Planning a trip to France and wondering where to stay? Check out this list of the very best places to stay in France.
It is certainly not without reason that France has ruled as the world’s most popular travel destination for more than two decades. France is a wonderful travel country with something for everyone. The country is so big and diverse that you can either go on a skiing holiday, city break, beach holiday, or something completely different.
France has it all with beautiful landscapes, vibrant cities, cozy villages, idyllic wine regions, sunny beaches, snow-capped mountain peaks, historical monuments, and ancient castles. It’s one of those countries you can spend months exploring… And yet you’ll not even get to see all the most amazing places in France.
So which places in France should you definitely not miss? Stay tuned and get inspiration for the very best places to stay in France.
Table of Contents
The best places to stay in France:
1. Paris
Of course, Paris is one of the best places to stay in France. It’s even one of the most popular travel destinations in the world. The French capital is called the city of cities and is one of those places everyone should visit at least once.
Everyone knows Paris, even if they haven’t been there yet. The world-famous attractions are stuck in the memory. Most people are familiar with the Eiffel Tower, the Champs-Elysees with the Arc de Triomphe, the Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Louvre Museum with the Mona Lisa painting.
Paris is also called the city of love. The romantic vibe can really be felt when exploring Paris as a local Frenchman would have done. Enjoy the sight of the beautiful French architecture, visit the Latin Quarter, go to markets, stroll along the Seine, and settle down at a sidewalk cafe. The possibilities in Paris are endless.
Read also: 18 Very Best Things to Do in Paris
2. Loire Valley
The beautiful Loire Valley is located in central France and is known for its spectacular scenery, fairytale castles, picturesque vineyards, historic villages, and delicious gastronomy.
In the Loire Valley, you’ll find the largest concentration of Renaissance castles in Europe, each representing the splendor of France from its finest sides. Don’t forget to visit the Château de Chambord, the most magnificent and popular castle in the valley.
Large parts of the Loire Valley are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their unique cultural landscape. Be sure to get a glimpse of the cultural heritage of the castles and the historic towns of the valley. I especially recommend visiting the cities of Orleans, Tours, and Saumur with their charming old buildings. If you love wine, you should also not miss wine tasting at one of the many wineries in the valley.
3. Nice
Nice is the most popular city on the French Riviera and one of the best places to stay in France as well. The elegant and classic coastal town is beautifully situated between the Mediterranean and the French Alps. Every year, millions of tourists flocks to the city to enjoy the climate, beach, sea, culture, and charm of Nice.
Nice is known as the Queen of the Riviera and has the second-highest number of hotel beds in all of France – surpassed only by Paris. If traveling to Nice, don’t forget to visit the world-famous seafront promenade and the charming old town with a maze of narrow alleys.
Read also: 16 Best Things to Do in Nice, France
4. Bordeaux
Bordeaux is located in the southwest of France and is especially known for its Bordeaux wine. This is the place from which some of the world’s best, most famous, and expensive wines are produced. Bordeaux is the wine capital of France and one of the most important wine regions in the world. Of course, you can’t be in Bordeaux without visiting a winery, tasting the exquisite wines.
If you aren’t a wine lover, there are still plenty of things to do in Bordeaux. Take a tour of the city and enjoy the beautiful architecture, exciting culture, historical sites, and unique shopping.
Remember to visit the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage Site with more than 350 historic structures and landmarks. You can also swing past Le Miroir d’eau, the largest reflective pool in the world.
5. Strasbourg
Strasbourg is located in northeastern France close to the German border. At first glance, it looks like a German city. Strasbourg has been part of Germany several times and balances beautifully between German and French architecture.
The city’s central location in the heart of Europe has meant that it, together with Brussels, has become the headquarters of the European Parliament. The reason why Strasbourg is one of the best places to stay in France is due to the historic center of the island of Grande Ile.
The island is inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List and abounds in historical and cultural attractions. The area is characterized by cobbled streets, old half-timbered houses, flower-adorned balconies, and old bridges that beautifully cross the river.
6. Cannes
Located on the French Riviera, Cannes is famous for its annual film festival, attracting celebrities from all over the world. The luxurious and exclusive atmosphere of the city attracts the rich and famous all year round.
It’s a playground for all the world’s jet-set and it isn’t abnormal to meet a celebrity in the city. Luxury cars pass by on the La Croisette seafront where luxury hotels and designer boutiques lie side by side.
Cannes, however, offers much more than glitter and glamor. You can also relax on the miles of long sandy beaches, enjoy the sunny climate, or visit the harbor. Also, don’t forget to take a walk through the old town of Le Suquet, visit the islands of Lerin, and experience the wild nightlife.
Cannes is a lovely city with a mix of a glamorous and laid-back atmosphere. However, you should expect the prices in Cannes to be reasonably expensive.
7. Mont Saint-Michel
Mont Saint-Michel may not be the obvious place to stay in France. Nevertheless, the beautiful tidal island simply had to get on the list of the best places to stay in France.
Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most visited sights in France and is listed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. The island is located about 1 kilometer from the mainland and is separated from the Normandy coast by some of the most powerful tidal waves in Europe. Today, however, a dam has been built next to the beautiful and mysterious island. In the past, it was totally isolated from the mainland.
The construction of Mont Saint-Michel started in the early 700s when a bishop founded the impressive monastery. Today, the monastery is the major landmark on the island. It sits majestically on top of the island and is surrounded by ancient medieval buildings and narrow cobbled streets.
Once you visit Mont Saint-Michel, you’ll no longer wonder why it’s one of the best places to stay in France. I highly recommend visiting the island early in the morning as there are often large amounts of tourists.
8. Corsica
Corsica is a scenic island in the Mediterranean. It is located about 170 kilometers east of the French coast and 80 kilometers west of the Italian coast. To that extent, Corsica can be said to be completely its own. Although it’s a French island, the atmosphere is Italian-inspired.
Many French people call Corsica the Island of Beauty. And it’s impressive how the small island can have so much variety. One of the most unique things about Corsica is that this is where Napoleon himself was born.
The island is dominated by high dramatic mountains and a more than 1,000-kilometer-long coastline. Enjoy life on one of the soft sandy beaches while listening to the splashing of the waves in the crystal-clear sea. You can also rent a car and go on adventures on the beautiful island. Explore the raw nature, the stunning viewpoints, lush valleys, idyllic vineyards, olive groves, and cozy medieval towns.
9. Aix-en-Provence
Aix-en-Provence is a small, beautiful, charming, and lively university town in the south of France. The city is known for its sparkling fountains, colorful markets, great restaurants with delicious French dishes, and cozy atmosphere. It’s full of narrow streets with magnificent architecture, historic and well-kept houses, cafes, and fashion boutiques.
Aix-en-Provence is the best market town in France and offers a myriad of exciting and colorful markets. The large market square is located in the old town and is adorned with stalls side by side every Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday.
After visiting one of the markets, you can explore the city streets. Relax in a café, visit a museum, or experience one of the historical sights of Aix-en-Provence.
10. Chamonix
Chamonix is located at the foot of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Western Europe with a height of 4,810 meters. The mountain is part of the French Alps and is an extremely beautiful and popular destination for skiing holidays. Chamonix is rich in history and hosted the world’s first Winter Olympics in 1924.
In Chamonix, you’ll find world-class skiing. It’s especially the city’s off-piste that are so good and popular that they’re among the best in the world. If you want to take a break from skiing, go shopping or relax in one of the many cafés, restaurants, and bars.
When visiting the city, you can also find two indoor swimming pools, spa salons, an ice rink, bowling, climbing, tennis, and much more. If you like partying, don’t miss the lively nightlife of the city.
11. Marseille
Located on the Mediterranean Sea in southeastern France, Marseille is the oldest and second-largest city in France. Even though many people live in Marseille, the city has nevertheless managed to maintain its village atmosphere. Marseille is the most important port city in France. The old port is extremely charming with picturesque houses along the waterfront.
Marseille has a somewhat tarnished reputation with immigrants and crime. However, the city has recovered well after a major urban renewal and the title of European Capital of Culture in 2013. The French city is a destination in France that is on the rise.
Don’t miss the old town of Le Panier with narrow alleys, colorful houses, and a cozy atmosphere. If you’re interested in nature, you can also go visiting the Calanques National Park. The park is filled with dramatic cliffs bordering the crystal-clear waters of the ocean.
12. Lille
Lille is located in the north of France and is so close to Belgium that the metropolitan area actually goes into Belgium. Lille has previously had a reputation as one of the ugly and hard-working industrial cities in France. Since then, however, the city has been significantly modernized. The historic city has become super cozy and offers a myriad of bell towers, old streets, and beautiful architecture.
Lille is especially known for its annual flea market which is the largest outdoor flea market in all of Europe. It is also the perfect city to visit if you love delicacies such as waffles, chocolate, mussels, and french fries.
After a delicious meal, head over to the Palais des Beaux-Arts, one of the largest art museums in France. Also, don’t forget to visit Le Vieux Lille, the old and historic district of the city.
13. Carcassonne
Carcassonne is a fortified city in the south of France, divided into two by the river Aude. On one side of the river lies the huge Carcassonne castle, resembling something from a fairy tale. The old medieval town is surrounded by huge castle walls with watchtowers, spiers, ramparts, and drawbridges.
Despite the threatening exterior, there’s a calm atmosphere on the other side of the castle walls. Inside hides an enchanting and adventurous world. Stroll down the winding cobbled streets and enjoy the atmosphere of the cozy cafés.
The old medieval town has a long and dramatic history with legends and myths just waiting to be explored. Carcassonne has also been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997. There’s no doubt that Carcassonne Castle is one of the most magnificent and impressive castles in all of Europe!
14. Lyon
Lyon is located in the southeast of France and is the third-largest city in the country. It’s the gastronomic capital of France, and the city is world-famous for its extraordinary French gastro and fine restaurants. This is where many of the most famous French dishes come from.
It’s certainly not without reason that Lyon is one of the best places to stay in France. Lyon is also known for its historic architecture and lively cultural scene.
It’s an absolute must to visit Lyons’ more than 2,000-year-old town, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Lyon also offers great shopping, idyllic parks, cozy canals, and historical sites.
So, that’s all on this list of the very best places to stay in France. What is your favorite place to stay in France? What places do you dream of visiting in France? Feel free to leave a comment.
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