There are around the world, natural or human creations, works of outstanding universal value. This is to protect, preserve and communicate to humanity as part of its common heritage that was set up the World Heritage Committee on 16 November 1972. This committee is part of the United Nations and promotes education, science and world culture. This committee is called UNESCO and regularly makes entries on the list of world heritages, also known as Heritage of Humanity.
France is in the top 5 countries with the most sites listed as World Heritage by UNESCO. With 39 sites, and two ahead, it offers tourists a range of human and natural wonders to discover or rediscover.
The peculiarities of World French Heritage
The first world french heritage site to have been listed by UNESCO is the wonder of the West, Mont Saint-Michel. Remarkable religious work of medieval architecture, located as an island in the heart of a huge bay.
It should also be noted that two French sites are located in the heart of the Indian Ocean and the Pacific Ocean.
The most famous
The most famous French UNESCO site is the castle of Versailles. Needless to present this famous palace of the Sun King. The castles of the Loire, summer residences of the kings of France are also known. The Papal city of Avignon, the center of Christianity and rival for decades the Vatican State in Rome is the 3rd best-known landmark. The Palace and Park of Fontainebleau are also known.
Less known
These are the monasteries and abbeys: Abbey Church of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe, Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay and Vézelay Church and Hill.
Most natural
- The Gulf of Porto with the Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve in Corsica.
- Causses and Cévennes, the cultural landscape of the Mediterranean agro-pastoral.
- Pitons on the island of Reunion.
- Pyrénées-Mont Perdu.
- Lagoons of New Caledonia,a paradise for endangered marine species.
Most unexpected
- The Great Saltworks of Salins-les-Bains and Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans
- Provins, Town of Medieval Fairs
- Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps
