23 Monuments to Explore in France
Checkout places to visit in France
France, including its overseas territories, has the most number of time zones with a total of 12 time zones. France has long been a global center of art, science, and philosophy. It hosts the world's fourth-largest number of UNESCO World Heritage Sites and is the leading tourist destination, receiving around 83 million foreign visitors annually.
Monuments by destination
Activities Around
Monuments to Explore in France
Abbaye de Montmajour is a fortified Benedictine monastery that was founded between the 10th and 18th centuries. During the Middle Ages, it was a major pilgrimage site. Today, the abbey ruins are preserved by the Centre des Monuments Nationaux as a historical monument.
Saint-Victor Abbey is a former abbey situated in Marseille. It was founded during the late Roman period and named after the saint and martyr of the local soldier, Victor of Marseilles.
The Arc de Triomphe, at the center of the Place de l'Étoile and the western end of the Champs-Elysées, is a very famous monument in Paris. It is a large arch, but it is not possible to drive underneath it. It is an iconic symbol of French national identity and took 30 years to build. The Arc de Triomphe provides a glimpse into France’s social past as well as spectacular views across central Paris.
Located in the city of Aries, Arles Amphitheatre is one of city’s most important and impressive Roman structures. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Arles Amphitheatre was built in 90 AD and during its prime time, it had a seating capacity of over over 20,000 spectators. It was built to conduct chariot races and bloddy hand to hand battles.
A huge memorial site in France which was dedicated to the memory of Canadian Expeditionary Force members killed during the First World War. The monument is the centrepiece of the 250 acres preserved battlefield park, which has a lot of war history to say. It was built by the renowned designer Walter Seymour Allward. It was one of the prime attractions in this area and also it says the war history of France.
Angers Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church that was classified as a national monument of France in 1862 for its fusion of Romanesque and Gothic architectural styles.
Château du Plessis-Bourré is a beautiful 15th-century castle surrounded by moats. In 1931, it was listed as a Monument Historique. The site was featured in many films and is one of the most visited places in the region.
Col d'Izoard is a mountain pass that connects Briançon and the Guil valley in the French Alps. Near the summit, there is a monument remembering the epic battles between Fausto Coppi and Louison Bobet in 1950.
The Eiffel Tower is a global cultural icon of France and one of the most recognizable structures in the world. It is also the most-visited paid monument in the world!
The Grand Palais in Paris is the iconic monument of the Rmn-GP, where we showcase our biggest exhibitions to best advantage in its vast spaces. It was designed to demonstrate France's artistic and technical prowess. It has also played host to many prestigious events: motor shows, air shows, interior design exhibitions, equestrian events, major art exhibitions, and more. In recent years there have been major exhibitions such as Hokusai, Niki de Saint Phalle, Picasso. Mania, Edward Hopper, and Ga
The Grande Arche is the emblematic monument of the La Défense business district. This monument was shaped like a door that opens out into the world, the extremely modern design of the Grande Arche is highly original and must be experienced in person. This monument was dedicated to humanity and the humanitarian ideals of the nation. This mysterious and symbolic monument dominates the skyline of central Paris and can be seen from the Louvre pyramid.
A hospital foundation from the Middle Ages, the Hospices de Beaune is one of France’s most prestigious historic monuments. Its flamboyant Gothic architecture, its polychrome roofs and a renowned vineyard make this museum one of Burgundy’s gems. The Hospices de Beaune is also famous for its 60 hectares wine estate, producing prestigious wines, sold at auction on the third Sunday in November.
Listed as a historic monument in 1900, the Palais de l'Ile, often described as a "house in the shape of a ship" has been a prison, a courthouse and an administrative centre. It is an original structure, the oldest parts of which date from the 12th century.
The monument to the Girondins , located in Bordeaux , place des Quinconces , was erected between 1894 and 1902 in memory of the Girondins deputies who were victims of the Terror . The Bordelais commonly call it “column of the Girondins” or “monument of the Girondins". It has been classified as a historical monument since 2011.
It is one of France's last Gothic cathedrals and a historic monument situated in the heart of n Nantes city. Its construction was started in 1434, and took 457 years to finish in 1891.
The palace of Burgundian Dukes is situated in the center of the city. Built to display the power and might of the dukes, it is now the city hall with the mayor's office and other administrative offices. The tall tower of Philippe le Bon offers an impressive panoramic view of the city. The neoclassical edifice was built over several centuries, but the oldest parts of the building, including the kitchens and the Guard Room, dating back to the 15th century.
The Ideal Palace is a monument built in Hauterives by the postman Ferdinand Cheval, from 1879 to 1912. A masterpiece of naïve architecture and naïve art, it has been classified as a historical monument since 1969. This monument entirely built by one man measures 12 meters in height and 26 meters in length, the various pieces were assembled with lime, mortar, cement, and reinforcements metallic.
The Palais Longchamp is a magnificent monument in the fourth district of Marseille, France. It brings together the Museum of Fine Arts, the Natural History Museum, and the Botanical Garden on the same site.
The Sacré-Coeur is one of the Roman Catholic church and minor basilica, dedicated to the Sacred Heart of Jesus, in Paris, France and the most iconic monuments in Paris which was consecrated in1919. it has one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the capital, from 130 meters above the ground. The origins of Sacré-Cœur are unique and its a distinctive exterior. A popular landmark and the second most visited monument in Paris.
Glanum was a prosperous and ancient town dating back from the 7th century BC. The site is renowned for its two well-preserved 1st century BC monuments, known as "Les Antiques"- a mausoleum, and a triumphal arch.