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Mémorial du Débarquement de Provence
Near the summit of Mont Faron, Mémorial du Débarquement de Provence commemorates the Allied landings of Operation Dragoon, which took place along the coast here in August 1944. Historical displays and a film form part of this museum.
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Musée International du Long Cours Cap
Housed in the 14th-century Tour Solidor , this museum presents the life of the hardy sailors who followed the dangerous Cape Horn route around the southern tip of South America. It also offers superb views from the top of the tower.
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Palais Princier State Apartments
If the Grimaldi standard is flying from the palace tower, it means the Prince is at home. Sneak a peak at royal life with an audioguide tour of the Palais Princier State Apartments; in summer queue for up to 45 minutes to get in.
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Cité du Train
Trainspotters are in their element at Europe’s largest railway museum, displaying SNCF’s prized collection of locomotives and carriages. Take bus 20 from the train station or, if driving, the Mulhouse-Dornach exit on the A35.
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Château du Bois
Lagarde d’Apt, 20km northeast of St-Saturnin-lès-Apt, is home to an 800,000-sq-metre lavender farm, Château du Bois, where a 2km-long lavender trail blazes from late June until mid-July when the sweet-smelling flower is harvested.
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Caves Painctes de Chinon
Hidden at the end of a cobbled alleyway off rue Voltaire, these former quarries were converted into wine cellars during the 15th century, and written about by Rabelais. A brotherhood of local winegrowers, runs tours in summertime.
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Atelier de Tissage
Accessible strictly by guided tour, this wonderful old workshop houses looms that produce larger fabrics. It was closed for renovations at research time; for status and price updates, enquire at the nearby Atelier de Passementerie.
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Rochemenier
Inhabited until the 1930s, this abandoned village, 6km north of Doué-la-Fontaine, is one of the best examples of troglodytic culture. Explore the remains of two farmsteads, complete with houses, stables and an underground chapel.
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Château de Lacoste
This part-ruined château once belonged to the scandalous Marquis de Sade but was bought in 2001 by the couturier Pierre Cardin. It hosts an arts festival every July; visits to the marquis apartments are possible by reservation only.
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Centre de Réintroduction Cigognes & Loutres
About 500m east of Hunawihr, this delightful centre is home base for 200 free-flying storks; visit in spring to see hatchlings. Cormorants, penguins, otters and sea lions show off their fishing prowess several times each afternoon.
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Juno Beach Centre
Juno Beach’s only specifically Canadian museum, the non-profit Juno Beach Centre, has multimedia exhibits on Canada’s role in the war effort and the landings. Guided tours of Juno Beach (€5.50) are available from April to October.
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Joanoenia: Maison de lInfante
In the days before her marriage to Louis XIV, María Teresa stayed in this brick-and-stone mansion (like the temporary home of her husband to be, it was owned by a shipowner) with fine architectural detail, just off place Louis XIV.
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Temple de Janus
Long associated (wrongly) with the Roman God Janus, this 24m-high temple in the middle of farmland 800m north of the train station is thought to have been a site for Celtic worship. Only two of its massive walls still stand.
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Place des Consuls
Martel’s central square, place des Consuls, is home to the former fortress of the viscounts, Hôtel de la Raymondie , and is filled by a great market on Wednesday and Saturday. Truffle markets feature in December and January.
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Parcours Troglodytique
Behind the modern-day abbey lie moody caves, originally a place of pagan worship and then part of Brantôme’s first 8th-century abbey. Its most famous feature is a 15th-century rock frieze thought to depict the Last Judgment.
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Mémorial de l’Alsace
The Mémorial de l’Alsace-Moselle, 50km southwest of Strasbourg in Schirmeck, takes an unblinking but reconciliatory look at the region’s traumatic modern history, which saw residents change nationality four times in 75 years.
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Musée Escoffier de l’Art Culinaire
This wonderful museum retraces the history of modern gastronomy. Escoffier (1846–1935), inventor of the pêche Melba and dried potato among other things, was France’s first great chef and a celebrity amongst Europe’s well heeled.
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Musée Goya
It is worth visiting the Musée Goya, which houses a renowned collection of Spanish art, including works by Goya, Murillo, Ribera and Picasso. The museum’s gardens were laid out by Le Nôtre, architect of Versailles’ parkland.
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Grande Pyramide
Almost as dazzling as the masterpieces inside is the 21m-high glass pyramid designed by Chinese-born American architect IM Pei that bedecks the main entrance to the Louvre in a dazzling crown of shimmering sunbeams and glass.
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Brasserie Artisanale des 2 Caps
Historic farm buildings in the countryside 5km south of Wissant house one of northern Frances best microbreweries. Theres a great shop and tasting room, and brewmaster Christophe Noyon offers occasional 90-minute tours of the premises.
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