Dijon is a central geographical place allowing you to reach a lot of places in Europe. The following section will give you a few keys to cities you should see in Europe, but more importantly beautiful cities in France that not everyone knows about but that everyone should see. Indeed France is a beautiful country, as rich as it is diverse in its landscapes, history and culture. We hope this will give you a little traveling inspiration!

I refer you to the page on traveling options to reach the biggest touristic cities in Europe: London, Amsterdam, Berlin, Prague, Geneva, Paris and more, that need no introduction.

Auvers sur Oise – City of the impressionists

 

Visit : Tomb of Van Gogh, L’auberge Ravoux, the Church, walk around town to see Van Gogh’s, Pissaro’s and Cezanne’s paintings. Walk from Auvers in direction to Pontoise to admire impressionists sceneries.

Visit also : Marly-le-Roi, Noisy-le-Roi, Chatou, Le Peqc, Le Port-Marly, Bougival, Louveciennes, Carrières-sur-Seine. For more circuits around the impressionists.

 

 

For more info : http://www.museonature.com/fr/villes-impressionnistes/fr-villes-impressionnistes.php

 

Reims – Capital of Champagne, city of the crowning of the French Monarchy

 

 

Visit : the historical center with the Cathedral, Saint Remi Basilica,

Gallo-roman antiquities, and Forts around the city.

Tastings and visit of the Grandes Maisons de Champagne.

 

 

 

 

Strasbourg – Fought over by France and Germany for centuries, now heart of the European institutions

 

 

 

Visit : The Grande Île with the Cathedral, the medieval bridge Covered Bridges, the Maison des Tanneurs, European institutions, Christmas Market.

 

 

 

 

Annecy – A taste of peace between the Alps and lake

 

Visit : Palais de l’île, Annecy Castle, Lovers’ Bridge, Old Town, Saint François de Sales Church, European Gardens, the Thiou, International Animation Film Festival in June, Noctibules in July, Lake Festival first weekend of August, Venetian Carnaval end of February – beginning of March, and more.

Lyon – unofficial foody capital with strong ties to the Cinema

 

Visit : Fête des Lumières in December, Vieux Lyon, Fourvière and its view over the whole city, Roman Theaters, Parc de la Tête d’Or Botanical Garden, Musée des Beaux-Arts, Musée Confluence, Musée Lumières, Bouchon Lyonnais Restaurants, Pente de la Croix Rousse: old silk quarter, Bellecour’s architecture on the peninsula between the Rhône and Saone rivers and party on houseboats at night.

 

 

 

Avignon – Papal city of the 14 ^th century, UNESCO World Heritage Site

 

 

 

 

Visit : Palais des Papes, the Cathedral, the Pont d’Avignon, the Abbey of Saint Ruf, the Pont Saint Bénézet, the theater Festival d’Avignon.

 

 

 

 

Aix en Provence – City of a Thousand Fountains , emblem of Provence

 

 

 

Visit : fountains, visit the Cathedral’s cloisters, the city hall (Hôtel de Ville), Palace des Comtes de Provence, Cours Mirabeau with its plane-tress, enjoy the feel of the south: warmth and colors, slow pace and more.

 

 

 

 

Marseille – Mediterranean Harbor City

Visit : La Canebière, St. Laurent Church, the Vieux Port, Ile d’If Fort, Museum of European and Mediterranean Civilizations, la Vieille Charité, The Abbey of St. Victor and the Basilica of Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde , Cart. Taste the Bouillabaisse.

From Marseille visit the famous French Riviera along the sea to Nice.

 

Carcassone – The Fortified City

 

 

 

Visit : the fortified city in itself, the Cathedral, the Church Saint Vincent, the Basilica, the Wall, the Pont Marengo, the Lac Cavayère.

 

 

 

 

Toulouse – the Pink City , center of the Midi

 

Visit : Canal du midi UNESCO World Heritage Site, Place du Capitol, Saint Sernin Basilica, Jacobins Church and Cloisters, Aerospace Museum. Taste the Cassoulet.

 

Bordeaux – the Pearl of Aquitaine or Sleeping Beauty

 

 

Visit : the old Harbor, the historical center UNESCO World Heritage Site,

Vinexpo a Wine Festival, Grand Theater, Esplanade des Quinconces,

Stone Bridge, Church of the Holy Cross, Place de la Bourse,

Museum of Fine Arts, and so much more.

 

 

La Rochelle – The Oceanic Door , Bridge to the Île de Ré

 

 

 

Visit : the Old Harbor, boat trip to the Aix Island home of the famous Fort Boyard, the Aquarium, the Green Venice and its row boating, the Ré Island, enjoy the freshest sea food and discover salt harvesting.

 

 

 

Chateaux de la Loire – Emblems of French Renaissance History

 

 

Each castle is a unique piece among the richest ensemble of castles exhibiting the incredible wealth of the most powerful families in French Renaissance History. Visit the page to find out more: http://www.vacancesvuesdublog.fr/top-10/les-plus-beaux-chateaux-de-la-loire/

 

 

 

 

 

Cliffs of Etretat – Inspiration to Maupassant, Monet, Manet, Courbet and more

 

Lille – Capital of Flanders

 

Visit : the old city center, the Cathedral, go to the Grande Place, visit the Citadelle de Lille, and botanical gardens, the Place of oignons, the Hospice Comtesse, the Place du Général de Gaulle, the Villa Cavrois, the Lille art gallery , reputed to be the second best in France after the Louvre, and the Piscine museum, in the suburb of Roubaix.

 

 

 

 

Bruges – Venice of the North, UNESCO World Heritage Site

 

 

Visit : the medieval city center, the Church of Our Lady for the Madonna and Child Sculpture, The Provincial Court, climb the stairs of the 13 ^th century Belfry Tower for a view of the city, take a free Legends of Bruges Guided Tour, walk along the preserved Old City Gateways, take a Bike Tour along the canal, and of course try beer, chocolate, fries and waffles!

 

 

For more info on what you might want to visit http://www.petitfute.com/ or http://www.routard.com/ sites on tourism and the best places to visit, eat, sleep etc. in the world.