Paris Alternatives: Best Places like Paris to Visit

Wondering what the best Paris alternatives are?

Paris is an incredible city from its rich history to its romantic atmosphere. However, the problem with Paris is that it is extremely popular, which also makes it crowded and expensive.

In 2024, Paris will also be hosting the summer Olympics which means the city will be very busy and more expensive than usual.

So, if you are looking to avoid the crowds, visiting one of these Paris alternatives is a perfect option.

As someone who has visited (and worked) in Paris, I’ve created the following list of the best Paris alternatives in France and in other European countries to help you decide where to go instead of Paris.

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Paris Alternatives: 9 Places like Paris in France

Below, you’ll find a list of some of the best Paris alternatives to visit within the country of France.

Lyon is a perfect alternative to Paris, as it has over 2,000 years worth of history. In the Vieux (old town) Lyon, you’ll find medieval and renaissance style architecture that will make you feel as though you’ve stepped back in time.

Other highlights of Lyon include the Roman Amphithéâtre des Trois Gaules and the Traboules (historic covered passageways).

Lyon is also the capital of French gastronomy, and the food here definitely rivals Paris. When visiting, taking a Lyon food tour is an absolute must-do activity.

Reims is best known for its stunning Gothic Cathedral – the Cathedral of Notre-Dame of Reims. The cathedral first opened in 1275 and is famous for its stained glass windows and Gothic carved portals.

The cathedral’s beauty rivals the Notre Dame Cathedral of Paris, which makes it worth visiting (especially since the Notre Dame in Paris is still under reconstruction).

When I was working in Paris, I had several coworkers recommend visiting Reims. The city is quite charming and is filled with history, culture, and museums – all of which make it a fantastic alternative to Paris.

Bordeaux is home to the beautiful Gothic Cathédrale Saint-André, several 18th and 19th century mansions, and famous museums such as the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Bordeaux. All of these aspects make Bordeaux an ideal place to visit in France that isn’t Paris.

Wine lovers will also fall in love with the city as there are more than 7000 wine chateaux and vineyards in the region that can be visited. In fact, taking a food & wine tour like this one is one of the best things to do in Bordeaux.

If you are looking for a French city that is similar to Paris in regards to history, culture, museums, and wine – then look no further than Bordeaux.

Annecy is filled with charm – from its medieval Château d’Annecy to its old town which consists of cobblestone streets, winding canals, and pastel-colored houses.

The alpine town is also surrounded by natural beauty from the rugged peaks of the French Alps to the blue waters of Lake Annecy.

For those that love outdoor activities such as hiking, biking, and swimming – Annecy is an incredible place to visit instead of Paris.

Nice is a great option in the warmer months, as it has a stretch of beaches along the Mediterranean coastline.

However, there is more to Nice than the beaches. The city also boasts a charming old town, complete with narrow cobblestone streets and beautiful Baroque architecture.

Nice is a perfect option of where to go instead of Paris, as it incorporates the beauty of the French Rivera with historic charm and culture. There is also great shopping in Nice for those that are interested in fashion.

The town is known for its half-timbered houses, medieval architecture, and picturesque canals. It also has a rich history and the towns historic center is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Strasbourg is a perfect choice of places to visit outside of Paris for anyone looking for historical charm with a more relaxed atmosphere.

Plus, if you are visiting during the holiday season, Strasbourg has one of the best Christmas markets in all of France.

7. Versailles

🚗 Distance from Paris: 30 min by Train I 🏨 Where to Stay: Mgallery Le Louis Versailles Château I ⭐ Best for: History & Culture

Versailles is a small town just outside of the French capital city, but it is a great place to stay instead of Paris. While the town is small in size, it is home to the incredible Palace of Versailles.

The Palace of Versailles is worth visiting, and was home to the French Royal Court from 1682-1789 when the French Revolution occurred.

The Palace of Versailles is one of the largest and most impressive palaces in all of Europe, and shows the opulence and exquisiteness of the French royal court in the 17th and 18th centuries.

The palace is surrounded by the small town of Versailles, which is a great alternative if you prefer a smaller town but still want to take a day trip into Paris.

8. Nantes

🚗 Distance from Paris: 2 hours by Train I 🏨 Where to Stay: Oceania l’Hôtel de France Nantes I ⭐ Best for: Culture, History, & Wine

Nantes is located along the Loire Valley River, in France’s Brittany region.

Nantes is like Paris in that it has a variety of museums, beautiful architecture, and historic landmarks such as the medieval Château des Ducs de Bretagne and the Nantes Cathedral.

One benefit to visiting Nantes instead of Paris is that it is much more affordable and there are far less tourists.

The Burgundy region is known as the birthplace of the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir wines, and there are plenty of vineyards that can be visited near Dijon.

Dijon is also known for its gastronomic scene, and is famous for a variety of foods including boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin, and of course, Dijon mustard. In fact, the food scene is what makes this city a great Paris alternative for foodies and wine lovers.

Paris Alternatives: European Cities to Visit instead of Paris

In addition to other cities to visit in France, there are also cities that are similar to Paris throughout Europe.

Below, you will find cities from other European countries that are great Paris alternatives.

☑️ Budapest – The Paris of the East (One of the Best Paris Alternatives)

Budapest is often referred to as the Paris of the East due to its elegant beauty, history, and remarkable architecture.

Budapest is the capital of Hungary, located on the Danube river. It is a vibrant city that is home to incredible historic sites like Castle Hill, lively nightlife, and a great food & drink scene.

Plus, if you are looking for a cheaper alternative to Paris, Budapest is an incredible choice that has much lower prices than the French capital.

☑️ Vienna

Vienna is another city that is comparable to Paris, both culturally and historically. Like Paris, Vienna was also a capital city that held large amounts of power during the 19th century.

Vienna is also known for its beautiful Baroque architecture and for its culture, specifically in regards to classical music.

You will also find the stunning Schönbrunn Palace in Vienna, which was once home to the Hasburg Empire. While not as grand as the Palace of Versailles, the Schönbrunn Palace does have many similarities to the French Royal Palace.

Prague has a lot of history, charm, and great nightlife options – which make it a fantastic alternative to Paris, France.

☑️ Bruges

Bruges is a small town in Belgium that has a charming, fairytale atmosphere.

Bruges is actually quite different from Paris in almost every way except for one: its an incredibly romantic place in Europe.

From its medieval architecture and picturesque canals to its Lake of Love, Bruges is the perfect European destination to visit for a romantic getaway.

So, while Paris is known as the City of Love, Bruges is a spectacular alternative to Paris for a romantic trip.

☑️ Verona

Another city that rivals Paris for being a city of romance is Verona, Italy.

Verona is most famous for being the city that inspired William Shakespeare’s Romeo & Juliet. Today, you can even visit Juliet’s balcony & home, as well as several other sites with the Verona pass.

In addition to the story of Romeo & Juliet, Verona has an incredibly romantic atmosphere from its beautiful architecture to its historic monuments, making it an alternative to Paris.

FAQ: Paris Alternatives: Where to go instead of Paris

Paris Alternatives: The Best Places to Visit instead of Paris

While I believe that Paris is a place worth visiting, there are also so many other places to visit outside of Paris – both in France and throughout Europe. Especially since Paris can be crowded, hot, and expensive, visiting one of these Paris alternatives may be a great way to spend your time in Europe.

Whether you are looking for a vibrant city filled with great French food like Lyon, a scenic town like Annecy, or for somewhere completely outside of France like Budapest – there is sure to be a perfect alternative to Paris for you.