Attractions
Paris
There's so much to do in Paris that compiling a list of top things to do is difficult. From outdoor activities, to historic monuments, to great food and wine, Paris is a historic and cultural center, with hundreds of wonderful things to do and see.
Eiffel Tower Ascend the Eiffel Tower for spectacular views of Paris. At over 1,000 feet, the massive structure has two restaurants, a souvenir shop, viewing area, and more.
The Louvre Paris' world famous museum was built in the 12th century and is divided into eight collections. The Mona Lisa is on display behind a glass case, roped stanchions, and a throng of museum goers.
Notre Dame Notre Dame Cathedral is an impressive marvel of medieval architecture. Started in 1163 and completed in 1330, Notre Dame Cathedral has a striking gothic exterior, two broad towers, and plenty of sweeping arches.
Arc de Triomphe Commissioned by Napoleon in 1806 to honor the French military, Parisians refer to the Arc de Triomphe as L'Etoile, and revere it as a patriotic symbol of France's history. Located in the center of the world's largest traffic roundabout, the Arc de Triomphe towers 164 feet above the ground.
Versailles Located 13 miles southwest of Paris, the Palace of Versailles was the political capital of France for over a century. No luxury or extravagance was spared. Every corner, ceiling, and wall is detailed with carvings, woodwork, marble, or other exquisite coverings. Now Versailles is one of the best tourist attractions in France. Visitors come to see the lavish palace, the abundant gardens and the surrounding sights.
The Opera House The famous Paris Opera House is seventeen stories
high and can seat 2,000 people. It was commissioned by Napoleon III after an incident where his royal procession was bombed upon entering a show at an old opera house.
Rouen
Palais de Justice, Parliament of Normandy This is yet another example of Middle Age architecture in the city of Rouen. Building began in the year 1499 and it was restored after bomb damage during WWII. Today it exists as parliament or the high court of Normandy.
Place du Vieux Marché This is infamous as the place where Joan of Arc was burned at the stake. In honor of the saint, a tall cross was erected here.
Aitre St. Maclou It is here that victims of the Great Plague of 1348 were buried in massive communal graves. Surrounding the graves are galleries that serve as a charnel house that depict images of death. It is now home to a fine arts school.
Gros Horloge The Gros Horloge is also known as the Great clock and the Renaissance clock. This Gothic belfry has housed the town’s bell and clock since its construction in the 14th century.
Rouen Cathedral The most grand and imposing of all the cathedrals in Rouen, its structure is a Gothic masterpiece, primarily built in the 13th century. Construction on the famous Tour de Beurre (Butter Tower) began in the 15th century and was not completed until the 17th century. Its name is derived from the luxury tax wealthy citizens paid to have the privilege of eating butter during Lent. This tax funded the construction of the tower. Between the years of 1876 to 1880, the Butter Tower, reaching 150 meters high (500 ft), made the Rouen Cathedral the World’s Tallest Building. The cathedral’s great entry portals are adorned with sculptures of Biblical themes such as the Family Tree of Jesus.
Musée des Beaux-Arts This museum holds collections of famed works from masters such as Rubens, Poussin, Caravaggio and Corot. The great painter, Théodore Géricault, has an entire section devoted to his works; the most noted is his portrait of follow painter Eugène Delacroix. Several of Claude Monet’s Rouen Cathedral paintings are also featured in this museum.
Caen
Basilica of St. Theresa The basilica is located in the town of Lisieux, is now the pilgrimage center for devotees of St. Theresa. In 1925, 28 years after her death, St. Theresa was glorified and declared a saint. Soon after, in 1929, construction on this Romano-Byzantine basilica began and was completed in 1837. St. Theresa is the patron saint of missions.
Caen Memorial Museum This impressive museum displays detailed films and exhibitions on the crucial time between WWI and the start of WWII, The Battle of Normandy, the Cold War and current peace efforts. The museum successfully evokes the devotion and struggle of the armies that fought for their country’s freedom during WWII.
The D-Day Beaches These beaches stretch along the Atlantic coast for 75 miles. Between Ste. Marie-du-Mont to Ouistreham there are many museums, monuments and cemeteries that pay tribute to WWII. These historic beaches are the site of the battle that marked the turning point in WWII when American, British and Canadian troops finally gained a monumental mainstay in France.
St. Malo
This coastal city is surrounded by a medieval wall with grand ramparts. The
highlight of St. Malo is a tour atop its wall that offers a bird’s eye view of the old city. There are many enjoyable cafes here that offer a delicious selection of seafood.
Mont St. Michel A medieval town perched on a tiny islet, a two-mile causeway links it to mainland France. There is merely one street that leads you to the sole attraction that brings 3.5 million visitors here a year, the fortified abbey. Walking along the top of the wall that encircles the exalted abbey gives great views of the surrounding landscapes and the abbey itself.
The Bayeux Tapestry This famed work stretches for 70 meters and is made of linen that is decorated with wool stitching. The intricate embroidery depicts the events surrounding the duke of Normandy’s, William the Conqueror, rise to king of England. One of the most significant of these is the Battle of Hastings in 1066. The exhibit includes an audioguide which gives an in depth narration of the scenes depicted on the tapestry.
Villedieu-les-Poêles This village began as a colony of coppersmiths. In the 19th century, craftsmen used there skills to manufacture fine cookware. Culinary enthusiasts will want to shop for copperware here, poêles, directly translates into frying pan. This small town also has a wonderful array of gastronomic traditions that are reflected in its restaurants. Some local fare to sample is seafood, in particular Norman oysters, smoked products such as andouille de Vire sausage, milk products including camembert and cider products such as Calvados and Pommeau.
St. Vincent Cathedral The building of this cathedral began in the 11th century. The arduous construction took almost seven centuries to complete. It was not until 1987 that the cathedral was equipped with its spire. Unfortunately, a great deal of the structure was destroyed during WWII; however since then much of it has been restored.
Tours
Loire Valley An attractive tourist destination, this fertile region is blanketed with rivers and rolling hills dotted with hundreds of royal palaces.
Château of Blois has been home to a variety of royal. It was King Louis XII that made this his official royal residence. The castle was built during the 13th to 17th centuries and was designed around a central courtyard. During the rule of King Francois I an additional wing was constructed to house the library that became the foundation for France’s National Library.
Tours Cathedral, also known as Cathédrale St-Gatien, was constructed from 1239 to 1484 in the Renaissance Gothic style. In particular, it is renowned for its stained-glass windows. Near the cathedral are tombs of the sons of Charles VIII and Anne de Bretagne. On the south end of the cathedral is its spacious cloister, Cloître de la Psalette.
Château Chenoneau is one of the most visited castles in France, after Versailles and Fontainebleau. It was built in the Renaissance style during the 16th century on the Cher River. This is the premiere leisure castle of King Henry II and the residence of his mistress, Diane de Poitiers.
Château Villandry is known more for its grounds than the castle itself. Constructed in 1536, it was once home to the French Minister of Finance. The gardens span 10 acres that were designed in the Italian-Renaissance style and laid out in intricate geometric patterns.
