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France is always a good idea
I speak French, I love French culture, language and literature and I lived in France for a while. Wherever you go in France you will have an amazing experience no matter if you like sightseeing, food or just having a great time with friends. Here is my selection of 5 French cities to visit outside of Paris as France is always a good idea for a city escape. I am sure anyone and everyone will enjoy these 5 French cities to visit outside of Paris no matter the purpose of the trip.
5 French cities to visit outside of Paris
La City en Rose – Toulouse
First on my list of 5 French cities to visit outside of Paris is la city en rose – Toulouse. I lived in Toulouse for one year, and, I have to admit it was one of the greatest times of my life. I was in an amazing place and I met great people there…Toulouse has a lot to offer in terms of tourist attractions like museums, Airbus headquarters and Cité de l’Espace. Its closeness to the Pyrenees is a great benefit for hiking lovers. Mediterranean Sea is nearby as well as the Medieval town of Carcassonne. But the highlight of Toulouse for me was watching at the sunset over the rose stones of which the buildings in the city are made. The sunset over Toulouse is worth watching hundreds of thousands of times. Highly recommend you to visit my love – Toulouse, because la vie est en rose out there!
Bordeaux – the city of la Bourgeoisie
I also spent some time in Bordeaux as a student, but this time my experience of the city was totally different. Bordeaux is the city of wine and bourgeois. If you want to feel and see how the bourgeois live – Bordeaux is the place. The city is very beautiful, you can enjoy good food and good wine there and if you have enough time, you can visit Arcachon – a seaside resort on the Atlantic ocean. The Dune of Pilat – one of the deserts in Europe is nearby Arcachon too. Unfortunately I couldn’t make it to the Dune of Pilat as I was not prepared to visit it, but if you have time, go for it!
Tasting la quiche lorraine in Strasbourg
The only time in my life I enjoyed gastronomic tourism was when I went for business in Strasbourg. Oh, yes! We were having dinner every evening in the best restaurants in town. Not only quiche lorraine but also many other French specialities and deserts and wine of course. Strasbourg is famous for the Christmas market like the one happening there is considered being one of the best in Europe. But, I would recommend you to go there and to eat quiche lorraine over the canals of Little Venice as the locals call the quarter.
Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis (”Welcome to the Sticks”) in Lille
Next stop on my list of 5 French cities to visit outside of Paris is Lille. I always wanted to visit Lille because of the movie ”Bienvenue chez les Ch’tis (”Welcome to the Sticks”). The best of Lille for me however was the lunch we had at Bistro Omnia. Bistro Omnia is a former cinema with amazing interior and cuisine. Yes, France is always a good idea and is for foodies lovers. The city centre is lovely, a big Christmas market also takes place there in December and you can also practice your French ):
Bohemian Marseille
The last city I would like to recommend you to put in your list of 5 French cities to visit outside of Paris is Marseille. The city has a very bad reputation and is overrated, but I just loved it! I spent three days there, but I regret not to have spent more. The Calanques in Cassis Natural Park is just gorgeous and you can sunbathe even in October. There are sooo many things to see there – cathedrals, The Château d’If and you can also learn how to make Savon de Marseille. Great city escape, don’t miss it out!
Est-ce que vous êtes prêts pour partir en France ? France is always a good idea and 5 French cities to visit outside of Paris vous attnedent!
Thank for reading!