France Art, Castles & Palaces, Historical + Religious Pictures

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From an afternoon picnic in the Luxembourg Gardens to a night at the opera, France’s romantic capital offers both simple pleasures and extravagant splurges.

Find out why literary masters, such as Goethe and Victor Hugo, heaped praise on this remarkable, pink-hued cathedral.

One of the most eye-catching monuments in Lourdes is the basilica that sits above the grotto, part of a wider sanctuary of impressive churches.

This serene mountain town has rustic charm and natural beauty and is the site of one of Europe’s most famous divine encounters.

Attend a theatrical or orchestral performance and admire the artworks on the alleged spot where St. Saturnin of Toulouse was martyred.

Explore this photogenic riverside square, which is bordered by two grand neoclassical palaces and features a spectacular fountain at its center.

Take a cruise on this wide river, as it meanders between the leafy parks and historic bridges and buildings of the Pink City.

This serene mountain town has rustic charm and natural beauty and is the site of one of Europe’s most famous divine encounters.

One of the oldest museums in France, this institution is a fantastic place to see paintings, sculptures and architecture spanning centuries, back to the Middle Ages.

Explore this photogenic riverside square, which is bordered by two grand neoclassical palaces and features a spectacular fountain at its center.

The smaller basilica in the Sanctuary of Notre Dame de Lourdes is an artistic marvel, famed for its colorful mosaics and themed chapels.

Cycle along the city’s network of bike paths as you taste local wines, look across the Garonne River or relax in one of the city’s many gardens and parks.

Enjoy the spicy Spanish influence on the cuisine, visit a pilgrimage site and ski in the snowy Pyrénées mountains.

Take a cruise on this wide river, as it meanders between the leafy parks and historic bridges and buildings of the Pink City.

Whether you’re catching a train or not, be sure to visit this “secular cathedral,” an early 20th-century icon that sits on a hill north of Old Town Limoges.

Take a cruise on this wide river, as it meanders between the leafy parks and historic bridges and buildings of the Pink City.

Lyon’s crowning glory, this monumental church stands atop Fourvière hill and provides fabulous panoramas of the city.

Study the intriguing pointed pillars on the river and relax on the grassy knoll of the park beside this iconic bridge. 

Appreciate Mediterranean beaches, Alpine skiing, fine wines and cheeses, and some of the world’s most celebrated cities in this Western European country.

Containing parts of Limousin history from Roman times to the present, this magnificent Gothic house of worship is an important part of the skyline of Limoges.

The old meets the new on this narrow and atmospheric Rouen street, which features historic attractions, charming architecture and modern boutiques.

One of the oldest museums in France, this institution is a fantastic place to see paintings, sculptures and architecture spanning centuries, back to the Middle Ages.