Five exceptional sites in the Paris region have been awarded the prestigious Unesco World Heritage label, and should be visited at least once in a lifetime : Château de Versailles, Le Corbusier, The banks of the Seine, Château de Fontainebleau and Provins.
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The Paris region, with its exceptionally rich history, is home to five Unesco World Heritage sites. These extraordinary landmarks, lead visitors on a veritable journey through history.
One unifying feature? They are all places that exerted enormous influence throughout the world in their time – and continue to shine today.
Considered a masterpiece of human creative genius, the Château de Versailles, with its 2,300 rooms, is a monument to the glory of the Sun King. Louis XIV transformed this hunting pavilion into a royal residence that matched his ambitions, making it a seat for his absolute monarchy.
The greatest talents of the era were summoned to build it, including the architect Le Vau, the painter Le Brun and the landscape gardener Le Nôtre, who created the sublime French-style gardens. Besides the wide range of visiting options, the Versailles estate also hosts a rich programme throughout the year of shows, concerts and balls.
The visionary architect Le Corbusier revolutionised the way we conceive our living spaces. And a trip around Paris and its region can provide a unique glimpse into the exceptional work of this pioneering modern architect.
A good place to start is the Maison La Roche in Paris, Le Corbusier’s oldest building, constructed in 1923.
Another essential stop can be found west of the capital, in Poissy, at the Villa Savoye. In southern Paris, a prototype room is open to the public at the Swiss Pavilion at the Cité Internationale Universitaire, allowing visitors a glimpse into Le Corbusier’s vision for collective living.
From the Pont de Sully, next door to the Institut du Monde Arabe, through to the Pont d’Iéna by the Eiffel Tower, take off on a stroll along the banks of the Seine and journey back through 900 years of Paris history.
Rapidly understood as a major defensive and economic asset, the Seine contributed considerably to the rise of the capital: as can be witnessed by the monuments dotting both its banks.
Much of the river banks are now reserved for pedestrians only, so you can stroll undisturbed while admiring the Seine and its bridges and take advantage of the unique perspective of some architectural treasures.
One of the jewels in France’s crown, this vast estate, just south of Paris, owes its fame to François I and Napoleon Bonaparte, both of whom left their marks here. Built in the 12th century, at the heart of the forest that shares its name, the Château de Fontainebleau has been witness to much of France’s history, from the Middle Ages through the Renaissanceto the present day. Two emperors and 34 sovereigns stayed at this immense estate. Don’t miss the magnificent François I gallery, the Emperor’s throne room and Marie-Antoinette’s Turkish boudoir.
Just east of Paris, Provins teems with fascinating vestiges of its glorious past as a 12th-century merchant city. In the Middle Ages, the town was the economic capital for the Counts of Champagne and its famous fair drew merchants from all over Europe.
Encircled by ramparts, the medieval city is an open-air time capsule of military, civil and religious medieval architecture, counting no less than 58 historic monuments, including the majestic Caesar Tower dating from the 12th-century, or the 13th-century Grange aux Dîmes market.
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