1.Annecy in the French Alps
This beautiful Alpine town in southeastern France is beautiful all year round, with medieval architecture, cobbled streets, and quaint canals and bridges.
Spectacular fairytale landscapes, including a crystal clear lake surrounded by snow-capped mountains, are the perfect place for a winter getaway.
The Old Town is the perfect place to wander around while exploring the picturesque pedestrian streets.
2.Cassis, Provence
While Cassis may be on your list of must-visit French towns in the summer, a trip to this beautiful town on the Mediterranean coast in winter is a great way to avoid the crowds.
After all, you'll have beautiful harbor views and forest walks that are almost all your own. Not to mention the town's charming colorful harbor.
3.Blois, Loire
This hillside city overlooking the Loire provides the perfect backdrop for a winter getaway.
Explore the atmospheric late Gothic cathedral and its surrounding cobblestone streets, and (when it reopens) don't miss the Royal Château de Blois, a former royal palace with ornate rooms, paintings, and sculptures from the 16th to 19th centuries.
4.Burgundy, Beaune
A charming walled town in the heart of Burgundy's winemaking country.
Feel the essence of the town and taste the best red wines in France, paired with the region's most famous sumptuous dishes, perfect for cold winter nights: B uf Bourginon and Coq Au Vin.
5.Colmar, Alsace
Winding streets, bridges and canals, and colorful buildings make Colmar a wonderful town to explore.
With a variety of wonderful medieval and Renaissance half-timbered buildings, the town is the perfect place for a pair of cultural vultures.
Don't forget to taste the local produce - you are in the capital of the Alsace wine region.
6.Etterta, Normandy
This beautiful coastal town has a lovely long beach for brisk winter walks and a charming downtown with bustling local produce markets.
You can climb to the top of the cliff above the town and visit the church and the unique "Pinnacle" sculpture (l'Oiseau Blanc) in memory of two brave French pilots who lost their lives while attempting the first transatlantic air crossing.
7.Honfleur, Normandy
There's a reason why Honfleur has a great attraction to one of the world's most famous painters, Claude Monet.
This coastal town is lovely all year round, and while it's a big draw for day-trippers of Paris in the summer, you'll find that there's more light to go in the colder months.
Visit the picturesque old harbor and enjoy the windswept coast.
8.Josselin, Brittany
It's hard to deny the charm of this picturesque French town, and its charm doesn't go away in winter.
Overlooking the River Uster, Joselin's cone-shaped tower castle has been home to members of the Rohan family for centuries.
The main hub of activity is the town square next to Notre-Dame Cathedral. For the best views around, climb to the top of the bell tower for a stunning panoramic view.
9.Saint-Malo, Brittany
Another jewel of Brittany.
The walls of Saint-Malo were built in the 12th century and offer a breathtaking view of the sea even in winter when the sea is stormy and icy.
In addition to the beautiful scenery, there are plenty of historical sightseeing opportunities, including the incredible Château Saint-Malo and the Cathedral of Saint-Malo.
That's not to say it's all about food, but be sure to sample some oysters and white wine for a perfect winter evening.
10.Troyes, Grand East.
Made up of cobbled streets and filled with champagne in caves, the city is the perfect place to go for a winter holiday.
The city center is home to one of the most impressive brightly colored half-timbered houses and Gothic churches in the country, and it's often overlooked by tourists.
As you wander through the cobbled streets, once home to the wealthy and powerful Comtes of Champagne, visiting Troyes feels like stepping back in time to a more romantic past.
11.Egisheim, Great East
Located close to the German border and a short drive from Colmar, Eguisheim is a colourful town in the heart of the Alsace Wine Route.
Voted France's most popular village in 2013, its winding concentric streets are full of fairytale spires, lively floral decorations and sloping half-timbered buildings, meaning it's perfect for winter strolls – as long as you pack it up – and then a good Alsatian wine, of course.
12.Megeve, French Alps
What better place to go for winter than in the French Alps?
Megève is a winter wonderland with snow-capped mountains, and while the ski lifts are closed, there's no reason not to go winter hiking.
And if that's not enough, traveling here means you're following in the footsteps of Hollywood royalty – Megif is where Audrey Hepburn fell in love with Gary Grant's charm in the classic movie Charade.
13.Chambéry, French Alps.
To be better measured, this is another winner in the French Alps.
This bustling Alpine town has a lot to offer, but the old town is where it really is. After strolling through the streets of brightly colored houses, sit down with a takeaway drink and savor the atmosphere.
14.La Rochelle, Atlantic coast
Famous for its unique limestone façade, La Rochelle is undoubtedly one of the most charming cities in France, and in winter, you don't have to fight with other tourists to admire it.
Aptly named La Ville Blanche (White City), this coastal city was one of the country's main ports between the 14th and 17th centuries and has plenty of reminders of its maritime heritage.
Filled with arched walkways, half-timbered houses, and lighthouses, this historic seafaring city has a lot to explore.