Best cities in France to visit on your next trip (apart from Paris)

There are many reasons why Paris is one of the world’s most visited cities. Its iconic attractions are the first things most people think of when they think France. But there is so much more to France than Paris. Having explored the six corners of the hexagon, I’m enamoured with the diversity of the food, wine, history and landscapes in this one relatively small country! So here are eight of the best cities in France to consider for your next visit, each one different from the last…

1. Bordeaux

Bordeaux brims with elegance and history just like Paris – but without the crowded attractions, and closer to the beach.

Eat & drink: Confit de canard (duck confit) is a typical local dish. For dessert, try a cannelé de Bordeaux – a chewy rum-flavoured pastry made in a distinctive mould. As for drinks – red wine, of course.

See & do: Visit the Musée d’Aquitaine for a fascinating look at the region’s history, from pre-history to Roman times to its stint as a busy port in the era of slave trading. Climb the Pey-Berland Tower for a 360 degree view of the city. Make like a local and go for a stroll along the quays on the river Garonne or window shop on Rue Ste Catherine, a pedestrian shopping street over 1.2km long.

Day trips: Visit the quintessential seaside town of Arcachon and climb Europe’s biggest sand dune, la Dune de Pilat (sometimes written Pyla). Or join a wine tour to the vineyards of St Émilion.

2. Lille

Easily accessible by train a short distance from London, Paris and Brussels, Lille is a charming little city full of gingerbread architecture.

Eat & drink: Carbonnade flamande, a hearty Flemish beef stew, and moules-frites, mussels and chips, are the must-try local dishes. The north of France isn’t known for wine – rather, like neighbouring Belgium, beer is the local specialty.

See & do: The Palais de Beaux-Arts is France’s largest museum outside Paris and features works by many famous names, but is worth a visit for the gorgeous building alone. For modern art, take the metro up to Roubaix and visit La Piscine, an art deco public pool turned museum. Wander Vieux Lille, the old town centre, or drop into the big shiny shopping centre Euralille right next to the train stations.

Day trips: Arras has a charming town square and fascinating WWI tunnels. Or pop over the border to Belgium: perhaps Ypres for more WWI history, or Brussels (half an hour by TGV). Even London is close enough for a day trip!

3. Marseille

Mediterranean and multicultural, Marseille seems a world away from Paris… but it’s just a few hours by TGV.

Eat & drink: Seafood galore! Seafood lovers must try the famous bouillabaisse (fish stew). For non-seafood eaters, the north African influence means you can also find a great couscous or tagine.

See & do: Trek up the steep hill to the Notre-Dame de la Garde, the magnificent church overlooking the city. Wander the Le Panier area to escape the madness of the port.

Day trips: Take a boat over to the Château d’If, the (real) location where the (fictional) Count of Monte Cristo was imprisoned. Or take the train to Cassis for a boat trip or hike to the calanques – gorgeous coves surrounded by cliffs.

4. Nice

Nice is indeed very, very nice.

Eat & drink: Think all things fresh and mediterranean here – tomatoes, garlic and olive oil. Typical dishes are ratatouille, pissaladière (an onion tart), farcis (stuffed vegetables) and of course, salade niçoise. A glass of rosé washes it all down nicely.

See & do: Walk the Promenade des Anglais along the pebbled beach, climb Colline du Château (Castle Hill – not actually the site of a castle, but a park with ruins, waterfalls and excellent views), visit the flower market and the dedicated Matisse museum.

Day trips: Nice is the perfect place to stay a week or two and do plenty of day trips, with many fascinating towns within an hour by bus or train (and tickets costing just a few Euros). Go celebrity spotting in Cannes, visit a perfumery in Grasse, take in the stunning views from hilltop Èze, see how the super-rich live in Monaco or even pop over to Italy (Ventimiglia is at the end of the train line, just 10 minutes from the French town Menton).

5. Reims

Quiet and classy, the heart of the Champagne region is home to Taittinger, Veuve Clicquot, Mumm and more.

Eat & drink: Champagne, champagne, champagne. And try the biscuits roses de Reims, delicate pink finger biscuits perfect for dipping in – you guessed it – champagne!

See & do: Don’t miss the astonishing Gothic cathedral, which really stands out with its amazing carving-covered façade and beautiful stained glass.

Day trips: Épernay is home to some of the biggest names in champagne (like Moët & Chandon and Perrier-Jouët), with impressive houses lining a street named Avenue de Champagne (what else?). Take a tour to see the cellars, learn about the painstaking production process and taste the results.

6. Rennes

Rennes, in Brittany, is the kind of city where you can turn a corner and find yourself in a fairytale setting.

Eat & drink: Brittany is famous for crêpes – both savoury buckwheat varieties and sweet ones. Wash them down with a bolée (small bowl) of cider.

See & do: Admire the Breton character of the historic centre, visit the Musée de Bretagne and eat yet another crêpe.

Day trips: Don’t miss the majestic Mont St-Michel.

7. Strasbourg

The capital of Alsace has a strong German influence, but being home to many EU institutions makes it a real modern melting pot.

Eat & drink: Flammekueche, a sort of pizza with cream sauce, and baeckoffe, a meat-filled stew, are typical of the hearty and filling local cuisine. Wash them down with white wines like Riesling and Gewurzträminer.

See & do: See the astronomical clock in the cathedral, visit the Musée alsacien to explore the region’s culture and go on a river cruise to take in the charming Petite France area and the modern EU quarter.

Day trips: If you just can’t get enough of Alsace (and its wines), get out of Strasbourg to explore some of the smaller towns like Colmar and Riquewihr.

8. Toulouse

The ‘pink city’ set on the river Garonne is a thoroughly pleasant place to stroll.

Eat & drink: Duck, goose and pork sausages are favourites here, and any or all of them can be found in a cassoulet (bean stew).

See & do: The striking Capitole building hosts the town hall, which has some splendidly decorated rooms to admire. Toulouse also has an excellent natural history museum.

Day trips: The fortified city of Carcassonne is like something out of a fairytale, and Albi is a delightful little town to explore, all red-brick buildings towering over the river.