
19.4. What Currency is Used and Money Talks
France uses the Euro as their currency. It is always good to order Euros and pick them up in advance before coming to avoid any casualties. Credit cards are used in all the cities, but be sure to pre-check with your banks and make sure it’s 0% commission. It is said that ATMs generally have a better rate than a currency exchange.
20. To Wrap Up
France is no doubt one of the prettiest places to be, with many beautiful towns, cities, villages, and much more, from historic monuments to museums and Renaissance buildings. France is filled with beautiful towns and its surrounding countryside.
France is one of the most visited places in the world and for all the right reasons. Only when you come and visit will you understand its beauty!
Last Updated on January 23, 2024 by paakhi
