Where is the best place to visit in France besides Paris?

Question

I'm a student studying in Barcelona and I want to see France, but not Paris because I'm going later in the semester? What's a place that's safe, easy to get around on foot and not too expensive.

Answer 1

le mont Saint Michel or the castels of the LOIRE !

Answer 2

The airport, leaving France

Answer 3

If you're in Spain then your best bet is to hit southern France and visit towns in Provence.  The should be less expensive than Paris... I think.

Answer 4

Marsailles... and you can even take the train over there in about 12 hours or so.

Answer 5

I'd strongly advise you to go to Toulouse.

First it's close to Barcelona, you can probably get there in 4 hours in train. The whole train network is very very developped in Europe, and cheap.

Toulouse is a beautiful "big little" town, very sunny, very relaxing.

Lots of little streets, hidden restaurants, party bars, ... over the Garonne, the river all around the city.

(Feel free to contact me if you have any question about Toulouse or other places in France)

Answer 6

the french riviera like Nice etc... it is beautiful

Answer 7

Try smaller towns and cities like Annecy, Lyon or Carcassonne.  Those were my 3 favorite other than Paris.  Actually, smaller cities in the Bretagne region like Mont St Michel.  Ok, so those were my 4 favorite cities.  I lived there for a year and never had a car. Instead, I used trains and public transportation and walking on foot.  Its very manageable.

Answer 8

I'm going to pitch my vote for the Alpine region. It's so charming and really different to the scenery you're enjoying in Barcelona right now, I think you'd like the contrast from the sea. It wouldn't be far from you nor difficult to reach.

I especially love Annecy and Chamonix where you can visit Mt. Blanc, the tallest peak in Europe. You can either go to ski or visit now/next spring in what's called the "entre saison" when there are fewer tourists but you can still hike and sightsee. The region is deluged with tourists in summer and skiers in winter. Spring and fall are still beautiful.

If you want to ski, try to go in January before the French school break starts. It's basically all of Feburary since the actual days off are staggered so that the whole country doesn't go on vacation at once. Be aware that skiing in France is pricey but cut corners and share with friends.

Of course, totally disregard this suggestion if you don't dig mountain scenery!

Traveling in France is expensive everywhere but as a student/under 26, you'll have many discounts and can take advantage of cheaper rail travel and stay in youth hostels. You can also eat pretty reasonably in local bistros and do a few bagette sandwichs in the park for lunch. You don't need to spend a fortune to eat well.

http://www.hihostels.com/web/index.en.ht...

Stay in official YHA's as they are more secure or go for a smallish hotel. Look on Trip Advisor for which ones are good.  

France is safe and close so with a little care with expenses, wont put you in debt so take advantage of being in this part of the world while you're here.

Answer 9

There still should be cheap buses between Barcelona and Montpellier, and Aix-en-Provence - two gorgeous cities in the very south of France - dream places -

Lyon is also a beautiful city, and food +wines there are among the best in the world - even small bistros propose "day dishes " plats du jour, which you can order with a glass of beaujolais - yummiiiee and baguette à volonté -

But it's further - considered your HQ Barcelona

Don't ever go to Marseilles, Narbonne, Carcassone

Nice is very far from Barcelona - very expensive - and much pro and contra

Sorry people but you should speak about things such as they are realizable - spanish trains cannot go on european standard railways - if you're in Barcelona you cannot have ANY train going to Toulouse - but you very easily can go with the french TGV-train * or cheap buses between Montpellier and Aix en Provence + maybe Avignon t- Toulouse is a horror compared to those jewel-cities

* because french settled european TGV standard railways especially on the line gong from Barcelona to Montpellier Avignon and Lyon - still want a spoonful ?