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Esplanade des Quinconces
At the vast square esplanade des Quinconces, laid out in 1820, youll see the Girondins monument fountain. Les Girondins were a group of moderate, bourgeois National Assembly deputies during the French Revolution, 22 of whom were executed in 1793 after being convicted of counter-rev
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Capitole
On the eastern side of the place du Capitole (the citys main square) is the 128m-long façade of the Capitole, Toulouses city hall, built in the early 1750s. The Capitoles interior also includes the over-the-top (cant you just tell by the name), late 19th-century Salle des Illustres
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Cap de la Chèvre
The peninsulas most southerly point, Cap de la Chèvre is 8km south of Morgat, and offers stupendous panoramas of the Baie de Douarnenez and the Pointe du Raz. Youll be amazed by the contrast between the Mediterrean-like eastern side of the peninsula and the much wilder western shor
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Biodiversarium
At the southern end of Banyul’s seafront promenade, this is part aquarium, part submarine garden. Built in 1885 as the oceanographic research station of Paris’ Université Pierre et Marie Curie, the Laboratoire Arago houses an intriguing collection of Mediterranean marine life, from
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Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière
Crowning the hill, with stunning city panoramas from its terrace, this superb example of late 19th-century French ecclesiastical architecture is lined with intricate mosaics. One-hour discovery visits take in the main features of the basilica and crypt; 75-minute rooftop tours clim
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Bambouseraie de Prafrance
It’s over 150 years since the first shoots of this rambling, mature bamboo grove were planted by a spice merchant returning from the tropics. Here in Générargues, 12km southwest of Alès, 150 bamboo species sprout amid aquatic gardens, a Laotian village and a Japanese garden. The Cé
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Musée Alsacien
Spread across three typical houses from the 1500s and 1600s, with creaky floors and beautifully restored wood-panelled interiors, this museum dips into rural Alsatian life over the centuries. Costumes, toys, ceramics, folk art, furniture and even a tiny 18th-century synagogue are o
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Pagode de Chanteloup
Two kilometres south of Amboise, this tall pagoda was built between 1775 and 1778 when the odd blend of classical French architecture and Chinese motifs were all the rage. Clamber to the top for glorious views. In summer, picnic hampers (adult/child €12.50/7) are sold and you can r
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Palais des Archevêques
The former Archbishops’ Palace houses several archaeological museums. Roman mosaics and stucco paintings are on display at the Musée d’Art et d’Histoire and Musée Archéologique , along with an underground gallery of Gallo-Roman shops in the Horreum , and a collection of impressive
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Fondation Alexandra David
Paris-born writer and philosopher Alexandra David-Néel – among Frances great historical figures – was the first woman to enter (in cognito) into Tibets temples. Later she settled in Digne. This museum pays brilliant hommage to both the woman and Tibet. Journées Tibetaines (Tibetan
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Forêt de Fontainebleau
Beginning just 500m south of the château and surrounding the town, the 200-sq-km Forêt de Fontainebleau is one of the prettiest woods in the region. The many trails – including parts of the GR1 and GR11 – are excellent for jogging, walking, cycling and horse riding; Fontainebleaus
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Île de Porquerolles
The largest and westernmost island is Île de Porquerolles . Run as a hacienda in the early 20th century, it has kept many of its sprawling plantation features. There are plenty of walking trails, but the best way to get around is by cycling. There are several bicycle-rental places,
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Grottes de Bétharram
Along the D937, 14km west of Lourdes, a network of subterranean caverns have been carved out from the limestone, glittering with impressive formations of stalactites and stalagmites. Visits to the cave aboard a combination of minitrain and barge last around 1½ hours, but be warned:
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Musée de Bretagne
Rennes futuristic cultural centre is home to the Musée de Bretagne, with displays on Breton history and culture. Under the same roof is Espace des Sciences, an interactive science museum, along with a planetarium, a temporary exhibition space and a library. A combined ticket for a
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Musée dArts Africains, Océaniens & Amérindiens
Initially built as a charity shelter for the towns poor, the stunning arched pink-stone courtyard of the Centre de la Vieille Charité now houses Marseilles beautiful Musée dArts Africains, Océaniens & Amérindiens. The diverse and often striking collection includes masks from th
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Château de Tanlay
The French Renaissance-style Château de Tanlay , an elegant product of the 17th century, is surrounded by a wide moat and elaborately carved outbuildings. Interior highlights include the Grande Galerie , whose walls and ceiling are completely covered with trompe lœil . Find it 10km
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Collégiale Notre Dame des Anges
The stately exterior of the Collégiale Notre Dame des Anges, in L’Isles historic centre, shows no sign of the baroque theatrics inside – 122 gold angels ushering forward the Virgin Mary, and a magnificent 1648-built organ, on the left as you face the altar (the pipes on the right a
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Abbaye de Beauport
If you have wheels (or youre up for a glorious 1½-hour walk along the seashore from the town harbour), head 3.5km east of Paimpol to this romantic 18th-century abbey that plays host to frequent art and sculpture exhibitions. En route, stop at the Pointe de Guilben for beautiful bay
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Villa Grecque Kérylos
This magnificent villa is a reproduction of a 1st-century Athenian villa, complete with baths, stunning mosaic floors and furniture such as dining recliners. It was designed by scholar-archaelogist Théodore Reinach in 1902, at a time when the must-have for well-to-do socialites was
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Le Magasin – Centre National d’Art Contemporain
A cavernous glass-and-steel warehouse built by Gustave Eiffel has been turned into one of Frances leading centres of contemporary art. Many of the cutting-edge temporary exhibitions were designed specifically for this space. Situated about 2km west of the centre; to get there, take
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