French Landmarks: Unforgettable, Historical, and Romantic

France is a country renowned for its unforgettable, historical, and romantic landmarks, and among them are the historic French landmarks that captivate visitors from around the world.

These are not just French landmarks, but these are places in France that will get your eyes sparkling with excitement and your heart beating with romance. After all, France is the consistently declared most romantic place in the world!

Abbey of Fontenay

Abbey of Fontenay -acknowledged as a French Historic monument in 1862, and A UNESCO world heritage site in 1981. It was labeled as one with an”Outstanding Universal Value”, the oldest preserved Cistercian Abbey in the world!

The Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay is located in the Bourgogne Franche- Comte region in the Cote-d’Or Department in Marmagne. It was St. Bernard who founded this structure which later was brought down in history with its austere architecture, church, cloister, bakery, sleeping quarters, refectory, and with its ironworks. All these show the ideal of self-sufficiency as practiced by the Cistercian monks in the earliest communities they built.

When was it built?

The Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay was built between 1139 and 1147 by Abbot Guillaume. It was consecrated by Pope Eugene III, a Cistercian and St. Bernard’s former disciple.

History

During the French Revolution, in 1790 when the last of the 10 monks left, the abbey was converted to industrial use- specifically a paper mill. For some reason, the paper mill didn’t prosper and the abbey was bought by an art-loving banker in 1906. Edouard Aynard brought the abbey to return it back to its medieval glory.

I was caught by the irresistable attraction of the work of art to be revived and restored.- Edouard Aynard

The new owner of the abbey made sure that he preserved the buildings of the Romanesque period including the Abbey Church, Cloister, dormitory, Chapter room, the common room, and the Forge.

In 2004, the Abbey was listed as a “Remarkable Garden” by the National Council of Parks and Gardens because of its beautiful landscaped park, one of the most talked-about landmarks in France.

Let’s take a tour!

The fully preserved valley where the Abbey lies extends over 1,200 hectares. The structure itself in the form of a Romanesque Cistercian church is modest and simple.

The basilic design shaped a Latin cross, the blind nave, and the transept devoid of a tower are just some of the remarkable characteristics of the structure.

In addition, the perfection of the proportions, the beauty of the masonry of the wall where the impeccable courses of ashlar with crude rough-cut rubble are placed on both sides, the wall openings, and the science of the vaults- they all make the architecture stand out in its brilliance.

This extraordinary site is open for public visits all year round. There are an estimated 100,000 visitors each year who enjoy themselves with the beauty and purity of the architecture preserved for 900 years. If you want to be in a quiet and serene place, the Fontenay Abbey is where you must be.

How to get there?

By driving you can get to the Abbey from Paris in 2h 38m, the distance being 244km.

By riding a train from Paris to Abbey of Fontenay for 1h 15m. You may use this map.

Arc de Triomphe

Arc de Triomphe, with the full name Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile, a massive triumphal Arc in Paris, France is one of the world’s most famous commemorative monuments, making it one of the famous monuments in France.

The Arc de Triomphe is an iconic symbol of French national identity. It took 30 years to build!

To give recognition to this national symbol, the Tour de France bicycle race ends near it every year, and also the yearly military parade every July 14. These events are known as French National Day and Bastille Day. The Bastille Day on the other hand begins its journey at the arch.

The Tomb of the Unknown is within the Arc de Triomphe.

When was it built?

In the 19th century, Napoleon I led the building of the triumphal arch. This is to celebrate the military achievements of the French Armies after his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz in 1805.

History

The construction of the arch which began on Napoleon’s birthday on August 15, 1806, was just slightly started that only a little more than the foundation had been completed when he married the Austrian archduchess Marie Louise in 1810.

So, to honor her ceremonial entry into Paris, Napoleon showed a completed depiction of the whole architectural design made from wood and painted canvas built on the actual site.

The designer, Jean Francois Therese Chalgrin made changes to the design after this event but still, only a portion of the arch had been completed at the time of his death. There was more slowing down of the work after Napoleon was renounced as emperor.

In 1823, King Louis XVIII ordered the continuation of building the arch. It was during the reign of King Louis – Philippe that the basic structure was finished in 1831 and the arch was totally completed in 1836.

Let’s take a tour!

The Arch is 164 feet (50 meters) high and 148 feet (45 meters )wide. It is located in a circular plaza overlooking 12 grand streets, forming a star which is called etoile in French. This form is the reason why it is also called the Arch of Triumph of the Star.

Britannica wrote about Chalgrin’s design of the Arch as being Neoclassical, which is partly inspired by the Arch of Titus in the Roman Forum.

The facades of the arch’s four pedestals showcase the First Empire and the high-relief sculptures celebrating military victories of the Revolution. The most famous among the sculptures is the Departure of the Volunteers of 1792 or most popularly called La Marseillaise. The other surfaces of the arch have the names of hundreds of generals and battles.

You can view these designs walking around the base and under the arches of the Arc de Triomphe for free or if you want to climb the 280 stairs to the top to see the panoramic views over Paris, you have to pay a certain fee.

Remember, even if you’re not there to see the view from the top don’t forget to visit the base. You can follow the underground passageway on the Champs – Elysees that leads up the base of the Arc de Triomphe.

How to get there?

Arc de Triomphe is located at the west end of the Avenue des Champs -Elysees at the Place de l’Etoile. You may take a cab, for they know the fastest and safest way to take you there.

It is open every day except January 1, May 1, May 8 (morning), July 14 (Closed in the morning for Bastille Day), November 11 morning only, and December 25.

For schedules of open days and hours, you may check the  Arc de Triomphe official website .

Centre Pompidou or Pompidou Centre

One of the famous landmarks in France- the Centre Pompidou is a high-tech architecture in Paris created by Richard Rogers and Renzo Piano. It is the inside-out landmark that attracted the world’s attention to this kind of architectural movement.

The Centre Pompidou is a cultural landmark that has its structure and mechanical parts seen on the outside of the building. It is known as Beaubourg, named after the area of Paris in which it is located.

When was it built?

It was in 1977 when the highly-flexible container for art was completed by Architects Rogers, who is British, and Piano, who is an Italian.

The centre is like a huge spaceship made of glass, steel and colored tubing that landed unexpectedly in the heart of the Paris, and where it would very quickly set deep roots.”- Piano

History

The architects who collaborated on their own studio Rogers + Piano’s design was the winner of an international competition for a large art gallery held by the President of France George Pompidou in 1971. They won out of a total of 681 entries from all around the world.

The architects referred to themselves as ” teenagers, young boys” and that their design was just “an exercise of freedom, not guided by any desire to win or compromise.”

Reflecting on the win at the time, Piano referred to himself and Rogers merely as “teenagers, young boys” whose proposal was just “an exercise in freedom, not guided by any desire to win or compromise”.

The main attraction of the winning architects’ proposal was that the building would only occupy half of the site and the other half a public square.

Let’s take a tour!

The building measures 164.4m by 60m and with an east elevation of 45.5m high and a west elevation of 42m high.

As you enter the eastern part, you will see the piazza slopes down to the building with each story at 7 m high and without columns! The height of the ground or Forum level is 10.5m.

This uniquely modern architecture consists of a concrete basement with a floor area of 60,000 sq m. Inside the building are a public reference library, sculpture terrace, bookshop, cafes, and restaurants, a multi-purpose hall that could hold 600 people, a small cinema, central reception, and a parking area for 700 cars. All of these are arranged over six levels including the basement!

The vision in the design is to have as much open space in the interior as possible. That is why everything mostly about the structure is pushed to its exterior.

The main position of the structure is just simply straight. A circulation zone is at the east-facing side of the piazza. There is a full-width run of escalators and walkways encapsulated in transparent tubes.

The west-facing side on the other is a mechanical services zone, filled with ducts of various colors, pipework, goods lifts, and fire stairs. Inside the building, the space in between all these is for art.

How to get there?

You can reach Centre Pompidou by bus, metro, RER. This is a detailed direction to getting fast and safely to one of the famous French landmarks.

Chateau de Chambord

When was it built?

The Château de Chambord was built between 1519 and 1547, commissioned by Francis I of France. It is located in the Loire Valley of Loire – et- Cher, France. It is also one of the well-visited landmarks of France.

History

This castle is a fine French Renaissance building that was originally built to serve as a hunting lodge for the king and his entourage could explore the game in the nearby forest. Perhaps it was because it is the largest chateau in the Loire Valley.

The original design of the Chateau de Chambord according to stories is attributed to Domenico de Cortona and that Leonardo da Vinci may have also taken part.

Many alterations were done within the twenty-eight years of its construction (1519- 1547). When the chateau was almost finished, Francis used it to show off to his old archrival, Emperor Charles V when he hosted his visit at Chambord.

There was a time that the chateau was abandoned after the French Revolution, and some furnishings were sold. There had been numerous attempts to restore it but it only became alive again when during World War II, collections of arts from the Louvre and the Chateau de Compiegne were transferred to this Loire Valley Chateau.

Let’s take a tour!

As one of the French landmarks, Chateau de Chambord in Loire Valley is known for the several innovative design features that contributed to its fame. It is one of the most visited monumental buildings in France and also one of UNESCO’s World Heritage Sites declared in 1981.

How to get there?

The Chateau is open for public visits. And it’s not hard to get there by bus, train, taxi, or shuttle. You can get detailed directions to one of these landmarks in France here.

Chateau de Chenonceau

The Chateau de Chenonceau is popularly called “Ladies’ Chateau”, a reflection of the elegance of the 16th century Renaissance chateaux. The popularity of the name is attributed to Diane de Poitiers and Queen Catherine de Medici.

Diane de Poitiers became mistress to Prince Henry II when the latter fell violently in love with her, and made her Queen, though not in name as there was still Queen Catherine de Medici. The real Queen was not so much shown to the public as was Diane de Poitiers who was older than the Prince by 20 years!

Let’s take a tour!

Visitors enjoy taking a tour around Château de Chenonceau, in the richly furnished rooms of Louise de Lorraine and Gabrielle d’Estrees. the Medici Gallery. the mistress of Henry IV’s, The Five Queens room, and many more.

The park within the ground of the Chateau like the flower kitchen garden, the Diane and Catherine Gardens, and the Russel Page Garden, is a paradise to behold.

The Château de Chenonceau has a flower workshop – the only chateau that has one! This flower workshop was where Jean – Francois Bouchet and his team designed magnificent bouquets for each room. Which makes the Château de Chenonceau a well-known UNESCO World Heritage Site.

How to get there?

You can reach the Chateau by train, air, or car. It is located in Touraine, 214 km from Paris, near the river Cher, and 34 km from Tours.

You may look through the details of one of these landmarks in France here.

Chateau de Versailles or Palace of Versailles

The Chateau de Versailles, or Palace of Versailles, is a former French royal residence and center of government, now one of the famous landmarks in France.

Chateau de Versailles or Palace of Versailles is located in the city of Versaille and became the center of the French Court and the grandest theater of European sovereignty.

When was it built?

It was in 1624 when Jacques Lemercier was assigned to build the Château de Versailles or Palace of Versailles. And up to this day, its walls are preserved as the outward facade overlooking the Marble Court.

History

The original residence was meant to be a place for the royal hunting games and private retreat for Louis XIII and his family.

When Napoleon Bonaparte took over France, he used the Palace of Versailles as his summer retreat palace from 1810-1814. However, he did nothing to beautify or restore it.

It was only in the 1830s when improvements were made to the Palace of Versailles and a museum of French History was built inside it. Finally, a more extensive renovation and beautification were made in 2003. This paved the way for the palace to be declared one of the famous French Landmarks.

Let’s take a tour!

The palace has many royal apartments and a grand staircase they call the Ambassador’s Staircase.

The king’s state apartment consisted of seven rooms, each named after one of the known planets and their relation to Roman royalty.

On the other hand, the queen’s apartment formed a parallel enfilade. When a Hall of Mirrors was added from 1678 to 1684 the king’s apartment was reduced to five rooms, but two more rooms were added during the reign of Louis XV.

How to get there?

To give you more detailed information on public visits to one of the famous landmarks, here is their website.

Cité de Carcassonne

The Cité de Carcassonne, one of the most famous landmarks in France is also another UNESCO World Heritage Site, declared in 1997 because of its exceptional testimony and representation of how well the architecture and planning were even in that of a medieval fortress town.

The whole town depicts the masterpiece, thus, the image of this historic city appears on the emblem of the local rugby league team.

When was it built?

The town was founded during the Gallo – Roman period. The citadel surrounding the town has earned a reputation because of its 3 kilometers (1.9 mi) long double surrounding walls and with 52 towers within them.

It used to be occupied by Romans, Crusaders, and Visigoths. The Romans were the ones who transformed it into a fortified town.

In 333 AD the Roman defenses were in place and the town was described as a castellum. It was carefully restored in the 19th century.

Let’s take a tour!

The original walls of the citadel were supported by 34 to 40 towers along the curtain walls, 18 to 30 meters apart. Each tower was almost 14 meters tall and semi-circular. There are an estimated 40 main entrances to the town.

How to get there?

The Cite, a medieval village, is located on the right bank of the Aude. It has 52 towers and 2 enclosures which are 3 km of ramparts.

There used to be free access day and night to one of these famous landmarks in France. But you must check this site first for updates on public visits during these times.

More Landmarks in France Which Will Capture Your Heart

Du Gard Pont or Vers Pont du Gard

Pont du Gard (French: “Bridge of the Gard”) is a giant bridge, and the water system is one of the most famous French Landmarks. Pont du Gard is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Pont du Gard was built around 19 BCE to be the water system of Nimes over the Gard River in the south of France.

The idea to build Pont Du Gard came from Marcus Vipsanius Agrippa, the son-in-law- and right hand of Augustus Caesar.

Dune du Pilat

Dune du Pilat or Dune of Pilat is the tallest sand dune in Europe, located in La Teste – de- Buch in the Arcachon Bay, France. It is one of the most-visited natural landmarks in France.

It is one of the famous landmarks in France with more than one million visitors every year.

It was declared a World Heritage Site in 1994. It’s the highest dune in Europe. The Dune of Pilat has made its name as one of the French Landmarks because of its impressive size and breathtaking view at its peak. The Arcachon Bay, Banc d’Arguin, the Cap-Ferret lighthouse, and forest are visible once you take that climb up.

Eiffel Tower, Paris

Have you seen the Eiffel Tower in movies? How about Rush Hour 3? Or Tomorrowland, perhaps? Even in Superman II, the Eiffel Tower was used as props. James Bond’s A View to Kill has fight scenes at the Eiffel Tower itself.

There were so many movies if not taken in the Eiffel Tower, they have it in the background. No wonder it is one of the most recognized landmarks in France!

They say that the trip on top of the Eiffel Tower is like no other. You can never be without the emotions that would take you away from inexplicable awe as you ascend the top. Eiffel Tower is known as one of the most romantic landmarks of France and the world.

The conception of the Eiffel Tower started as competition was held for designs of a suitable monument. This event occurred when the French government was organizing the International Exposition of 1889 to celebrate the centenary of the French Revolution.

There were more than 100 plans to be judged, and the one that won came from an impressive bridge engineer Gustave Eiffel. The Eiffel Tower became the entrance passage to the exposition.

The Eiffel Tower is twice as high as the dome of St. Peter in Rome or the Magnificent Pyramid of Giza.

If you want to explore more of the Eiffel Tower, one of the famous French landmarks, you may visit their website.

Hameau de la Reine

As one of the famous French Landmarks, the Hameau de la Reine held so much controversy. Hameau de la Reine popularly known as the Queen’s Hamlet for it’s said to have been built for the former Queen of France Maria Antonette in 1783. The former Queen was known for so many controversies that others have connected her to the French Revolution.

This rustic retreat in the grounds of the Hameau de la Reine has a meadowland with a lake and several buildings in a rustic style, be a pond near a stream, that powered a mill wheel. There is a farmhouse, a mill, and a tower-like lighthouse.

The buildings Hameau de la Reine each have their own garden. has a meadowland with a lake and several buildings in a rustic style, be a pond near a stream, that powered a mill wheel. There is a farmhouse, a mill, and a tower-like lighthouse. The buildings each have their own garden.

This Hameau de la Reine was where Maria Antonette would stay when she wanted to take a leave from her Royal situation.

It was during the reign of Napoleon I after the French Revolution that it was renovated for the first time. The next renovations were in the 1930s and late 1990. It was in 2006 when the restoration efforts were completed. Then, the Hameau de la Reine was opened to the public.

Lavender Fields

The Lavender Fields in Provence, France is a magnificent sight to behold. You will be in awe as you gaze at the wide expanse of lavender fields stretched beyond the horizon at the same time breathing in the floral smell that has a slight medicinal tinge to it.

You will see this little plant shaped in small clusters, thirty to eighty centimeters high. Its beauty will emerge once it starts to bloom. No wonder it became known as one of the natural landmarks in France anyone visiting won’t forget taking a look at.

These flowers blossoms from mid – June to mid-August when the climate welcomes them. It may come sooner for those parts where they have warmer weather, and later for those places nearer the Alpine valleys.

Louvre Museum

The Louvre Museum, the largest museum in the world, is the national museum and art gallery of France. In a palace located on the right side of the 12th-century fortress of Philip Augustus, where it is housed.

It is the world’s most visited art museum because besides being the largest museum in the world it has so much to offer to visitors. The museum has more than 35,000 collections from ancient civilizations to the mid – 19th century.

For art enthusiasts, and even for those that think they are really not artistically inclined, you may still be surprised to find how amazed you will be in this amazing museum in France.

Its painting collections are one of the richest in the world from European art to the Revolution of 1848.

And what more? The Louvre’s collection of French paintings from the 15th to 19th centuries is matchless in the world. You will find the famous Mona Lisa by Leonardo Da Vinci there! There is no doubt that Mona Lisa is the most famous painting in the world, for reasons that even the wisest scholars could not fathom.

Millau Viaduct

DO you know that The Millau Viaduct is one of the world’s tallest bridges which stands at an impressive 343 meters? It is 19 meters taller than the Eiffel Tower which is 324 meters.

The once considered an impossible design to achieve became world-renowned, one of the most-visited famous French Landmarks. Although Millau Viaduct is one of the newest landmarks in France, only declared in 2004, it is indeed an impressive attraction for its unique design.

Mont Blanc

Mont Blanc in France and Monte Bianco in Italian is a mountain massif located in the Alps along the French-Italian border and reaches into Switzerland. A massif is a closely-tied group of mountains that is separate from other groups.

There are approximately 40 miles of glaciers covering the Mont Blanc which is why it’s called the “white mountain”.

Once you’re viewing the Mont Blanc, you will notice ice streams stretching from the central ice dome down to below 4,900 feet (1,490 meters). The second-longest glacier in the Alps named Mer de Glace reached an elevation of 4,100 feet (1,250 meters) in 1930.

There are famous mountaineers who have conquered the highest peak of Mont Blanc. There is an increase in the number of visitors but when the road was improved in 1870 and opened, the Mont Blanc remained an exclusive resort.

Mont Blanc is a sight to behold and will always be a famous French Landmark.

Montmarte and Sacre Coeur

The Sacre – Coeur, a French Landmark, is located on top of Montmartre hill and it is an emblematic monument of Paris. The church itself has white stones and neo-Byzantine architecture which makes Montmartre more charming than it already is.

Sacre Coeur which means “Holy  (meaning ‘holy heart’) is the famous cathedral in Montmartre. It is where the artists of Paris stay. The magnificent Sacre – Coeur can be reached on foot by the funicular railway.

Did you know that the Monmartre was built in response to more than a century of war and violence in France? 

Notre Dame Cathedral or Notre Dame de Paris

The Notre Dame de Paris which means “Our Lady of Paris” is one of the famous landmarks of France. Yes, I know you remember the Disney Animation The Hunchback of Notre Dame!

This Gothic Cathedral that is Notre Dame de Paris is located in the fourth arrondissement of Paris, France. The Cathedral shows the great influence of naturalism reflected on its stained glass windows and its sculptures.

Notre Dame de Paris was one of the very first Gothic cathedrals with constructions that took place throughout the Gothic period making it one of the most famous French Landmarks.

Gothic Architecture was prominent during the mid 12th Century and the 16th Century. Its style uses cavernous spaces, pointed Gothic arches, and stained glass windows.

It was at the Notre Dame Cathedral that the famous beatification of Joan of Arc by Pope Pius X occurred in 1909. Joan of Arc who was trusted by the French and had helped them win battles on various battles was later on killed by the Burundians who accused her of heresy and burned her at the stake.

But she was declared as an innocent martyr in 1456 after investigations and was canonized in 1920. Joan of Arc is the patron saint of France. And Notre Dame de Paris will always be remembered because of her.

Read more about the Notre Dame Cathedral(Notre Dame de Paris).

Omaha Beach

Omaha Beach became one of the famous French Landmarks not only because of its beauty but also because it is one of the two American landing areas in Normandy which is 5.9 kilometers long.

The Omaha Beach has the towns of Vierville-Sur-Mer in the west, Sain-Laurent-sur-Mer in the center, and the villages of Colleville – Sur – Mer and Le – Grand-Hameau to the east.

Pont d’Avignon

Pont d’Avignon is in Avignon city which is the capital of the Vaucluse department, south France. The Rhone River cradles it, lying at a point on its east bank where the small valley opens into a broad delta plain in the northwest of Nimes.

Avignon was the main place of the papacy from 1309-1377. It is recognized for its beautiful architecture and history. In fact, the center of Avignon was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1995. Furthermore, the city was the European cultural capital for 2000.

Mont Saint Michel

Mont Saint Michel is a rocky small island and a famous place visited in the Manche department, Normandy region, France.

Mont Saint Michel lies 41 miles (66 km) north of Rennes and 32 miles (52 km) east of Saint-Malo.

At the bottom of the Mont Saint Michel are medieval walls and towers which elevate the clustered buildings of the village with the abbey on the peak of the mount. This French landmark is magnificent in its natural beauty.

Mont Saint Michel is one of the really popular World Heritage Site designated in 1979.

With its beauty, one will be in total awe. More so when you know its natural wonders like it is surrounded by a vast sandbank and becomes an island only when the tides are very high. There used to be quicksand and tides that rise fast that led to the construction of the 3,000- foot causeway which connects the island to land.

Frequently Asked Questions

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