Walking along its riverside pathways, medieval cobblestone streets, and elegant tree-lined boulevards will show Paris' unique allure, which is full of history and romance. Even the most pessimistic world travelers are inspired by amazing cultural sights. Visitors are astounded by the Louvre Museum's incredible collection of treasures, and the Eiffel Tower offers views that are just spectacular.

Paris is full of hidden gems that let visitors experience the French "joie de vivre" in addition to renowned museums and revered churches. You can choose to take a break on a park bench in a square with fountains, delight in decadent desserts at luxury pastry stores, or enjoy street performers on a Seine River bridge. Tourists can engage in the conversation between locals and friends at charming bistros and sidewalk cafés in the city's attractive neighborhoods including Montmartre and the Latin Quarter. For a feel of real Parisian life, neighborhood shops and outdoor markets are also among the greatest spots to explore in the city. Fine dining outlets, designer shops, and ballet, opera, and classical music events at the lavish Palais Garnier opera theatre all offer a sense of Parisian elegance. The Grand Boulevards, which include the Avenue des Champs-Élysées, the Avenue Montaigne, and the Boulevard Haussmann, and the city's formal gardens are great ways to appreciate Paris' magnificence.

Nice offers the best of both worlds: Paris-caliber art collections as well as the warm climate and breathtaking French Riviera surroundings. Nice, a renowned beach resort town, has drawn tourists since the 1820s. The charming city is tucked away at the foot of the Maritime Alps on the Baie des Anges, a large bay with calm, blue seas.

The Promenade des Anglais, a renowned pedestrian walkway that follows the curves of the bay, and the Vieille Ville (Old Town), which includes Italian influences, are two of Nice's most charming features. Historic landmarks like the 17th-century Baroque cathedral may be found throughout this eerie maze of cobblestone alleys and alleyways. Numerous art museums and parks are among Nice's other top attractions. The natural beauty of Nice has attracted artists since the 1880s and throughout the 20th century. Many artists, including Henri Matisse, Marc Chagall, and Raoul Dufy, were influenced by the breathtaking beach environment. The Musée Matisse, the Musée National Marc Chagall, and the Musée des Beaux-Arts all have some of their paintings on exhibit.

Lyon, which is tucked away on the banks of two rivers, is home to many attractions but is most known for its food. The culinary capital of France is regarded as Lyon. Foodies from all over the world travel to this old city to sample the local food. In one of the city's many "bouchons", small brasserie/bistro restaurants that serve typical Lyonnais food, visitors can sample the local cuisine.

Lyon, one of the biggest cities in France, has a vibrant urban atmosphere. The Vieux Lyon (Old Town), which is listed by UNESCO, has kept much of its historical charm. Discovering enticing culinary boutiques and charming cafés while exploring the winding cobblestone alleys and covered lanes adds to the adventure. Lyon is frequently referred to as France's "second city" due to its significant commercial importance and rich cultural heritage. The Musée des Beaux Arts ranks only behind the Louvre in terms of outstanding fine art collections. The museum's walls are covered with an astounding variety of European paintings, including works by Delacroix, Rubens, and Véronèse, while other galleries feature Egyptian artifacts and old Roman coins.

Due to its extensive architectural treasures and rich cultural history, UNESCO has designated the entire historic center of Bordeaux as a World Heritage Site. With a magnificent cathedral with twin towers at its center, this attractive city is home to almost 300 classified monuments.

Bordeaux, a port city since the time of the ancient Romans, reached its peak during the 18th century's Age of Enlightenment. Urban planning blossomed at that time since there were so many Neoclassical structures, giving the city a unified appearance. The Place de la Bourse reveals the city's role as a commercial hub, and Le Grand-Théâtre (opera house) shows the influence of humanism. Opera, ballet, and music concerts are all performed all year long at Le Grand-Théâtre by the Opéra National de Bordeaux. One of the best things to do when in Bordeaux is to see a performance at Le Grand-Théâtre. With the exception of the summer season, visitors can tour the theater's auditorium any time during the day, not just during performance times. The free musical performances at the Place Pey-Berland and the summertime Bordeaux International Organ Festival, both of which are popular among culture lovers.

Travelers come to Marseilles to experience the lively energy and fascinating ambiance of this authentic, operating harbor. The oldest city in France and one steeped in history, Marseilles (sometimes written Marseille), has a 2,600-year-old history. Marseilles is the second-largest city in France by population.

Marseilles is a significant cruise port because of its expansive harbor and excellent position on the Mediterranean Sea. Aix-en-Provence, the classic Provençal town, and the fishing village of Cassis are some of the nearby picture-perfect Provence sites that are more popular with tourists than Marseilles (both are great day trips from Marseilles). The city's cosmopolitan atmosphere is most apparent along the coastline. Excellent seafood dishes are available at many restaurants in the Vieux Port (Old Port), including the regional specialty of bouillabaisse, which is cooked using materials from the neighborhood fish market. The Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, Marseille's most iconic landmark, is visible from the hilltop of the Vieux Port, which also offers breathtaking views of the sea. Le Panier (the Old Town), which includes a large number of Middle Eastern and Algerian restaurants along with outdoor cafés, trendy apparel stores, and artisan boutiques, is where you can find the city's multicultural character.

Strasbourg, with its gorgeous half-timbered houses and charming pedestrian walkways, perfectly captures the charm of an ancient Alsatian town. Strasbourg, the capital of Alsace, exhibits the captivating energy and charm of this unique region. Strasbourg, a metropolitan town with first-rate cultural attractions, is also the capital of Europe.

The Grande-Île neighborhood in Strasbourg's city center has been given the UNESCO World Heritage Site title. The picturesque ambiance of this medieval neighborhood, which is built on an island surrounded by the Ill River, attracts visitors. La Petite France, a labyrinth of meandering cobblestone streets, pedestrian alleyways, and canals crossed by footbridges, is the most attractive area of the Grande-Île. The quarter's pastel-painted homes from the 16th and 17th centuries look especially charming in the spring and summer when potted flowers are displayed on the windowsills. Other tourist highlights of Strasbourg include the Maison Kammerzell, a gem of Renaissance-era Alsatian architecture; the Romanesque Eglise de Saint-Thomas; and the Musée de l'Oeuvre Notre-Dame, a museum of medieval art.

Capital of the Hauts-de-France région, Lille may be France's most underrated metropolis. Recent decades have seen the country's fourth-largest city (by greater urban area) transform from an industrial center into a glittering cultural and commercial hub.

The historical capital of Flanders, this attractive city in northern France remains to be the most significant urban center in the French Flanders area. The city's architecture and hearty cuisine reflect the Flemish influence, which it shares with neighboring Belgium in terms of cultural heritage. The Grand Place (Place du Général de Gaulle), a popular gathering spot for locals and a breathtaking exhibition of Flemish Baroque architecture that stuns tourists, is one of Lille's main attractions. The Palais des Beaux-Arts de Lille, a museum of fine arts situated in a stunning 19th-century structure, is another must-see. The Musée du Louvre-Lens is worth the 40-minute train travel from Lille. Rotating exhibits of artwork on loan from the Louvre Museum in Paris are on show in this ultra-modern exhibition space.

The culture of southern France is best expressed by Aix-en-Provence. This captivating town offers visitors a chance to enjoy the sunny lifestyle of Provence through its vibrant open-air markets and joyful sidewalk cafés. The Old Town (Vieil Aix) has charming cobblestone streets, where tourists enjoy strolling and stopping to look at fountains in peaceful squares.

The wide, tree-lined Cours Mirabeau, the most vibrant avenue in the city, welcomes guests to enjoy a leisurely stroll and then unwind at one of the restaurants or outdoor cafés. The museums and cultural attractions in Aix-en-Provence are popular with art enthusiasts. The Musée Granet and the Musée des Tapisseries both have notable art collections. Paintings from the 14th century to the current day are on show in the Musée Granet, which has an excellent collection of fine art. Paul Cézanne's painting studio, the Atelier de Cézanne, and the park where he painted en plein air, the Terrain des Peintres, are both accessible to those interested in his work (in the open air). A self-guided walking tour of the locations Cézanne frequented is also available.

In the Normandy region, Rouen is a beautiful medieval city known for its magnificent Gothic churches and charming half-timbered houses. With its soaring Gothic cathedral, beautifully restored medieval quarter, imposing ancient churches, excellent museums and vibrant cultural life, Rouen is one of Normandy’s most engaging and historically rich destinations.

Around the majestic Cathédrale Notre-Dame, one of the city's greatest attractions, are a number of meandering ancient alleyways. The towering twin towers and elaborately sculpted facade of this remarkable building from the 13th century were captured by Claude Monet in a well-known series of paintings. Another reason for the town's fame is its connection to Joan of Arc. Visitors can visit the exact location of the Maid of Orléans' execution (Place du Vieux Marché) as well as the courtroom where she was tried (in the dungeon of the Tour Jeanne d'Arc, a 13th-century tower). The site of Joan of Arc's execution is now marked by the Eglise Jeanne d'Arc, a modern church built as a tribute to France's well-known saint.

Amiens has all the hallmarks of a cultured French city: a magnificent Gothic cathedral, bustling cafés, fascinating museums, as well as a few surprising attractions. The largest Gothic cathedral in France and a UNESCO World Heritage Site is the Cathédrale Notre-Dame.

However, there is much more to discover outside of the cathedral. The Musée de Picardie in Amiens, one of France's top museums of fine arts, houses masterpieces of painting and sculpture in a magnificent Second Empire structure. The trendy district of Quartier Saint-Leu, a medieval quarter with a lot of restaurants, cafés, art galleries, and shops, should also be explored by visitors. Amiens is home to numerous interesting tourist sites, including the Maison de Jules Verne, a museum dedicated to the author, and the Cirque Jules Verne, a location for circus performances and a circus school. Les Hortillonnages, a 300-acre site with islands and canals covered in swamps and marshland gardens, is a very interesting location. Hortons, or gardeners, grow fruits and vegetables in these "floating gardens" and market their harvest at the weekly "Water Market" that takes place in the Quartier Saint-Leu on Saturday mornings.