France Destinations Guide: Cities Directory
France isn't just Paris. It is filled with wonderful cities, large and small, each with its own character. Find out details about French cities.
Albi, France
The pretty village of Albi France, with its old building facades and its quaint old town, is probably best known for an ugly chapter in its history. This was the first city to provide refuse to the Cathars, and is the origin of a later name that was bestowed on the religious sect, the Albigensians. On a lighter note, this is the birthplace of the famous artist, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. A visit to the cityÂ’s museum of the artistÂ’s work is time well-spent.
The pretty village of Albi France, with its old building facades and its quaint old town, is probably best known for an ugly chapter in its history. This was the first city to provide refuse to the Cathars, and is the origin of a later name that was bestowed on the religious sect, the Albigensians. On a lighter note, this is the birthplace of the famous artist, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec. A visit to the cityÂ’s museum of the artistÂ’s work is time well-spent.
Avignon: Former Home of the Papacy
Few people realize that the pope's palace was relocated to France during the Middle Ages. In lovely Avignon, visitor's can still visit the former seat of the papacy in this lovely, thriving southern city.
Few people realize that the pope's palace was relocated to France during the Middle Ages. In lovely Avignon, visitor's can still visit the former seat of the papacy in this lovely, thriving southern city.
Bordeaux, France Neighborhoods
Nestled in the heart of Bordeaux lies the aptly-named Saint Pierre historical quarter. While the area was originally constituted of marshes and tall grasses, in the XIIth century the harbor was dried and filled. Find out more about the Saint Pierre Quarter in Bordeaux, France.
Nestled in the heart of Bordeaux lies the aptly-named Saint Pierre historical quarter. While the area was originally constituted of marshes and tall grasses, in the XIIth century the harbor was dried and filled. Find out more about the Saint Pierre Quarter in Bordeaux, France.
Bordeaux: a Shopping and Wine Mecca
Bordeaux goes relatively unnoticed by tourists, but they are missing out on a thriving city filled with shops, amazing historic attractions and nestled in the heart of wine country. The city boasts vinotherapie (wine therapy) spas. It has a large and charming pedestrian zone. Find out more about visiting luscious and lovely Bordeaux.
Bordeaux goes relatively unnoticed by tourists, but they are missing out on a thriving city filled with shops, amazing historic attractions and nestled in the heart of wine country. The city boasts vinotherapie (wine therapy) spas. It has a large and charming pedestrian zone. Find out more about visiting luscious and lovely Bordeaux.
Evian-les-Bains - Destination with a Spa Flair on the French-Swiss Border
A trip report on Evian-les-Bains, a lovely mountain city on the French-Swiss border. It is best known for its spring waters, establishing this as a prime spa resort destination. There is also a casino and a lovely downtown here.
A trip report on Evian-les-Bains, a lovely mountain city on the French-Swiss border. It is best known for its spring waters, establishing this as a prime spa resort destination. There is also a casino and a lovely downtown here.
Foix, France
Foix, France is a small city with a big personality. Surrounded by mountains and sliced with rivers, this is a true gateway to the Pyrenees. Situated about 30 miles from Toulouse or 40 miles from Andorra, it is also quite central.
Foix, France is a small city with a big personality. Surrounded by mountains and sliced with rivers, this is a true gateway to the Pyrenees. Situated about 30 miles from Toulouse or 40 miles from Andorra, it is also quite central.
Limoux: Home of Blanquette, the Real First Sparkling Wine
Most of the world credits the invention of sparkling wine to the Champagne region, and to Dom Perignon. The legend, and possible real story, is far more interesting. According to Limoux natives, it was really invented there when Blanquette was created. When the great dom passed through, he stole the idea, they allege. No matter who is right, Limoux is a lovely small town with a big heart in the Languedoc. It is home to one of Europe's most popular Carnavals.
Most of the world credits the invention of sparkling wine to the Champagne region, and to Dom Perignon. The legend, and possible real story, is far more interesting. According to Limoux natives, it was really invented there when Blanquette was created. When the great dom passed through, he stole the idea, they allege. No matter who is right, Limoux is a lovely small town with a big heart in the Languedoc. It is home to one of Europe's most popular Carnavals.
Lourdes Travel Guide - Famous Virgin Mary Sightings Attract Millions of Pilgrims
Lourdes is the second most popular tourism city in all of France, attracting pilgrims from throughout the globe to the cave where a peasant girl had several visions of the Virgin Mary. Today, this is a bustling Pyrenees village that is central to several other great cities and attractions. Lourdes is second only to Paris in the number of hotel rooms available. Before you go, here is a guide to surviving a spiritual voyage to Lourdes, France.
Lourdes is the second most popular tourism city in all of France, attracting pilgrims from throughout the globe to the cave where a peasant girl had several visions of the Virgin Mary. Today, this is a bustling Pyrenees village that is central to several other great cities and attractions. Lourdes is second only to Paris in the number of hotel rooms available. Before you go, here is a guide to surviving a spiritual voyage to Lourdes, France.
Mende, France and the Lozere
Mende, in the rural and mountainous Lozere, is a small city of about 12,000 people. This is a wonderful destination for anyone who wants to be in a town, but in the midst of nature at its finest, unique wildlife and outdoor activities like hang gliding, mountain climbing and canoeing.
Mende, in the rural and mountainous Lozere, is a small city of about 12,000 people. This is a wonderful destination for anyone who wants to be in a town, but in the midst of nature at its finest, unique wildlife and outdoor activities like hang gliding, mountain climbing and canoeing.
Montpellier, France
Montpellier, France is a bustling and vibrant city in the South of France often overshadowed by neighboring cities in Provence,but it is well worthy of a visit. The city is beautiful, filled with architecture and rich in history. It's lined with boutiques and sidewalk cafes, and dotted with magnificent squares. Here is a guide to the city of Montpellier, France.
Montpellier, France is a bustling and vibrant city in the South of France often overshadowed by neighboring cities in Provence,but it is well worthy of a visit. The city is beautiful, filled with architecture and rich in history. It's lined with boutiques and sidewalk cafes, and dotted with magnificent squares. Here is a guide to the city of Montpellier, France.
Narbonne, France
Narbonne, France is a charming small city in the Languedoc, featuring wonderful historic attractions as well as a relaxing beach along the Mediterranean.
Narbonne, France is a charming small city in the Languedoc, featuring wonderful historic attractions as well as a relaxing beach along the Mediterranean.
Pau, France
What Pau, France lacks in personality it makes up for with location. While the city is a bit drab, its surroundings are not. Much like nearby Tarbes in the Midi-Pyrenees, the city itself doesn’t have too much to offer and is a little dreary in spots. Its best features are some of its historic attractions such as the history-rich and impressive Chateau de Pau. But it is a short hour drive to the sea and the Spanish border. It is right at the doorstep of the mountains.
What Pau, France lacks in personality it makes up for with location. While the city is a bit drab, its surroundings are not. Much like nearby Tarbes in the Midi-Pyrenees, the city itself doesn’t have too much to offer and is a little dreary in spots. Its best features are some of its historic attractions such as the history-rich and impressive Chateau de Pau. But it is a short hour drive to the sea and the Spanish border. It is right at the doorstep of the mountains.
St-Jean-de-Luz, France
Easily the most attractive city in the Basque Country, from its cozy beach to its alluring downtown, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a jewel in the Basque Country. Find out about the pretty and charming beach city of St. Jean de Luz.
Easily the most attractive city in the Basque Country, from its cozy beach to its alluring downtown, Saint-Jean-de-Luz is a jewel in the Basque Country. Find out about the pretty and charming beach city of St. Jean de Luz.
St. Paul de Vence - Before You Go
Saint Paul de Vence is a charming hilltop fortified village in Provence, filled with art galleries, boutiques and sidewalk cafes. It's hard to find something ugly about this quaint village. A walk through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and statues tucked into nooks in the walls.
Saint Paul de Vence is a charming hilltop fortified village in Provence, filled with art galleries, boutiques and sidewalk cafes. It's hard to find something ugly about this quaint village. A walk through its winding streets reveals elegant fountains, vine-covered stone walls and statues tucked into nooks in the walls.
Toulouse Travel Guide & City Guide: Visit a Historic, Lively, Centrally-Located French City
Steeped in history, yet hip and lively, the enchanting Toulouse is one of France's most beautiful cities. The food here and in the rest of the Midi Pyrenees region could be among France's most memorable. The shopping options are vast. Some of France's best cities and attractions are mere minutes or a couple hours from Toulouse, blessed with a wonderful central location. Here is a travel guide and city guide to splendid Toulouse.
Steeped in history, yet hip and lively, the enchanting Toulouse is one of France's most beautiful cities. The food here and in the rest of the Midi Pyrenees region could be among France's most memorable. The shopping options are vast. Some of France's best cities and attractions are mere minutes or a couple hours from Toulouse, blessed with a wonderful central location. Here is a travel guide and city guide to splendid Toulouse.