All About World Heritage Sites

Paris is one of Europe’s most romantic and stylish destinations. Bordeaux’s wine museum is one of the best in the world. And there’s nothing sexier than spending a hot summer’s eve in Saint Tropez. But the country’s allure goes beyond its most popular cities, and of course, the sophisticated French Riviera. France is home to …

Source: Beyond Paris: Choose from these 10 beautiful French islands for your next holiday

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The Ile de Re is the French version of The Hamptons. If you’re looking for a luxurious Ile de Ré hotel,  La Baronnie Hotel & Spa is located…

Source: A Luxury Ile de Ré Hotel: Review of La Baronnie Hotel & Spa

The Tango is a historic barge built in 1930 and moored in Bordeaux that takes you along the rivers tasting fabulous wines, dining on market-fresh French food and leisurely visiting breathtaking wineries and cultural sites.

Source: Why you need to consider a luxury wine cruise through Bordeaux

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Ten years since the legacy of France’s greatest military engineer was recognised by UNESCO, Sue Smith travels to Bourgogne-Franche-Comté to see the mark Vauban left on his homeland.

Source: Standing Before a King: Vauban’s Legacy in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

On the isle of Ré, the hotel de Toiras & la Villa Clarisse are located in the heart of the charming ports of Saint-Martin and near the fortress by Vauban, a Unesco World Heritage Site.

Source: L’Hôtel de Toiras & Villa Clarisse, Boutique Hotel in Ile de Ré – Relais & Châteaux

You know the type; nonchalantly cool, perfectly undone and always in the know. This is where to join them this summer.

Source: Barefoot and Beautiful: Where the Bohemian Crowd Go on Holiday | SUITCASE Magazine

I’ve always been a fan of embracing the season and so when winter swung by London and the first snow of the season had fallen, we hopped on a train in search of the ski slopes of France.

Funnily enough, our trip to France would actually involve taking the train to Italy and then finishing the journey with a little drive back to France.

Tickets booked via Voyages SNCF, we headed off to Montgenevre in France, with a quick pit-stop and an amazing lunch at Le Train Bleu.

Little sidebar: Voyages SNCF is THE go to place for European train travel. I never really use it for the UK – I’ve just always used my Trainline app (which can occasionally be annoying as they have fees on certain journeys) or I just buy my tickets in person at the station (especially for tickets when it doesn’t make a difference in the price if I buy in advance or on the day of arrival).

Source: Briancon – The Highest Town In France And The Beautiful Ski Village Of Montgenevre

If you plan to visit Bordeaux (and why wouldn’t you, the wine alone!), Vauban’s fortifications on both sides of the Gironde River is an interesting day out.

Once an orphan living in poverty, later an engineering genius with a prestigious career. A familiar story, perhaps. Yet that doesn’t diminish its power to inspire.

That is also the story of Sébastien Le Prestre de Vauban: military engineer, advisor to Roi Soleil Louis XIV, France’s most famous king, and most importantly for this little piece, builder of forts, 12 of which have found their place on UNESCO’s list of World Heritage sites.

I’ve written about military architecture before. To my surprise, I’m finding it all sorts of interesting.

In Aquitaine in southwestern France, the kids and I visited the Citadel of Blaye and Fort Médoc, two of Vauban’s constructions.

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Château de Fontainebleau

When cycling through the wonderful forests of Fontainebleau, approximately 37 miles southeast of Paris, you will pass by the artistic village of Barbizon. Since the first half of the 19^th century a lot of famous – and less famous – painters have found their inspiration in this area. After a visit of the local museum the bike tour continues through the gardens of the châteaux, or palace of Fontainebleau. This medieval royal residence and hunting lodge was very much in favor among French kings, such as Louis VII and Napoleon III.

Nowadays you’ll find a museum in this UNESCO World Heritage Site: the most beautiful sights of this château are the gallery of Francis I; the ballroom with an ornate coffered ceiling and a floor that mirrors the design of the ceiling; the queen’s bedroom and the apartment of the Pope.

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