Europe Travel Destinations | Cities & Places to Visit

Caen

A rebuilt Norman capital where a medieval castle and twin abbeys sit alongside a landmark WWII museum and the gateway to the D-Day beaches.

Mulhouse

A former independent city-state on the France-Switzerland-Germany border, now known for its dense cluster of world-class museums and street art.

Nancy

A golden 18th-century square, France's Art Nouveau capital, and the historic seat of the Dukes of Lorraine, all within an easy walk.

Poitiers

A compact university city in western France known for Romanesque architecture, cobbled old-town streets, and the futuristic Futuroscope theme park close by.

Versailles

A grand former royal town just outside Paris, home to the Palace of Versailles, its formal gardens, and the fountain shows that still draw crowds today.

Pau

A royal Béarn city on a ridge above the Pyrenees, known for its castle, mountain-view boulevard, and gateway position to the mountains and Basque coast.

Antibes

A ramparted old town, superyacht harbor, and pine-fringed cape make Antibes a laid-back highlight of the French Riviera.

Bourges

A UNESCO cathedral city in the heart of France, Bourges pairs medieval streets with an under-the-radar, uncrowded charm.

Quimper

Brittany's Breton-speaking heart, Quimper blends a Gothic cathedral, painted faience pottery, and riverside old-town charm.

Troyes

A cork-shaped medieval old town of timber-framed houses, Troyes is an underrated gateway to the Champagne region.

Chambéry

The historic capital of Savoy, Chambéry pairs a ducal castle and arcaded old town with easy access to lakes and the Alps.

Fréjus

A rare Roman legacy meets sandy family beaches in Fréjus, a relaxed, less-glamorous stretch of the French Riviera.

Narbonne

Once capital of Roman Gaul, Narbonne pairs ancient ruins and a canal-lined old town with easy access to Languedoc's coast and vineyards.

Hyères

The oldest resort on the French Riviera, Hyères pairs a medieval hilltop old town with gateway access to the Îles d'Hyères.

Vannes

A 2,000-year-old walled port on the Gulf of Morbihan, where half-timbered lanes meet island-hopping and fresh Breton seafood.

Bayonne

A river-split Basque city of half-timbered houses, chocolate makers, and one of France's biggest street festivals.

Arles

A UNESCO-listed Roman city on the Rhône where Van Gogh once painted, and the gateway to the wild Camargue delta.

Cergy-Pontoise

A planned "new town" on the Oise River pairing a medieval market town with bold modern art, parks, and Paris on the doorstep.

Saint-Malo

A fortified Breton harbor town where centuries-old sea walls, Europe's biggest tides, and Channel ferry links meet.

Ajaccio

Corsica's laid-back capital, where Napoleon's birthplace, a walled old town, and gulf beaches all sit within easy walking distance.