Is it any wonder France is the most touristed country in the world? Fine cuisine, fanciful chateaus, world-famous artworks and eye-pleasing architecture are everywhere – there’s no need to head to Paris to find dreamy city breaks in France.
Which is great if, like me, you didn’t find love at first sight in the City of Love (it won me over on the third try). From the star-spangled cities of the Côte d’Azur to more laid-back regional capitals crammed with historic sights and endless restaurants, my suggestions of the top cities in France cover the famed and those that sometimes fly under the radar.
Here are ten fantastic places in France for a weekend getaway, each offering a different flavour of L’hexagone.
Annecy
Go for the pretty old town, pristine lake, and mountain backdrop
Close your eyes and let your mind draw a perfect, alpine town postcard: that’s Annecy. Perched on the edge of Lac d’Annecy, one of the most transparent, gorgeous lakes you’ll ever see, with the Alps looming beyond, it will become one of your favourite cities in France before even reaching the Vieille Ville, Annecy’s well-preserved medieval old town. Spend your days flitting between the canal flanked by pastel-hued facades, visiting Le Palais de L’Île, a small castle perched on an island, and climbing to the grand, 12th-century Château d’Annecy. Come for Christmas, and you’ll find a fairytale winter wonderland with markets, snow-capped peaks, and storytelling projections on historic monuments. In summer, SUP on the lake or hike the alpine trails. No matter the season, this European gem is impossible not to love.
Day Trip: From Annecy, you can see the Alps, so heading to higher ground to hike or ski in winter is a no-brainer. If you’re a fine art enthusiast, take the 80-minute side trip to Grenoble for the Musêe de Grenoble. For a regional museum, it’s incredibly well-stocked with masterpieces.
Getting There: The nearest airport is Chambéry Savoie Mont Blanc, with regional UK connections; consider Geneva or Lyon airports for a wider choice. The fastest TGV from Paris takes around four hours, though the most common routes have a change in Lyon, adding an hour to two.
Bordeaux
Go for fine wine, grand architecture, and galleries
You’ll often hear Bordeaux called “Little Paris,” and, depending on your views of France’s sprawling capital, that might be a plus or a negative. But seriously, this city needs no comparisons; Bordeaux bundles many of the best things to do in France into a perfect weekend break. First, it’s arguably the nation’s finest wine region, with bold, full-bodied, curranty reds pairing with the city’s excellent culinary scene. Second, it’s gorgeous – the architecture here is photogenic with a capital P. You’ll soon see why the columned Opera House, castle-like Porte Cailhau and magnificent Saint-André Cathedral have earned the Old Town UNESCO Status. And third, its artistic range spans the classics to the contemporary. Check out the former submarine base, now used as an immersive gallery, one example of how old meets new in Bordeaux.
Day Trip: Don’t make the mistake of sticking to the city. Stay at least one extra day to visit the region’s world-famous terroirs. There are abundant wine tours from Bordeaux covering all the most famed appellations, including St Emilion (which produces my favourite French wines), Medoc, Margaux and Sauternes, home to drool-worthy dessert wines.
Getting There: Bordeaux-Mérignac Airport has flights to many European cities, Turkey and North Africa. The fastest TGV from Paris takes a little over two hours, so arriving flight-free in half a day from London with the Eurostar is possible.
Carcassonne
Go for a medieval citadel, cassoulet and the Canal du Midi
Wrapped up in glorious, foreboding and tower-decorated walls, Carcassonne is undoubtedly one of Europe’s most magnificent medieval sights. Thanks to the extensive and highly detailed restoration work undertaken in the late 19th century, you can soak up this city almost as it was in its heyday, and, as of September 2024, it’s now possible to walk across atop whole ramparts – I’ve already planned my return visit. Aside from being a dreamy cobbled city to wonder, la Cité’s history unfurls across museums, castles, and restaurants. For the latter, that means a plate of cassoulet, a duck and pork bean stew believed to have become a staple during the Hundred Years’ War.
Day Trip: It’s a quick hop by train to Toulouse – arguably one of France’s finest cities – but I’d plump to overnight in Carcassonne instead when it’s far more chilled. Alternatively, check out the Canal du Midi, a mighty, UNESCO-listed, 17th-century constructed canal.
Getting There: Carcassonne Airport has many regional UK and Ireland flights and limited European connections. Toulouse Airport is an alternative; trains from the city take around 45 minutes. It’s around six hours by rail from Paris, including one change. The sleeper train from Paris to Toulouse is usually best for a flight-free, Eurostar-combined connection.
Colmar
Go for a gorgeous canal, half-timbered houses, and Christmas markets
Strasbourg might strut its stuff, but Comar gets my vote for the most adorable Alsace city. Oozing with charm, this is one of Europe’s best winter destinations when twinkling lights and much-loved markers turn it into a winter wonderland. There’s no need to come with all the Christmas hoards, though: it’s a fairytale-like French city break year-round. Close to the German border, the colourful half-timbered houses reflecting in canals – one district is dubbed La Petite Venise – make Alsace’s architecture stand apart from much of France. The whole historical centre will have your camera working over time. Spend your days taking a boat ride, admiring the art collection in the Unterlinden Museum, housed in a former monastery, and sampling Alsace’s floral wines and local specialities, such as choucroute, the French version of sausage-topped sauerkraut.
Day Trip: Hop on the train and visit another of Alsace’s plentiful photogenic towns or villages; Strasbourg is the most famous and obvious option. Or, you could hop between a few countries – Germany (Freiburg) and Switzerland (Basel) are just a short hop across the border. The Alsace wine region is also a winner.
Getting There: Strasbourg and Basel’s Euroairport are around 45 miles from Colmar; you can take a train in under an hour from either city. The fastest TGV from Paris is two and a half hours, though slightly longer connecting services are more regular.
Angers
Go for chateaus, culture, and a chilled-out getaway
One of the Loire Valley’s grandest cities, Angers flanks the Maine River and provides an excellent base for exploring the chateaus, villages and wineries for which the Loire is famous. If you’re not keen on straying far, Angers makes an excellent French city break as you’ve got much of the same on your doorstep. Dominating the riverside are the hulking walls and 17 towers of medieval Château d’Angers, a sprawling defence system. Inside, you’ll gawp at the 100-metre-long Apocalypse Tapestry, which dates to the 14th century. A couple of art museums, including the impressive sculpture collection of David d’Angers, displayed in a converted, roofless cathedral, round off the cultural attractions, and the local dining scene is on point.
Day Trip: There are plenty of famous chateaus to visit on a day trip, such as canal-crossing Château de Chenonceau, two hours away by car. Closer still are Anjou’s incredible troglodyte caves, essentially underground villages from the 19th century. They are seriously cool – I slept in one on my birthday a few weeks ago!
Getting There: Nantes Atlantique Airport is the closest to Angers (around 40 minutes by train), with many regional UK connections and services across Europe and North Africa. The fastest TGV from Paris takes around 90 minutes, so arriving flight-free in half a day from London with the Eurostar is possible.
Marseille
Go for personality, museums, and an excellent all-round coastal city break
For a lively, energetic and (hopefully) sunny weekend break in France, look no further than Marseille. Forget anything negative you’ve heard about this former gritty port city and give it a chance – I’m sure you’ll be impressed. It’s been over a decade since Marseille served as a European Capital of Culture. Since then, new galleries, spruced-up public spaces, and an ever-evolving culinary scene have made this southern coastal city somewhat chic – thankfully, while leaving much of the city’s character intact. You can easily cram a long weekend here with cultural activities, such as schlepping up to the Basilica and Cathedral for a pair of pretty panoramas and grandiose architecture. But factor in time just to chill: grab a local beer down a colourful side street in the Le Panier neighbourhood, splash out on some port-side seafood, and slink away to the coast to top up your tan. You’re on the Med here; there’s no need to rush.
Day Trip: You’re spoiled for choice! You’re only a short hop from beaches or head inland to visit the pretty city of Aix-en-Provence. If you’ve time and the weather is nice, the dramatic Verdon Gorge is reachable in around two hours by car.
Getting There: Marseille Provence Airport has abundant European, North African and some Asian routes. The fastest TGV from Paris takes around three and a half hours, so arriving flight-free from London with the Eurostar is possible but quite lengthy.
Lyon
Go for a sublime food scene and a solid Paris alternative
Lyon is one of France’s best cities for foodies. In fact, it’s one of Europe’s best food cities, full stop. Whether you want old-school Lyonnaise cuisine in a bouchon, the typical restaurants of France’s third largest city – expect plenty of sausages, like stuffed andouillette (I’m not a fan) – contemporary fusion menus, or upscale, all-out dining, Lyon has you covered. Between stuffing your face, you can burn off the calories strolling around the Vieux Lyon, the Old Town that, In my opinion, rivals Paris for charm, ambling along the city’s two rivers, which create an island-like peninsula, or climbing up the Fourvière Hill to see Roman amphitheatre ruins and the city spill out from the Basilique Notre-Dame’s balcony.
Day Trip: Head into the Rhône Valley on a wine-tasting tour. I love this area and used to head here in my previous life as a restaurant manager to source new wines; most of the wine estates have Hollywood-style signs dominating the riverside, fitting given this is some of the most expensive land in the country.
Getting There: Lyon-Saint Exupéry Airport is a major airport with regional UK and European connections plus some further-flung routes, though currently, there are no direct USA flights. The fastest TGV from Paris takes two hours, so arriving flight-free in half a day from London with the Eurostar is easy.
Nantes
Go for quirky art, a historic castle, and youthful energy
Nantes is one of Europe’s most underrated cities. You’ve got the grand, old architecture you’d expect from a northern French city contrasted by an underlying, playful energy. Art and innovation are abundant. Two of the masterminds behind this quirky French city are François Delarozière and Pierre Oréfice, who created the Machines de l’île, a collection of mechanical, all-moving, giant animal machines, including the original Grand Éléphant de Nantes, found on Nantes inner-city island. The creativity continues on summer’s city-wide art trail, though there are plenty of galleries and ways to experience the city’s contemporary creations year-round. For a more classical experience, tour the once fully moated Château des ducs de Bretagne, gateway to Nantes’ medieval quarter, to peer into the palatial home of Brittany’s last duke.
Day Trip: In summer, ride the rails for 40 minutes to Saint-Nazaire; it’s not the most beautiful town, but there are some nice beaches a little further along the coast. With a car or bike, you could explore the Estuaire open-air art collection stretching between the two.
Getting There: Nantes Atlantique Airport has regional UK connections and services across Europe and North Africa. The fastest TGV from Paris takes a little over two hours.
Caen
Go for great food, architecture, and an island-abbey side trip
For Brits, Caen is an ideal short break in France as you can take the overnight ferry to wake up refreshed in the morning. It’s my favourite city in Normandy, William the Conqueror’s home town, and within driving distance of D-Day Landing Beaches and some of northern France’s top attractions. Split your time between the city itself, which blends the classics – half-timbered houses, the central Château de Caen castle, and mighty abbeys – with the youthful energy of a university city. Then, set out to explore the nearby sights, such as the famed tapestry of Bayeux, a 30-minute drive, and pretty coastal towns such as Honfleur and Deauville.
Day Trip: String a few of Northern France’s highlights together and turn your Caen city break into a sightseeing trip. It’s about 90 minutes by bus to Mont Saint-Michel, a tide-surrounded rock crowned with an abbey and one of the world’s best islands to visit.
Getting There: Caen Airport only has domestic connections. The fastest regional train from Paris takes a little over two hours, so arriving flight-free in half a day from London with the Eurostar is possible; however, you might prefer to take the ferry to Caen from Portsmouth.
Nice
Go for sweeping sea views, sun, and splashy restaurants
The original French Riviera darling has long been a beloved city break in France. Fronted by a sweeping, pebbly, but sensationally azure bay, brightened by colourful facades and cultural celebrations, and layered with museums and mouth watering restaurants, you’ll never be bored on a weekend in Nice. Explore the narrow alleyways of Vieux Nice (Old Nice), picking out local designers in boutiques and pausing for patisserie. Then, amble along the sea-facing Promenade des Anglais, one of the world’s most famous, soaking in the sun and savouring seafood. From Parc de Château, you get some of the finest city views. And if you are coming in winter, the clutch of art museums – covering everything from leading contemporary creatives to Henri Matisse – provide first-class shelter from showers.
Day Trip: Head to glitzy Cannes, famed for its film festival, or cross the invisible border to equally splashy Monaco, one of Europe’s smallest countries. If you’re in Europe in February, head to the handsome Mento for the Fête du Citron.
Getting There: Nice is a major airport with multiple UK, European, North American, Asian and Middle Eastern routes. The fastest trains from Paris take around six hours; there’s also a night train, which can be a better option for a flight-free, Eurostar-connected route.