Culture/ History/ Art

Picardy is the cradle of France and a land of simple and genuine pleasures; of rural common sense rooted in a solid country ancestry. The “Picard spirit” could be summed up in the paradox between its tremendous history and self-effacement.

Located in the Côtes de Meuse area, Hattonchâtel is one of the most beautiful villages in the region. The reredos in the chapel is said to have been carved by Ligier Richier, one of the most prestigious sculptors of the Renaissance.

A Popular Place of Pilgrimage

The Ancient Romans settled here for some considerable time. Bishoprics developed. Some of the Dukes of Lorraine showed a love of art and architecture. One of them, Stanislaw, was even a sovereign in his own right – and there was nobody more interested in buildings.

From monasteries to small rural churches, mural frescoes to sculptures, the region’s Romanesque architecture displays a wide diversity of expression and influence. In the areas of Lyon, the Savoie and the Vivarais, Romanesque art is primarily exhibited within church buildings and rural chapels, with their single nave and minimalist décor.

Opened in 1941, Struthof was the only camp of its kind on French soil. Some 52,000 prisoners including German detainees and deportees from 20 other countries were subjected to forced labour here in the quarry close to the camp. In total, 22,000 people died here, usually from starvation and exhaustion. Some however perished in the "experimental" gas chamber, making it all the more important to ensure that what happened here is never forgotten.

Notre-Dame-du-Haut, standing atop Bourlémont Hill, is a major example of contemporary religious art, a place of worship conceived of by the imagination of Le Corbusier.

Languedoc began to flourish from the year 1,000 onwards and has handed down an exceptional heritage of sites and Romanesque constructions. With such essential buildings as Saint-Sernin in Toulouse and the small ornate chapels buried deep within the valleys of the Ariège, the enthusiast has an inexhaustible list to choose from. Sometimes quite plain, sometimes lavishly sculpted and sometimes pleasantly combined with Gothic art, Romanesque art in our region is at its best.

Guardians of Provençal or Alpine know-how, many of the craftsmen and women of Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur devote their lives to the production of objects according to the oldest methods.

Thousands of Chateaux to Visit

We've lost count of the sites in the Pays de la Loire marked by the white ‘Histoire de France’ stone. Such emblematic Middle Ages figures as the chateaux of Angers, from the Duchess Anne at Nantes or Saumur;

The multitude of artists' studios, or ateliers, in Paris and the Ile-de-France region provide fertile ground for artistic creation. From the bohemian to the internationally renowned, artists take you behind the scenes to reveal the home of their inspiration and imagination.

Amongst Normandy’s famous sons and daughters, the intrepid adventures of William the Conqueror are uppermost. From his birthplace in Falaise to the legendary Bayeux Tapestry which recounts one of his greatest exploits, the presence of William and far reaching influences are fascinating.

Franche-Comté is awash with cultural riches, which give it its special soul. Roman, Gaulish, Spanish and finally French, the region has been fashioned by an impressive history. The architectural diversity and the talent of its creators alone are enough to make a visit worthwhile.

 
"Le Linge" was one of the bloodiest battles of the First World War. Between 20^th July and 15^th October 1915, the Germans organised their defence here in order to prevent French troops advancing on Colmar.

You have to leave the towns and their treasures, if you want to discover another more rural but equally diverse side to Lorraine.

The bloody crusades that were waged against the Cathars during the 12th Century swept through the ancient civilisation of the Langue d'oc: a civilisation of troubadours, courtly love, tolerance and democracy before its time, leaving behind them only ruin.

The splendour of ancient sites in Lyon, Vienne, Saint-Romain-en-Gal and Alba-la-Romaine proves that the region played an important commercial and artistic role during the Roman period. The Gallic-roman people have left a multitude of architectural and ornamental masterpieces.

Built at the entrance to the "Pontarlier Gap", with the Swiss border on the horizon, this proud imposing castle is hard to miss. The Château de Joux stands around three hundred feet above the international commercial route which, as early as under Roman occupation, linked the Jura, Burgundy, Flanders and Champagne to Italy.

More than 250 museums and collections throughout Alsace look forward to welcoming visitors keen to discover their rich heritage, ranging from prehistory through to contemporary art.

Paris was first founded around 52BC and has had a very turbulent history throughout the centuries. Paris first started as an island in the river Seine and its structure developed through many rulers, not least Napoleon who struggled to capture the city because of its narrow streets which made life difficult for his troops and horse drawn artillery.

Gothic architecture blossomed in St. Stephen’s Cathedral in Metz which, with its richly decorated West Front, Bishops’ Chapel and cloister, is considered as one of the most beautiful buildings of its kind in France.

For history lovers Normandy truly satisfies in every way. Soak in the atmosphere created by an abundance of timbered houses and huge châteaux, set in the circuit of a glorious medieval past, follow the steps of William the Conqueror, Duke of Normandy and King of England, or relive the emotional journey to the D Day landing beaches and more.

Lorraine has been subjected to attack by Julius Caesar, Charles the Bold, Charles V and Louis XIII. As a result, its historic buildings boast a wide range of architectural styles. The architecture also reflects the many different types of building and a succession of periods of history.

500 years ago, the woad fields between Toulouse, Albi and Castelnaudary, made their owners foryunes from their deep Cockaigne dye, which was sought after throughout the whole of Europe. The masters of woad in the southern area of Toulouse outdid each other with daring projects and lavish buildings.

Classicism began to gain a foothold in Alsace around the 18th Century, at a time when new churches were being built. It was inspired by ancient art and characterised by a preference for sober and symmetrical designs.

Set high up on its anticline, Besançon Citadel features a magnificent fortress is one of Vauban's masterpieces, and it is said that its construction was so costly that Louis XIV enquired as to whether the walls had been made out of gold.

The clash of battles and cries of the wounded is replaced by the silence of remembrance. The memory of the wars of the 20th Century is one of the principal elements of the region’s identity. Although there are places where you are simply left to your imagination, others are intrinsically devoted to commemoration.