Visiting Pont-du-Gard, France

Pont-du-Gard UNESCO World Heritage Site

The Pont-du-Gard is the remains of a Roman aqueduct that delivered water over 30km to the Roman colony of Nemausus, what is today called the modern city of Nimes. It also holds the distinction of being the highest surviving Roman aqueduct in the world. Overview The aqueduct was used as a bridge across the river …

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Paris, Banks of the Seine

Paris, Banks of the Seine - UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the World Heritage inscription for Paris, Banks of the Seine: From the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower, from the Place de la Concorde to the Grand and Petit Palais, the evolution of Paris and its history can be seen from the River Seine. The Cathedral of Notre-Dame and the Sainte Chapelle are architectural masterpieces …

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Palace and Park of Versailles

Palace and Park of Versailles - UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the World Heritage inscription for the Palace and Park of Versailles: The Palace of Versailles was the principal residence of the French kings from the time of Louis XIV to Louis XVI. Embellished by several generations of architects, sculptors, decorators, and landscape architects, it provided Europe with a model of the ideal royal residence …

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Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps

Prehistoric Pile dwellings around the Alps UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the World Heritage inscription: The series of 111 out of the 937 known archaeological pile-dwelling sites in six countries around the Alpine and sub-alpine regions of Europe is composed of the remains of prehistoric settlements dating from 5,000 to 500 BC which are situated under water, on lake shores, along rivers or in wetlands. …

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Bourges Cathedral

Bourges Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site, France

From the World Heritage inscription: Bourges Cathedral is of considerable importance in the development of Gothic architecture and as a symbol of the strength of Christianity in medieval France. However, its principal claim lies in its striking beauty, combining masterly management of space with harmonious proportions and decoration of the highest quality. As the figurehead …

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Le Havre, the City Rebuilt by Auguste Perret

Le Havre, the City Rebuilt by Auguste Perret UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the World Heritage inscription: The city of Le Havre, on the English Channel in Normandy, was severely bombed during the Second World War. The destroyed area was rebuilt according to the plan of a team headed by Auguste Perret, from 1945 to 1964. The site forms the administrative, commercial and cultural center of Le …

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Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay

Mont-Saint-Michel and its Bay UNESCO World Heritage Site

From the World Heritage inscription: Perched on a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks exposed to powerful tides between Normandy and Brittany stand the ‘Wonder of the West’, a Gothic-style Benedictine abbey dedicated to the archangel St Michael, and the village that grew up in the shadow of its great walls. Built between …

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Everything You Need to Know About the Overseas Territories of France

Everything You Need to Know About the Overseas Territories of France

This article focuses on the Territories of France. It is part of a three-part series explaining the current day situation of the remnants of the colonial empires of the early 20th century, almost all of which are small islands scattered around the world. Other parts of the territories series examine the status of British territories and U.S. …

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Paris Part Deux

Suffice it to say that my Paris experience has improved dramatically since the weather improved. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed the last several days wandering around the streets of Paris, eating in the restaurants, and seeing the sights. Unfortunately, that hasn’t let much time for blog updates, especially considering the hotel I got moved into does not …

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