The 20 most beautiful monuments to see in France

Our beautiful country is one of the most visited in the world and you will quickly understand why. Here are the 20 most beautiful monuments to see in France!

Buildings of breathtaking beauty, unspoiled, out of norms, strange or of great historical importance: France has splendid monuments. At Wanderlix, we identified 20 of these remarkable places. Whether you go there to entertain, cultivate, take pictures or live a strong experience, none of them can disappoint you.

And to get to the place, we offer you travel with Omio : an online comparison that analyzes all travel options and allows you to select the best way of transport to your destination. Cap sur les plus belles monuments à voir en France !

1. Château de Versailles

This castle located west of the capital is one of the most beautiful examples of French art of the 17th century and one of the most beautiful monuments to see in France. Protected from the world heritage of Humanity, the Palace of Versailles embodies royal absolutism and the opulence of classicism. This former residence of the Sun King has a double asset: tedious interiors and magnificent gardens.

During your visit, some pieces must not escape: the Great Apartments, the masterpiece of the Galerie des Glaces, the royal rooms, the Chapel Saint Louis carved in stone or the Opera. Then walk in the gardens that spread through the huge windows. A furnishing, decor and refinement in which you will travel for several hours without even realizing it.

2. Abbaye Mont Saint-Michel

The Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is one of the greatest masterpieces of French Gothic art and even of Europe, and is found in a vast marshland plain. The history of this icon dates back to the year 708, when Bishop Aubert appointed him sanctuary in honour of the Archangel.

Then, this prestigious place quickly became a must-see for Western pilgrims. Today, its architecture of perfect beauty embodies a true technical and artistic prowess. To the splendour of the stone is added a dazzling natural setting. After the diversity of forms and architectural reliefs, you will discover the diversity of Norman landscapes, between salt marshes and golden beaches.

3. Notre Dame Cathedral of Strasbourg

The Millennium Cathedral of Strasbourg has a unique architectural profile. It can be proud to be the oldest Gothic Cathedral in the world and one of the most beautiful monuments to see in France. Its main arrow tickles the clouds, erected almost a hundred and fifty meters. Rare are the bells that have been able to compete in terms of height!

In addition to its worked façade and emerald windows, the Strasbourg Cathedral houses a famous astronomical clock. This solar work, signed by the hand of a Strasbourg genius, is undoubtedly the organ of the visit. The interior of the building does not have to be blunt with its immense and mysterious windows, its brilliant ornamentations and its cyclopean dimensions. Also hold the ear as the sound of the bells of the Strasbourg Cathedral is unique in Europe...

4. Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde, Marseille

The Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Garde de Marseille, Good Mother for the intimates, toises the roofs of the Phocean City and watches over the inhabitants. Juched on its promontory, the monument offers a breathtaking view of Marseille. But its location is only one of its many assets. The Basilica Notre-Dame de la Garde is also a wonderful architectural work, rich in its past. Its style is both neo-Roman and non-Gothic, for the greatest happiness of architecture and cultural melting lovers.

5. Palace of the Popes, Avignon

Avignon is rich with its bridge and festival but also with its immense Gothic palace. Moreover, this is the largest ever erected in less than twenty years! The major work of the Palace of the Popes is its Tower, protective and sacred, which dominates the city.

During a visit, there are also numerous towers and a courtyard enclosed in the high walls. Other elements do not fail to catch the eye: the Grande Chapelle, the Grand Promenoir, the frescoes, the stained glass, the exceptional furniture, the precious hangings and the sculptures of goldsmith...

6. Pont du Gard, Nimes

The ancient work of the Pont du Gard enjambe the Gardon, near the Roman city of Nîmes. This masterpiece can boast of being one of the remnants of the best preserved Antiquity in the world and one of the most beautiful monuments to see in France! It is called a bridge, but the Pont du Gard is actually an aqueduct.

In addition to its unique state of conservation, the monument collects the extra-standard figures: almost fifty meters high (which make it the highest Roman aqueduct in the world), more than sixty arches, a total weight of almost fifty thousand tons and a total volume of twenty thousand cubic meters.

This historic aqueduct overlooks a charming setting of water and garrigues, suitable for hiking, swimming and canoeing. If you are in the corner in the summer, visit the Pont du Gard during its illuminated evenings, where antique facades become the scene of a dazzling spectacle.

7. The Holy Chapel, Paris

If there is one thing that distinguishes the Holy Chapel from other magnificent French monuments, it is its stained glass. Moreover, the Holy Chapel is also known as the Cathedral of Verre. In fact, no less than 618 sqm of stained glass type this gothic gem. The delicate and colored glass lets the sun enter and gives an absolutely magical atmosphere. The masterpiece is its flamboyant rose, with its small hundred finely decorated petals.

In addition to its stained-glass windows, the Sainte Chapelle is known for hosting precious relics (including the famous Crown of Epines) today preserved in Notre-Dame de Paris and is a testament to such an enlivened and exciting story.

8. Château des Ducs de Bretagne

The Château des Ducs de Bretagne is rich in its history and its occupants. Turn around residence and then military fortress, this castle is above all a key witness to the royal power in Nantes. It is a rare example of a monument that mixes both the splendour of a palace and the robust qualities of a military workshop.

History mordus can discover a rich blend of medieval and Renaissance styles. His singular history is read in all his buildings. Good to know: know that gardens offer pleasant bucolic walks in the middle of vegetation.

9. Saint-Nicolas Cathedral, Nice

Who could have imagined a Russian church in the heart of Nice, under the palm trees of the French Riviera? Yet the Cathedral of Saint Nicholas is one of the largest in the Orthodox world. It is inspired by the famous Saint-Basile-le-Bienheureux of Moscow, with a typical neo-Russian style that was very popular at the time.

With its colorful and fantasy towers, fifty-two meters tall and styled with their turquoise bulb, the building is the most photogenic! When approaching closer, we discover with delectation marble, pink granite and terracotta that evokes delicacy and refinement. By entering the church, the smallness of the place jumps to the eyes: a specificity of the Orthodox churches. Nevertheless, there are richly decorated walls and beautiful floral motifs.

10. Amphitheatre, Arles

The prosperous city of Arles is widely known for its Roman remains. Among them, the incredible Amphitheatre located in the heart of town. The scale of the monument and the technical constraints surmounted by its builders make it one of the most remarkable Roman vestiges!

Its dense network of posts, galleries and stairs on several floors allows for more than twenty thousand spectators! If it is no longer a matter of car racing or gladiator battles, the Amphitheatre d’Arles is now hosting major cultural events.

11. Arc de Triomphe, Paris

The Arc de Triomphe is at the elbow with the Eiffel Tower when it comes to evoking French iconic monuments in the world. This imposing building dominates the Champs-Élysées and recalls Napoleon’s ambition.

Indeed, the Emperor had a desire to pay tribute to his great faithful army thanks to a large monument well encamped on his four legs. The Arc de Triomphe is today a high place of memory where the unknown soldier lies. It is the symbol of the union of the French nation, the place of worship of official civism and the incarnation of “sacred secularism”.

12. City of Carcassonne

The castle of Carcassonne and its ramparts are true treasures of Gallo-Roman and medieval military architecture. Moreover, the city is classified as the world heritage of humanity by UNESCO.

This site, which is unfolded and firmly anchored in the landscape, has three kilometers of ramparts, fortified enclosures, massive doors, imposing towers and a defense device to make all invaders pass. The castle also enjoys a privileged location above the city, and opens on a superb panorama. Inside, visitors discover with joy and emotion beautiful sets of stained glass and antique objects.

13. Hospices de Beaune

The hospices of Beaune in Burgundy are among the most beautiful and atypical monuments of France. Their case is unique because it is a public hospital funded by the income of the surrounding vineyards. Indeed, Beaune is surrounded by exceptional vineyards whose nectars are torn away at gold prices and make the richness of the large vineyard families. The rich winemakers were precisely the first patients in the hospital and, thanks to their fierce gifts, the hospices gradually took their look of true palace.

Nowadays, thousands of tourists walk every year to admire the typical varnished tiles of the region and the famous Hall of Pôvres. The hospital continues to be financed by the annual auction of the great regional wines.

14. Place Stanislas, Nancy

The Place Stanislas in Nancy is a single, unique and enchanting set. This place is considered the most beautiful in Europe and has been a place of choice for the UNESCO World Heritage. It must be said that you can only admire the harmonious architecture, the brightness, the decorative elements and the unrivalled refinement of this esplanade.

"Stan" embodies the classic French tradition and the golden madness of Rococo. Moreover, this masterpiece contributes greatly to Nancy’s nickname: the “City at the Golden Gates”. Fully pedestrianized, Place Stanislas opens a magical parenthesis in the heart of the city and treats photographers from all over the world with its graceful features.

15. L’Opéra Garnier Paris

The architects of the Opéra Garnier in Paris were not cold in their eyes. This is reflected in the bold architecture and rich decoration that make up the place ordered by Napoleon III. This masterpiece is recognized for its paintings by Chagall, its impressive central staircase and its monumental homes.

Its electric character is available in a style both Renaissance, baroque and Byzantine but also in a flamboyant palette of colours and materials. Opera Garnier also holds its reputation for its outstanding program. This high Parisian cultural place has always been home to world-renowned artists and the stars of the scene.

16. Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, Saint-Jean–Cap-Ferrat

This luxurious villa located in Saint-Jean–Cap-Ferrat was the refuge of the heir and Baronne Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild. The young woman literally fell in love with the Cap-Ferrat and built her dream villa there. The construction site began with gardens and a park raised on a rocky promontory. It took no less than seven years to build this wonderful plant set!

Then the work of the Villa began under the demanding eye of Beatrice. A single word of order: gather the most beautiful and the best of each era. Today the Villa has lost nothing of its superb and is one of the most beautiful monuments to see in France. Only its ochre facade became pink, giving a venetian touch to the decor. The best way to visit the place? During a Sunday brunch or hands around a smoking cup in the restaurant tea room.

17. Eiffel Tower, Paris

Can we talk about the most beautiful monuments to see in France without evokeing the Eiffel Tower? Every stranger associates our country with this Grande Dame initiated by the engineer Gustave Eiffel. This majestic metallic work is a true prowess, signature of an extraordinary genius, symbol of the good industrial of the nineteenth century.

His bold design made a lot of ink flow, but all the attempts of the detractors failed. The Eiffel Tower is indeed the symbol of France, the theatre of all outstanding events, fabulously photogenic, evoked in hundreds of novels, films and works of art. The metal frame is built on three floors and the luckiest visitors will have a champagne break at the top to enjoy the most beautiful view of Paris.

18. Château de Chambord

The Château de Chambord is the only royal domain intact since its creation. Nothing but for this, impossible to pass next to this flower of French architecture. Chambord bathes in a magical atmosphere. We land there as in a wonderful world, on the edge of an enchanted forest.

This royal palace, commissioned by François I, is a real Renaissance jewel. Its masterpiece is its staircase that sucks visitors to finely worked chimneys and capitals.

But this architectural madness is also part of the fascinating geometrical constructions, the roofs lined with gilded roofs, the vertiginous towers and the support of a setting evoking the King’s power. It even seems that this masterpiece of Sologne is inspired by the genius of Leonardo d’ Vinci...

19. Notre-Dame de Reims

The Cathedral of Reims is an emblem of the history of France, a jewel of Gothic art under the fierce protection of Unesco. The construction site of Notre-Dame de Reims lasted several decades. He was repeatedly hampered by plague, war and fires...

Today its “remoise window” is a model of architecture revived throughout Europe. The stained glass has a special place in the building. Even more, the religious building jealously retains one of the largest collections of statues in the world, including the Angel with a smile .

This gothic jewel was the scene of great events, sometimes grandiose, sometimes dramatic. In any case, the history of the monument is passionate and continues to be written!

20. Château de Haut-Koenigsbourg

The Château de Haut-Koenigsbourg, in Alsace, transports visitors in the Middle Ages. Pont-levis, arms rooms, inn, forge, mill, seigneur’s apartments: everything evokes the feudal, exciting and agitated period.

During the visits, the dungeon and canons do not fail to recall the tumultuous past of the place, often besieged and looted. Fortunately, this medieval jewel was restored in the twentieth century.

Today Haut-Koenigsbourg is one of the most beautiful monuments to see in France. His figure is recognizable between a thousand. From this fortress hung on the slopes of the mountain, the visitors fall nose-to-nose with the infinite plain of Alsace: a magical landscape assured!

How to get there?

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