France is packed full of amazing places to see and experiences to discover, and each part of the country offers its guests something different. To help you to work out where to go, we have complied a list of the top 10 famous French landmarks and buildings to visit which we hope will inspire your next trip by ferry to France.
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1. Eiffel Tower
Of all of the famous French landmarks and buildings to visit, the Eiffel Tower has to be at the top of the list. This iconic structure stands tall in the centre of Paris, and is visited by around 7 million people each year. Built to be the entrance to the World Fair in 1889, the Eiffel Tower was originally meant to be removed after 20 years, but its creator, Gustave Eiffel, fought to give it a new purpose and saved it from demolition. Standing at 324m tall with its antenna, the Eiffel Tower was the tallest building in the world before the Chrysler building was erected in New York.
When you visit this famous French landmark, you’ll be able to choose just how much of it you see. Wander around its base where you can admire some of its architectural details and browse its gift shop, or head up to the first or second floors where you’ll be treated to amazing views, and can even get a drink or a bite to eat while you look across the city of Paris. No matter which part of the Eiffel Tower you’re exploring, you’ll discover plenty about its fascinating history, and will definitely leave with a new found love for this iconic structure.
2. Palace of Versailles
Originally a hunting lodge, and then a seat of power, the Palace of Versailles, located just outside of Paris, is a stunning French building with a rich history to share. Now a museum, the landmark is made up of a number of different places of interest, including the palace itself, the gardens, and the park, giving you plenty to see during a visit here. One of the Palace of Versailles’ highlights is its Hall of Mirrors, which is 73m long and boasts 357 mirrors which sit opposite arched windows and reflect the stunning gardens. As you walk along the hall, you can also admire a number of statues and busts, each with their own fascinating stories to tell.
Once you’ve seen as many of the palace’s 2300 rooms as you can, step outside into the impressive gardens which took around 40 years to create. Here, you can see the Orangery, fountains, and other water features, plus perfectly manicured greenery. The gardens seamlessly blend into the park, which can be discovered via a number of paths which will take you through both woodland and fields. The park can be accessed throughout the year free of charge, and you are free to explore by foot or bike.
3. Pont du Gard
Built in southern France between Uzès and Nîmes to supply running water, the Pont du Gard is the highest Roman bridge in the world, and has been recognised by UNESCO as being a World Heritage Site. The most visited ancient monument in France, this bridge reaches a height of 48m, and its structure consists of three rows of arches. The Pont du Gard held its role as an aqueduct until the 6th century, and was then made into a tollgate in the Middle Ages. Between the 18th and 20th centuries, it was used as a road bridge, and in 2000 it went under development in order to preserve it and make sure that it stays standing for many more years to come.
Both guided tours and self-guided explorations will enable you to learn all about Roman construction and civilisation, and the Museum of the Pont du Gare can lead you through the bridge’s entire history. Children can enjoy a trip to this amazing structure too, thanks to the site’s educational space for kids, and temporary exhibitions can be discovered throughout the year too. Around the Pont du Gare, you can hike along marked trails and find spots for rest and relaxation, and the site has a restaurant and café where you can indulge in some food and drink should you need refreshments during your visit.
4. Mont Blanc
The first natural landmark in France on our list is the impressive Mont Blanc. Accessible from the commune of Chamonix, located close to the country’s borders with France and Switzerland, Mont Blanc is the highest mountain in the Alps (at 4810m) and the third most-visited natural site in the world. Although climbing to the mountain’s summit may be out of the question due to the fact that it takes 10 – 12 hours and high fitness levels, you can admire the peak from the Pic du Midi via a cable car from Chamonix. Make sure that you take your camera, because the views are quite incredible.
If you would like to try out some fun outdoor activities, you can give skiing, climbing, paragliding, and mountaineering a go, all of which will offer amazing views and an unrivalled adrenaline rush. For hikers, there are a number of routes that you can take through the stunning scenery which cover everything from gentle walking trails to tougher uphill challenges. Thankfully, there are alpine huts and chalets offering refreshments along the way too.
5. Chateau du Chambord
As the largest castle in the Loire Valley, the beautiful Chateau du Chambord is a French building not to be missed. Built to be a hunting lodge for Francis I in the 16th century, the castle was never actually finished, but boasts instantly recognisable French Renaissance style. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and popular tourist attraction, Chateau du Chambord was once host to royal celebrations and hunting parties, with many prestigious guests staying within its walls. One of the castle’s highlights is it double helix staircase, which was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, and enables two people to move between the floors without setting eyes on each other.
Visitors are welcome to explore 60 of Chateau du Chambord’s 426 rooms, and there are around 4500 objects to admire too. Outside, you can spend time wandering through the castle’s impressive park and gardens. The gardens were redesigned in the spring of 2017 and are home to 600 trees, 15,250 plants, and much more. The chateau’s park is actually larger than inner Paris, and you can discover all that is has to offer by making your way around 23km of walking trails. A particular favourite is a 4km loop around the canal, and you can also choose to explore via horse and carriage, bike, or even in a 4×4!
6. Mont-Saint-Michel
Set in a bay where Normandy meets Brittany, Mont-Saint-Michel is an absolute vision topped with a very impressive Benedictine abbey. Surrounded by some of the most extreme tidal variations on earth, Mont-Saint-Michel is part of ever-changing scenery that needs to be seen to be believed. You can reach the mount by crossing the bay when the tide is out, but it’s advised that you only do this with an experienced guide, as judging the tides is almost impossible and when they come in the water level rises very quickly.
Mont-Saint-Michel’s most prominent feature is the abbey that sits upon it. Founded in 966, the abbey has survived many years and can be reached by walking up the winding path that leads past shops, restaurants, and museums. To make the most of your visit, take a guided tour of the abbey so that you can learn all of its secrets. During the summer, you can choose an evening tour which is made even more magical with the addition of lights and music. Keep an eye out for the 19th century statue of Saint Michel which sits at the mount’s highest point too.
7. Arles Amphitheatre
Located in the centre of the picturesque city of Arles, the Arles Amphitheatre is a fantastic example of Roman architecture and has been standing since 90AD. With two tiers, striking archways, and a well-designed system of doors, galleries, stairways, and passages, this amphitheatre had the capacity to hold around 21,000 spectators. Shows included gladiator battles, chariot races, and theatre performances, and the audience would be split up according to their social status. Following the fall of the Roman Empire, Arles Amphitheatre was transformed into a fortress which surrounded 200 houses, two chapels, and a communal square.
Upon visiting Arles Amphitheatre today, you can choose to wander around the structure yourself, or take a tour. Amazing views can be enjoyed from the top of the building, and depending on the time of year that you visit you may be able to witness some of the local festivities that take place within the arena too. Once you’ve explored Arles Amphitheatre, you might also like to go and visit the city’s smaller theatre. Able to hold 8000 spectators, this building still has its characteristic seating levels intact and hosts concerts and plays throughout the summer.
8. Provence lavender fields
There’s something quite mesmerising about the deep purple Provence lavender fields, and this is what makes them one of the most famous French landmarks. Located in southeastern France, Provence is the perfect place to see fields of this beautiful bloom, despite the fact that lavender can be found growing in a number of places around the world. This is because the rest of the region’s scenery is also stunning, with vineyards, olive groves, and forests to explore, making this a very picturesque place to be.
The best time to see the Provence lavender fields is between late June and the beginning of August, as the plant is harvested in late August so that it can be used in essential oils, cosmetics, and even sorbet! The most famous lavender fields are those at the Valensole Plateau, which are particularly beautiful due to the fact that they’re framed by fields of wheat and sunflowers. To hunt out the local’s favourite fields, head to Luberon Valley where you can find stretches of lavender hidden among vineyards and olive groves. For information about the region’s lavender fields, visit the Museum of Lavender in Cabrieres d’Avignon where you can learn all about the industry’s history, and find out how lavender is planted, harvested, and distilled.
9. Millau Viaduct
Crossing the Tarn Valley as part of the A75 motorway, the Millau Viaduct is a famous French landmark for a number of reasons. Firstly, it is the tallest multi-span bridge in the world, and secondly, is it the longest suspended bridge in the world! With a height of 343m (taller than the Eiffel Tower), and a length of 2460m, it’s surprising that the viaduct fits so seamlessly into the landscape that surrounds it, but thanks to its seven slender pillars and thin steel roadway, it does just that. Millau Viaduct links Clermont-Ferrand with Béziers and Narbonne in the southern French department of Aveyron, and gives people a cheap option on their drive from Paris to the Mediterranean.
The best views of the Millau Viaduct can be enjoyed from Caussenarde farm, which offers panoramas from its viewing area. Here, you’ll also find a tourist information centre and somewhere to have a drink and a bite to eat. There’s plenty of activities around the bridge which can help you see it from a different perspective too, including canoeing and hang gliding!
10. The Louvre
It’s back to Paris to complete our list of famous French landmarks and buildings, as the Louvre museum is a sight that cannot be missed, due to being the largest art museum in the world. Set on the banks of the Seine, the Louvre is instantly recognisable due to its glass pyramid, and boasts artwork from ancient civilisation to the 19th century – and everything in between!
There are a number of ways to explore the Louvre. Opt for an audio guide, take a guided tour, or follow the well thought out visitor trails to ensure that you make the most of your time there. With around 38,000 objects across 300 rooms to discover, including Leonardo da Vinci’s famous Mona Lisa, you can spend hours wandering around this impressive landmark. If you want to avoid the crowds (around 15,000 people enter the Louvre each day), it’s best to visit during December and January when it’s at its quietest. If you are in Paris during the busy summer months, heading to the Louvre after 3pm will ensure that you get there after the crowds have died down. You may also like to buy tickets in advance so that you don’t have to queue.
With so many amazing famous French landmarks and buildings to visit, deciding where to go is a difficult task. However, no matter what you decide, you can reach France quickly and conveniently via our Dover to Calais ferry crossing.
