UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France:
1. Roads to Santiago de Compostela
Historic buildings and monuments along the four routes leading pilgrims to Spain.
2. Island of Mont Saint-Michel
The island has a Benedictine abbey (XI-XVI centuries) in the Gothic style and a village.
3. Saint-Emilion
A wine-growing region with a long history. Many churches and monasteries.
4. Church of Saint-Saven-sur-Gartan
Monastery since 811. The frescoes (XI-XII centuries) with scenes from the Pentateuch are perfectly preserved.
5. Murals in the caves of the Weser Valley
25 caves with ancient rock paintings. Several hundred drawings of animals.
6. Canal du Midi
328 hydraulic structures between Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic (1667-1694).
7. Historic fortified city of Carcassonne
A typical medieval town with an impressive defense system around the castle and dwellings.
8. Chartres Cathedral
Built in 1145. An example of French Gothic. Sculptures of the mid-12th century, stained glass windows of the 12th-13th centuries
9. Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonne
Landscapes of exclusively cultural significance: historical cities, villages, castles.
10. Cathedral in Bourges
A masterpiece of Gothic art of the XII-XIII centuries. Images of the Last Judgment and scenes from the life of St. Etienne.
11. Palace and park at Versailles
Founded in 1624. Over time, the ensemble became an example of a royal residence.
12. Paris - banks of the Seine
A collection of architectural masterpieces, including Notre Dame, Louvre, Tuileries, House of the Invalids.
13. Amiens Cathedral
The largest cathedral in the country. The three-aisled basilica was built in 1220 on the site of a Romanesque church.
14. Palace and park at Fontainebleau
A modest hunting lodge was built in 1137. It later expanded to become the seat of kings.
15. Provins, the medieval city of fairs
In the XII-XIII centuries. fairs were held here, which attracted traders from all over Europe.
16. Notre Dame Cathedral, Saint-Remy Abbey and Tau Palace in Reims
Gothic cathedral of the XIII century. In the abbey of Saint-Remy, a vessel was kept for the anointing of the kings of France.
17. Church at Vezelay
The remains of Mary Magdalene are said to be in the church in Vézelay. Place of pilgrimage.
18. Abbey of Fontaine
It was founded in 1118 by the Cistercians, and in the 15th century. received the status of a royal abbey.
19. Lyon
Founded by the Romans in the 1st century. BC e. Numerous monuments dating back to different eras.
20. Garsky bridge
It is part of an aqueduct built by the Romans in 19 BC. e. Connects the banks of the Gardon River.
21. Ancient Roman monuments of Arles
The oldest monuments date back to the 1st century. BC e. Amphitheater, underground passages, Baths of Constantine.
22. The historic center of Avignon
In the XIV century. the city was the papal residence. Strengthening, Papal palace, Cathedral of Notre Dame de Dome.
23. Antique Theater and Arc de Triomphe in Orange
The large amphitheater (the length of the facade is 103 m) is perfectly preserved. Arch with bas-reliefs (10-25).
24. Ark-e-Senan: royal salt mines
The Ark-e-Senan settlement at the salt mines was built in the 18th century. Director's house and factory buildings.
25. Places Stanislaus I, Quarry and Alliance in Nancy
The architectural ensemble of squares (1752-56) is an example of French Baroque.
26. Strasbourg. Grand Ile
The Grand Ile Island is the historical center of the Alsatian capital. Cathedral, four churches, Roan Palace.
27. Cape Girolata, Cape Porto, Scandola and Piana Calanches nature reserve in Corsica
The nature reserve on the Scandola Peninsula covers 30,000 hectares. Seagulls, cormorants, sea eagles.
28. Mount Mante Perdido in the Pyrenees (France / Spain)
"Lost Mountain" - a massif 3.352 m high. Nearby - two of the largest canyons in Europe
29. Bell towers of cities in Belgium and France
23 bell towers in the north of France, a bell tower in the city of Gembloux in Belgium, 30 Belgian city towers. Bright symbols of the emerging civil liberties.
30. Le Havre - the city restored by Auguste Perret
The heritage site includes administrative, commercial and Cultural Center Le Havre. An example of post-war urban planning and architecture.
31. Port of the Moon in Bordeaux
The historic center of the port city in southwestern France is a unique urban and architectural ensemble the Enlightenment
32. Lagoons of New Caledonia
The lagoon of New Caledonia is home to the world's second largest coral reef
33. Fortifications of Vauban
Thirteen fortresses designed by Vauban.
France - amazing country. Centuries-old history full of events, left her with many architectural, historical, cultural sights. In addition, France is rich in scenic natural places... Its varied landscapes are literally breathtaking. The World Organization of UNESCO did not leave this country without its attention. After all, this country has added countless objects to the World Heritage List.
Versailles is a palace and park ensemble, the residence of the French kings. This luxurious palace, which matches the bright baroque era of the sun king, is considered the most a beautiful palace throughout Europe. Its lavishly decorated rooms are truly impressive. It is also pleasant to stroll through the neatly groomed, regular park around the palace. That is why the place has become one of the most visited in all of France.
In northwestern France, between the provinces of Normandy and Brittany, is located granite island Mont Saint Michel. On it with a huge spire rises the Roman-Gothic monastery of the Benedictine abbey. The most spectacular ebb and flow in all of Europe is observed here. Water once a lunar day can move back several kilometers. And then, returning, blocks the dam, which is the only road to the island.
Let's go back to the distant past, to primitive times. Then there was no such state as France, but, nevertheless, people already lived on its territory. In the province of Languedoc, archaeologists have found amazing caves Lasko. They found a large number of rock paintings. They were even nicknamed the Sistine Chapel of the primitive period. Paintings and prints appeared here in about 18-15 centuries BC. Just imagine!
On the island of Corsica, which is French territory, there is National park- calanque bays. These are rocky formations, mainly composed of granite. Over time and under the influence of the wind, they acquired bizarre shapes. Getting to the place is extremely difficult. It is possible only by water or through mountain range... But those who had the patience and got to the coast will definitely not regret it. Local landscapes are not in vain included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In France, amazing monuments have survived from the time of Roman rule. These are mostly antique amphitheaters. There are such in the city of Arles, Orange, Lyon.
The largest site in France, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2000 in the category of cultural landscapes - Loire Valley ... This delightful area, 280 km long and 800 km2, is a unique universal value.
The Loire Valley is memorable place history and art. It clearly shows how a person, over time, managed to take his place along the entire length of the river, equip it and even defend himself from it, from the danger it posed. The landscape of the Loire Valley, its many cultural monuments clearly demonstrate the ideals of the Renaissance and Enlightenment in relation to the idea and creation Western Europe... A remarkable architectural heritage is also represented here - historical cities: Blois, Chinon, Orleans, Saumur, Tours, Nantes or Angers, and worldwide famous monuments: Château de Chambord or Chenonceau, the royal castle of Amboise, the gardens of the castle of Villandry, the Château Clos-Luce, and the royal abbey of Fontevraud. These locks are excellent visual and historical chronicle about major and minor events in the history of France.
(22 photos total)
1. Chambord Castle, Loire Valley, France
2. The Saumur castle (Chateau de Saumur) is located in the Loire region, on the historical road of the Valley of the Kings. Built at the end of the 11th century, Saumur Castle was alternately a fortress, an entertainment residence, the residence of the city's governors, a prison, then a warehouse of weapons and ammunition. Towering over the city and the majestic Loire, the castle was bought from the state in 1906 by the city of Saumur and, after partial restoration, a municipal museum was opened in it.
4. Castle Azay-le-Rideau is located in the Center-Loire Valley region. Built on an island in the middle of the Indre River, the castle in its present form was built during the reign of Francis I by the wealthy financier Gilles Berthelot, who wanted to translate Italian innovations into French architecture. Surrounded by greenery, the castle is washed by the waters of Endre, which reflect its walls. Aze-le-Rideau castle, recognized historical monument, is the epitome of the sophistication characteristic of castles from the early French Renaissance.
6. Castle Langeais (Le chateau de Langeais) is located in the Center-Loire Valley region, on the border of Anjou and Touraine. There are two unique castles in the Langeais castle: the Fulk Nerra tower and the Louis XI castle. The first of them is the oldest donjon in France, and the second has two facades, a medieval one from the city side and a Renaissance one from the courtyard. The first castle, located on a hill above the Loire, was erected in 994 by the powerful and formidable Angevin Count Fulk Nerra. Today it is one of the oldest dungeons in France: a significant part of it remains, dressed in our time with forests that recreate a medieval construction site. These scaffolding and hoisting gears transport visitors to the time of the tenth century builders. On the other side of the courtyard is the second royal castle, built by order of Louis XI at the end of the 15th century (in 1465). Louis XI wanted the right bank of the Loire to be controlled from the height of the castle towers and the patrol path. Its majestic façade is thus equipped with a sentry path, towers and a drawbridge from the city side. In the courtyard, ornamented façade windows accentuate the Renaissance sophistication of this pleasant, eye-catching residence.
7. Historical wedding. Within these walls, on December 6, 1491, the fate of France and Brittany was decided at the wedding ceremony of Charles VIII to the Duchess Anne of Breton. This marriage marked the annexation of the duchy to the French crown, thus ending its independence. The spectacle, striking in its realism, will take the visitor to the center of this most important event in the history of France.
9. Chenonceau Castle (Chateau Сhenonceau) is located in the Center-Loire Valley region. Property of the crown, then a royal residence, the Chenonceau castle is unique for its original location on the river Cher, as well as for its fate. He was loved, cherished and protected by women such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Today Chenonceau Castle is the second most visited castle in France after Versailles.
12. Valence park and castle (Chateau de Valencay) were built during the time of Louis XIII. The castle was built on the site of an old feudal fortress. Over time, it was rebuilt and harmoniously combines the style of the early Renaissance and classicism. In 1803, Napoleon bought this magnificent castle, which became the property of the Prince de Talleyrand, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The latter, thanks to this, can receive important guests with appropriate luxury. Napoleon decides to purchase the Valence castle for his famous foreign minister, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, in 1803, so that he can receive European dignitaries with appropriate luxury. The castle is located in Berry and combines two architectural style- Renaissance and classicism. It is fully furnished and surrounded by superb French-style gardens and an English park.
15. Medieval fortress Amboise, located in the Center-Valley of the Loire region in the city of Amboise, becomes a royal residence during the reign of Kings Charles VIII and Francis I (late 15th-early 16th centuries). Many European artists and writers live at the court in Amboise at the invitation of kings, like Leonardo da Vinci, who rests in the chapel of the castle.
The UNESCO heritage in France is represented by world famous landmarks. Among architectural monuments certainly worth mentioning palace and park complex at Versailles. It is located in the suburbs of the French capital and represents a real masterpiece... Since the reign of Louis XIV, Versailles has been the seat of royalty. It was then, in the 17th century, that the complex was revived in a new light. The best architects and gardeners of the country worked on its construction and subsequent reconstruction. No money was spared on the interior decoration of the palace and it turned out to be magnificent and magnificent. Apart from its aesthetic value, Versailles has become an important historical site. In particular, a peace treaty was signed here that ended the First World War.
In France, there are also unique rock paintings in caves along the Weser River under the protection of UNESCO. Archaeologists agreed that the approximate age of these images reaches seventeen thousand years. They were protected from water thanks to marble, which allowed the drawings to be preserved quite well. The most famous drawings are located in the Lascaux cave. They depict scenes of hunting and life, as well as animals. They are of the greatest cultural value, since they can be used to determine that primitive artists were already beginning to use some of the painting techniques. Their imagination told them the principles of perspective and feathering.
Many ancient Roman sights are also included in the UNESCO list in France. Among them it is worth noting the ancient monuments in the city of Arles. He was loved by the ancient Roman emperors, which led to the active construction of various buildings and objects on its territory. The remains of a theater, underground galleries and other structures have survived to this day. In French city Orange also houses the ruins of an ancient Roman theater. It is located on the banks of the Rhone and was built by the Gauls. In addition to the theater, on its territory there is the Arc de Triomphe, also built in the ancient Roman era.
There are 46 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France. Most of them are religious buildings. The list also includes cities with a rich history (old cities in Paris, Strasbourg, the papal town in Avignon, and the episcopal town in Albi) and natural objects(the bay of Porto, the lagoons of New Caledonia, the nature of the island of La Réunion).
(In addition to material objects, there is also)
Complete list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France:
Abbey of Fontenay (l'abbaye de Fontenay)
- the oldest, still intact today, the Cistercian abbey (built in 1118).
The Antique Theater and the Arc de Triomphe of Orange (le Théâtre antique et l'Arc de Triomphe d'Orange)
The theater in Orange was built during the reign of Emperor Augustus, in the 1st century. BC, veterans of the 2nd legion of Julius Caesar. Today it is one of the best preserved Roman theaters in the world. The huge outer wall with the original elevator remained intact. The Arc de Triomphe was built later - in the 1st century. AD
Le Corbusier's architectural heritage
These are 17 architectural structures created in the 20th century. Franco-Swiss master Le Corbusier on three continents (America, Asia, Europe). Most of them are located in France: the houses of La Roche and Genre in Paris, the Villa Savoie in Poissy, the Chapel of Notre-Dame-du-Haut in Ronchamps, the monastery of Sainte-Marie de la Tourette in Eve, etc.
residential building in Marseille Basilica and Hill of Vézelay (la basilique et la colline de Vézelay)
The basilica, built by 1150, was largest center pilgrimage on the road of St. James of Compostel. It is an example of Romanesque architecture.
Bay and Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel (la Baie et l'abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel)
Is a rocky island located in the English Channel in northern France. Famous for the abbey and its buildings, towering over the island. Is one of .
Champagne vineyards, houses and cellars
Vineyards and sites associated with winemaking in the Champagne region.
Le Havre city center, built after World War II
The World Heritage List includes the city center of Le Havre, rebuilt after the war (1945-1964) by the architect Auguste Perret. This architectural ensemble is located on an area of 150 hectares and unites more than 12 thousand buildings - residential buildings, commercial, administrative and religious buildings, built according to the principles of the School of Structural Classicism of modern architecture of the mid-20th century.
Bell towers in France and Belgium (les beffrois de France et de Belgique)
And Belgium is inscribed in the world cultural heritage... French towers are located in and. The bell towers are an exceptional example of urban architecture, adapted to the political and spiritual requirements of the time. Built in the Middle Ages, they became a symbol of the independence of cities from the feudal regime.
Wine farms of Burgundy
One of the sites recently added to the UNESCO list (since 2015), celebrating the wine-making traditions of the region.
Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalon (le Val de Loire entre Sully-sur-Loire et Chalonnes)
The Loire Valley is of exceptional beauty landscapes of historical cities and villages, great architectural monuments - , - agricultural land and the river itself.
Roads of St. James of Compostelle (les Chemins de Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle en France)
A part of the pilgrimage route from the center of Europe to spanish city, where the Cathedral of St. James of Compostel is located.
Ancient Roman monuments in Arles (les monuments romains et romans a Arles)
The ensemble consists of 8 objects located within a perimeter of 65 hectares, and includes a Roman amphitheater, an antique theater, a Roman forum, baths, a fortress wall, a temple, etc.
Episcopal town in Albi (la Cité épiscopale d'Albi)
The architectural ensemble, mostly medieval, made of burnt red bricks.
Porto Bay (Piana Bay, Girolata Bay, Scandola Nature Reserve) in Corsica (le Golfe de Porto: calanche de Piana, golf de Girolata, réserve de Scandola en Corse)
Bay in the Mediterranean Sea in the western part. There is a nature reserve on the coast.
Versailles castle and gardens
Located near Paris in the town of Versailles. It was the residence of the French kings Louis XIV, XV, XVI. Kings and their courtiers lived there permanently from 1682 to 1789.
Fontainebleau castle (le château de Fontainebleau)
- one of the royal residences near Paris, many French kings lived here from Francis I to Napoleon III. The building is made in the Renaissance and Classicism styles.
The historic center of Avignon (Palais des Papes, episcopal complex, Avignon bridge) (le Palais des papes, ensemble épiscopal, le Pont d'Avignon)
In the 14th century. the popes of the Roman Catholic Church lived in Avignon.
The historic center of Lyon
The old one is located along the Saone River at the foot of the Fourvière hill. This is a rare example of the cities of the Middle Ages and Renaissance that have remained to this day in an almost untouched form.
Fortress of Carcassonne (la cité fortifiée de Carcassonne)
This medieval architectural ensemble is located in the city of Carcassonne on the right bank of the Aude River. The history of the fort dates back to the Gallo-Roman period. The fortress became famous for its almost three-kilometer-long double wall with 52 towers. The castle and the basilica are also located inside.
Lagoons of New Caledonia (les lagons de Nouvelle-Calédonie)
The incredible beauty of the lagoons of New Caledonia are located in Pacific... Belong to France. Limited to the longest coral reef in the world.
Places of ancient sites and grottoes with prehistoric drawings in the Vézère valley (la vallée de la Vézère)
Of interest are prehistoric drawings found in 25 caves in the Weser Valley, 147 Paleolithic sites in an area of 30 by 40 km, and hundreds of thousands of artifacts from the Stone Age.
Sites of ancient settlements in the Alps (les sites palafittiques préhistoriques autour des Alpes)
We are talking about the remains of prehistoric, dating from the period from 5000 to 500 years BC, lake dwellings around the Alps. These are 111 places around lakes, along river banks and in swamps. Only a small number have been excavated, but from the finds there one can judge about life in Europe during the Neolithic and Bronze Age.
Convent church in Saint-Savin sur Gartempe (l'abbatiale de Saint-Savin sur Gartempe)
It is included in the list of world heritage due to well-preserved, unique wall paintings of the 12-13th centuries. (era of Romanesque art).
Bridge of the Gard (le pont du Gard)
Built in the 1st century. AD It is considered the tallest aqueduct built by the Romans. It was used to carry water from Uzes to the city of Nîmes. The aqueduct was used until the 6th century. Further, the building began to be used as a bridge.
Paris, the banks of the Seine (Paris, rives de la Seine)
UNESCO protected area,. On an area of 365 hectares, 23 of the 37 Parisian bridges over the Seine are located, as well as two islands - and Saint-Louis. In this area there are many monuments of the capital of France:,, Place de la Concorde, ...
Chauvet-Pont d'Arc cave (la grotte ornée du Chauvet-Pont d'Arc)
This is a Paleolithic cave, discovered in 1994 in the Ardash department. Named after its discoverer. About a thousand drawings and engravings were found in the cave, mostly depicting animals.
Plateau of Kos and Seven (les Causses et les Cévennes): cultural landscapes of Mediterranean shepherds
The Protected Areas of Greater Kos and Cévennes are located in the south of the Massif Central between 5 cities - Mand, Ales, Ganj, Lodev and Millau. The history of the development of the region is of great importance, the organization here from the 11th century. large abbeys and links between agrarians and their biophysical environment.
Pyrenees - Lost Mountain (les Pyrénées - Mont Perdu)
The Pyrenees-Lost Mountain is a vast mountainous region on the French-Spanish border. Natural and cultural landscapes are protected.
Peaks, craters and earthen ramparts of Réunion Island (Pitons, cirques et remparts de l'île de la Réunion)
Natural heritage of French overseas department in the South-West Indian Ocean... The protected area makes up almost 40% of the island.
Stanislas Square in Nancy (la place Stanislas, Nancy)
The square was built by the will of the Duke of Lorraine Stanisl Leszczynski in 1755 by the architect Emmanuel Ere. It is considered one of the most beautiful squares France.
Port de la Lune in Bordeaux (le port de la Lune à Bordeaux)
Port of the Moon - this is the name of the port in the city because of the characteristic curved shape of the coast on which the port is located. The commercial port of the city was of great importance in the development of Bordeaux in the 16th-20th centuries.
Provins, city of the medieval fair (Provins)
Proven - former capital County of Champagne. Famous for the medieval fortifications surrounding the city.
Jurisdiction of Saint-Emilion (la Jurudiction de Saint-Emilion)
Is a wine-growing region 35 km from the northern part of the Dordona Valley. It stretches over 7846 hectares and has a population of 6 thousand inhabitants.
Cathedral of Our Lady, the Abbey of Saint-Rémy and the Palace of Tau in Reims (la cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, l'abbaye Saint-Rémi, le palais de Tau)
Notre Dame Cathedral in Reims was built in the 13th century. It suffered significant damage during the First World War. But a statue of more than 2,300 statues has survived to this day.
The Basilica Abbey of Saint-Remy is one of the oldest churches in France, built in the 9th century. It contains the relics of Saint Remy, the baptist of the first French king, Clovis.
The Palace was the seat of the Archbishop of Reims and was also the seat of the French kings during their coronation. The palace got its name because of its shape - it was built with the letter T (in Greek Tau).
Cathedral in Amiens (la cathédrale d'Amiens)
This is the largest French cathedral (200,000 m 3 ). One of the examples of the classic Gothic style. The cathedral has lost almost all of its original stained-glass windows, but its western facade and portal are still decorated with sculptures from the 13th century.
Cathedral in Bourges (la cathédrale de Bourges)
Built between the late 12th - late 13th centuries. Architecturally, it is remarkable for its harmonious proportions and the value of tympans, sculptures and stained glass windows.
Cathedral in Chartres (la cathédrale de Chartres)
A masterpiece of Gothic architecture, its sculptures, stained glass windows and cladding have been preserved for the most part in their original form. The cathedral was built in the 13th century.
Saline de Salins-les-Bains
An ensemble of two former salt pans. Salt production in these places has been carried out for 7 thousand years.
Taputapuatea in Polynesia
Taputaputea is a commune on the island of Raiatea vo French Polynesia... Places where ancient Polynesian cults were practiced are included in the UNESCO lists.
Vauban fortifications (les fortifications de Vauban)
Several cities (Arras, Besançon, Villefranche de Conflant, etc.) with fortifications of the military engineer Vauban.
Strasbourg: Center (Grande-île) and German Quarter Neustadt (la Neustadt)
The old center is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site as an example of a medieval city.
The German Quarter was built in the north and northeast of the Grand Ile, the historic center, during the period when the city belonged to Germany (construction went on from the 80s of the 19th century until the outbreak of the First World War).
The mines of Nord-Pas-de-Calais
This is a territory in the north of France in the departments of Nord and Pas-de-Calais, whose economic, social, environmental and cultural development is closely associated with the intensive mining of coal in the period from the end of the 17th century. until the end of the 20th century.
South channel (le canal du Midi)
Connects to the Mediterranean Sea. It was built in the 17th century. in the reign of Louis 14 and called by his contemporaries "the construction site of the century." It is the oldest operating channel in Europe.
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