5 Cities in France That Are Even Better than Paris (And Less Crowded)
When you think of France, you’re probably immediately thinking of Paris. But did you know that there is so much more to this country than Paris? Here are 5 of my all-time favourite cities in France for your next European city escape!
I’m going to be totally honest, until recently, I used to be a Paris hater. I found it dirty, overcrowded and chaotic. And there is some truth to this (though they have cleaned up a lot for the Olympics).
However, Paris also has its charm. The fascinating history, the architecture, the different Arrondissements that each have their own vibe. Montmartre, for example, is an area I love with all my heart.
Yet I find myself a little disappointed when I hear people speaking of their France trip that didn’t go past Paris (no slander if you’re short on time, just an observation). Because honestly, there is so much more to this beautiful country than its capital.
So, here are 5 of my favourite cities in France that aren’t Paris and why you should add them to your travel bucketlist:
5 Amazing Cities in France (That Aren’t Paris)
Montpellier
Montpellier is actually where I started my full-time travel journey almost 3 years ago now and I love the city with all my heart. It is so safe, has many things to do and even has incredible beaches close-by.
I studied French here for a month and loved the late evenings sat on the cobblestoned streets, drinking some wine and practising the language with those around us. I think the city is also great for solo-female travellers as I felt super safe.
I think Montpellier has a completely different feel to Paris. It gets 300+ days of sunshine, the Old Town reminds you of what medieval France may have looked like and the overall vibe is relaxed. My personal favourite!
Don’t miss: I would highly recommend scheduling in time to visit Saint-Guilhem-le-Désert, the UNESCO World Heritage Site located a 45 minute drive from Montpellier. The medieval city is an absolute highlight and there are public buses that go there if you don’t have a car.
Marseille
Marseille is a fascinating mix of culture, history and nature. It’s the oldest city in France and reflects those centuries throughout its streets.
It is also right by the stunning Calanques National Park, a marine and terrestrial protected area of the Mediterranean. The hikes here are some of the most beautiful in France and you will discover dreamy turquoise lagoons to swim in along the way.
It’s also more affordable than Paris plus gets better weather 😉
Biarritz
If you are into sun, beaches and surfing, Biarritz is the place for you. Possibly my favourite place in France (I lived here for over a month).
It’s a pretty small town, so completely different to Paris, but I think that is exactly its charm. Here you will find the “real” France, full of markets, good foods and evenings watching the sunset with a glass of wine.
Don’t miss: It’s actually also an amazing place for daytrips, like to the stunning San Sebastian in Spain or hiking through the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
Lyon
Lyon is often coined as France’s gastronomical capital, but there is a lot more this city. From the picturesque Old Town to Roman and Gothic architecture and bustling markets, Lyon will provide you with an unforgettable experience.
I especially love that you can see different eras of history throughout the town, from a Roman theatre to the medieval Old Town to the secret Renaissance passageways known as Traboules.
I personally think Lyon is criminally underrated as a France tourist destination, and maybe that’s exactly what makes it so great.
Bordeaux
Last, but certainly not least, Bordeaux. Welcome to the most famous wine region in the world and hence a must-visit destination for any wine-lovers (so must of us).
I think you can get a good overview of Bordeaux in a day, from the historical buildings to the art to the wine the city is so famous for. After all, it is the largest fine-wine producing region on earth. Don’t miss the Cité du Vin museum to learn about everything wine.
It’s one of the most similar cities to Paris as a lot of the architecture here was the blueprint for the Haussmann style of Paris. It’s also similarly great for shopping as the capital.
Don’t miss: I did one of the free walking tours (you tip at the end) when I was here and learned a lot about Bordeaux’s history and culture from a local.
Is Paris overrated for tourists?
I personally don’t think Paris is overrated, but the rest of France is certainly underrated in comparison.
Paris is a must-visit at least once. It’s got tons of history, incredible museums and art galleries and iconic landmarks like the Eiffel Tower, Louvre and Sacre Coeur.
However, it is also very busy and experiences masses of tourists during peak season. If you are looking for a more relaxed holiday and an insight into French everyday life, you may want to opt for one of the other cities in this post.
Is it cheaper to visit regional France than Paris?
Paris is a capital city and an expensive one at that. It can honestly rival London nowadays.
So in short, yes it is significantly cheaper to visit regional France compared to Paris. From accommodation costs to food to activities, most things are cheaper outside of Paris.
However, some of the other big tourist destinations (like Nice) can rival Paris prices during the peak season.
In general, the more rural or off-the-beaten path you go, the cheaper it gets.
Hi, I’m Bell
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