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France
If you’re dreaming of a trip to France, you’re in for a treat. I’ve spent a ton of time wandering this enchanting country, from the twinkling lights of Paris at midnight to the salty breezes off Marseille’s calanques, devouring buttery croissants and swirling glasses of Bordeaux red that make your soul sing. France has that effortless magic—romantic cobblestone streets, world-class art that stops you in your tracks, and a food scene so good it’ll ruin you for airport sandwiches forever. Whether you’re a culture junkie eyeing hidden galleries, a beach bum chasing Riviera sunsets, or a wine lover plotting your next pour, France’s cities have you covered. Let me walk you through my top picks for the best cities to visit, packed with real-talk tips and bits from my own escapades to help you map your adventure in the world’s top cities.
France is a feast for the eyes, nose, and taste buds. Picture the Eiffel Tower’s glow reflecting off the Seine one moment, then hiking rugged cliffs near Marseille the next, or losing yourself in Lyon’s secret traboules (those sneaky passageways that feel like urban treasure hunts). I’ve zeroed in on five must-hits that capture France’s wild range: Paris, Nice, Marseille, Lyon, and Bordeaux. Each packs a unique punch, and I’ll hook you up with links to our deep-dive guides on the best places to visit in each so you can plot your days like a pro. We’ve layered in the nitty-gritty too—ballpark costs, hacky ways to stretch your euros, and what it’s really like to vibe with the locals on those lively boulevards.
Top Cities to Visit in France
- Paris: The City of Light, where iconic spots like the Eiffel Tower and Louvre meet charming neighborhoods buzzing with café culture and Seine-side strolls.
- Nice: A Riviera stunner with the glamorous Promenade des Anglais, pastel-hued Old Town markets, and pebble beaches perfect for that golden-hour glow.
- Marseille: France’s gritty port powerhouse, home to the bustling Vieux-Port, dramatic calanques hikes, and fresh bouillabaisse that hits different by the sea.
- Lyon: The unsung food capital, blending Renaissance Vieux Lyon alleys with hilltop basilicas and bouchon bistros serving hearty Lyonnaise classics.
- Bordeaux: Wine country’s elegant heart, featuring the sleek Cité du Vin museum, mirrored fountains at Place de la Bourse, and day trips to vine-draped châteaux.
THINGS TO SEE AND DO IN FRANCE
Eiffel Tower, Paris
Louvre Museum, Paris
Promenade des Anglais, Nice
Vieux-Port & MuCEM, Marseille
Cité du Vin, Bordeaux
Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourvière, Lyon
Calanques National Park, Marseillet
Old Town (Vieux Nice), Nice
Traboules & Parc de la Tête d'Or, Lyon
“The Professional Hobo”
“Never Ending Footsteps”
TYPICAL COSTS WHEN TRAVELLING
Accommodation – Mid-range hotels in hotspots like Paris or Nice, with comfy beds, Wi-Fi, and spots near the action, go for about $90–140 USD per night for a double. Hostels keep it real at $25–45 USD for a dorm spot, while cozy Airbnbs start around $60–90 USD. If you’re feeling fancy, boutique stays or luxe chains can climb to $160–280 USD, especially in summer peaks (June–August). I always book off-season—spring (April–May) or fall (September–October)—to shave off 20-30%.
Food – French eats are legendary and surprisingly doable on a budget if you play it smart. A “formule” lunch deal (starter, main, coffee) runs $12–18 USD in most cities. Street crepes or a fresh baguette sandwich? $4–7 USD. In Lyon, I scarfed an epic bouchon meal—saucisson, quenelles, and Beaujolais—for $15 USD. Breakfast espresso and pain au chocolat: $3–6 USD. Splurge on a Michelin bistro in Bordeaux? $60–160 USD per head, but honestly, the markets make you feel like a gourmet without the bill.
Transportation – France’s TGV trains are a game-changer—Paris to Lyon or Bordeaux costs $50–120 USD if you snag advance tickets. Buses like FlixBus are thriftier at $20–40 USD for long hauls. City metros or trams? $2–3.50 USD per ride, or a day pass for $8–12 USD. Taxis/Uber for short hops: $10–25 USD. Car rental? $30–60 USD daily, plus gas around $7/gallon—great for Bordeaux wine runs, but parking’s a headache in Paris.
Activities – Icons don’t break the bank. Eiffel Tower summit: $30 USD (book ahead to dodge lines). Louvre entry: $22 USD, with free first Sundays. Calanques boat tour in Marseille: $20–35 USD. Lyon’s light festival (December) is gratis magic. Cité du Vin in Bordeaux: $25 USD. Guided food walks or bike tours? $25–55 USD—worth it for the insider scoops.
Suggested daily budget – 80–105 EUR / $85–110 USD per person. That covers a mid-range hotel, a blend of café bites and market hauls, public transit zips, and a couple attractions. Go luxe with a river-view room or wine tasting? Up it to 120–185 EUR / $130–200 USD. Backpacker mode—hostel, self-cooked picnics, free parks? Squeeze by on 40–55 EUR / $45–60 USD.
MONEY SAVING TIPS
1
Hunt the Formule Lunch
This is your wallet’s best friend. For $12–18 USD, you score a full meal with wine in brasseries across Lyon or Marseille. I fueled up on coq au vin in Bordeaux this way—tasted like a steal.
2
Master Public Transit & Walk
SNCF app for cheap TGV fares, and city passes like Paris Visite ($15–40 USD) bundle rides plus discounts. Nice’s Old Town is all feet-friendly, so I ditched Ubers and soaked in the sea air gratis.
3
Tap Free Entry Windows
Museums like the Louvre or Orsay go free on first Sundays (or evenings some nights). I timed a Paris evening at the Pompidou—zero cost, zero crowds, pure win.
4
Shop Markets, Skip Chains
Fresh produce and cheese at Marché d’Aligre in Paris or Cours Saleya in Nice: $10 USD feeds you for days. I picnicked Bordeaux-style with market finds by the Garonne—cheaper and way more local than tourist traps.
WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM FRANCE?
France has this irresistible pull, like a well-aged wine that unfolds layer by layer—grand boulevards whispering revolution next to quiet bistros where locals debate life over espresso. It’s where Hemingway typed masterpieces in Paris cafés and Picasso painted in sun-soaked studios near Nice; every corner hums with that je ne sais quoi that makes you linger. From X posts I’ve scrolled lately, travelers rave about Paris’s fall romance (think amber leaves framing the Eiffel Tower) and Lyon’s hidden gems that feel like stepping into a Renaissance film.
You’ll get a cocktail of chic energy and easygoing charm. Paris pulses with sophistication but hides cozy Marais spots for people-watching. Nice and Marseille bring that salty Mediterranean edge—beaches one hour, cliff hikes the next. Lyon’s got a foodie soul that’s unpretentious, with riverside paths begging for a jog. Bordeaux? Pure elegance, all neoclassical squares and vineyard escapes that scream slow mornings.
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Best Places to Visit in Paris
Paris is, simply put, magic. It’s the city I constantly return to, and every time, I find a new reason to fall in love all over again. It’s not just the iconic landmarks—the Eiffel Tower sparkling at night, the Mona
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Best Places to Visit in Nice
Nice is the jewel of the French Riviera—a vibrant coastal city that perfectly blends Italian warmth with French elegance. The moment you step onto the Promenade des Anglais, the azure blue of the Mediterranean hits you, and you realize you’re
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Best Places to Visit in Marseille
Marseille is France’s oldest city and its most dynamic port—a beautiful, gritty, and fiercely independent place that pulsates with Mediterranean energy. It’s a true melting pot, with cultures mixing in the *Vieux Port* (Old Port) for centuries. I loved the
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Best Places to Visit in Lyon
Lyon is a city that takes its pleasures seriously—specifically, the pleasures of the stomach. Widely considered the gastronomic capital of France, it truly lives up to the hype. But it’s not just about the food! I was captivated by its
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Best Places to Visit in Bordeaux
Bordeaux is pure elegance, often called "La Belle Endormie" (The Sleeping Beauty), which has now fully awakened. This city is synonymous with wine, and while the surrounding vineyards are mandatory, the city center itself is a UNESCO-listed masterpiece of neoclassical
Weather’s a highlight: Summers hit 75–90°F along the coast, but spring/fall (55–75°F) are gold for fewer crowds. Winters stay mild (45–60°F in the south), though Paris can drizzle—pack layers. Folks are warm once you say “bonjour,” but English isn’t universal, so Duolingo a few phrases (“merci beaucoup,” “un verre de vin, s’il vous plaît”). I botched ordering escargot in Lyon with my rusty French, and the waiter just laughed, poured extra sauce, and made my night. Those connections? Priceless.
Safety’s solid for us 20-45 adventurers—solo gals and guys roam fine, but eye bags in tourist swarms like Paris’s Champs-Élysées or Marseille’s port. Trains are punctual AF, roads smooth for road trips, but metros beat traffic any day. Culture-wise, it’s late suppers (9 PM starts), café philosophizing, and festivals popping like Lyon’s Fête des Lumières—pure joy. Sip rosé on a Nice terrace, chase sunsets in the calanques, or toast at a Bordeaux vineyard; France reminds you why we chase horizons. So, dive into our interactive maps and guides for Paris, Nice, Marseille, Lyon, and Bordeaux. Explore cities, plan smart, travel better!
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September 27, 2018
