France’s 10 most historic cities
Each of these 10 most historic cities in France is ripe for exploration.
France is filled with fascinating places for history lovers to visit. Discover stories from the past etched into the architecture, or simply wander where thousands have wandered before you as you explore any of these marvellous historic cities.
Why France is the perfect destination for history fans
From fairytale castles to Gothic cathedrals, medieval marvels to Alpine jewels, France is steeped in history. Whichever period you are interested in – from the Hundred Years War to the French Revolution, there are towns and cities in every region where the past comes alive. Places like Carcassonne and Rouen are living museums, with castles, cathedrals, palaces and churches that lovers of art, architecture and history will adore. Too many to condense into one road trip, you’ll be coming back time and time again!
Historic French cities at a glance
| city | driving time from calais | highlights |
|---|---|---|
| Marseille | 10 hours 15 mins | Old Port, Notre-Dame de la Garde |
| Paris | 3 hours 30 mins | Gothic & Baroque beauty |
| Albi | 9 hours 45 mins | St. Cecelia’s cathedral |
| Avignon | 9 hours 30 mins | Palais de Papes |
| Bordeaux | 8 hours | Grand Theatre, riverside |
| Besançon | 6 hours 30 mins | Astronomical Clock |
| Carcassonne | 10 hours 20 mins | Spectacular medieval walls |
| Annecy | 8 hours | Lake Annecy, Palais de l'Île |
| Dijon | 5 hours 30 mins | Ducal palace, Owl’s trail |
| Rouen | 2 hours 15 mins | Gros Horloge |
The best French cities for history lovers
Marseille - one of France’s oldest cities
Dating back to the ancient Greeks, Marseille is the perfect place in southern France to soak up history as well as glorious Mediterranean sunshine. The port alone is a beautiful reminder of the history steeped city, but there’s plenty more to see and do here including the impressive Marseille Museum of Contemporary Art and natural phenomenon Calanques.
Paris - a wealth of historic sites
Paris has attracted visitors for centuries and you can explore its rich historical past, somehow seeing something new every time you visit. The birthplace of Gothic architecture and the European capital of fashion, Paris has also seen revolutions and been the epicentre for huge cultural shifts like the Enlightenment. A delve into its past is always well-rewarded.
Albi - a small city with a fabulous heritage
Albi is a medieval city tucked away into the south of France on the banks of the River Tarn. The site of numerous crusades, Albi has a history rooted in the religious conflicts of the Middle Ages. Its must-sees include St. Cecelia’s cathedral, a Gothic masterpiece, the bishop’s palace, and the magnificent Toulouse Lautrec Museum. Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec was the great post-impressionist iconographer of Parisian life in the late 19th century and the museum hosts the largest collection of his work.
Avignon - UNESCO world heritage city
Home of the Festival d’Avignon and one of France’s most musical cities, Avignon was also once the centre of the Roman Catholic world when the pope lived here in the early 14th century. That’s why the Palais de Papes is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Set on the banks of the Rhône and surrounded by medieval stone ramparts, Avignon is one of Provence’s biggest cities, but has a charming small-town feel. Be sure to visit the famous bridge to nowhere, The Pont St-Bénezet, built originally in the 11th century from wood, which (now in stone) only goes halfway over the river.
Bordeaux - one of France’s great historic port cities
You’ve no doubt heard of Bordeaux because of its powerhouse status in French wine culture, but it also has a long history having been founded in 300 BC and one of the most important ports for sugar cane and other goods from the 6th century. Today you’ll see over 5,000 buildings from the city’s golden age, the 16th to 18th century, when Bordeaux became an opulent celebration of grand architecture and luxurious outdoor space.
Besançon - the jewel of eastern France
In Eastern France, close to the Jura Mountains and the border with Switzerland, lies Besançon, capital of the historic and cultural region of Franche-Comté. It’s 17th-century citadel is a listed UNESCO World Heritage site and it is one of France's 'Towns of Art and History'.
The city is also known for its watchmaking, which began after the French Revolution when the government no longer wanted to rely on England and Switzerland for imports. Make sure you see L’horloge Astronomique (the Astronomical Clock), built in the late 1850s by Auguste-Lucien Vérité. It’s made up of 30,000 pieces telling you not just the time, but the date, season, zodiac sign and information about solar eclipses and phases of the moon.
Carcassonne - a medieval walled city
A hilltop wonder, Carcassonne sits alongside the Aude River surrounded by walls that were once its defensive battlements. A trip to the Château et Remparts allows you to walk along these walls plus learn about the 2,500 years of history here. You should also plan time in the Basilica of Saint-Nazaire which has some of the most beautiful stained-glass windows that come alive in the sunlight.
Annecy - charming city with a medieval château
If you’re a fan of fairytale castles, your next holiday destination has to be Annecy. The castle Château d’Annecy was the residence of the counts of Geneva during the 13th and 14th centuries and is filled with art and vintage furnishings. Annecy’s old town, Vieille Ville, is an elegant sprawl of cobbled streets, canals, and pastel-coloured houses that play host to markets and antique fairs throughout the year. This city has a long history linked to its strategic position on the route between Geneva and Italy at the northern tip of Lake Annecy. Originally a Roman site in the 1st century AD, Annecy developed the nickname ‘Rome of the Alps’ only becoming a French city in 1860.
Dijon - capital of the historical Burgundy region
If you are heading to Burgundy, Dijon is an intriguing place, filled with stories from the past. The university alone was founded in 1722, but you’ll also find a 14th century cathedral and the magnificent tombs of Philip the Bold (1342–1404) and John the Fearless (1371–1419), both (brilliantly named) dukes of Burgundy. Many of the streets here will make you feel like you’ve stepped back into the past, but our favourite is Rue de la Chouette, a short medieval treasure trove that takes its name from the little owl stone carving on one of the pillars of the church of Notre Dame. The owl is said to bring good luck if you rub it with your left hand.
Rouen - the important Roman city
Regional capital of Normandy, Rouen is filled with galleries and museums that hold artefacts from across the centuries, including works from art heavyweights Monet and Caravaggio. You can also see the site where Joan of Arc met her fiery demise and check the time by the medieval astronomical clocks on Rue du Gros Horloge.
More medieval towns & historic cities in France
There are many more historic places to explore in France, from medieval walled towns to island fortresses.
- Colmar – storybook cobbled town in the Alsace
- Strasbourg – cosmopolitan UNESCO world heritage site
- Provins – remarkably well preserved medieval town
- Mont Saint-Michel – island commune that inspired The Lord of the Rings
- Angers – a feast of Plantagenet history
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