France is a popular travel destination, and one of the main reasons is the multiple attractive landmarks in France. From long-standing structures to beautiful nature, there are many French landmarks that are impressive and inrecdibly photogenic.
These iconic structures and natural wonders can be found all over the country, from Paris to the countryside. Here are some of the popular French landmarks in France that travelers frequently visit, and you probably should not miss!
Grab a nice french breakfast and get exploring!
Most Famous French Landmark in France
The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is hands down the most famous landmark in France, and it’s a must-see for any visitor in Paris. It’s is on the Champ de Mars near the Seine River. The tower was built in 1887 as part of the Exposition Universelle (World’s Fair), and today it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in the world. If you want to ride to the top, there are three levels of observation decks that offer breathtaking views of Paris.
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most iconic landmarks in France. The tower is 330 meters tall and is made of wrought iron.
Paris, France Landmarks
Notre Dame Cathedral
Another famous landmark in France is the Notre Dame Cathedral, which is also located in Paris. This Gothic cathedral is one of the most widely recognized buildings in the world, and it’s definitely worth a visit when you’re in Paris.
The cathedral was built in the 12th century, and it’s home to many beautiful works of art. If you want to learn more about the history of this landmark, there are guided tours available.
The Louvre Museum
Another iconic landmark in France that you often see in photos is the Louvre Museum. The Louvre is the largest art museum in the world, containing more than 380,000 pieces of art. The museum was founded in 1793, and in Paris, France.
Over the years, the Louvre has acquired many famous works of art, including the Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci and The Venus de Milo. The museum is open every day except for Tuesday, and it’s practically paradise for art lovers.
Arc de Triomphe
The Arc de Triomphe is a triumphal arch in the center of the Place Charles de Gaulle, also known as the Étoile, in Paris.
It was commissioned by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1806 and built by Jean Chalgrin. The arch is 24.6 meters (81 feet) high, 26.9 meters (88 feet) wide, and 22 meters (72 feet) deep. The vault features some beautiful decorations including sculptures of military heroes and allegorical figures.
The Arc de Triomphe was originally built to commemorate Napoleon’s military victories, but it also commemorates the French soldiers who died in the Napoleonic Wars. The names of all the generals who served under Napoleon are inscribed on the arch.
The nearest metro station to the Arc de Triomphe is Charles de Gaulle – Étoile on Line A of the Paris.
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Jardin du Luxembourg
Jardin du Luxembourg is a beautiful landmark in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. The garden was opened to the public on August 23, 1612, by Marie de Medici. It was originally a part of her palace and a place to relax. The garden was named after the famous Medici family’s palace in Florence, Italy which is known as Palazzo Pitti.
The garden has a long history and has been modified many times over the years. During the french revolution, it was open to the public and served as a park. It was also used as a parade ground and a training ground for the French army. In 1854, Napolean III decided to restore the garden to its original state.
The garden is now a popular tourist destination in Paris and is visited by millions of people every year.
Champs-Élysées
The Champs-Élysées is a famous boulevard in Paris, France. It stretches for 1.8 kilometers with greenery lining the sides. The boulevard is home to many prominent French landmarks, including the Arc de Triomphe, the Élysée Palace, and the Lido cabaret.
The Champs-Élysées was first built in 1667 as a way to connect the Palais Royal to the Tuileries Palace. In 1709, it was widened and turned into a formal garden. The Champs-Élysées became a popular destination for Parisians and visitors in the 18th century.
When you stroll down this iconic landmark in France, know that you are walking in the footsteps of many famous people, including Napoleon Bonaparte and Charles Dickens.
Grand Palais
The Grand Palais des Champs-Élysées, commonly known as the Grand Palais, is a historic site, exhibition hall and museum complex located at the Champs-Élysées.
The architect was Charles Girault and it took fifteen years to build. The style is a mix of Renaissance and Beaux-Arts, with a central dome inspired by the Pantheon in Rome.
The building originally housed a large pond, which was used to cool the building in summer. This was emptied in 1968 and replaced with the present-day Grande Nef (Great Hall), home to the Musée d’Orsay. The Palais has been used for a variety of purposes, including as an exhibition hall, a public park, and a museum.
Today, the Palais is home to the Musée des Arts Décoratifs, the Musée de la Mode et du Textile, and the Petit Palais. It is also used for large-scale exhibitions, such as the Grand Louvre exhibition of 2001.
Nîmes, France Landmarks
Pont du Gard
The Pont du Gard is an ancient Roman aqueduct that is located in the south of France. The construction of the bridge began in the year 19 BC and was completed in the year 15 AD.
The Pont du Gard is a three-level aqueduct that crosses the Gardon River. It was part of a 50-kilometer aqueduct system that supplied water to the city of Nîmes. The Pont du Gard is one of the most well-preserved ancient Roman structures in Europe.
Arena of Nîmes
Around the same area, you find the Arena of Nîmes – a Roman amphitheater built around the year A.D. 10. It is one of the ancient landmarks in France that still has an imposing presence.
The arena was originally built to hold 25,000 spectators, but only about 6,000 people can fit inside today. The arena was used for a variety of events, including gladiator fights, public executions, and horse races.
Other Famous French Landmarks in France
Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is a royal palace in Versailles, France. The palace is located in the Île-de-France region and is best known as the principal residence of the Kings of France from Louis XIV to Louis XVI.
The palace has over 700 rooms and covers an area of 67,000 square meters. It also features beautiful gardens and a large park.
The Palace of Versailles was originally built by Louis XIII in 1623 as a hunting lodge. It was enlarged by Louis XIV who made it his primary residence in 1682. The palace was further enlarged by his successors. The palace was the center of political and social life in France during the 18th century.
Château de Fontainebleau
In the same region, the Château de Fontainebleau is a royal palace in the commune of Fontainebleau, south of Paris. It is one of the largest French royal châteaux, with more than 1,200 rooms.
The palace has been home to some of France’s most famous kings, including Napoleon and Louis XIV.
The history of the Château de Fontainebleau spans more than 1,000 years, and it has been used as a royal residence, a military base, and a prison. The Château de Fontainebleau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is open to visitors.
Millau Viaduct
The Millau Viaduct is an impressive looking bridge that cuts across the gorge valley of the River Tarn in Southern France. It is the tallest vehicular bridge in the world, with a height of 343 meters (1,125 ft) from the deck to the ground, or 270 meters (886 ft) above the river.
The design team was led by Fengineer Michel Virlogeux and English architect Norman Foster. Construction of the viaduct started in January 2001 and finished in December 2004. The cost of construction was approximately €394 million (US$579 million). The Millau Viaduct is part of the A75 autoroute (motorway) from Clermont -Ferrand to Béziers.
Cité de Carcassonne
The Cité de Carcassonne is a fortress located in the town of Carcassonne, Aude, France. The fortress was constructed in the 12th century, and it is famous for its unique design, which combines Gothic and Romanesque architecture.
The Cité de Carcassonne played an important role in the history of France, and it has been listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte
The Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte was built in the first half of the 17th century by Louis XIV’s finance minister Nicolas Fouquet. It is located in Maincy, about 25 kilometers (16 mi) southeast of Paris. The chateau was intended to rival another significant French landmark – the Palace of Versailles but was unfinished at Fouquet’s arrest.
Fouquet commissioned the eminent French architect Louis Le Vau to design the building, and Charles Le Brun to decorate it with paintings and sculptures. The gardens were designed by André le Nôtre. The park features a lake with a castle, an Italian garden, a hedge maze, and numerous fountains.
Cité de Carcassonne
The Cité de Carcassonne is a fortified medieval town in southern France. The cité is in the Languedoc-Roussillon region.
It is one of the most well-preserved medieval towns in Europe and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997.
The history of the cité dates back to the early Gallo-Roman period when it was a small town on the banks of the Aude river. It was first fortified by the Visigoths in the 5th century and later expanded by the Franks.
This French landmark reached its peak in the 13th century when it became an important stronghold of the Crown of Aragon.
Strasbourg Cathedral
The Strasbourg Cathedral in France is one of the most popular and famous landmarks in the country. It is a Gothic cathedral that was built in the 12th and 13th centuries and is still in use today.
The cathedral has been damaged by several wars over the years but has been repaired and restored. One of the most famous features of the Strasbourg Cathedral is the astronomical clock, which was installed in 1493. That is still one of the largest and most intricate astronomical clocks in the world.
Loire Valley Castles
The Loire Valley Castles in France are a popular tourist destination for people who want to see some of the most beautiful castles in the world. These castles were built in the Middle Ages, and they are now some of the most important historical French landmarks in France.
The Loire Valley Castles were built by the kings and queens of France, and many of them are now open to the public.
One of the most famous Loire Valley Castles is the Chateau de Chambord, which was built by King Francois I in the 16th century. This castle is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it is one of the most popular tourist landmarks in France.
Other famous Loire Valley Castles include the Chateau de Chenonceau, the Chateau de Cheverny, and the Chateau de Villandry.
Natural Landmarks in France
Mont Saint-Michel
If you’re looking for a natural wonder, look no further than Mont Saint-Michel. This rocky island is located off the coast of Normandy, and it’s home to an impressive medieval monastery.
The island is only accessible at low tide, so be sure to check the tide schedule before you visit. Mont Saint-Michel is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and it’s worth a trip if you’re in the area.
Mont Blanc
Being the tallest mountain in the Alps and Western Europe, Mont Blanc is a very popular tourist destination for climbers and hikers. The mountain stretch across two countries, France and Italy.
The French side of the mountain is known as Mont Blanc du Tacul, while the Italian side is known as Monte Bianco. The mountain was first climbed in 1786 by Jacques Balmat and Michel Paccard.
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Parc National des Calanque
The Parc National des Calanques is a stunning natural park in Marseille, France that is home to some of the most beautiful cliffs and coves in the country.
The Calanques National Park is in southern France, Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region. The park was established in 1975 and it covers an area of 19,300 hectares. The landscape of the park is made up of limestone cliffs that drop into the Mediterranean Sea. Calanques National Park is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including a number of endangered species.
With its crystal-clear water and dramatic cliffs, it’s one of the most beautiful natural landmarks in France. The Parc National des Calanques is a place to visit for travelers in Marseille.
Dune du Pilat
The Dune du Pilat is a massive sand dune located in France near the city of Arcachon. It is the largest sand dune in Europe and has a height of over 300 meters.
The dune was formed around 12,000 years ago and has been slowly growing ever since. The dune is a popular tourist destination. There are several nearby hiking trails that offer stunning views of the surrounding area.
Gorges du Verdon
The Gorges du Verdon, also known as the Grand Canyon of France, is a canyon formed by the Verdon River. The canyon is in Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, southeastern France.
It is about 25 kilometers long and up to 700 meters deep. The cliffs of the canyon are made of limestone and are popular for BASE jumping and rock climbing. The Gorges du Verdon was formed over a period of about 15 million years by the erosion of the limestone by the river.
Camargue Salt Flats
The Camargue salt flats are a natural wonder in France. The flats are in the Camargue region of southern France. They are famous for their large salt marshes.
These marshes are home to many rare and endangered species, including the pink flamingo. The flats have been used for salt production since Roman times, and the salt marshes are still actively farmed today. An impressive and useful landmark in France.
Lavender Fields of Provence
The lavender fields of Provence in France are famous for their picturesque beauty and sweet fragrance. The lavender blooms from late June to August and the fields are popular among local and international tourists.
The Lavender Museum in Digne-les-Bains is in dedication to the history and cultivation of lavender.
Scandola Nature Reserve
The Scandola Nature Reserve is on the west coast of the French island of Corsica, within the Corsica Regional Park. It was established in 1975. The Reserve covers an area of 19.5 square kilometers and has interesting geological and biological features.
Scandola Reserve serves to protect the Mediterranean flora and fauna, as well as the cultural heritage of the area. It is also home to a number of archaeological sites, including the remains of ancient villages and castles.
Visiting Landmarks in France
These are just some of the many famous French landmarks that you can visit when traveling to France. While Paris is the hot spot and is home to many of the most popular landmarks in France, don’t forget to enjoy all of the other wonderful attractions that France has to offer.
Bon voyage!
Thanks for this overview! Useful for my trip planning.
Glad it is helpful. Have an awesome trip 🙂