1. Paris – 2,140,000
Capital city known for its art, fashion, and iconic landmarks.
2. Marseille – 870,000
Major port city on the Mediterranean coast with a diverse culture.
3. Lyon – 530,000
Famous for its cuisine, historical architecture, and silk industry.
4. Toulouse – 500,000
Center of the aerospace industry and pink-hued architecture.
5. Nice – 340,000
Resort city on the French Riviera known for its beaches and old town.
6. Nantes – 310,000
Historic port city with a vibrant cultural scene.
7. Montpellier – 300,000
Youthful city known for its universities and medieval streets.
8. Strasbourg – 290,000
Home to the European Parliament and a picturesque old town.
9. Bordeaux – 260,000
Renowned for its wine industry and classical architecture.
10. Lille – 235,000
Cultural hub near Belgium known for its Flemish roots.
11. Rennes – 220,000
Capital of Brittany with a strong student population.
12. Reims – 180,000
Famous for its cathedral and Champagne production.
13. Le Havre – 170,000
Port city with modernist architecture rebuilt after WWII.
14. Saint-Étienne – 170,000
Known for its industrial heritage and design innovation.
15. Toulon – 170,000
Naval base and gateway to the French Riviera.
16. Grenoble – 160,000
Surrounded by mountains, known for research and innovation.
17. Dijon – 155,000
Historic city famous for mustard and architecture.
18. Angers – 155,000
Known for its medieval castle and tapestries.
19. Nîmes – 150,000
Roman heritage city with a well-preserved arena.
20. Villeurbanne – 150,000
Suburb of Lyon known for its modernist buildings.
21. Clermont-Ferrand – 145,000
Home of Michelin and surrounded by extinct volcanoes.
22. Le Mans – 143,000
Famous for the 24-hour car race and medieval old town.
23. Aix-en-Provence – 143,000
Elegant city known for its thermal springs and art.
24. Brest – 140,000
Naval port and center of marine science.
25. Tours – 137,000
Gateway to the Loire Valley and its châteaux.
26. Amiens – 135,000
Gothic cathedral and floating gardens define this city.
27. Limoges – 130,000
World-renowned for its porcelain industry.
28. Annecy – 130,000
Alpine town known for its canals and lake.
29. Perpignan – 120,000
Close to Spain, rich in Catalan culture.
30. Boulogne-Billancourt – 120,000
Wealthy suburb of Paris with a business district.
31. Metz – 117,000
Historic city with German influences and modern art.
32. Besançon – 116,000
Clockmaking tradition and Vauban fortifications.
33. Orléans – 114,000
City associated with Joan of Arc and the Loire River.
34. Rouen – 111,000
Medieval architecture and Joan of Arc history.
35. Mulhouse – 110,000
Industrial city with famous technical museums.
36. Caen – 105,000
Normandy city tied to William the Conqueror.
37. Nancy – 105,000
Art Nouveau capital with a UNESCO-listed square.
38. Saint-Denis – 110,000
Home to the Stade de France and royal basilica.
39. Argenteuil – 110,000
Suburb of Paris known for Impressionist painting.
40. Montreuil – 110,000
Diverse suburb with a strong arts community.
41. Roubaix – 98,000
Textile heritage and art scene revival.
42. Dunkerque – 87,000
Port city known for WWII evacuation.
43. Avignon – 91,000
Historic papal city with a famous medieval bridge.
44. Nanterre – 96,000
Administrative center near La Défense.
45. Vitry-sur-Seine – 94,000
Cultural suburb with urban art.
46. Créteil – 93,000
Suburb of Paris and seat of Val-de-Marne.
47. Poitiers – 88,000
University town with Romanesque churches.
48. Courbevoie – 83,000
Financial district of La Défense.
49. Versailles – 85,000
Known for the grand Château de Versailles.
50. Colmar – 70,000
Charming Alsatian town with timbered houses.
