France – one of the most romantic countries in the world, where many travelers dream to visit. It is known for its many cultural and historical sites: medieval castles and magnificent palaces of the Classical period.
Top 20 attractions in France
This country really has something to show, and have something to surprise the most spoiled tourist. Today we have collected the best sights of France, which is a must-see and must-visit.
Azure Coast
This is the name of the southern coast of France from Toulon to the border with Italy. It is also called the French Riviera. And the name “Cote d’Azur” appeared with the light hand of a little-known writer of the 19th century. There is also the microscopic Principality of Monaco.
The Cote d’Azur is a real attraction in France, as. is considered one of the best vacation destinations in the world. Here you can sunbathe on the amazingly beautiful beaches, view the unique subtropical nature, enjoy the comfort and level of tourist infrastructure.
The only drawback is the high prices.
Notre Dame de Paris
We learned about Notre-Dame-de-Paris as children from Victor Hugo’s book of the same name. It was built in the Gothic style in the 12th-14th centuries on the site of the very first Christian church in Paris. The cathedral was partially destroyed by the rebels in 1793 and was rebuilt after the Great French Revolution.
Notre Dame de Paris is truly a symbol of Paris, its cultural, historical and religious monument. Visitors to the city should not miss the magnificent stained glass windows in the Cathedral, and most importantly, the crown of thorns of Jesus Christ, which is kept there.
Versailles
The Palace of Versailles and its surrounding park is a monument to the royal era in French history, symbolizing the period of absolute monarchy. This palace and park ensemble was built in the 17th century during the reign of Louis XIV, and then more than a hundred years was the official residence of the kings.
In the early 19th century Versailles was turned into a museum, and today its doors are open to tourists from all over the world. This landmark of France is a symbol of luxury and unlimited power of the monarch.
The magnificent Versailles Park with its fountains, waterfalls and ponds became the prototype of Russia’s Peterhof.
Annecy
It is a small town in the east of the country, located on the shores of the lake of the same name. In the heart of it, on a hill there is a famous medieval castle, which was built around the 8th century. Now in this castle is a museum with exhibits from the history of the early Middle Ages.
Another ancient landmark in Annecy is the Island Palace, which was erected in the middle of the Tew Canal, which crosses the city, in the 12th century. For centuries it was the residence of the head of Annecy, the city court, and then the prison. Now it is a cultural and historical monument of the city.
Amphitheater in Nîmes
It is a real Roman amphitheater, similar to the Colosseum, was built in the 1st century AD. In the time of Antiquity, there was a gladiator school in Nîmes. They fought in the amphitheater with each other, with the prisoners condemned to death, with the bulls, with the wild animals.
Later, during the Middle Ages, the amphitheater was used as a castle. People lived in it, they built their houses and temples. Later, all these new buildings were demolished and the amphitheater itself was restored. Today it is a reminder of the history of France in the times of the greatness of ancient Rome. Rock concerts are sometimes held here.
Carcassonne Old Town
And this is another wonderful city in the south of France, famous for its medieval buildings. The old town, standing on a rocky hill, is surrounded by two ancient, wide, powerful walls built in the 5th and 13th centuries. Today they are listed by UNESCO.
In the old town there are small old, even ancient houses, in which people still live. Through its pedestrian streets you can wander and fully experience the atmosphere of the Middle Ages, remembering the famous novel “The Castle” by Franz Kafka.
Carcassonne has been known to historians and scientists since Neolithic times.
Promenade des Anglais in Nice
This city was founded by the ancient Greeks who came to love this Mediterranean paradise. Nice is really beautiful. But its most interesting and famous landmark is the English Promenade, which has its own history, beauty, elegance and even charisma.
To visit France without visiting the Promenade des Anglais in Nice is simply unforgivable. It is on the Promenade des Anglais where you can see tourists from all over the world, feel at the same time holiday and festivity, feel the refined taste of local pleasures, merge into one with this truly French city.
Claude Monet’s Garden
If you want to see an Impressionist garden, visit Claude Monet’s famous garden in Giverny. It is not just a French landmark, but a real work of art. Giverny is just a lovely village that this talented artist fell in love with and made it famous throughout the world.
Tourists and fans of painting come to the estate of Claude Monet to see it, to feel the love for colors, which was characteristic of this artist, to see with their own eyes the riot of colors, the play of light and shadow, characteristic of Impressionism. Here in the garden you can also find Monet’s favorite water lilies.
Chamonix Valley
It is a true paradise for athletes and fans of mountain skiing and snowboarding, located in the Alps in eastern France, near the border with Italy and Switzerland. The Chamonix Valley is several small villages near Mount Mont Blanc that are considered the best ski resorts in the world.
The Chamonix Valley is a truly unique place. The first Winter Olympics were held here in 1924. The five ski resorts next to Mont Blanc are completely different, for all tastes.
This unique valley is in great demand, it has everything that fans of ski holidays can only dream of.
Arc de Triomphe in Paris
This monument is located on the Place Charles de Gaulle. It was erected at the behest of Napoleon in the early 19th century, and is dedicated to the victories of the Emperor and his army. The triumphal arch is made in the antique style and has very impressive dimensions. On its walls you can see engravings of more than a hundred victories of Napoleon’s troops.
The arch is placed on the road, which has long been considered by Parisians as a triumphal route, because. leads directly to the Louvre. Today, both of these attractions in France are a constant success with tourists and are among the historical symbols of Paris, reminiscent of the Revolution and the First Empire.
Eiffel Tower
This most recognizable building in Paris is 300 meters high and is named after its creator Gustave Eiffel. The Eiffel Tower was erected in 1889 and first served as the entrance to the World’s Fair. But later the Parisians liked it so much that it remained forever as a symbol of the city.
It was a very expensive project at the time – about $8 million. francs. But nowadays the Eiffel Tower has definitely paid off and is considered the most visited and photographed architectural monument in the world. You can’t imagine Paris today without it.
The Pontifical Palace of Avignon
It is a historical and cultural monument, which is included in the famous UNESCO list, one of the largest European palaces. The palace of Avignon became the residence of the popes in the early 14th century, when a conflict arose between King Philip the Beautiful and the Pope, and the latter was forced to leave for Avignon.
On the site of the old bishop’s palace, demolished on the orders of Pope Benedict 12, a papal palace was erected, more like a mighty fortress, with a monastery and other internal buildings.
Today, the Palace of Avignon is a museum and reminds French citizens and tourists of the former power of the papacy in France.
Astronomical clock of Rouen
The Astronomical or Grand Clock in Rouen was created in the 14th century and is set on an arch in the center of the city. In the 16th century, the clock received a decorative facade. Today it is one of the most famous sights in France, as. The mechanism of this type of watch is, according to experts, the largest in the world.
Thanks to this clock, Rouen had its first bells announcing the passage of time. Tourists can get inside this working clock for a small fee and examine its mechanism. In addition, from the height you can also admire the views of Rouen, its ancient Gothic cathedrals.
Grand Opera in Paris
The Paris Opera or Opera Garnier is one of the most famous opera and ballet theaters in the world. It dates back to the 17th century, when Louis XIV recognized opera as an art form and created the Royal Academy of Music and Dance. Further, the history of the Grand Opera was directly related to the transition of France from monarchy to republic.
The building of the modern Grand Opera was built in the second half of the 19th century and has cost the budget of Paris in a tidy sum. Today it is the favorite place of all opera lovers, with the best opera singers, musicians, and directors. It is the main attraction of France and Paris in the field of art.
Louvre Museum
The Louvre is one of the largest and oldest art museums in the world, located in the center of Paris. Its building is the former royal palace. It possesses the most valuable artifacts of history and culture. His collections are truly priceless; they tell the story of humanity from the earliest times.
The Louvre, as a museum, first showed its collections in the momentous year of 1793, during the Revolution. When Napoleon came to power, he named this museum after himself. Today, any cultural person simply must see at least a small part of the collections of the Louvre, which began to collect three hundred years ago.
Chapel of Saint Michel
This extraordinary chapel is located on a high rocky cliff and is the oldest surviving temple in France. The chapel was built on the foundations of an ancient Roman temple by the Catholic bishop Puy in the mid-10th century.
Over the centuries, the chapel has been rebuilt several times. Today, many tourists and pilgrims perceive it as the beginning of the Christian era in this country and the first religious landmark in France.
In the middle of the last century, archaeologists discovered medieval treasures near the chapel. Today they are displayed right outside the chapel. Many tourists come to this interesting place in France to see the treasures.
Marquessac Gardens
These amazing gardens, scattered on the hills of the Perigord, can rightly be called one of the most beautiful places in France, a true masterpiece of landscape design. The castle, around which the gardens grow, was built in the 17th century by Marquessac.
The gardens were planted by the king’s first apprentice gardener. It is based on boxwood groves, which are cut exclusively by hand. There are also cypresses and cedars, and modern gardeners work with them.
Fontainebleau Palace
This architectural landmark of France was formerly the most beautiful palace of the king. It boasts an ancient and fascinating history. The Fontainebleau Palace is a must-see in France.
Many kings and emperors of France were born, lived and ruled here, the most important events for the country took place. In the mid-20th century, the Fontainebleau Palace was included in the famous UNESCO list.
It is the most interesting place in France, its extraordinary architecture and the luxury of its interior have made France famous throughout the world. The Fontainebleau Palace was born in the 16th century, for its construction famous Italian mannerists were involved.
Lavender Fields of Provence
In the province of Provence, located in the south of France, fields of lavender bloom in summer. These are the most interesting places in France at this time. No one can resist the beauty of lavender. In summer, the Provence authorities annually announce a festival of lavender blossoms.
At this time there are exhibitions, fairs and museums in towns and villages devoted only to lavender. The hosts of hotels in Provence welcome tourists from all over the world, with world-class service and lilac fields stretching to the horizon.
Provence is a large region, so you can see only a small part of it at one time. In a few days you can visit Marseille, Avignon, Luméron, visit the Côte d’Azur, the Calanques Park, to enjoy the scents of blooming lavender.
Reims Cathedral
It is a French Gothic monument, built in the 14th century in the province of Champagne. It was built about 100 years by many talented architects and artists who created this unique piece of architecture and made it immortal.
Reims Cathedral is a unique example of Gothic architecture in Europe, most of the kings of France were crowned here until the 19th century. The cathedral has over 2,300 sculptures of kings, knights, saints and devils.
The battles of the Hundred Years’ War took place near the cathedral, and in the first half of the 15th century Charles VII was crowned, who turned the tide of that war. In 1914 the cathedral was almost destroyed by the Germans, but later rebuilt.
Anzher Castle
The castle is located in the city of Angers, not far from the French Louvre. This land was part of the Roman Empire in the 3rd century. With the help of the castle, the Romans defended their territories against barbarian attacks.
In the 9th century the castle was conquered by the Franks, it was rebuilt from a wooden to a stone version and came under the authority of the local king. Inside Angers Castle, chambers for the king and a chapel were built.
At the beginning of World War II, the Polish government hid here, but was captured by the Nazis, and the castle was occupied by their troops. It was badly damaged by Allied bombing, but was rebuilt after the war.
Video overview of the sights of France
Everyone dreams of visiting this country at least once in their life. Beautiful France and its dazzling Paris are full of romance, beautiful and colorful sights. And they will definitely call you back.
https://youtu.be/2N7l6SSKeds
We offer a brief acquaintance with the most interesting places in France, to see them with your own eyes. You will be fascinated by them and immediately begin to dream of meeting again. What to see in France, so you will never forget it?
