I Visited 12 French Cities. These 7 Are Actually Worth It

I Visited French Cities. These Are Actually It travel landscape

Cities2026-02-18·3 min read·By Alex Reed

After spending 8 months bouncing between French cities, I can tell you most tourists waste their time in the wrong places. Everyone hits Paris and maybe Nice, then wonders why France felt expensive and crowded. Here are the 7 best cities to travel in France that actually deliver—plus the overhyped ones you should skip.

1. Lyon — The Best City No One Talks About

★★★★★ (5/5)

Lyon is what Paris thinks it is. Better food, half the tourists, actual locals who'll talk to you. It's France's third-largest city but feels like a secret.

Why it works: The old town (Vieux Lyon) has that medieval charm without the Disneyland vibe. The food scene is insane—this is where French cuisine got serious. And the Presqu'île district between two rivers is perfect for just wandering.

Budget: €60-80/day mid-range, €35-50 budget

💡 Pro tip: Skip the expensive bouchons (traditional restaurants) in Vieux Lyon's main squares. Head to Rue Saint-Jean's side alleys where locals eat. Les Lyonnais (€18 menu) beats any €40 tourist trap.

Digital nomad score: Excellent. Anticafé Lyon charges €5/hour with unlimited coffee. Fast WiFi, mostly empty on weekdays.

Category	Lyon	Paris (comparison)
Average meal	€12-15	€18-25
Coffee	€2.50	€4-5
Metro day pass	€6	€8.45
Hostel bed	€22-30	€35-50
Tourist density	Low	Insane

Time needed: 3-4 days

🎒 Travel Gear I Actually Use

🔋

Anker Portable Charger

10,000mAh — charges phone 2x

$22Amazon →

🎧

Sony WH-1000XM5

Best noise-canceling for flights

$298Amazon →

🧳

Eagle Creek Packing Cubes

Compression — fits 30% more

$25Amazon →

🎒

Osprey Farpoint 40L

Carry-on sized travel backpack

$185Amazon →

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

2. Bordeaux — Wine Country Without the Attitude

★★★★☆ (4/5)

Bordeaux cleaned up its act over the past decade. The riverfront is gorgeous now, and you can day-trip to Saint-Émilion for wine tasting without selling a kidney.

Why it's on this list: Best Cities To Travel In France itself is walkable and beautiful. Stone buildings, wide boulevards, actual French people living actual French lives. Plus you're 30 minutes from the Atlantic coast and 45 minutes from wine country.

The catch: It's gotten pricey. Not Paris-level, but heading there. Summer is packed with tourists who discovered it exists.

💡 Related: I Visited 47 European Beaches. These 12 Are Worth It if you're exploring beaches and working remotely.

Q. Are French For best cities to travel in france, cities expensive compared to Paris?

No. You'll save 30-50% in cities like Lyon, Strasbourg, and Montpellier compared to Paris for similar quality accommodation and food. A mid-range hotel in Paris costs €120-150/night; same quality runs €60-80 in Lyon or Toulouse. Meals are €5-10 cheaper on average. Only Annecy approaches Paris pricFor best cities to travel in france, es due to Alps location.

Q. Is Lyon better than Paris for tourists?

For food and authentic French experience, yes. Paris wins for iconic landmarks, museums, and first-time "I'm in France" feeling. But Lyon offers better restaurants, friendlier locals, walkable size, and you'll actually talk to French people instead of just other tourists. Most travelers who spend serious timFor best cities to travel in france, e in both prefer Lyon for living, Paris for visiting.

Q. What's the best base city for exploring France?

Lyon or Bordeaux, depending on your priorities. Lyon sits central for Annecy, Strasbourg, and southern France—2-4 hour trains to most places. Bordeaux works better for Atlantic coast and southwest France. Both have international airports, excellent infrastructure, and enough going on that you won't get bored between trips. Toulouse also works as a southwest base but has fewer train connections.

#France#City Guides#Europe Travel#Budget Travel

Alex Reed

Former data analyst turned digital nomad. Writing data-driven travel guides from the road.