Lyon is the third-largest city in France and the second-largest urban area, with a population of 516,092 within its municipal boundaries and 2,237,676 in its metropolitan area. It is also the capital of the region of Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes and the prefecture of the department of Rhône.
Bordeaux is the ninth-largest city in France and the sixth-largest urban area, with a population of 257,804 within its municipal boundaries and 1,195,335 in its metropolitan area. It is also the capital of the region of Nouvelle-Aquitaine and the prefecture of the department of Gironde.
Nantes is the sixth-largest city in France and the seventh-largest urban area, with a population of 309,346 within its municipal boundaries and 972,828 in its metropolitan area. It is also the capital of the region of Pays de la Loire and the prefecture of the department of Loire-Atlantique.
Nice is the fifth-largest city in France and the eighth-largest urban area, with a population of 343,895 within its municipal boundaries and 1,004,826 in its metropolitan area. It is also the capital of the region of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur and the prefecture of the department of Alpes-Maritimes.
Strasbourg is the seventh-largest city in France and the ninth-largest urban area, with a population of 280,966 within its municipal boundaries and 785,839 in its metropolitan area. It is also the capital of the region of Grand Est and the prefecture of the department of Bas-Rhin. It is also the official seat of several European institutions, such as the European Parliament and the Council of Europe.