Top 10 Largest Cities in France you’re probably mispronouncing

From Nice and Strasbourg to Paris and beyond, France is filled with amazing cities and towns, each buzzing with its own unique culture and history.

But did you know that you might be mispronouncing the names of some of the biggest cities in France? French city names often have spellings that don’t align with their pronunciation in English or other languages. 

In this article, we’ll take a look at the top 10 largest French cities in terms of population and what makes these large urban areas so attractive for tourists and residents as a place to live.

We’ll also go over how to correctly pronounce the names of these big French cities in France. 

Knowing how to pronounce French city names correctly helps with communication with various people you encounter, such as taxi drivers, hotel staff, or train station staff, who may be more familiar with local pronunciations.

Here’s a closer look at the largest cities in France with the biggest populations

**(France population statistics based on estimates from INSEE  (French national institute of Statistics).

France has a population of nearly 65 million, making it the 22nd most populated country in the world.

If you include French Polynesia and other DOM-TOMs, France’s population increases to 67 million.

*DOM-TOM is a French acronym which stands for “Départements d’outre-mer, Territoires d’outre-mer.”

To give you some perspective, China, India and the United States are in the top three positions with 1.4 billion, 1.3 billion and 327 million inhabitants.

Let’s not forget about the nearly 90 million tourists who visit France annually, making it the most popular tourist destination in the world year after year.  

Roughly 10% of France’s total population (6.5 million people) live in 10 French cities, while the rest of the population is spread throughout the 35,000 cities and towns (communes) throughout France.

1. Paris [PAH-REE] France’s largest city

Everyone loves Paris. Or do they?

• Population: 2.2 Million
• Tourists per year: 32-35 Million
• Area: 105 sq. km (41 sq. mi)

Paris, the capital city of France, has a population of nearly 2.2 million people, making it the largest, most populated city and the only city in France with a population in the millions. Paris also has the largest metropolitan area, commonly referred to as the “Île-de-France” region, which includes the city of Paris and its surrounding suburbs and commuter towns.

PRONUNCIATION

Despite being one of the most famous cities in the world, tourists often mispronounce “Paris” due to the final “s” being silent. Most foreigners to France pronounce it as “Pah-riss” instead of the correct “Pah-ree.” 

LIVING IN PARIS:

While many people dream of moving to Paris, what you may not know is many Parisians yearn to escape it. Just type “quitter Paris” (leave Paris) into a search engine, and you’ll see page after page of stories, advice and resources from or for people trying to escape the city of lights and love. “Paris je te quitte” (Paris I’m leaving you) is one example, and here is another one. Here’s someone who moved their family to Bordeaux from Paris and didn’t regret it one bit. 

Living in Paris is expensive. Some Parisian residents leave the city of lights to escape the high cost of living, which is comparable to London, Tokyo and the San Francisco Bay area. Other reasons people leave Paris include

• to reduce stress
• to improve work-life balance
• to escape city life
• to escape pollution
• to move to the countryside
• to move closer to the sea etc. etc.

Many Parisians who don’t want to give up city life end up moving to one of the other nine cities on this list.

VISITING PARIS:

Roughly 32 million, a third of the 90 million annual visitors to France, chose to visit Paris, a city especially known for its museums and architectural landmarks such as the Louvre and the Eiffel Tower, two of the most visited tourist attractions in France and the world.

Many of the top attractions in Paris are within walking distance or a short trip on the metro, making it ideal for vacationers. Even Disneyland Paris is reachable by train from the city centre in under an hour. 

You might be interested in 99 things no one tells you about living in France but should know.

2. Marseille [MAR-SAY]: Second largest city in France

If you’re like Anthony Bourdin was, and you love raw, authentic grunge, then you’ll love Marseille.

• Population: 870 000
• Tourists per year: 5 Million
• Area: 241 sq. km (93 sq. mi)

Marseille is the second-largest city in France in terms of population, with nearly one million inhabitants. This port city is located in the south of France along the Mediterranean Sea, roughly an 8 to 10-hour drive from Paris or a 4-hour train ride. It’s also one of the sunniest French cities in France.

PRONUNCIATION

The silent final “e” and silent “ll” in “Marseille” can cause a lot of confusion. It’s commonly mispronounced as “Mar-suh-lay,” Mar-sell” or “Mar-say-lee” instead of “Mar-say.”

LIVE IN MARSEILLE:

The city itself and the surroundings are beautiful; however, it’s a city with a bad reputation, described by some as grungy, dangerous, dirty and overrun by immigrants. Some French people go so far as to avoid the city. 

Founded around 600 BC by Greek Mariners, Marseille was once thought to be the oldest inhabited city in France until a recent archeological dig found evidence that Bezier, another southern town, was slightly older.

Many locals speak with a very distinct accent, “l’accent Marseillais,” which sounds like French with a splash of a Spanish/Italian accent. Unlike standard French, every syllable is pronounced. This unique Marseillan accent is a remnant from a century ago when most people in Provence spoke Provencal and learned French as a second language. 

I used to live in Marseille. You might be interested in reading: how much it cost our family of five to live in Marseille, France, for a year. 

VISIT MARSEILLE:

Popular points of interest are le Vieux Port (Old Harbor). Château d’If, once a fortress and later a prison, located on a tiny island just a short 20-minute ferry ride from the old port and around 17 Museums. And the Basilique Notre-Dame de la Garde, a church that sits high above the city and the most visible landmark in Marseille.

A fun fact: Marseille is the 2nd most filmed city in France after Paris, of course. 

3. Lyon [LEE-OHN]: Third largest French city.

You’ll love Lyon, especially if you love French cuisine and gastronomy, because Lyon, not Paris, is known as France’s food capital. 

• Population: 516 000
• Tourists per year: 7 M
• Area: 48 sq. km (19 sq. mi)

Lyon, France’s 3rd most populated city, is located in the east-central part of France near Switzerland’s border, roughly a 5-hour drive from Paris or 2 hours by TGV train.

PRONUNCIATION

Another frequently mispronounced Frency city name is “Lyon.” Tourists often mispronounce it as “Lee-own” or “Lye-on,” but the accurate pronunciation is more similar to “Lee-ohn,” pronounced with a slightly nasal sound on the final “n” sound.

LIVE IN LYON:

While most foreigners think of Paris as the French food Mecca, if you ask a French person, they’ll most likely say the capital of gastronomy is Lyon. Food is taken very seriously in Lyon, and “gustation” tasting is a way of life in Lyon. 

Lyon has more restaurants per person than any other city in France.

Make a reservation at a Bouchon, a type of restaurant found only in Lyon, “cuisine Lyonnaise” which is usually very rich or rustic. 

A few local specialties that stand out include: 

• Quenelles: a mixture of creamed fish or meat, sometimes combined with breadcrumbs, formed into a football shape and topped with a sauce.
• St-Marcellin cheese:  one of my daughter’s favourite stinky French cheeses.
• Andouillette: a sausage of coarsely cut tripe and my least favourite food in the world.
• Salad Lyonnaise: a salad typically made with frisée or curly endive, hot bacon, and a freshly poached egg.  

Driving in Lyon can be stressful, and parking can be a nightmare; it’s a city. Luckily Lyon has an excellent transportation system considered the most accessible city to live in without a car. There are currently 4 metro lines, 5 tram lines, 2 funicular railways, over a hundred bus routes, Velo’v bike rentals and 180 miles of cycling paths. There’s even a boat shuttle called Vaporetto, which operates along the Rhône River between the Vieux-Lyon (old district) and the trendy Confluence shopping area.

VISIT LYON:

Thanks to the over 160 well-preserved buildings classified as historical and architectural landmarks in the city’s four historic sites, Lyon is a UNESCO World Heritage site. Around December 8th, a must-see and do is the four-day Light Festival, “Fête des Lumières,” where the city becomes one big light show. Don’t forget to visit “Les Halles de Lyon,” a renowned, prestigious indoor market that can be expensive but also worth it if you appreciate having the best local products. 

4. Toulouse [TOO-LOOZ] Fourth Biggest French city

If you’re an aviation enthusiast and like the idea of visiting an underrated city with a cool vibe that’s both modern and traditional, you’ll love Toulouse. 

• Population: 476 000
• Tourists per year: 5.7 M
• Area: 119 sq. Km. (46 sq. mi)

France’s 4th biggest city is Toulouse, located in the southwest of France, halfway between the Mediterranean and the Pyrenees and 5 hours from Paris by train. 

Before moving to Montpellier, Toulouse was one of the French cities we considered moving to. 

PRONUNCIATION

“Toulouse” is often mispronounced as “Tuh-looz” instead of  “Too-looz”. The “ou” vowel combination is always pronounced like the double “o” sound in the word “booze.”

LIVE IN TOULOUSE:

Nicknamed the Pink City “La Ville Rose “ after the distinctive colour of the clay bricks used to construct many of its buildings, this city has many Spanish accents thanks to its proximity to Spain. Toulouse is also known as Europe’s space capital. It’s been an important science and technology hub dominated by the aeronautical and space industries and was even named the International City of Space for 2017. 

Although people come from all over France to live in Toulouse, a large portion are people escaping Paris’s high cost of living, and crowds or seeking other benefits such as warmer weather.  Toulouse is also a destination for students and is often ranked among the top 5 best cities in France for students to study and live.

Transportation is top-notch. You can easily wind your way from one end of the city to the other by Tram, aboard the metro, on the many pedestrianized streets or by bike on 550 kilometres of cycling trails.

VISIT TOULOUSE:

Toulouse, often an overlooked city, receives just a fraction of Paris’stourists, but that doesn’t mean that there isn’t plenty to see and do.

Toulouse boasts two UNESCO World Heritage sites…

1. A gothic church, “Les Jacobins”- the church of Jacobin built during the 13th and the 14th centuries
2. And Saint Sernin Cathedral “Saint Sernin Basilica,”  the largest Romanesque church in France.

There’s also a theme park focused on space and the conquest of space called Cité de l’Espace (City of Space.) Then there’s Place du Capitole, perhaps one of Toulouse’s most photographed attractions, a sprawling neoclassical building that dates back to the 12th century. Casino théâtre Barrière a very upscale Las Vegas-style Casino with slots, gambling tables, shows, restaurants and hotels. Toulouse is also home to one of the best rugby clubs in the world. 

I could go on, but I’I’llun out of space, so check out the official Toulouse city website. 

5. Nice [NIECE] Fifth largest French city

If you love the Mediterranean sun, the sea, beaches and the French Riviera, you’ll love Nice. 

• Population: 343 000
• Tourists per year: 4.3 M
• Area: 72 sq. km (28 sq. mi)

You might be interested in 15 reasons why I love Nice, France.

Nice is located in the south of France near Italy’s border, 6 hour train ride from Paris.

PRONUNCIATION

Despite its simple spelling, “Nice” is frequently mispronounced with a long “I” sound like in the word  “ice”) instead of the correct “Nees” (rhyming with “fleece”).

LIVE IN NICE:

Nice is known for its warm Mediterranean climate, where cafe terraces are filled with people practically all year round. It’s probably most famous for being located along the French Riviera (also known as le Cote d’Azur). Compared to other southern cities such as Toulouse and Montpellier, Nice is not cheap. Many wealthy and famous people such as Johnny Depp, Tina Turner, Bono and  Brad Pitt have homes along the French Riviera. 

The local specialties which are influenced by Mediterranean cuisine  include:

• salade niçoise
• Pan Bagnat (Think of it as a salad in a sandwich)
• Ratatouille (stewed veggies in a tomato sauce)
• Soupe au pistou (pesto soup with vegetables and white bean)
• Socca (a flatbread made from chickpea flour).

You might be interested in reading about what I love about Nice, France.

VISIT NICE:

Nice is a popular tourist destination, but perhaps the most iconic landmark in Nice is “le Promenade des Anglais,” known locally as just “le Promenade.” Visitors can admire the beaches as they stroll along the 7km stretch of seafront.

Nice is also a city of art and culture. After Paris, it has the most museums in France, including the Matisse Museum and the Chagall Museum.

During the Carnival season, it’s home to the most famous carnival in France, Nice Carnival.  Nice is close to many other interesting cities: 35 minutes from Cannes, where the annual Cannes Film Festival is held, 25 minutes to Monaco and an hour to Saint Tropez. 

6. Nantes [NAWNT] Sixth largest French city

You’ll love Nantes if you’re a professional who enjoys the arts and culture. The Nantes nightlife is quite lively too.

• Population: 307  000
• Tourist per year: 2 M
• Area: 65 sq. km (25 sq. mi)

At just over 300K inhabitants, the dynamic city of Nantes is FrFrance’sth most populated city. Located in the Upper Brittany region of western France on the Loire River, an hour from the Atlantic Ocean and about a 3-hour train ride from Paris.

PRONUNCIATION:

The pronunciation of “Nantes” can be tricky due to the silent final “s.”  Nantes is often mispronounced as “Nants,” like ants, instead of the correct “Nawnt” like in the word “jaunt.”

LIVE IN NANTES:

Nantes, the capital of the Pays de la Loire region, has a long history as a port and industrial center, known locally as “une belle endormie”  (sleeping beauty.) Following significant renovations and rejuvenation, the city has become a major French city, not as the prettiest, but one of the nicest to work and live. Culturally alive, with a reputation for being edgy, vibrant and playful, Time magazine named it the most livable city in Europe in 2004. In 2013 it was awarded the  European green capital award.

VISIT NANTES:

The main sights include the cathedral, the castle of the Dukes of Brittany “Château des Ducs de Bretagne,” where the Dukes of Brittany once lived. The Machines of the Isle is a touristic, cultural and artistic steampunk wonderland in the old warehouses of the former shipyards where you can take a ride on the Great Elephant, a 12-metre high mechanical elephant or jump on the carousel and ride one of the Jules Verne style creatures.

7. Montpellier [MOAN-PUL-YAY] France’seventh largest city

You’ll love Montpellier if you like a big city with a small-town feel and a vibrant young population.

• Population: 282 000
• Tourists per year: 5.1 M
• Area: 57 sq. km(22 sq. mi)

France’s 7the biggest city in terms of population is Montpellier, where I live. It’s located in southern France, 10km inland from the Mediterranean Sea coast, approximately 4 hours from Paris by TGV.

PRONUNCIATION:

Montpellier: The unfamiliar combination of letters in “Montpellier” often leads to mispronunciations such as “Mont-pell-yay” or “Mon-pell-yer” instead of the correct pronunciation, which is “Moan-pul-yay” with a nasal “n” sound, silent “t,” and a slight emphasis on the final syllable. 

LIVE IN MONTPELLIER:

Montpellier is a biggish city that doesn’t feel big, and things move slower than you would expect.

There are plenty of excellent French restaurant options, especially in the old part of Montpellier, which dates back to Medieval times.

Montpellier is also one of France’s fastest-growing cities, partly because of the large student population, which makes up about 30 percent of the population. The tourism board claims that almost 30 percent of the population is under 30. It’s close to a French university town as you can get in France. It was voted 8th best place to live in France, and 29th best place to work by l’l’ExpressEuEurope’sirst medical school was founded here in 1137 

In terms of rent and cost of living, Montpellier is more affordable compared to the bustling capital of Paris, Nice and even Lyon. Expect to pay around €500 a month for a single-bedroom property in the city centre.

VISIT MONTPELLIER:

Montpellier has a beautiful old quarter L’Écusson that dates back to medieval times, with an intricate network of narrow cobbled roads where you’ll find hidden restaurants, quaint hotels, shopping and secret gardens. Just a little outside the old quarter is la Place de la Comédie with the Esplanade Charles-de-Gaulle running off the north end where you can take a stroll, listen to street performances or have a seat at one of the outdoor cafes, and people watch. Other points of interest are le Promenade de Peyrou, a 17th-century Arc de Triomphe, Cathédrale St. Pierre, Fabre museum and an Olympic size pool. 

It’s also a great place to take the kids’ trick or treating. 

8. Strasbourg [STRAHS-BOOR] France’sighth biggest city

If you love Germany as much as you love France, you’re going to love Strasbourg.

• Population: 280 000
• Tourists per year: 3.1 M
• Area: 78 sq. km (30 sq. mi)

VISIT STRASBOURG:

The Strasbourg Christmas market, the oldest and largest in Europe, is a popular tourist attraction and a must-see during December. A visit to “La Petite France quarter,” a riverfront neighbourhood, is like something straight out of Grimm’s fairy tale, with timbered buildings that look like life-size gingerbread houses accented with colourful flower boxes. The cathedral of Notre Dame in Strasbourg- is a 15th-century médiéval work of art that took over 1000 years to build and stands 142.0 m (466 ft), making it the 6th largest church in the world.

9. Bordeaux [BORE-DOH] Ninth largest city.

If you love food, wine, the art of the table and the idea of living near Dordogne but aren’t up to living in the country, you’ll love Bordeaux. 

• Population: 252 000
• Tourists per year: 2.7 M
• Area: 49 sq km(19 sq. mi)

Bordeaux is a port city on the Garonne River in the department of Gironde, which is most well known for its famous wine growing region. 

PRONUNCIATION:

The unique combination of letters in “Bordeaux” can be challenging. It is frequently mispronounced as “Bore-dee-oh” or “Bor-dex” instead of the correct pronunciation, which is “Bor-doh,” pronounced as “Bor-doh” with a silent “x” at the end.

LIVE IN BORDEAUX:

Bordeaux has a reputation for being stuffy, pompous and bourgeois, partly due to the long history of producing exceptional wines associated with exclusivity, formal occasions and high prices. But bourgeois isn’t all that it used to be. As of late, Bordeaux is trying to shake its aristocratic vibe and appeal to the younger generation with affordable wine good enough for the table every day. 

Bordeaux has also been an important port city of trade for over 500 years, which grew prosperous and was synonymous with new ideas and influence. For three hundred years, the city was under English rule thanks to the marriage of Eleanor of Aquitaine to Henry Plantagenet, who became Henry II. So it’s not surprising that Bordeaux attracts a lot of British. The entire Aquitaine region is home to the most Brits of all of France’s regions.

VISIT BORDEAUX: 

 Cité-du-Vin is a new world-class wine museum in a futuristic building made with aluminum and glass overlooking the Garonne, which cost €62 million. It houses wine bottles from every wine-producing country in the world- more than 80 in total. Trust me when I say there is nothing else like it in Europe, and it’s a must-see. 

Porte Cailhau, also known as the Cailhau Gate, is a 15th-century Gothic monument and the old medieval gate entrance that was once part of the defensive walls surrounding the city of Bordeaux.

You might be interested in reading: Unique and unusual things to do in Bordeaux, France (besides drink wine)

10. Lille [LEEL] France’s tenth largest city

If you love the Netherlands and French culture and want to get away from the hustle and bustle of a large city but still have everything you need right at your fingertips, you’ll love Lille, which shares a border with Belgium.

• Population: 233 000
• Tourists per year: 1 M
• Area: 39 sq. km (15 sq. mi)

With a population of just over 230K inhabitants, Lille is France’s 10th largest city. Located at the northern tip of France near Belgium’s border, it’s just a one-hour train ride from Paris and an hour and a half from London by Eurostar.

PRONUNCIATION:

Non-native speakers often struggle with pronouncing “Lille” correctly. The correct pronunciation is “Leel” with a long “ee” sound, similar to the word “feel”.

LIVE IN LILLE:

Birthplace to Charles de Gaulle in 1890 and once part of Dutch-speaking Flanders, first-time visitors to Lille are usually surprised by the Flemish influence intermingled with French culture. The Flemish influence is undeniable from the Dutch-style architecture and red-brick structures, uncommon in France, to its strong beer and brewing culture, which picks up in October during beer week. 

Like the Netherlands and Belgium, Lille is a bikeable city thanks to its flat topography. And you can’t forget about les Friteries or  Baraque à Frites (French Fry stands), an essential part of both Belgian and Northern French culture which are often found in town squares and highways roads.    

VISIT LILLE: 

The town has a lively contemporary art scene with regular festivals and exhibitions, plus the Palais des Beaux-Arts museum, France’s second-largest art collection after the Louvre. Listed as the only World Heritage Site in Lille is the 104 metres Belfry tower attached to the Hotel de Ville (town hall), where visitors can get panoramic views of the city. 

One of the most significant annual events in northern France is the yearly braderie or flea market that takes over the whole city during the first weekend of September when the city square and the entire old town comes to life thanks to the annual flea market: GRANDE BRADERIE DE LILLE.

**source of tourist statistics

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