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    Tourist Attractions in France

    The most interesting and beautiful tourist attractions in France. Photos and a brief description.

    About France

    France is one of the most visited countries in the world by tourists, with a developed infrastructure and excellent opportunities for recreation. The main attractions are natural beauty, gastronomic delights, architectural monuments and museum collections, which contain a huge number of world masterpieces.

    Paris is the most romantic city in the world. Its beauties will always stand apart, tourists try to visit the capital first of all. Newlyweds dream of spending their honeymoon here, couples with children want to show the kids the wonderful world of Disneyland Paris. The second item in the travel program is palaces and castles scattered throughout the country or the natural beauty of Provence and Normandy.

    Top Cities to Visit in France

    Top Tourist Attractions in France

    Eiffel Tower

    The main symbol of Paris and all of France. Named after the name of the creator. It was erected by 1899 to be used as an entrance arch at the World's Fair. Subsequently, the structure was planned to be dismantled, but the attraction took root. The main material is steel, the height is 324 meters. Anyone can visit the tower. In the evenings, the backlight turns on, the colors may change for significant events.

    Eiffel Tower
    The Arc de Triomphe

    The Arc de Triomphe

    Napoleon personally ordered its construction: so the emperor was going to perpetuate the victories of his "Great Army". The creation of the arch was completed in 1836. Currently, the square where it is installed bears the name of Charles de Gaulle. The height of the monument is 50 meters. The design is replete with small details. Under the arches after the First World War, the grave of the unknown soldier and the Eternal Flame appeared.

    Orsay Museum

    In the past, the museum building served as a Paris railway station. First, the station was closed, and the premises were mothballed, later reconstruction took place. One of the world's most impressive collections of fine art became available for inspection in 1986. The exhibits are distributed according to the levels and halls, taking into account the style and chronology. The collections are dominated by Impressionist and post-Impressionist paintings.

    Orsay Museum
    Louvre Museum

    Louvre Museum

    The most popular museum in the world, opened its doors to visitors in 1793. Its glass pyramid is one of the symbols of the French capital. The number of visitors in 2018 exceeded 10 million people, which became a record. The Louvre collection includes paintings, jewelry, sculptures and statuettes, frescoes and furniture. The number of masterpieces in the collection is countless, one of the main exhibits is Leonardo da Vinci's Mona Lisa.

    Champs - Elysees

    Chanz-Elise is the central street of Paris, one of the most beautiful, green and famous in the city. It stretches along the central part of the French capital for almost 2 km . The Champs-Elysees are traditionally divided into two parts: a shop, with boutiques, offices, banks and a park. The walking park is divided into squares by alleys, each of them has its own "specialization". For example, in Marigny there is a philatelist market and a theater, and in the Elysee Square there is the presidential residence.

    Champs - Elysees
    Cote d'Azur

    Cote d'Azur

    Another name is the French Riviera, a stretch of the Mediterranean coast from the city of Toulon to the border with Italy. One of the best places in the world to relax. Local cuisine is a feast for gourmets. On the Cote d'Azur, special dishes and wines are served, some are found only here. The disadvantages include high prices for recreation and real estate.

    Disneyland Paris

    An amusement park in the Paris suburb of Marne-la-Valais, has been operating since 1992. The park belongs to the American company "Walt Disney". This is a magical world for children, where all the famous characters of "Disney" cartoons live, the scenery from favorite fairy tales is recreated, and countless attractions that delight adults also work. Residential and business districts, hotels and golf courses are located on the territory of the park.

    Disneyland Paris
    Exchange Square (Bordeaux)

    Exchange Square (Bordeaux)

    The symbol of the city of Bordeaux and its main attraction. The architectural ensemble consists of two extended buildings built in the Baroque style, and adjacent buildings. Among them are the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Customs Museum. The pediments are decorated with sculptures. The square was created in the first half of the XVIII century by the project of Ange-Jacques Gabriel, the royal architect, the founder of classicism.

    Sainte-Chapelle (Paris)

    The chapel was built on the island of Cité in Paris. Although the building belongs to the Gothic style, it is "airy" and "light". It's all about the stained glass windows, shimmering in the sun and towering almost to the entire height of the walls. They depict numerous symbols. To understand them, you need to use the TV screen installed in Sainte-Chapelle. Painted columns support the arches of the upper chapel.

    Sainte-Chapelle (Paris)
    Notre Dame Cathedral

    Notre Dame Cathedral

    The Gothic Catholic church, sung in Hugo's work, is another symbol of Paris and France. Its construction lasted for centuries. The first stone was laid by Pope Alexander III in 1163. In 2019, during the reconstruction, a strong fire occurred in the building. The fire destroyed some rarities and unique finishing elements. The restoration will cost about a billion euros and will take years.

    Sacre Coeur Basilica (Paris)

    The name in translation is "Basilica of the Sacred Heart". Construction period: from 1875 to 1914. The white stone church is somewhat different from other Catholic sites in Paris, at one time its appearance caused discontent among the townspeople. Located at the top of Montmartre, the highest point of the city. On the Sacre Coeur bell tower there is a "Savoyard" - the largest bell of the French capital.

    Sacre Coeur Basilica (Paris)
    Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde (Marseille)

    Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde (Marseille)

    The main historical attraction of Marseille. It was erected in the middle of the XIX century on the site of the old chapel. The place is iconic: pilgrims have been received here for centuries and travelers have been blessed. The lead architect of the project is Henri-Jacques Esperandier. The bell tower is crowned by a 9-meter sculpture of the Mother of God. The bell weighs more than 8 tons. Frescoes and mosaics are a typical decoration for interiors of that time.

    Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere (Lyon)

    It was erected from 1872 to 1884 on the top of the Fourvier hill. The lands around Lyon have repeatedly faced adversities: from the plague to enemy armies under the walls of the city. Every time the residents prayed to the Virgin Mary, and the Mother of God, in their opinion, averted trouble. They worked on the construction for more than 10 years, and the interior decoration was completed only in 1964. The basilica is richly decorated with stained glass windows, murals, mosaics and statues.

    Basilica of Notre-Dame de Fourviere (Lyon)
    Mont Saint-Michel Abbey

    Mont Saint-Michel Abbey

    The translation of the name is "St. Michael's Mountain". The building is dated to the XI century. This fortified abbey stands on the island of the same name. In the central part, the castle itself rises, and along its perimeter – dense buildings, wild shrubs and trees. The walls are strong and more like a fort. Depending on the season, the area around may be completely covered with water. Sometimes it even floods the road leading to Mont Saint-Michel.

    The Palace of Versailles

    The royal residence, built on the outskirts of the French capital in the second half of the XVII century. This landmark was among the first to be included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The halls of the palace are kept in exemplary condition. The decoration and furniture correspond to past eras. Tourists are no less interested in the extensive park complex than the castle. There are about 1400 fountains on its territory.

    The Palace of Versailles
    Castles of the Loire

    Castles of the Loire

    The entire Loire River Valley is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. Traveling here, tourists get acquainted with a number of cities, including Orleans, Nantes and Angers. Majestic castles have been erected in them and their surroundings, created for the royals and nobles of France who wanted to escape from the hustle and bustle of Paris. So the castles of Chambord, Cheverny, Chateau de Chenonceau are built against the background of endless meadows and forests.

    Fontainebleau Palace

    Located 60 km from Paris in the Seine-et-Marne department, surrounded by a huge park. It has been under UNESCO protection since 1981. The history of the palace began in the XII century, but only 5 centuries later it acquired its present refined and majestic features. In architecture, you can see elements of medieval style, classics and Renaissance. Four French monarchs were born in the palace.

    Fontainebleau Palace
    Carcassonne Old Town

    Carcassonne Old Town

    Among the historical attractions, the medieval fortress city has held the second place in France in terms of attendance for many years. The impressive thickness of the walls surround not only the castle, but also numerous buildings inside the fortress itself. The towers hide narrow streets and small houses, which are still used for their intended purpose.

    Papal Palace in Avignon

    Another French object included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The complex consists of two palaces. The first one – he is the Old One – was built by order of Benedict XII and is more ascetic. The second – the New One – was built in the Gothic style for Clement VI and has extravagant features. The powerful outer walls had to withstand a siege. They have loopholes and gateways for attacking attackers.

    Papal Palace in Avignon
    Amphitheater in Nimes

    Amphitheater in Nimes

    It is not as advertised as the Colosseum, but it is not inferior to it in historical significance. It was erected by the Romans in the I century. Even then, sewage and water supply were brought to him. It was used for gladiatorial fights. Subsequently, it became a fortress, which affected the appearance of the structure. The original appearance of the amphitheater was returned only in the XVIII century. Nowadays, the arena hosts live concerts.

    Pont du Gard Aqueduct

    The highest of the preserved ancient aqueducts. It was built by the Romans, about 2 thousand years ago. A three-tiered arched structure crosses the Gardon River. The height is 49 meters, and the length is 275 meters. The bridge was used as an integral part of the water pipeline, and helped to provide water to the nearby bridge. When the need for it disappeared, the aqueduct was abandoned.

    Pont du Gard Aqueduct
    Millau Viaduct

    Millau Viaduct

    One of the tallest bridges in the world. One of its pillars reaches a level of 341 meters, which is higher than the Eiffel Tower. Millau is built across the valley of the Tarn River near the town of the same name. The viaduct is part of the A75 highway connecting Paris with the city of Beziers. The authors of the project are architect Norman Foster and engineer Michel Virlojo. Despite the massive columns, their creation looks light, and at low clouds, as if floating in the air.

    Little France (Strasbourg)

    Romantic and picturesque quarter of Strasbourg, included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. In the distant XVI century, fishermen and artisans engaged in leather dressing settled here, which is why an unpleasant smell took root on the streets. Now "Little France" has turned into an exquisite historical district with half-timbered houses, balconies drowning in flowers, quiet alleys and covered bridges over the Ile River.

    Little France (Strasbourg)
    City of Colmar

    City of Colmar

    Colmar is the most beautiful city in Alsace. The old districts are well preserved. At the first visit, it seems that I found myself in the scenery of a fairy tale being filmed. Little Venice and the Fishing Quarter are the most interesting parts of the city. The microclimate of Squid contributes to the development of winemaking. There are 5 museums open, including the Unterlinden Museum. Almost every month of the year there is a major festival.

    Claude Monet's Garden in Giverny

    The famous artist lived in this place for 43 years. Monet's house, turned into a museum, stands in the middle of the garden. The interiors are kept original, and personal belongings of the master are added to them. The room is bright both inside and outside. The same can be said about the garden. It looks like a lot of colors are moving randomly. Arches of plants, partially overgrown paths, many flowers greet guests in Giverny most of the year.

    Claude Monet's Garden in Giverny
    Tete d'Or Park (Lyon)

    Tete d'Or Park (Lyon)

    It occupies 117 hectares and is located in Lyon. The territory began to be improved in the middle of the century before last. Now there are stables, a velodrome, a zoo, a golf course and a train running around the area. Tourists ride on rented boats on the lake. One of the islands can be reached by a tunnel dug under the reservoir. The botanical Garden at the Tete d'Or consists of an impressive collection of plants.

    Dune in the Saw

    The highest dune in Europe is increasing in size from year to year. At the moment, its height exceeds 130 meters. The sand anomaly is located on the shore of the Arkashonsky Bay. A tourist infrastructure has been created around the mountain to make the ascents safer and more comfortable. Parking, souvenir shops, cafes serving fresh oysters, small hotels – all within walking distance.

    Dune in the Saw
    Lascaux Cave

    Lascaux Cave

    It was discovered in the commune of Montignac on the banks of the Weser River in 1940. The cave has become a real discovery in the field of archeology. It is a key element in the study of the Paleolithic era. The quantity and quality of rock carvings surpasses all other sources. Lascaux is called the "Sistine Chapel of Primitive Painting." At the same time, the dimensions of the cave are relatively small: up to 30 meters in height and about 250 meters in length.

    Mont Blanc

    The highest mountain range in Europe (excluding Elbrus). It is located on the border of France and Italy, a tunnel is laid under Mont Blanc between the countries. There are many ski trails of any complexity. It also eats "wild" slopes that attract extreme athletes. Conditions for mountaineering and hiking are well developed. There is a popular tourist route around the mountain — the Tour du Mont Blanc.

    Mont Blanc
    Lake Annecy

    Lake Annecy

    One of the most beautiful Alpine lakes. It is located in Northern Savoy. In size in France, it is second only to Lac du Bourget. The district is popular with tourists. Boat trips, water bike rentals, water sports are available, attractions are installed on the beaches. From the south, a valley approaches the lake, from the other sides it is surrounded by mountain ranges.

    Corsica

    An autonomous French territory occupying an island of the same name in the Mediterranean Sea. Representatives of many peoples lived in these territories at different times, so a special language dialect appeared here. Natural beauty is the main wealth of the area. Coves and beaches, forests and mountains — everything has been explored by tourists along and across, but they look as if untouched by man. The most famous Corsican is Napoleon Bonaparte.

    Corsica
    Verdon Gorge

    Verdon Gorge

    One of the main tourist attractions of Provence. At the same time, it is the longest and deepest gorge in France. It is located in the Alps, in the southeastern part of the country. The natural attraction is called the "French Grand Canyon". Hiking trails for hiking enthusiasts are laid out in the surrounding area, horseback riding is organized, kayaks for rafting are rented.

    Kalanki

    Small picturesque bays, French "fjords", which are located on the coast from Marseille to Lia Ciot and Cassis. The National Park was founded in 2012 and became the first protected area in Europe, which includes the periphery of cities, part of the sea and land. Small bays and islets have created a unique ecosystem. Therefore, many rare species of flora and fauna live here. Rock climbers have chosen Mountain Columns for training.

    Kalanki
    Etretat Rocks

    Etretat Rocks

    The name "Etreta" translates as "the farm of the setting sun". Such a poetic name in a compartment with an unusual appearance of rocks has always attracted travelers. Notable persons rested here, and artists and writers drew inspiration. The rocks rise tens of meters, they are snow-white and have bizarre shapes, many natural arches.

    Lavender fields of Provence

    The main brand and business card of the region is the endless purple rows of fragrant lavender stretching beyond the horizon. A favorite place of artists and photographers, the number of tourist postcards can compete with the Eiffel Tower. The Valancol plateau is especially densely and densely planted. The best time to travel is the end of June: that's when the annual lavender festival begins.

    Lavender fields of Provence