French City: Names and Meanings

Are you looking for the perfect French name for your baby? Look no further! We've compiled a list of over 40 beautiful French city names, each with its unique meaning and history. These names offer a touch of sophistication and elegance, and they're sure to make a lasting impression. Whether you're looking for a classic choice or something more unique, this list has something for everyone.
1. **Paris:** Meaning "around the waters", referencing the city's location on the Seine River. A symbol of love, art, and fashion, Paris is one of the most iconic and romantic cities in the world.
2. **Lyon:** Meaning "light" or "lion", referencing its historical importance as a center of trade and its coat of arms featuring a lion. Lyon is known for its gastronomy, architecture, and vibrant cultural scene.
3. **Marseille:** Meaning "the place of Mars", named after the Roman god of war. Marseille is France's oldest city and a bustling port with a rich history and diverse culture.
4. **Toulouse:** Meaning "the town of the wolf", referencing the city's historical connection to the Roman province of Tolosa. Toulouse is known for its beautiful architecture, aerospace industry, and vibrant student population.
5. **Bordeaux:** Meaning "the place where water flows", referencing the city's location on the Garonne River. Bordeaux is renowned for its world-class wine production and stunning architecture.
6. **Nice:** Meaning "foolish" or "silly", but in reality, the name derives from the Greek "Nikaia" meaning "victory". Nice is a charming city on the French Riviera, known for its stunning beaches, beautiful gardens, and vibrant nightlife.
7. **Lille:** Meaning "small", referencing the city's humble beginnings as a small settlement. Lille is a bustling city in northern France, known for its art scene, museums, and delicious cuisine.
8. **Strasbourg:** Meaning "the city of the road", referencing its strategic location on a crossroads of trade routes. Strasbourg is a beautiful city in Alsace, known for its iconic cathedral, charming canals, and Christmas markets.
9. **Nantes:** Meaning "the city of the Navis", referencing the city's history as a major port. Nantes is a vibrant city in western France, known for its historic castles, vibrant art scene, and delicious local cuisine.
10. **Montpellier:** Meaning "the mountain of the sheep", referencing the city's location on a hill and its historical importance as a center of wool production. Montpellier is a thriving city in southern France, known for its university, beautiful parks, and vibrant cultural scene.
11. **Rennes:** Meaning "the city of the river", referencing the city's location on the Vilaine River. Rennes is a bustling city in Brittany, known for its historic center, beautiful parks, and lively nightlife.
12. **Clermont-Ferrand:** Meaning "the mountain of the iron", referencing the city's location on a volcanic plateau and its historical importance as a center of iron production. Clermont-Ferrand is a charming city in central France, known for its Gothic cathedral, Michelin headquarters, and beautiful parks.
13. **Grenoble:** Meaning "the city of the grapes", referencing the city's historical importance as a center of wine production. Grenoble is a vibrant city in the French Alps, known for its stunning scenery, outdoor activities, and scientific research center.
14. **Amiens:** Meaning "the place where the river flows", referencing the city's location on the Somme River. Amiens is a charming city in northern France, known for its Gothic cathedral, beautiful parks, and historic center.
15. **Angers:** Meaning "the place where the river flows", referencing the city's location on the Maine River. Angers is a charming city in western France, known for its historic castle, beautiful gardens, and delicious local cuisine.
16. **Tours:** Meaning "the towers", referencing the city's many medieval towers. Tours is a charming city in the Loire Valley, known for its beautiful architecture, historical sites, and wine production.
17. **Rouen:** Meaning "the place of the river", referencing the city's location on the Seine River. Rouen is a historic city in Normandy, known for its Gothic cathedral, charming cobblestone streets, and famous impressionist paintings.
18. **Dijon:** Meaning "the place of the god Jupiter", referencing the city's Roman origins. Dijon is a charming city in Burgundy, known for its world-class mustard, beautiful architecture, and delicious cuisine.
19. **Le Havre:** Meaning "the harbor", referencing the city's location on the English Channel. Le Havre is a modern port city in Normandy, known for its reconstruction after World War II, its impressive architecture, and its vibrant cultural scene.
20. **Brest:** Meaning "the place of the heathland", referencing the city's location on the Atlantic coast. Brest is a naval port city in Brittany, known for its strong maritime heritage, beautiful coastline, and historic forts.
21. **Nancy:** Meaning "the city of the valley", referencing the city's location on a valley. Nancy is a beautiful city in Lorraine, known for its Art Nouveau architecture, impressive gardens, and delicious pastries.
22. **Reims:** Meaning "the city of the ford", referencing the city's location on a ford across the Vesle River. Reims is a historic city in Champagne, known for its iconic cathedral, champagne production, and impressive architecture.
23. **Metz:** Meaning "the city of the meadow", referencing the city's location on a meadow. Metz is a charming city in Lorraine, known for its beautiful architecture, impressive cathedral, and vibrant cultural scene.
24. **Orléans:** Meaning "the city of the golden helmet", referencing the city's historical importance as a center of gold production. Orléans is a charming city in the Loire Valley, known for its historic center, beautiful churches, and famous Joan of Arc.
25. **Caen:** Meaning "the place of the dogs", referencing the city's historical importance as a hunting center. Caen is a historic city in Normandy, known for its impressive castles, beautiful architecture, and vibrant cultural scene.
26. **Besançon:** Meaning "the place of the bisons", referencing the city's historical importance as a hunting ground for bison. Besançon is a charming city in Franche-Comté, known for its historic citadel, beautiful architecture, and delicious local cuisine.
27. **Mulhouse:** Meaning "the mill house", referencing the city's historical importance as a center of textile production. Mulhouse is a charming city in Alsace, known for its industrial history, museums, and beautiful architecture.
28. **Perpignan:** Meaning "the place of the rock", referencing the city's location on a rocky hill. Perpignan is a vibrant city in Languedoc-Roussillon, known for its Catalan heritage, beautiful architecture, and delicious cuisine.
29. **Bayonne:** Meaning "the place of the bay", referencing the city's location on the Bay of Biscay. Bayonne is a charming city in the Basque Country, known for its historic center, beautiful architecture, and delicious local cuisine.
30. **Saint-Étienne:** Meaning "the holy Stephen", referencing the city's patron saint. Saint-Étienne is a historic city in the Loire Valley, known for its industrial heritage, beautiful parks, and vibrant cultural scene.
31. **Le Mans:** Meaning "the place of the manor", referencing the city's historical importance as a center of power. Le Mans is a charming city in the Loire Valley, known for its historic center, impressive cathedral, and famous 24-hour car race.
32. **Roubaix:** Meaning "the place of the red", referencing the city's historical importance as a center of textile production. Roubaix is a historic city in northern France, known for its industrial heritage, beautiful architecture, and vibrant cultural scene.
33. **Tours:** Meaning "the towers", referencing the city's many medieval towers. Tours is a charming city in the Loire Valley, known for its beautiful architecture, historical sites, and wine production.
34. **Nîmes:** Meaning "the place of the nymphs", referencing the city's Roman origins. Nîmes is a charming city in Languedoc-Roussillon, known for its Roman amphitheater, beautiful architecture, and delicious cuisine.
35. **Arles:** Meaning "the place of the plough", referencing the city's historical importance as a center of agriculture. Arles is a charming city in Provence, known for its Roman ruins, beautiful architecture, and Vincent Van Gogh connection.
36. **Avignon:** Meaning "the place of the hill", referencing the city's location on a hill. Avignon is a historic city in Provence, known for its medieval city walls, Palace of the Popes, and beautiful architecture.
37. **Aix-en-Provence:** Meaning "the place of the water of Provence", referencing the city's location near a spring. Aix-en-Provence is a charming city in Provence, known for its beautiful architecture, thermal springs, and vibrant art scene.
38. **Annecy:** Meaning "the place of the water", referencing the city's location on Lake Annecy. Annecy is a beautiful city in the French Alps, known for its stunning scenery, beautiful lake, and charming old town.
39. **Angoulême:** Meaning "the place of the wolf", referencing the city's historical importance as a hunting ground for wolves. Angoulême is a charming city in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, known for its beautiful architecture, historic center, and famous comic book festival.
40. **Pau:** Meaning "the place of the valley", referencing the city's location on a valley. Pau is a charming city in southwestern France, known for its beautiful architecture, historic center, and stunning views of the Pyrenees.