Photo of Biggest towns in France
 

There are a few ways to classify the size of a town, but the most usual (and probably the most effective) is to use the population as measured in the most recent census of the country.

Hence the schedule below represents the 'most populated' biggest French towns and has been prepared on this basis. The list is in descending order and uses data from 2011. The populations have changed slightly since, but the ranking according to size remains unchanged.

We also have an article highlighting the most visited places in France if that is what you are looking for.

1. Paris

Paris

Population: 2.25 million

Region of France: Paris Ile-de-France (105.4 square kilometres)

See the Paris guide for details

 

2. Marseille

Marseille

Population: 851 thousand (240.6 square kilometres)

Region of France: Provence

See the Marseille guide for details

 

3. Lyon

Lyon

Population: 491 thousand (47.87 square kilometres)

Region of France: Rhone-Alpes

See the Lyon guide for details

 

4. Toulouse

Toulouse

Population: 447 thousand (118.3 square kilometres)

See the Toulouse guide for details

 
 
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5. Nice

Nice

Population: 344 thousand (71.9 square kilometres)

Region of France: Provence

See the Nice guide for details

 

6. Nantes

Nantes

Population: 288 thousand (65.2 square kilometres)

Region of France: Pays-de-la-Loire

See the Nantes guide for details

 

7. Strasbourg

Strasbourg

Population: 272 thousand (78.3 square kilometres)

Region of France: Alsace

See the Strasbourg guide for details

 

8. Montpellier

Montpellier

Population: 265 thousand (56.9 square kilometres)

Region of France: Languedoc-Roussillon

See the Montpellier guide for details

 

9. Bordeaux

Bordeaux

Population: 239 thousand (49.4 square kilometres)

Region of France: Aquitaine

See the Bordeaux guide for details

 

10. Lille

Lille

Population: 228 thousand (39.5 square kilometres)

Region of France: Nord-Pas-de-Calais

See the Lille guide for details