World heritage sites in France. unesco world heritage

The most extensive site in France, inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 2000 in the category of cultural landscapes - Loire Valley . With a length of 280 km and an area of ​​800 km2, this delightful area is a unique asset for all.

The Loire Valley is memorial place history and art. It clearly shows how, over time, a person managed to take his place along the entire length of the river, equipped it and even defended himself from it, from the danger that it represented. The landscape of the Loire Valley, its many cultural monuments clearly testify to the ideals of the Renaissance and Enlightenment in relation to the idea and creation Western Europe. There is also a remarkable architectural heritage - historical cities: Blois, Chinon, Orleans, Saumur, Tours, Nantes or Angers, and worldwide famous monuments: the castle of Chambord or Chenonceau, the royal castle of Amboise, the gardens of the castle of Villandry, the castle of Clos Luce, and the royal abbey of Fontevraud. These castles are an excellent visual and historical chronicle of major and minor events in the history of France.

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1. Chambord Castle, Loire Valley, France

2. Saumur Castle (Chateau de Saumur) is located in the Loire Country region, on historical road Valley of the Kings. Built at the end of the 11th century, Saumur Castle was alternately a fortress, a pleasure residence, the residence of the city's governors, a prison, then a warehouse of weapons and ammunition. Towering over the city and the majestic Loire, the castle was bought from the state in 1906 by the city of Saumur and, after partial restoration, a municipal museum was opened in it.

4. Castle Azay-le-Rideau (Azay-le-Rideau) is located in the Center-Loire Valley region. Erected on an island in the middle of the Indre River, the castle in its present form was built during the reign of Francis I by the wealthy financier Gilles Berthelot, who wanted to embody Italian innovations in French architecture. Surrounded by greenery, the castle is washed by the waters of the Indre, in which its walls are reflected. Castle of Azay-le-Rideau, recognized historical monument, is the epitome of sophistication, characteristic of the castles of the early French Renaissance.

6. Langeais Castle (Le chateau de Langeais) is located in the Center-Loire Valley region, on the border of Anjou and Touraine. There are two unique castles in the Langeai castle: the tower of Fulk Nerra and the castle of Louis XI. The first of them is the oldest donjon in France, and the second has two facades, medieval from the side of the city and Renaissance from the courtyard. The first castle, located on a hill above the Loire, was built in 994 by the powerful and formidable Angevin Count Fulk Nerra. Today it is one of the oldest donjons in France: a significant part of it remains, dressed in our time with scaffolding recreating a medieval construction site. These scaffoldings and lifting mechanisms take visitors back to the time of the tenth century builders. On the other side of the courtyard is the second royal castle, built by order of Louis XI at the end of the 15th century (in 1465). Louis XI wanted to be able to control the right bank of the Loire from the height of the towers of the castle and the sentinel path. Its majestic façade is thus equipped with a walkway, towers and a drawbridge from the side of the city. In the inner courtyard, the ornate façade windows emphasize the Renaissance sophistication of this pleasant, pleasing residence.

7. Historical wedding. Within these walls, on December 6, 1491, the fate of France and Brittany was decided at the marriage ceremony of Charles VIII with the Duchess Anne of Brittany. This marriage marked the accession of the duchy to the French crown, thus ending its independence. The spectacle, striking in its realism, will take the visitor to the center of this most important event in the history of France.

9. Chenonceau Castle (Chateau Chenonceau) is located in the Center-Loire Valley region. A crown jewel, then a royal residence, the Château de Chenonceau is unique for its original location on the River Cher, as well as for its destiny. He was loved, cherished and protected by women such as Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. Today, Chenonceau Castle is the second most visited castle in France after Versailles.

12. The park and castle of Valençay (Chateau de Valenсay) were built during the time of Louis XIII. The castle was built on the site of an old feudal fortress. Over time, it is rebuilt and harmoniously combines the style of the early Renaissance and classicism. In 1803, Napoleon buys this magnificent castle, which becomes the property of the Prince de Talleyrand, Minister of Foreign Affairs. The latter, thanks to this, can receive important guests with due luxury. Napoleon decides to purchase the Château de Valençay for his famous foreign minister, Charles Maurice de Talleyrand, in 1803, so that he can receive European dignitaries with due luxury. The castle is located in Berry and combines two architectural style- Renaissance and classicism. It is fully furnished and is surrounded by superb French-style gardens and an English park.

15. medieval fortress Amboise (Amboise), located in the Center-Loire Valley region in the city of Amboise, becomes a royal residence during the reign of Kings Charles VIII and Francis I (end of the 15th-beginning of the 16th centuries). Many European artists and writers live at the court of Amboise at the invitation of the kings, like Leonardo da Vinci, who rests in the chapel of the castle.

France - amazing country. The centuries-old history, full of events, has left many architectural, historical, cultural places of interest in her memory. In addition, France is rich in picturesque natural places. Its diverse landscapes are literally breathtaking. World Organization UNESCO did not leave this country without its attention. After all, this country has added a countless number of objects to the World Heritage List.

Versailles is a palace and park ensemble, the residence of the French kings. This luxury palace, which matches the bright baroque era of the sun king, is considered the most beautiful palace throughout Europe. Its richly decorated halls are truly impressive. It is also pleasant to stroll through the neatly trimmed, well-groomed regular park around the palace. Because of this, the place has become one of the most visited in all of France.

In the north-west of France, between the provinces of Normandy and Brittany, the granite island of Mont Saint-Michel is located. On it rises with a huge spire the Romano-Gothic monastery of the abbey of the Benedictines. The most grandiose tides in all of Europe are observed here. Water once a lunar day can retreat several kilometers back. And then, returning, blocks the dam, which is the only road to the island.

Let's go back to the distant past, to primitive times. Then there was no such state as France, but, nevertheless, people already lived on its territory. In the province of Languedoc, archaeologists have found amazing Lascaux caves. They found a large number of rock paintings. They were even called the Sistine Chapel of the primitive period. Painting and engraving appeared here around 18-15 centuries BC. Just imagine!

On the island of Corsica, which is a French territory, is national park- calanque bays. These are rocky formations, predominantly composed of granite. Over time and under the influence of the wind, they acquired bizarre shapes. Getting to the place is extremely difficult. Only possible by water or through mountain range. But those who had the patience and got to the coast will definitely not regret it. Local landscapes are not in vain included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

France has preserved amazing monuments from the time of Roman domination. These are mostly ancient amphitheatres. There are such in the city of Arles, Orange, Lyon.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France:

1. Roads to Santiago de Compostela
Historic buildings and monuments along the four roads leading pilgrims to Spain.

2. Mont Saint-Michel
On the island there is a Benedictine abbey (XI-XVI centuries) in the Gothic style and a village.

3. Saint-Emilion
Wine region with a long history. Many churches and monasteries.

4. Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartan
Monastery since 811. Frescoes (XI-XII centuries) with scenes from the Pentateuch have been perfectly preserved.

5. Paintings in the caves of the Weser Valley
25 ancient caves rock art. Several hundred drawings of animals.

6. Canal du Midi
328 hydraulic structures between mediterranean sea and the Atlantic (1667-1694).

7. Historic fortified city of Carcassonne
Typical medieval city with an impressive defensive system around the castle and dwellings.

8. Chartres Cathedral
It was built from 1145. An example of French Gothic. Sculptures of the middle of the XII century, stained-glass windows of the XII-XIII centuries.

9. Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonne
Landscapes of exclusively cultural significance: historical cities, villages, castles.

10. Cathedral in Bourges
A masterpiece of Gothic art of the XII-XIII centuries. Images doomsday and scenes from the life of St. Etienne.

11. Palace and park in Versailles
Founded in 1624. Over time, the ensemble became a model of the royal residence.

12. Paris - the banks of the Seine
Meeting architectural masterpieces, among which Notre Dame, the Louvre, the Tuileries, Les Invalides.

13. Amiens Cathedral
The largest cathedral in the country. The three-aisled basilica was built in 1220 on the site of a Romanesque church.

14. Palace and park at Fontainebleau
In 1137 a modest hunting castle was built. Later it grew and became the residence of kings.

15. Provins, medieval city of fairs
In the XII-XIII centuries. fairs were held here, which attracted merchants from all over Europe.

16. Notre Dame Cathedral, Saint Remy Abbey and Tho Palace in Reims
Gothic cathedral of the 13th century. In the abbey of Saint-Remy they kept a vessel for the chrismation of the kings of France.

17. Church in Vezelay
The church in Vézelay allegedly contains the remains of Mary Magdalene. Place of pilgrimage.

18. Fontaine Abbey
It was founded in 1118 by the Cistercians, and in the XV century. received the status of a royal abbey.

19. Lyon
Founded by the Romans in the 1st century. BC e. Numerous monuments belonging to different eras.

20. Gar bridge
This is part of the aqueduct built by the Romans in 19 BC. e. Connects the banks of the Gardon River.

21. Ancient Roman monuments of Arles
The oldest monuments date back to the 1st century. BC e. Amphitheater, underground passages, baths of Constantine.

22. Historic center of Avignon
In the XIV century. the city was papal residence. Fortifications, Papal Palace, Notre-Dame-de-Dome Cathedral.

23. Ancient theater and triumphal arch in Orange
The large amphitheater (facade length 103 m) is excellently preserved. Arch with bas-reliefs (10-25 years).

24. Arc-et-Senan: royal salt mines
The village of Arc-e-Senan was built near the salt mines in the 18th century. Director's house and factory buildings.

25. Place Stanislas I, Quarry and Alliance in Nancy
The architectural ensemble of squares (1752-56) is an example of French baroque.

26. Strasbourg. grand isle
Grand Isle - history Center Alsatian capital. Cathedral, four churches, Roan Palace.

27. Cape Girolata, Cape Porto, Scandola Reserve and Piana Calanches in Corsica
The reserve on the Scandola peninsula covers 30,000 hectares. Seagulls, cormorants, sea eagles.

28. Mount Mante Perdido in the Pyrenees (France/Spain)
"Lost Mountain" - a massif with a height of 3.352 m. Nearby are the two largest canyons in Europe

29. Bell towers of the cities of Belgium and France
23 bell towers in northern France, a bell tower in the city of Gembloux in Belgium, 30 Belgian city towers. Vivid symbols of emerging civil liberties.

30. Le Havre - the city restored by Auguste Perret
The heritage site includes administrative, commercial and Cultural Center Le Havre. An example of post-war urban planning and architecture.

31. Port of the Moon in Bordeaux
The historic center of the port city in the southwest of France is a unique urban and architectural ensemble Enlightenment

32. Lagoons of New Caledonia
The second largest coral reef in the world is located in the New Caledonia lagoon.

33. Fortifications of Vauban
Thirteen fortresses designed by Vauban.

UNESCO is the United Nations organization that deals with education, culture and science. The main goals declared by the organization are to promote the strengthening of the security of the world, thanks to the expansion of cooperation between peoples and states in the field of science, education and culture; observance of law and justice, universal respect for fundamental freedoms and human rights, which are proclaimed in the Charter of the Organization, absolutely for all peoples, without belonging to any race, sex, language or religion.
On November 16, 1945, an organization was created, the headquarters of which is located in the capital of France. The activities of the organization cover the problems of discrimination in the field of education, as well as illiteracy; studies national cultures and trains national personnel; problems of geology, social sciences, biosphere and oceanography.
On September 16, 1946, the Preparatory Commission for UNESCO moved to the Majestic Hotel from London, which served as temporary premises until 1958. The construction was hastily restored after the liberation of the city from the German occupation. Working conditions in it were not ideal, since the largest bedrooms were provided for the work of secretaries, many of whom used one wardrobe closet for storing documents. Professional mid-level employees worked in the former bathrooms, because this was the only place to store documents.
On the Place Fontenoy in Paris on November 3, 1958, the inauguration of the current headquarters of UNESCO took place. The building, which is shaped like the letter Y, was designed by three architects from different countries, and the construction of the headquarters was carried out under the leadership of an international committee.
The complex, which is known throughout the world not only for the location of the UNESCO headquarters in it, but also for its architectural merits, was erected on several dozen concrete columns in the shape of a three-pointed star.
The building houses a library with a large numismatic and philatelic collection, all publications of the Organization and a department of UNESCO souvenirs.
Complementing the complex are three other buildings. The first, called "accordion", has a large oval hall. This is where the General Conference meets in plenary. The second building was built in the shape of a cube. In the third structure, in the center of the green area, two underground levels deep, there are six open patios, into which the windows of the offices located along the perimeter open. These buildings, containing a large number of unique works of art, are currently open to the public.
Since the beginning of the construction of the UNESCO building on Place Fontenoy, works of art have been commissioned from famous artists, which, in addition to decorative and artistic design, would symbolize the world, the preservation and strengthening of which the organization sets as its task. Over time, other works of art were also acquired. Most of the works were donated to the Organization by Member States.
On the UNESCO website in the virtual museum you can see the works of Picasso, Miro, Bazin, Corbusier, Tapies, and many other famous and little-known artists.

Quote message world heritage UNESCO: France. Palaces and parks of Versailles. Part 1

The UNESCO World Heritage List in the French Republic includes 37 items (for 2011), which is 3.8% of the total (936 for 2011). 33 properties are included in the list according to cultural criteria, with 17 of them recognized as masterpieces of human genius (criterion i), 3 properties are included according to natural criteria, each of which is recognized natural phenomenon of exceptional beauty and aesthetic importance (criterion vii) and 1 mixed property also meeting criterion vii. In addition, as of 2010, 33 sites in France are among the candidates for inclusion in the World Heritage List. The French Republic has ratified the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and natural heritage June 27, 1975

UNESCO experts have decided that the French gastronomic culture, with its rituals and complex organization, is worthy of being included in the prestigious Intangible List. cultural heritage. For the first time in the world, this status was National cuisine, which testifies to "its universal recognition".
The experts of the Intergovernmental Committee of UNESCO satisfied the request of France in the art of Alencon lace - included in the List of the Intangible Heritage of Humanity.
Food is part of the French national identity. Normandy, Provencal, Burgundy and Alsatian cuisines differ from each other in the same way as the inhabitants of these regions. “It must be said that French cuisine is subject to numerous influences, which allows it to create new dishes and new tastes. It is difficult to overestimate the importance of this openness, especially given the characteristics of modern society,” says Hubert de Canson, Deputy Permanent Representative of France to UNESCO.

Versailles is a palace and park ensemble in France (fr. Parc et château de Versailles), the former residence of the French kings in the city of Versailles, now a suburb of Paris; tourism center of world importance.

Versailles was built under the direction of Louis XIV since 1661, and has become a kind of monument to the era of the "Sun King", an artistic and architectural expression of the idea of ​​absolutism. The leading architects are Louis Le Vaux and Jules Hardouin-Mansart, the creator of the park is Andre Le Nôtre. The ensemble of Versailles, the largest in Europe, is distinguished by a unique integrity of design and harmony of architectural forms and the transformed landscape. From the end of the 17th century, Versailles served as a model for the front country residences European monarchs and aristocracy, but there are no direct imitations of him.

From 1666 to 1789, before the Great french revolution, Versailles was the official royal residence. In 1801 it received the status of a museum and is open to the public; since 1830 the whole architectural complex Versailles; in 1837 in royal palace The Museum of the History of France was opened. In 1979, the Palace of Versailles and the park were included in the UNESCO World Cultural Heritage List.

Many significant events in French and world history are associated with Versailles. So, in the 18th century, the royal residence became the site of the signing of many international treaties, including the treaty that ended the American War of Independence (1783). In 1789, the Constituent Assembly, which worked in Versailles, adopted the Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen.

Chapel_and_Gabriel_Wing_Palace_of_Versailles
northern view

South facade. Versailles 2

In 1871, after the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War, in Versailles, occupied by German troops, the creation of the German Empire was proclaimed. Here, in 1919, a peace treaty was signed that completed the First world war and laid the foundation for the so-called Versailles system - the political system of post-war international relations

View of the palace from the park

Versailles_-zicht_op_de_Écuries
The history of the Palace of Versailles begins in 1623 with a very modest hunting castle like a feudal one, built at the request of Louis XIII of brick, stone and roofing slate on the territory purchased from Jean de Soisy (Jean de Soisy), whose family owned the lands from the 14th century. The hunting castle was located in the place where the marble courtyard is now located. Its dimensions were 24 by 6 meters. In 1632, the territory was expanded through the purchase of the Versailles estate from the Archbishop of Paris from the Gondi family, and a two-year rebuilding was undertaken.

La Victoire sur l "Espagne Marsy Girardon Versailles

Since 1661, the "Sun King" Louis XIV began to expand the palace to use it as his permanent residence, since after the Fronde uprising, living in the Louvre seemed unsafe to him. The architects André Le Nôtre and Charles Lebrun renovated and expanded the palace in the classicist style. The entire facade of the palace from the side of the garden is occupied by a large gallery ( mirror gallery, Galleria Louis XIV), which makes a stunning impression with its paintings, mirrors and columns. In addition to it, the Battle Gallery, the palace chapel and the Royal Opera are also worth mentioning.

After the death of Louis XIV in 1715, the five-year-old King Louis XV, his court, and the Regency Council of Philippe d'Orléans returned to Paris. The Russian Tsar Peter I, during his visit to France, stayed in May 1717 at the Grand Trianon. The 44-year-old tsar, while in Versailles, studied the structure of the Palace and parks, which served as a source of inspiration for him when creating Peterhof on the shore Gulf of Finland near St. Petersburg (Verlet, 1985).

Versailles changed during the reign of Louis XV, but not as extensively as it was under Louis XIV. In 1722 the king and his court returned to Versailles and the first project was the completion of the Salon of Hercules, the construction of which had begun in last years reign of Louis XIV, but due to the death of the latter, it was not completed.

The Small apartments of the King are recognized as a significant contribution of Louis XV to the development of Versailles; The chambers of Madame, the chambers of the Dauphin and his wife on the first floor of the Palace; as well as the private quarters of Louis XV - the small apartments of the King on the second floor (later rebuilt into the apartments of Madame Dubarry) and the small apartments of the King on the third floor - on the second and third floors of the Palace. The main achievement of Louis XV in the development of Versailles was the completion of the construction of the Opera House and the Petit Trianon Palace (Verlet, 1985).

Petit Trianon Palace

Small apartments of the king. Office of the golden service

Playroom Louis 16

Madame Dubarry
An equally significant contribution is the destruction of the Ambassadors' Staircase, the only ceremonial route to the Grand Royal Apartments. This was done for the construction of apartments for the daughters of Louis XV.

One of the gates

The inviolability of power. The French royal court.

In the decoration of the gate, the symbols of the king-"sun"

Golden Gate.

Palace of Versailles; stone Saint Leu,

There were no significant changes in the Park, compared with the times of Louis XIV; the only legacy of Louis XV in the parks of Versailles is the completion of the Neptune Basin between 1738 and 1741 (Verlet, 1985). In the last years of his reign, Louis XV, on the advice of the architect Gabriel, began the reconstruction of the facades of the courtyards of the Palace. According to another project, the Palace was to receive classical facades from the city side. This Louis XV project also continued throughout the reign of Louis XVI, and was only completed in the 20th century (Verlet, 1985).

mirror hall

All accounts related to the construction of the palace have survived to our time. The sum, taking into account all expenses, is 25,725,836 livres (1 livre corresponded to 409 g of silver), which in total amounted to 10,500 tons of silver or 456 million guilders for 243 g of silver / Recalculation to the modern value is almost impossible. Based on the price of silver at 250 euros per kg, the construction of the palace absorbed 2.6 billion euros / Based on the purchasing power of the then guilder as 80 euros, the construction cost 37 billion euros. Putting the cost of building the palace in relation to the state budget of France in the 17th century, we get the modern amount of 259.56 billion euros.

Facade of the palace. Clock of Louis 14.
Almost half of this amount was spent on the creation of interior decoration. The best masters of the era Jacob, Jean Joseph Chapuis created luxurious boiserie. [source not specified 859 days] These costs were distributed over 50 years, during which the construction of the Palace of Versailles, completed in 1710, was going on.

Emperor Augustus

Roman busts

The site of the future construction required a huge amount of land work. Recruitment of workers from the surrounding villages took place with great difficulty. Peasants were forced to become "builders". In order to increase the number of workers in the construction of the palace, the king banned all private construction in the vicinity. Workers were often imported from Normandy and Flanders. Almost all orders were carried out through tenders, the expenses of the performers, exceeding those originally named, were not paid. In peacetime, the army was also involved in the construction of the palace. Finance Minister Jean-Baptiste Colbert kept an eye on frugality. The forced presence of the aristocracy at court was an additional precaution on the part of Louis XIV, who thus secured for himself complete control over the activities of the aristocracy. Only at court was it possible to receive ranks or posts, and those who left lost their privileges
Fountains of Versailles

On May 5, 1789, representatives of the nobility, clergy and bourgeoisie gathered in the Palace of Versailles. After the king, who by law was given the right to assemble and dissolve such events, adjourned the meeting for political reasons, the deputies from the bourgeoisie declared themselves the National Assembly and retired to the Ballroom. After 1789, the Palace of Versailles could only be maintained with difficulty.

Architectural elements of the decoration of the palace
On October 5-6, 1789, first a crowd from the Parisian suburbs, and then the national guard under the command of Lafayette, came to Versailles demanding that the king and his family, as well as the National Assembly, move to Paris. Subject to forceful pressure, Louis XVI, Marie Antoinette, their relatives and deputies moved to the capital. After that, the importance of Versailles as the administrative and political center of France declined and was not restored in the future.
Since the time of Louis Philippe, many halls and rooms have been restored, and the palace itself has become an outstanding national historical museum, which exhibited busts, portraits, paintings of battles and other works of art of predominantly historical value.

Proclamation of the German Empire in 1871

The Palace of Versailles was of great importance in German-French history. After the defeat of France in the Franco-Prussian War, from October 5, 1870 to March 13, 1871, it was the residence of the main headquarters of the German army. On January 18, 1871, the German Empire was proclaimed in the Mirror Gallery, and Wilhelm I was its Kaiser. This place was deliberately chosen to humiliate the French.

The peace treaty with France was signed on February 26, also at Versailles. In March, the evacuated French government moved the capital from Bordeaux to Versailles, and only in 1879 again to Paris.

At the end of the First World War, a preliminary truce was concluded at the Palace of Versailles, as well as the Treaty of Versailles, which the defeated German Empire was forced to sign. This time, historical place was picked up by the French to humiliate the Germans.

The harsh conditions of the Treaty of Versailles (including huge indemnity payments and recognition of sole guilt) laid a heavy burden on the shoulders of the young Weimar Republic. Because of this, it is widely believed that the consequences of the Treaty of Versailles were the basis for the future emergence of Nazism in Germany.

Marble Court of Versailles
After World War II, the Palace of Versailles became the site of German-French reconciliation. This is evidenced by the celebrations on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Elysee Treaty, which took place in 2003. Palace of Versailles

The following kings and members of their families were born in the Palace of Versailles: Philip V (King of Spain), Louis XV, Louis XVI,
Many palaces in Europe were built under the undoubted influence of Versailles. These include the castles of Sanssouci in Potsdam, Schönbrunn in Vienna, Great palaces in Peterhof, the Rapti Manor in Luga, Gatchina and Rundale (Latvia), as well as other palaces in Germany, Austria and Italy.

Bust of Louis XIV by Gianlorenzo Bernini

Busts in the Hall of Mirrors

Buste de Louis XV, Jean-Baptiste II Lemoyne (1749), apartments of the Dauphine, Louis 15

Madame Clotilde

Buste de Charles X, 1825, Francois-Joseph Bosio

Marie Antoinette

Francois Paul Brueys

Salle des croisades

Sleeping Ariadne

Escalier Gabriel

Petit_appartement_du_roi

lobby ceiling

Entrance from the lobby

Lobby

Salle des gardes de la reine

Dauphine Apartments

Allegories, ceiling painting,







The birth of the Duke of Burgundy at Versailles on 6 August 1682 by Antoine Dieu



Royal bedchamber in gold.









blue cabinet


Chambers in the Grand Trianon



Marie Antoinette


Bed Madame Pompadour


Napoleon's quarters
Palace decor

Angels, the ceiling of the reception room


mirror gallery


Coat of arms of Louis 14
Chandeliers and candelabra










Dining rooms and fireplaces

Porcelain

Josse-François-Joseph Leriche, Queen's toilet

Coyau