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Monuments in France
There is a large variety of monuments throughout France, which testify to the country’s glorious history as an empire and leading European power. There are monuments from every epoch, from the time of the Franconian Empire to the present day. The fascinating monuments display the country’s political and economic heritage and long-standing cultural traditions. You will gain insight into the history of the country and enjoy an unforgetable experience.
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Arc de Triomphe
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Town: Paris
Address: Place Charles de Gaulle
Phone: +33 1 55 37 73 77
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Price: 5 - 8 EUR
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Website: http://www.monuments-nationaux.fr
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 see map
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Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 10:00 -23:00
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| The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments and French symbols in Paris. It is situated in the middle of Place Charles de Gaulle (Charles de Gaulle Square), close to the famous avenue Champs Élysées. This triumphal arch was built to commemorate the victory of the battle of Austerlitz. Construction finished in 1836, and the monument was officially opened by King Louis-Philippe. It soon became a place of national importance. The ashes of Napoléon Bonaparte and Victor Hugo were guarded here before their burial ceremony. Many official military parades were also held here. Beneath the Arc de Triomphe rests the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, whi
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Arc de Venet
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Town: Nice
Address: Jardin Albert 1er
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| The imposing arch of Bernard Venet sits in the wonderful surroundings of Jardin Albert 1er, beside the famous Place Massena. The arch offers passers-by a unique chance to experience modern art outdoors. Rising tall many metres over ground, it seems to be also scraping the sky. Despite the massive proportions, the installation has an incredible aura of lightness about it. Since its establishment in the park, it’s been one of the favourite meeting points of the locals.
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Arènes de Lutèce
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Town: Paris
Address: 49, rue Monge
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| The ruins of the Roman amphitheatre Arènes de Lutèce, situated in the Latin Quarter, once seated up to 17,000 spectators for gladiatorial fights, as well as for circus and theatre performances. What remains of the amphitheatre are the stage and lower seats, which were meant for the most affluent citizens of the Roman Empire. Unfortunately, the upper seats have been destroyed. This monument was discovered in the middle of the 19th Century by Théodore Vaquer, and other excavation works were made on the initiative of Jean-Louis Capitan. The monument is open all year long and may be entered from three sides.
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Bastille
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Town: Paris
Address: Place de la Bastille
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| The Bastille was a French prison and fort established in the 17th Century on the initiative of the French King Charles VI, the 'Well Beloved'. On 14 July 1789, the 'storming of Bastille' took place here, which lead to the French Revolution, when commoners decided to liberate an corrupted prison and overthrow the king. The list of famous Bastille prisoners is long, including François-Marie Arouet (Voltaire), Marquis de Sade, Nicolas Fouquet, René Auguste Constantin de Renneville, Hugues Aubriot, Louis Pierre Manuel, Antoine Nompar de Caumont, François de La Rochefoucauld, François de Bassompierre and John Vanbrugh. Unfortunately, no remains of the Bastille fort have been preserved, but its location is now the Place de la Bastille, home to the Opéra Bastille.
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Catacombes
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Town: Paris
Address: 1, place Denfert-Rochereau
Phone: +33 1 43 22 47 63
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Website: http://www.catacombes.info
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| Visited by an estimated 50,000 people a year, the 910 metres of tunnel in the Catacombs of Paris, officially referred to as les carrières de Paris or ‘the quarries of Paris’, is a well-known burial place revealing some six million arranged skull and crossbone skeleton formations. These catacombs are a network of subterranean tunnels and rooms set in former Roman-era limestone quarries, and was converted into a mass tomb towards the end of the 18th Century.
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Centre Georges Pompidou
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Town: Paris
Address: Place Georges Pompidou
Phone: +33 1 44 78 12 33
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Price: 10 - 14 EUR
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Website: http://www.centrepompidou.fr
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see map
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Opening Hours: Monday-Sunday 11:00 -21:00
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| The Centre Georges Pompidou, inaugurated in 1977, is situated in the 4th district of Beaubourg, close to Les Halles and Marais, and comprises the National Museum of Modern Art (Musée National d'Art Moderne). The centre houses masterpieces of famous artists, such as Wassily Kandinsky, Henri Matisse, Pablo Picasso and Joan Miró. It has a unique shape designed by architects Gianfranco Franchini, Renzo Piano and Richard Rogers. Apart from the museum, it also houses the library Bibliothèque publique d'information, as well as a few cinemas, a fashionable restaurant and a cafe. On every first Sunday of each month, admission is free of charge. The unemployed, the handicapped and all under the age of eighteen are not charged admission.
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Château de Bellet
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Town: Nice
Address: Quartier Saint-Roman-de-Bellet
Phone: +33 4 9337 8157
e-mail: chateaudebellet@aol.com
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| The area of sunny Nice boasts a large number of excellent vineyards, where prime-quality grapes are harvested and used to produce the legendary vin de Bellet, an appellation contrôlee wine of the area. The little vineyards, often family businesses, are scattered all around the Saint-Romain district, offering open days during the harvest season as well as wine-tasting sessions by appointment. One of them is Château de Bellet, surrounded by a vast stretch of cultivable land, on which a nice variety of vin de Bellet with a rich, yet subtle aroma.
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Cimetière Monastère de Cimiez
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Town: Nice
Address: Place du Monastère
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| Overlooking Nice from the Cimiez hilltop and bathed in the warm afternoon light, the Cimetière Monastère de Cimiez hardly matches the stereotypical image of a gloomy necropolis. The majority of the tombs within the cemetery date at least a century back, and many are genuine works of art – miniature white marble chapels, some decorated with impressive sculptures. However, the principal reason for which crowds continue to be drawn to Cimetière Monastère de Cimiez are the tombs of two prominent artists who found their final resting place on the hill, Raoul Dufy and Henri Matisse. Both rather small and discreet, they’re not easy to find.
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