Top 5 Tourist Destinations in France
Are you planning a vacation to France but don’t know where to start? France’s top cities are full of art and culture. You really can’t go wrong with any destination you choose! Check out the top five tourist destinations in France perfect for any traveler.
France is a magical country with so many destinations to choose from. Each region has its own unique attractions, and the culture can differ from one city to another.
If you’re planning a vacation to France and you don’t know where to start, look at where other travelers are going. Here are some of the most visited cities in France to consider.
Top Tourist Destinations in France
Start planning your incredible vacation to France! Check out some of the top tourist destinations in France.
1. Paris
France’s capital city is an obvious choice of the country’s top destinations. Paris, France is a global hub for art, fashion, food, and culture.
Paris is most known for its landmark attractions like the Eiffel Tower with its sweeping views of the city, the 12th-century Notre-Dame cathedral, and the Louvre Museum with its vast collection of masterpiece works of art. You can see many of the top attractions in Paris in just one day.
Your time in Paris will be well spent enjoying the café culture, shopping the designer boutiques, and enjoying other iconic attractions such as the Arc de Triomphe, Musée d’Orsay, Sacré-Cœur, and Tuileries Garden. There are many great tours of Paris that you can take to ensure you see all the best sights.
Top Paris Tours
- 1-Hour River Seine Cruise
- Paris Catacombs Tour with VIP Access to Restricted Areas
- Paris City Sightseeing Half Day Segway Guided Tour
Where to Stay in Paris
- Top Hotel: Le Bristol Paris
- Great Value: Hotel Britannique
- Unique Stay: Apartment with Eiffel Tower View
2. Nice
Located in the French Riviera, Nice is known for its beautiful coastline and beaches. The city’s idyllic beauty has attracted many artists to its shores, and the city is filled with art, history, and culture.
Nice honors 20th century artist and former resident Henri Matisse with a career-spanning collection of paintings at Musée Matisse. The Modern and Contemporary Art Museum displays French and American artwork. The Musée Marc Chagall displays the religious paintings of painter Marc Chagall.
Other top attractions in Nice include the iconic seaside Promenade des Anglais, the Castle of Nice, the bustling market at Cours Saleya, and the Parc Phœnix botanical gardens and zoo.
Top Nice Tours
- Nice City Segway Sightseeing Tour
- Walking Tour of Old Nice and Castle Hill
- Nice Local Vineyards Small Group Half Day E-Bike Tour with Wine Tasting
Where to Stay in Nice
- Top Hotel: Hotel Le Negresco
- Great Value: Hôtel West End Promenade
- Unique Stay: Boscolo Nice Hotel
3. Bordeaux
Bordeaux is the hub of France’s famed wine-growing region. But wine isn’t all this city has going for it — it is home to many notable art museums, beautiful public gardens, and an incredible Gothic cathedral.
As the wine capital of the world, Bordeaux is home to the world’s greatest wine museum, La Cité du Vin. And the food in Bordeaux is an amazing complement to the region’s award-winning wines.
Other top sights in Bordeaux include Place de la Bourse square and reflecting pool, the 11th century Bordeaux Cathedral, the Musée d’Aquitaine of regional art and artifacts, and the 1780 opera house Grand Théâtre de Bordeaux.
Top Bordeaux Tours
- Bordeaux Wine and Trade Museum Admission Ticket with Wine Tasting
- Best of Bordeaux Private Walking Tour
- Bordeaux Essentials – Full day tour with gourmet picnic lunch
Where to Stay in Bordeaux
- Top Hotel: InterContinental Bordeaux Le Grand Hotel, an IHG Hotel
- Great Value: MEININGER Hotel Bordeaux Gare Saint-Jean
- Unique Stay: Villas Foch Boutique Hotel & Spa Bordeaux
4. Marseille
A port city in the south of France, Marseille history and intrigue dates back to its founding by the Greeks around 600 B.C., making it the oldest city in France.
Among Marseille’s top sights are the Old Port of Marseille, a mainly pedestrian street known for its waterfront cafes, seafood restaurants, and the centuries-old Fort Saint-Jean; the Château d’If fortress and former prision; the 19th century Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde; and the 19th century Cathédrale La Major.
Marseille is also known for its natural beauty, with incredible national parks like Massif des Calanques, Calanque d’En-Vau, and Parc national des Calanques just waiting to be explored.
Top Marseille Tours
- Marseille Grand E-Bike Tour : “le tour du Fada”
- Marseille Food Tour – Do Eat Better Experience
- Marseille Small Group Segway Tour
Where to Stay in Marseille
- Top Hotel: InterContinental Marseille – Hotel Dieu, an IHG Hotel
- Great Value: Escale Oceania Marseille Vieux Port
- Unique Stay: Le Petit Nice – Passedat
Read next: 17 Best Places to Travel This Year
5. Lyon
Lyon is France’s third largest city. With 2,000 years of history dating back to the Romans, Lyon is an important UNESCO World Heritage Site full of historical and architectural landmarks.
You can find medieval and Renaissance architecture in Vieux Lyon and a modern urban landscape in the Confluence district on Presqu’île peninsula. One of the most notable aspects of Lyon architecture are traboules, or covered passageways between buildings, that connect Vieux Lyon and La Croix-Rousse hill.
Of the many historic sights in Lyon, the top attractions include the hilltop La Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, the 14th century treasures housed in Cathédrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste, the ancient Roman theatre of Teatro Galo-Romano, and the massive public square at Place Bellecour.
Top Lyon Tours
- Vieux Lyon Cultural & Historical Walking Guided Tour
- Lyon Old Town Half-Day Walking Food Tour with Local Specialties Tasting & Lunch
- Lyon Small-Group Guided Electric Bike Tour with a Local Guide
Where to Stay in Lyon
- Top Hotel: Hotel Carlton Lyon – MGallery Collection
- Great Value: Hotel Vaubecour
- Unique Stay: Villa Florentine
Read next: Tips for Avoiding Pickpockets in Europe
Ready to visit France? Plan your trip with these tips.
- Book your flight: Find the cheapest flights using Skyscanner, my favorite flight search engine.
- Find Accommodation: You can find top places to stay in France here.
- Get a Guide Book: Check out the guide books from Fodor’s, Lonely Planet, or Rick Steves for in depth info about traveling to France.
- Start Packing: Check out my packing list resources so you’re prepared for your trip.
Cheers!
Paige
What are your favorite tourist destinations in France? Let me know in the comments below!
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I lived in Paris for five years and sadly I didn´t visit any of the places you mentioned. I regret about that now.
That just means you’ll have to go back!
I have ALWAYS wanted to visit France, and now I have some more places to add. Bordeaux looks breathtaking!
Bordeaux is very lovely!
I’ve been to Paris and have been dying ot go to Nice. I know it’s touristy but it just looks so lovely! Good to know there are some more tourist-y places I can visit too to break up the countryside trips I’d love to take.
Nice is very much worth the trip!