Any guide to the "best" places to visit is by nature subjective,
an opinion of the reviewers; but it is nonetheless possible to set out
with a set of criteria, and apply these as objectively as possible to
the places being reviewed.
In order to establish a
"top fifty" of the "best cities in France", we have taken a number of
criteria, notably urban environment and cityscape, museums, historic
monuments and other attractions, accessibility, and things to see and
do in the immediate vicinity.
This guide does
not take account of such criteria as hotels, restaurants, and shopping,
as these are part of the fabric of any city
|
|
France's ten biggest cities, ranked in "must see" order
Rank
| City
| Star rating
| Strengths and/or
weaknesses
| 1
| Paris
| *****
| Paris
is in a category of its own. There is just so much to see and do; world
class museums, monuments and other attractions. From the Eiffel Tower
to the Louvre or Disneyland, Paris has it all, and it is by far the
most accessible of French cities
| 2
| Nice
| **** | Located
between rugged hills and the azure waters of the Mediterranean, Nice
has a great deal to offer the visitor, from its beaches to its old
town, its several art galleries and its old port. The area round Nice
is breathtaking, and Its airport is well served by international
carriers.
| 3
| Strasbourg | *** | Today
seat of the European parliament, Strasbourg is one of the great
historic cities of Europe. The old city, with its magnificent
cathedral, narrow streets and canals, is one of the finest old city
centres in France. Strasbourg is accessible by TGV from Paris, and
easily accessible from Germany and Benelux.
| 4
| Bordeaux | *** | This
great old port city, on the banks of Gironde estuary in southwest
France, has a large old centre, much of it dating from the 17th
to 19th centuries with some fine monuments. and a good art gallery. The
18th century theatre is the finest theatre of its period in France. The
area round Bordeaux is famous for its vineyards
| 5
| Lyon
| *** | Lyon
has an historic centre, between the rivers Saône and Rhône. The Place
Bellecour is a fine urban piazza. To the west of the Rhone the old
quarter of Fourvière rises steeply up from the quais of the Saône. The
urban ensemble, which is a UNESCO world heritage site, is
attractive and historic but not breathtaking.
| 6
| Marseille | *** | This
ancient Mediterranean port has a vibrant city centre, with its main
thoroughfare La Canebière. Worth seeing are the city's cathedrals and
the mediaeval St. Laurent church. The old port area is very attractive,
and boat trips can be taken to the historic fortress on the Ile d'If,
lying in the middle of the bay. | 7
| Toulouse | ** | The
"pink city" has an attractive and quite distinctive old centre with a
distinct Mediterranean flavour. Worth visiting are the St Sernin
church, the Jacobins church and cloisters, and the Place du Capitole, a
fine city square. Beside the city centre is the Canal du Midi, the
oldest canal in Europe.
| 8
| Lille
| ** | The
old city centre of Lille is famous for its Flemish squares and
belfries. See also the 17th century Citadel, and the Lille art gallery,
reputed to be the second best in France after the Louvre. There is also
a good modern art gallery. The Lille zoo is a popular attraction.
| 9
| Nantes
| * | The
old city centre has narrow pedestrian streets, with an almost Parisian
feel. The city's two main monuments are the St. Pierre cathedral and
the Chateau of the Dukes of Brittany. Boat trips can be taken up the
Erdre river, flanked by a succession of old mansion houses.
| 10
| Toulon
| * | A
naval port city with an industrial heritage, Toulon has an attractive
old quarter near the old port; but it is the city's beautiful Provençal
hinterland and the fine coast to the east and the west that are
generally more visited than the city itself.
|
Forty more French cities and smaller regional centres that are very much worth the visit.
Star rating
| Towns and cities
| ***
| Aix-en-Provence, Annecy, Avignon, Besançon, Colmar, Cannes, Metz, Nancy, Nimes, St. Malo, Tours | | ** | Albi,
Angers, Arles, Chambéry, Clermont-Ferrand, Dijon, Grenoble, La
Rochelle, Montpellier, Poitiers, Limoges, Orleans, Pau, Rennes, Reims,
Rouen, Troyes, | | * | Angoulême, Arras, Beauvais, Biarritz, Blois, Laon, Le Mans, Montauban, Narbonne, Rodez, Quimper, Vichy |
The best museums & art galleries in France
| This web guide is being constantly developed. If the information you are looking for is not here now, come back again later. . |
Copyright © About-France.com 2010
| *** |
|
