These Are The 7 Must See Cities, Towns And Villages In France

By Gemma Tedaldi | Published: 18th July 2020 | Updated: 13th December 2024

France. The land of love, wonderful patisseries and excellent wine. When planning a trip there it can be somewhat daunting trying to decide where to go, other than the capital Paris.

Having visited France numerous times, we have come up with a few other well-known and not-so-well-known options for you. There are many more beautiful places you must see in France, but here are our must-see cities, towns and villages of France that you really should visit;

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Must see cities, towns and villages in France

1. Troyes

First one and we are off with a bang, (literally), to the historic capital of Champagne Troyes. This old medieval town with its maze of narrow cobbled streets lined with colourful timber-framed houses is a must-visit if you are in the Grand Est region of northeastern France, or even from Paris, (it’s only 1.5 hours by train).

The historic buildings lean into one another creating hidden passages and romantic alleyways such as La Ruelle des Chats, an alleyway so narrow that cats could pass from one house to the other easily. Not only is the old city centre of Troyes filled to the brim with beautiful buildings, but it is even shaped like a champagne cork. And what better way to spend the day than going from cafe to cafe, watching the world go by, with a glass of the local bubbly in hand!

The town is also home to several Gothic churches including Troyes Cathedral, the Église Sainte-Madeleine and the Basilique Saint-Urbain. We visited Troyes Cathedral, dedicated to Saint Pierre and Saint Paul, whilst there and the stained-glass windows inside just flooded the place with a striking network of colour and patterns. Inside and out it is stunning.

Not far from the cathedral, or the town centre, is Le Coeur de Troyes or The Heart of Troyes. A heart-shaped sculpture surrounded by fountains along the riverside in the more modern part of Troyes town. This beautiful sculpture is not to be missed, the surrounding area is great to wander through, and it is even lit with red lights at night making it even more like the true heart of Troyes.

2. Colmar

Delicious local wine, cycle paths through vineyards and rooftop nesting storks. Where else other than the Alsace region of France and more specifically Colmar. Quite possibly one of the quaintest, most historic, colourful towns we have visited in Europe, Colmar is filled to the brim with personality.

Best explored on foot or by bike, the cobblestone streets and colourful half-timbered buildings are a delight to discover. With a discovery trail to follow around the town, you can be sure not to miss any of the main sights, or some of the less well-known ones too.

Think La Petite Venice and Quai de la Poissonnerie with the most beautiful buildings in all of Colmar, (possibly the Alsace…) set along the canals, Place de l’Ancienne-Douane with its wonderful fountain in front of the Koifhus, and Parc du Champ de Mars, with an incredible sculptural fountain and a creperie to die for.

3. Fontainebleau

Home to a glorious French château and a rather wonderful bouldering forest, Fontainebleau has something for everyone. The main town of Fontainebleau, southeast of Paris, is known for its beautiful château, surrounding ornamental lakes, gardens, and grand canal. The Château de Fontainebleau is one of the largest French royal châteaux.

This incredible castle used to be a residence for the French monarchs but is now a museum and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has extensive landscaped grounds with views down to a grand canal through a wooded landscape, as well as a large boating lake now saved for the local ducks and swans.

Talking of landscapes… The Forêt de Fontainebleau, which is a French National Park that surrounds the town, is also a popular tourist attraction specifically for its bouldering and is the biggest developed area of that kind in the world.  When we visited we stayed at a stunning campsite in Montigny-sur-Loing, walking into the village for fresh bread and croissants every morning… Bliss!

Planning your own trip to France? Be sure to download Wise by far the best currency conversion app around. We use it daily living on the border of two countries and it is a game changer when travelling!

4. Saint-Malo

This wonderful little port city in Brittany, northwest France is somewhere that feels like you’ve stepped back in time. With tall granite walls that surround the town and views out over the bay of Mont Saint-Michel, Saint-Malo is a gem you can’t miss.

Be sure to stop by the Saint-Malo Cathedral and visit intra murso ‘inside the walls’, the most popular area of Saint-Malo with restored buildings, housing quaint shops, and homely restaurants. Also, try La Mère Poulard Sables, you won’t regret it!

5. Equisheim

Another must-see of the villages in France is Eguisheim in Eastern France along the Alsace Wine Route. More cobbled streets, wine bars, and vineyards await but with a medieval twist… Eguisheim is a village made of circles!

Narrow concentric streets make up its old part, with colour aplenty and a beautiful central square, (well it’s more of a circle), where the locals gather for wine-tasting festivals and to visit the ancient castle at the centre of the village Chateaux de Saint-Leon-Pfalz. After trying out the local wine, quiche Lorraine and bretzels you can make your way out of the village through the vineyards along the wine trail, where you can catch a glimpse of the famous Three Castles of Eguisheim ruins.

6. Josselin

Situated in north-west France, is Josselin a commune in Brittany. With the most beautiful fairytale-like medieval castle you have ever seen situated alongside the pretty flower-lined Canal de Nantes a Brest you are sure to fall in love with the magical essence of this place. There are also amazing forest walks and a historic old town that transports you back in time. The perfect place to stop by if you are ever in the Brittany region.

7. Paris

The world-famous capital, home to fashion, food, and historical sights, of course, cannot be missed off this list, precisely why it makes it onto our 7 must-see cities, towns and villages in France. With museums and art galleries galore, boulangeries and patisseries on every corner, and historic sights such as the Sacre Coeur, Arc de Triomphe, and of course the Eiffel Tower dominating the skyline why wouldn’t you want to visit Paris? So, take in the views, roam the streets, and experience the incredible City of Light.

Must see cities, towns and villages in France FAQs

Where is the most beautiful village in France?

One of the most beautiful villages in France is Rochefort-en-Terre in Brittany. The whole village is brimming with geranium-filled window boxes and historic wooden painted buildings. If you are after a whole area filled with beautiful villages though, then that is definitely the Alsace region.

What is the most beautiful small town in France?

The most beautiful small town in France has to be Colmar, with its quaint waterways, storks nesting on the roof tops and historic cobbled streets.

Tours in France

When in France, taking a tour is a great way to see more of the city, town, or village you are in. Check out these from Get Your Guide for some inspiration on your next France trip:

Conclusion: Must see cities, towns and villages in France

There is our list of must-see cities, towns and villages in France that you simply must stop by. We’re sure to be adding to this list over the numerous trips we have planned for France so let us know where you would add and maybe we will see you there!

All Our France Content

Here are a few other articles you may find useful for planning your trip:

📍 The Perfect 3 Days In Paris Itinerary

📍 5 Places To Visit In Brittany

📍 2 week road trip in France itinerary

📍 3 days in the Alsace – Wine Route Itinerary

📍 Is Montmartre Worth Visiting? A Montmartre Guide

Gemma Tedaldi

Gemma is the owner and author of The Travelling Tedaldi, a travel blog helping travellers to discover the best road trips and travel itineraries throughout the UK and Europe. When she isn’t writing about her favourite travel destinations, she can often be found out exploring local hikes or planning future trips.