In this post, I have concocted for you the essential monuments to visit in France with your family, according to their architectural beauty or their history… Shall we go?
From Notre-Dame de la Garde you can admire a splendid panorama of the city of Marseille and the sea. The basilica has mosaics that are worth the detour and the height of the Virgin is astonishing: nearly 24 m high. The little train that leaves from the Old Port and goes up to the Basilica will amuse the children a lot!
The Palace of the Popes is a remarkable Gothic monument. Both a fortress and a palace, the papal residence was during the 14th century the seat of Western Christendom. Six conclaves were held in the palace of Avignon, which led to the election of Benedict XII in 1335; Clement VI in 1342; Innocent VI in 1352; Urban V in 1362; Gregory XI in 1370 and Benedict XIII in 1394.
For children, a touch tablet, the Histopade, offers a treasure hunt in immersive views: virtual objects are hidden in the rooms.
The Pont du Gard, a remarkable ancient monument, is a Roman aqueduct built in the 1st century A.D. which is 49 m high. It offers a multimedia space with games on archaeology and a 1h30 walk with a guide-book.
The Millau Viaduct is an exceptional structure measuring 2,460 m in length and 343 m in depth, in the Aveyron. On the Viaduct area, where you can admire a sublime view, an interactive exhibition traces its construction. The discovery is also done in a 30 minutes hike with a guide, “Le sentier des explorateurs”, it’s really ideal for children.
In Colleville-sur-Mer, the Omaha American Cemetery is a place of remembrance for American soldiers who died on French soil. On a hill overlooking the beach, 9,386 graves of soldiers who fell in Normandy during the 39-45 war are lined up. It’s a very moving place. A moment of history to share with your family.
The Hospices de Beaune, hospitals for the poor, were founded in 1443. Transformed into a museum, its roofs covered with geometric figures in flamboyant colors are the highlight of the visit! Inside, reconstructed scenes of life at the time with mannequins and furnishings are very interesting.
The Louis Vuitton Foundation is a futuristic museum that presents art in all its forms through a permanent collection and temporary exhibitions. But the exploration of the site itself is well worth it! Visits related to the building are organized in the form of games, apps or with a guide.
The castle of Chenonceau is a masterpiece of the Renaissance to discover with children. Exceptional site by its original conception on the Cher river, Chenonceau constitutes an unavoidable stage of your tour of the Loire castles. This jewel of the French historical monuments welcomes you every day, all year long. The visit of the different rooms, chambers and salons, presents you its singular history, since it was loved, administered and protected by women such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis.
Everything is sumptuous: architecture and gardens.
Between Provence and Dauphiné, the Citadel of Sisteron stands, barring the sky with its walls, its bastions, its keep. Henri IV said “It is the most powerful fortress of my kingdom”.
Clinging to a rocky outcrop above the Durance, the impressive silhouette of the citadel looms in the sky of Sisteron. This fortress is a jewel of the city’s architectural and historical heritage, of which it is the symbol. It is a collection of works from different periods, from the 13th century for the upper rampart and the covered way to the 19th century for the important alterations made to the north face.
The visit of the place reserves many surprises with, in the dungeon, the dungeon occupied by the prince Jean Casimir of Poland in 1639, or this incredible staircase dug in the rock and allowing to reach directly the north door of the city.
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I hope this post made you travel and made you want to dream of discovering these monuments…
If you enjoyed this post The most beautiful monuments of France to visit, you can check The 6 most beautiful gardens in France.
