Best places: Monuments in Metropolitan France

Towering, 13th-century Gothic cathedral with flying buttresses & intricate stained-glass windows.

Iconic triumphal arch built to commemorate Napoleon's victories, with an observation deck.

Iconic, domed white church, completed in 1914, with interior mosaics, stained-glass windows & crypt.

Striking, 16th-century chateau spanning river, housing tapestry and Old Master paintings collection.

Ornate, 13th-century, Gothic chapel with relics & notable stained-glass windows of biblical scenes.

Restored 1932 modernist mansion & gardens with period furniture & decor, open to the public.

Flamboyant Gothic-style monastery known for its ornate marble royal tombs & oak choir stalls.

👍👍 This is an amazing place to visit. Anyone remotely interested in military history would really enjoy a visit here. Apart from a very well preserved Maginot line fort, there’s also a story attached. Regrettably, there was not a good outcome for the soldiers who served here. You will have to visit to...

This immaculate monastery was founded in 1118 & retains its historic buildings & landscaped gardens.

👍 This was a cool stop on our trip. It's 5 euro to enter and get a demonstration of how the mill works. The staff only spoke French, but were nice and still explained things to us. There was a sheet with some info in English which was helpful. We thought there was just the bottom part of the building...

18th-century mausoleum with colonnaded facade, housing remains of notable French citizens.

"Palace" of stones constructed by a postman over more than 3 decades, inscribed with his poetry.

Collection including uniforms, weapons, vehicles, photos, maps and film with veterans' testimonies.

Ornate Renaissance stock exchange venue with a courtyard & a gold Mercury statue on the campanile.

Storied 14th-century astronomical clock set on a Renaissance arch with detailed carvings.

Architectural, naval & ethnographic museums, above fountains & gardens with Eiffel Tower views.

7.75-ton 18th-century bell above a former dungeon for juveniles, rung on special occasions.

👍👍 A parc for everyone, family, kids, friends you can find something to do here for all ages and all genders. Come an enjoy.

👍👍 The art is very impressive! It's worth just stopping to stare at everything for a bit. The place looks like it's due for some restoration work but regardless it's fantastic to behold.

Tall 19th-century granite lighthouse with 365 steps to the top & views of the English Channel.