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 Mont-Saint-Michel, Normandy

Mont Saint-Michel is a rocky tidal island located in Normandy, at the mouth of the
Couesnon River, near the city of Avranches. The highest point of the island is the spire
at the top of the Abbey’s bell tower, 170 metres above sea level. They are currently less
than 50 people living on the island.

The unique feature of Mont Saint-Michel is that it is completely surrounded by water and
can only be accessed at low tide. Victor Hugo described the tides as changing “à la
vitesse d’un cheval au galop” (“as swiftly as a galloping horse”). Mont Saint-Michel is
one of the most famous French monuments. Approximately 3 million people visit the site
each year (3,250,000 in 2006). The Mount and its bay are listed as a World Heritage
Site by UNESCO.

First of all, imagine Mont Saint-Michel before any manmade structures: an 80 metres
high rocky island made of granite, dominating the entire area at sea level. Early in its
history Mont Saint-Michel was actually called Mont-Tombe which, according to different
etymologists, implies either the idea of a graveyard (“tombe” or “tumba” in latin meaning
grave) or a tautology “mount hillock” (“tombe” also refers to a word prior to the latin
language : “tum”, meaning a raised place).
 Cité of Carcassonne, Languedoc

With more than 4 million visitors each year, Carcassonne is among the most prestigious
tourist destinations in France, on a par with Mont Saint Michel and Paris’ Notre-Dame. A
UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, Carcassonne is a dramatic representation of
medieval architecture perched on a rocky spur that towers above the River Aude,
southeast of the new town.

The castle, fortifications and towers belong to the State, while the lists (or outer bailey)
and the rest of la Cité are under the jurisdiction of the municipality of Carcassonne.

The fortified medieval city dates to the Gallo-Roman era. It is believed that the area was
occupied by the Gaul beginning in the 6th century B.C., then by the Romans, who built
the ramparts around the 3rd century A.D. At that time, this small administrative and
commercial centre was called Carcaso and was part of the Roman province Gallia
Narbonensis. Even then, the small town benefited from its advantageous location on the
main route between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, along what the
Romans called the “Via Aquitania”. During the Barbarian Invasions, the inhabitants took
refuge on the butte where la Cité stands today.
 Reims Cathedral, Champagne-Ardenne

A Gothic art masterpiece and the coronation site of the Kings of France, it has been
listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991. The Mecca for tourists in the
Champagne region welcomes 1,500,000 visitors every year.
By size, Reims Cathedral is quite an extraordinary construction: designed to
accommodate huge crowds, its gigantic dimensions include a surface area of 6,650 m2
and a length of 122m.

Erected between 1211 and 1516, according to an architectural program of great artistic
richness, Reims Cathedral features amongst the most beautiful examples of Gothic art
still standing. Reims has been a major city since Gallic times, first as the main city of the
Remi, a Gallic tribe, but since the Classical Antiquity, it had become the capital of the
Belgium province, a vast territory covering the whole north of Gaul at the time.

When the Roman Empire collapsed, the Bishop of Reims naturally benefited from this
influential situation and began to enjoy a continuously increasing prestige, positioning
himself as the official upholder of public authority. During the Middle Ages, Reims was
an eminent religious centre organised around its cathedral and three great abbeys:
Saint-Remi, Saint-Nicaise and Saint-Denis.
 Arles Amphitheatre, Provence

The Arles Amphitheatre is a Roman amphitheatre in the southern French town of Arles.
This two-tiered Roman amphitheatre is probably the most prominent tourist attraction in
the city of Arles, which thrived in Roman times. The pronounced towers jutting out from
the top are medieval add-ons.
Built in 90 AD, this ancient Roman amphitheater can be found in the small town of
Arles, in the Provence region of France.

The town of Arles was a thriving city during the height of the Roman empire. In 90 AD,
the town built this impressive amphitheater, which provided seating for over 20,000
good Roman citizens. Inspired by the famed Coliseum in Rome, the structure has over
120 arches, a series of galleries and staircases, and two levels of seating. For over four
centuries the amphitheater provided a variety of entertainments, including gladiatorial
battles, chariot races, and theatrical performances.
 Chambord, Centre-Val de Loire

Prestigious, majestic, colossal, extravagant… are these adjectives enough to fully

describe the splendour of Chambord? The largest chateau of the Loire Valley is indeed
full of surprises for those who are lucky enough to explore its domain. This remarkable
piece of architecture is certainly more than just a castle: it is the dream of a King,
transformed into reality.

The Counts of Blois used to have a little castle in the heart of the forest of Boulogne. A
wood reputed to be a good place for hunting.
Young King François I, at age 25, decided to dismantle the castle. He wished to build a
unique and spectacular monument. In addition, the king had two favourite pastimes:
hunting and architecture. The new castle would combined them perfectly.
Work at Chambord started in 1519, just a few months after the death of Leonardo da
Vinci at Amboise. Many features of the chateau were inspired by the great artist. For
instance, look at the double helical staircases and the geometric shapes of the
chimneys.