France's architectural heritage is extraordinary: From 20,000-year-old prehistoric cave drawings in the Dordogne to the roof of the ultra-modern Grande Arche at Paris-La Défense, France displays all the architectural history of Europe in miniature.
Roman ruins can be found throughout the country, particularly in the south, and medieval timber-framed houses and public buildings are well represented in Rennes, Troyes and Strasbourg. Castles sit atop cliffs in the southwest, while hilltop villages survey the olive groves and vineyards in Provence. And of course, France is the heartland of the glorious Gothic architecture that produced the soaring cathedrals, each one a sacred universe unto itself.
All told, France houses some 4,200 chateaux, 1,200 museums, 1,400 monuments, cathedrals and abbeys -- a panorama of immense wealth.
From Roman ruins to the freestanding menhirs of Brittany; from the finest art collections in the Louvre or Orsay museums to parks and gardens that evoke empire in the formal grandeur; from medieval abbeys, cathedrals and châteaux such as Chenonceau, Blois and Chantilly to today's impressive monuments such as the Bibliotheque Nationale (National Library) or the Centre Georges Pompidou Modern Art Museum; from the intimacy of the Loire Valley's Clos-Lucé d'Amboise chateau, where Leonardo da Vinci once lived, to the Château of Auvers-sur-Oise where Impressionism came to life, each place tells its own story and adds its chapter to the story of France.
Roman ruins can be found throughout the country, particularly in the south, and medieval timber-framed houses and public buildings are well represented in Rennes, Troyes and Strasbourg. Castles sit atop cliffs in the southwest, while hilltop villages survey the olive groves and vineyards in Provence. And of course, France is the heartland of the glorious Gothic architecture that produced the soaring cathedrals, each one a sacred universe unto itself.
All told, France houses some 4,200 chateaux, 1,200 museums, 1,400 monuments, cathedrals and abbeys -- a panorama of immense wealth.
From Roman ruins to the freestanding menhirs of Brittany; from the finest art collections in the Louvre or Orsay museums to parks and gardens that evoke empire in the formal grandeur; from medieval abbeys, cathedrals and châteaux such as Chenonceau, Blois and Chantilly to today's impressive monuments such as the Bibliotheque Nationale (National Library) or the Centre Georges Pompidou Modern Art Museum; from the intimacy of the Loire Valley's Clos-Lucé d'Amboise chateau, where Leonardo da Vinci once lived, to the Château of Auvers-sur-Oise where Impressionism came to life, each place tells its own story and adds its chapter to the story of France.
Calling all Francophiles, along with those who love to discover more about French culture... All those who enjoy history, culture and the art of living well: we invite you to join us as we explore France throughout its châteaux, museums and monuments.
Presenting 200 of the most prestigious sites, guardians of our past and of our history, we offer an open door to our exceptional heritage. From prehistoric caves to the standing stones of Carnac; from the finest art collections in the Louvre or Orsay museums to parks and gardens that offer a moment of reverie; from the architectural masterpieces of the past abbeys, cathedrals and châteaux such as Chenonceau, Blois and Chantilly to today's impressive monuments like the Arch at La Défense or the Centre Georges Pompidou; from sites of intimate charm like the Clos-Lucé d'Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci once lived, to the château of Auvers-sur-Oise where Impressionism blossomed, each tells its own story - its traditions, its residents, its character.
Presenting 200 of the most prestigious sites, guardians of our past and of our history, we offer an open door to our exceptional heritage. From prehistoric caves to the standing stones of Carnac; from the finest art collections in the Louvre or Orsay museums to parks and gardens that offer a moment of reverie; from the architectural masterpieces of the past abbeys, cathedrals and châteaux such as Chenonceau, Blois and Chantilly to today's impressive monuments like the Arch at La Défense or the Centre Georges Pompidou; from sites of intimate charm like the Clos-Lucé d'Amboise, where Leonardo da Vinci once lived, to the château of Auvers-sur-Oise where Impressionism blossomed, each tells its own story - its traditions, its residents, its character.