Aestheticism and France go in hand in hand. Everything in France invokes in us a sense of unique and mysterious beauty. The country of France has got many historical monuments and attractions to show off to the rest of the world. French Architecture and its magnificence are very much evident in these monuments and other historical buildings here. France is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world which never fails to amuse anyone.
The following are some of the famous attractions in France. Explore its beauty and be a part of its history!
1. Eiffel Tower
The beauty and elegance of the Eiffel Tower is one thing that every individual should experience at least once in their life. Eiffel Tower is the first major and popular attraction in France. Named after Gustave Eiffel, who built the tower, millions of people visit each year in here to see this mesmerizing structure. It was constructed as the centrepiece of the 1889’s world fair. It is 330 meters long and always remains one of the greatest achievements of men. Eiffel Tower is the pride monument of France which showcases its excellent workmanship.
2. Palace of Versailles
The Palace of Versailles was the former residence of the royalty of France built by King Louis XIV. It is located 19 kilometres away from Paris. With an average of 15 million tourists visiting every year, The Palace of Versailles is one of the most famous tourist attractions in the world. The palace is a typical example of Classicalism and Baroque-styled architecture. The Hall of Mirrors is a gallery in the palace that overlooks the magnificent garden of the Palace. The speciality of this Hall of Mirrors is that there are 578 mirrors here that face seventeen windows that reflect the light. The paintings on the ceiling of the hall tell the story of the first 18 years of the reign of King Louis XIV. Royal Chapel, Royal Opera and the Museum of History of France are the other major attraction of the Palace of Versailles.
3. Louvre
Louvre in France is one of the most famous historical museums in the world and it is one of the major landmarks in France. Louvre is the home to some of the famous paintings of Da Vinci and other great painters. Paintings like Mona Lisa and Venus De Milo are in the French Louvre. Covering an area of 72, 735 sq. meters, Louvre consists of about 38,000 prehistoric to modern-age exhibits which are very precious and rare. With millions of people visiting every year, Louvre remains one of the most popular and most visited art museums in the world.
The museum is located inside the Louvre Palace which is located in the centre of Paris. The museum is closed on Tuesdays and public holidays. And it is open for the rest of the days. Using flashes to take photos is strictly prohibited here. Other than that, there are no strict rules or restrictions.
4. Cathedral of Notre Dame
This medieval Catholic cathedral is one of the most popular historical landmarks in the world. Dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the Cathedral is the finest example of French Gothic Architecture. The enormous and colourful rose windows of the cathedral are one of the main attractions here. The three pipe organs and the church bells of the cathedral are the finest historical artefacts. It is also one of the UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The construction of the cathedral began in the 12th century and was completed in the 13th century. Every year approximately 12 million people visit the Cathedral. It is one of the most visited monuments in France.
5. Arc De Triomphe
Arc De Triomphe is one of the greatest historical monuments in France. It is a memorial that honours those who fought and died for France in the French Revolution and the Napoleonic Wars. With a height of 50 meters, it is a 19th-century monument and one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. It is the finest example of the astylar design, of ancient Roman Architecture. The arc also has many First World War monuments. About 1.5 million tourists visit the Arc every year.
6. Musee D’Orsay
This is one of the historical museums in France. The museum is the home to many 19th and 20th-century French paintings, sculptures, furniture and photography. The impressionist and post-impressionist paintings of world-renowned painters like Berthe Morisot, Clause Monet, Degas, Renoir, Cezanne, and Van Gogh are lodged in this museum. The museum was opened in the year 1986. It is one of the most visited art museums in the world with an average of 1.5 million people visiting every year.
7. Chateau De Chambord
This French Renaissance architecture remains one of the greatest and the popular historical buildings in France. The building was constructed by King France I. It is the largest chateau in the Loir Valley with extensive gardens and water features. It is an intermixing of French and Italian styles. The double spiral staircase of the Chateau is the centrepiece of this structure. The elaborately decorated roof and more than 800 sculpted columns are other attractions here.
