FRANCE
Famous for its wines and cheeses, France is the world’s most popular tourist destination receiving 82 million foreign tourists annual. Visitors are attracted by historic sites, a beautiful countryside, the castles of the Loire Valley, and Brittany and Normandy. In addition, France offers an agreeable climate, some excellent beaches on the French Riviera, the Atlantic coast and the island of Corsica, wide possibilities for winter sports, most notably in the Alps and the Pyrenees, and a rich culture with food and wines that are among the most celebrated in the world.
Here’s a look at the top tourist attractions in France.
1. Millau Bridge
The Millau Viaduct is a cable bridge that happens to be the tallest bridge in the world at 1,125 feet. The four-lane bridge spans the valley of the River Tarn in southern France. Opening in 2004, the bridge is considered one of France greatest engineering feats.
2. Pont du Gard
The Pont du Gard is an old Roman bridge that crosses the River Gardon in southern France. Built around 40 AD, it was part of a long watercourse to bring water from a spring in Uzes to the Roman colony of Nimes. At 160 feet tall, it is the highest of all the Roman aqueduct bridges.
3. Carcassonne
City the Carcassonne is an historic fortified city in the Languedoc-Roussillon region. The city dates back about 2,500 years and became part of France in the mid-13th century. At one time it was the centre of the French woolen textile industry. A 19th-century restoration project of the City turned Carcassonne into the popular tourist destination it is today.
4. Chartres Cathedral
The Chartres
Cathedral is located in a small city near Paris that seems too small to fit the
Cathedral. The vast nave, the porches adorned with fine sculptures and the
magnificent 12th- and 13th-century stained-glass windows, all in remarkable
condition, make it one of the finest examples of the French High Gothic style.
5. Chateau de Chambord
The château to end
all châteaux, the Chateau de Chambord is a masterpiece of the French Renaissance.
Construction of the Chateau de Chambord started in 1519 by King François I so
he could hunt in the nearby forests. The cold and massive 440 rooms of the Château
made it unpopular as an actual residence and François I himself stayed here for
less than 40 days in total.
6. Gorge du Verdon
The Gorge du
Verdon, located in south eastern France, is considered one of Europe’s most beautiful
river canyons. It’s at its deepest at almost 2,300 feet in an area that offers
the best views as the green emerald Verdon River winds its way through the
canyon.
7. Mont Saint-Michel
Mont Saint Michel
is a small tidal island located just off the coast of Normandy. A spectacular
and well-preserved Norman Benedictine Abbey of St Michel stands at the peak of
the rocky island, surrounded by the winding streets and convoluted architecture
of the medieval town. A causeway connects the mainland with the island.
8. Palace of Versailles
The Palace of
Versailles is frequently associated with Marie Antoinette, the French queen who
was beheaded during the French Revolution. The royal palace started out as a
hunting lodge in 1624 and became more ornate over the years. Located outside of
Paris, Versailles is known for the Hall of Mirrors and beautiful gardens.
9. St Tropez
St Tropez is a
resort community on the French Riviera. Once a military stronghold, fishing
village and artist colony, it is now a playground for the jet set. The beaches
are popular with scantily clad sunbathers, while others come for windsurfing, sailing
and yachting. Outside peak summer there are less celebrities to spot but you’ll
also instantly appreciate what lured artists, writers and film makers to this
picturesque village.
10. Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is
the symbol of Paris. The tower was built by Gustave Eiffel as the entrance arch
for the International Exhibition of Paris of 1889. At 1,063 feet tall, it is
still the highest building in Paris, offering stunning vistas of the city
below. Since its construction more than 200,000,000 people have visited the
Eiffel Tower making it the most visited paid tourist attraction in the world.
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