The table below lists all the major cities and towns in France whose names start with the letter B. Further down you will also find some general data and facts about each.
| Name | Region | Population |
|---|---|---|
| Bordeaux | Nouvelle-Aquitaine | 260,000 |
| Brest | Brittany | 140,000 |
| Besançon | Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | 116,000 |
| Bayonne | Nouvelle-Aquitaine | 50,000 |
| Boulogne-Billancourt | Île-de-France | 121,000 |
| Béziers | Occitanie | 78,000 |
| Bastia | Corsica | 45,000 |
| Blois | Centre-Val de Loire | 45,000 |
| Belfort | Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | 47,000 |
| Bourg-en-Bresse | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | 43,000 |
| Bayeux | Normandy | 13,000 |
| Bergerac | Nouvelle-Aquitaine | 27,000 |
| Brive-la-Gaillarde | Nouvelle-Aquitaine | 47,000 |
| Biarritz | Nouvelle-Aquitaine | 24,000 |
| Bourgoin-Jallieu | Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes | 29,000 |
| Bonifacio | Corsica | 3,000 |
| Bollène | Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur | 14,000 |
Bordeaux
Bordeaux is a port city in southwestern France, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. It is famous for its wine industry, being one of the world’s major wine capitals. The name comes from the Latin “Burdigala.” Bordeaux is known for its Gothic Saint-André Cathedral, 18th- and 19th-century mansions, and the Place de la Bourse, which is a major landmark.
Brest
Brest is a port city in Brittany, located in the northwest of France. Known for its rich naval history, it has the second-largest military port in France. The name likely comes from the Old Breton word “brest” meaning “hill.” Brest is also home to the Oceanopolis aquarium and research center.
Besançon
Besançon is a city in eastern France, in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region. It is nestled in a bend of the Doubs River and is known for its preserved old town and Vauban citadel. The name derives from the Latin “Vesontio.” The city is famous for its watchmaking industry.
Bayonne
Bayonne is a town in the southwestern Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, near the Spanish border. It has a strong Basque influence and is known for its production of ham (Jambon de Bayonne) and chocolate. The name comes from “Baiona” in Basque, meaning “good river.” The town is divided by the Nive and Adour rivers.
Boulogne-Billancourt
Boulogne-Billancourt is located just outside of Paris in the Île-de-France region. It was an industrial hub during the 19th century and is now a wealthy suburb. The name combines the ancient town of Boulogne and the nearby hamlet of Billancourt.
Béziers
Béziers is a town in the Occitanie region of southern France. It is one of the oldest cities in France, dating back to 575 BCE. The town is well-known for its wine production and the Feria de Béziers, a famous annual bullfighting festival. Its name has ancient Celtic origins.
Bastia
Bastia is a coastal town in northern Corsica, known for its picturesque old harbor and baroque architecture. It’s the second-largest town on the island. The name comes from the Italian “bastiglia,” meaning fortress, reflecting its strategic importance.
Blois
Blois is a small town located along the Loire River in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Famous for its royal château, it has been the home of several French kings. The name “Blois” comes from the ancient Gaulish “Bleiz,” meaning wolf.
Belfort
Belfort is a small city in the Bourgogne-Franche-Comté region, famous for its large lion sculpture, the Lion of Belfort, commemorating resistance to a Prussian siege. The name is derived from “beau fort,” meaning “beautiful fortress.”
Bourg-en-Bresse
Bourg-en-Bresse is the capital of the Ain department in eastern France, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. It is known for its chicken (Bresse chickens), considered a gourmet delicacy. The town’s name means “fortified town” in French.
Bayeux
<p>Bayeux is a historic town in the Normandy region, best known for the Bayeux Tapestry, which depicts the Norman conquest of England. Its name originates from the Latin “Bajocasses,” the tribe that inhabited the area during Roman times.</p>
Bergerac
<p>Bergerac is a town in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, known for its wine production and ties to the literary character Cyrano de Bergerac. The name likely comes from the Gallic “Bracarius,” meaning a ford or river crossing.</p>
Brive-la-Gaillarde
<p>Located in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, Brive-la-Gaillarde is known for its lively market and medieval architecture. The name “Gaillarde” refers to its strong defensive walls, meaning “brave” or “valiant” in French.</p>
Biarritz
Biarritz is a luxurious seaside town in southwestern France, popular for its surfing culture. Located in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region, it was historically a favorite destination of European royalty. Its name comes from the Basque “Biarritz,” meaning “two rocks,” referring to the rocky coastline.
Bourgoin-Jallieu
Bourgoin-Jallieu is a town in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, located near Lyon. Known for its industrial past and modern development, the town’s name is derived from the merger of two former villages, Bourgoin and Jallieu.
Bonifacio
Bonifacio is a stunning town on the southern tip of Corsica, perched atop limestone cliffs. It is a popular tourist destination known for its medieval citadel. The town is named after Boniface II, a Tuscan margrave who founded it in the 9th century.
Bollène
Bollène is a small town in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, near the Rhône River. The town is known for its Romanesque chapel and lavender fields. Its name comes from the Latin “Bollena,” referring to an ancient Celtic deity.
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