I've been to France over a dozen times. Skip Paris and check out these 5 must-visit cities instead.

A piece of my heart definitely belongs to Lyon. There's so much to love about the city, from beautiful winding streets and mouthwatering food to the lively nightlife scene.

I also found the people there to be very friendly. When I traveled to Lyon with my best friend, we found lots of the locals we interacted with were happy to share tips and ask us how our day was going.

There's also so much to do in the city. I recommend exploring the traboules, a massive network of hidden passageways that have been around for many years.

The historic tunnels and stairwells played a role in France's silk trade and World War II — and about 50 of the roughly 400 passageways in Lyon are still open to the public.

In my experience, Bordeaux has some of the best food and red wine in France. Since I was there for a few days, I had time to venture into the Bordeaux wine region and go on a vineyard tour at the stunning Château Pape Clément.

I also recommend making time to visit a market like the Marché des Capucins, where I joined locals to sample fresh food and wine.

France's opulent southeastern coastal city didn't disappoint, giving my friend and me a great balance of relaxation, history, and culture.

Apart from one or two very touristy spots (beach clubs, we're looking at you), we found that the nightlife was still generally cheaper than going out back home in the UK.

Over five days, we visited four different beaches, which were easy to reach by train. We also took a trip up the mountain to the stunning medieval village of Èze, which was one of the most picturesque places I've ever been.

In the evenings, we enjoyed delicious food, headed to bars, and drank wine on the beach after the sun went down.

A stunning port city, Marseille is known for its artistic influences and seafood-focused cuisine. Head there to enjoy traditional French dishes like bouillabaisse (a hearty seafood soup), the beautiful beaches, and the nightlife.

When I visited with family, I fell in love with Marseille's old town in particular. The city is very walkable and I'd recommend wandering the streets, stopping off occasionally for delicious food and drinks.

Normandy's capital, Rouen, has some of the most beautiful architecture I've ever seen.

Located about two hours outside Paris, this city has impressive historical buildings, delicious foodie spots, and great shopping.

Of course, no trip to Rouen would be complete without a visit to the Joan of Arc museum. Whether you know much about her or not, the museum's interactive nature made it one of the most fascinating I've ever been to.