Selected Historical Sites & Monuments in France

Long before Obélix.

On the Kernéléhen peninsula in Finistère-Nord, the Barnenez cairn (a large tumulus) is one of the earliest traces in Europe of construction using permanent materials. The gigantic megalith dates from the Neolithic period, which saw the first appearance of polished stone, animal husbandry and farming in Europe.
On the crown of a hill overlooking the Channel, this curious construction from the dawn of time is remarkable for its elongated shape and for its age, somewhere between 4,500 and 3,500 B.C. The long corridors leading to the funerary chambers may be interpreted as funerary spaces or for purposes of initiation.
The sheer size of the monument is intriguing: 72 metres long, some 20 to 25 metres wide at different points, and 9 metres in height. Added together, the stones represent a volume of between 6,500 and 7,000 cubic metres and a weight of 12 to 14,000 tonnes.
In reality, it is made up of two juxtaposed cairns, saved at the very last minute from destruction in 1955. The stone is decorated with figures of idols carved inside shields, carved signs forming V shapes and knapped axe-heads. The monument has also yielded up a number of flints, pottery shards and polished axe-heads.

Nantes, a modern, contemporary city.

From industrial architecture like the Batignolles plant or the famous Lefèvre-Utile (LU) factory, now home to the Nantes national theatre, from religious buildings like the parish church of Sainte-Thérèse, from modern housing or offices (Le Corbusier's Delamarre building) to post-war reconstruction, from Art Nouveau (villa Jeannette) to Art Déco (CGA building), Nantes is chock-full of an exciting urban contemporary architectural heritage most of which was built during the "Trente Glorieuses", the heady years of post-war expansion from 1945 to 1975.

Explore Saint-Malo's rich and varied past.

Since 1927, the main castle keep has housed the collections of the Municipal Museum that became the city's Museum of History after renovation by the French Historic Monuments department in 1950.

This massive horseshoe-shaped tower was built from 1424 onwards on the orders of Duke Jean V of Brittany.
It rises to a total height of 35 metres.
The Museum was extended in 1988 by a further three exhibition rooms created in the Tour Générale and is scheduled for yet another extension into the Quic-en-Groigne tower and the Petit Donjon.
The history of Saint-Malo and its maritime tradition begins with shipbuilding and the opening up of the Newfoundland fishing grounds, the region's two main activities in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Go green.

At the very heart of the Côte de Granit Rose, in the communes of Trégastel and Perros-Guirec, the Traouïero are two deep valleys: the Grand and the Petit Traouïero, through each of which runs a stream that ends its course in the natural harbour of Ploumanac'h.
A network of signposted paths pionts the way through this designated Breton natural heritage site.

Unrivalled in Europe.

Since 1921, the church of Saint-Laurent (15th and 16th century) has housed a collection of wrought ironwork that was and is a reference of its kind in Europe.
Its donor Henri Le Secq des Tournelles made over to the city of Rouen the first methodical collection of ironwork, begun in 1862 by his father Jean-Louis Le Secq Destournelles (1818-1882).

The latter, a member of the Mission Héliographique mounted by Prosper Mérimée to take photographs of outstanding monuments on behalf of the French Monuments Historiques department, was at once a practical, hands-on man, a painter and an art-lover. His was the original idea of taking an interest in hitherto overlooked objects: he began acquiring, from demolition sites as well as on the art market, every article of outstanding ironwork that he could find, with the exception of arms and armour, which others were already collecting.

History or gardening?

At the gateway to Dinan, the small commune of Languenan lies at the extreme eastern end of the Val d'Arguenon.
Les Jardins Associatifs, a magnet for all keen gardeners, is a vast educational project that seeks to encourage children into closer contact with nature.
In the choir of the church of Saint-Jacques, built in 1846, note the heavily-worked Baroque high altar and the gilded wooden baldaquin, both listed as historic monuments in 1969.

See also the 18th century polychrome wooden statues representing Saint Anne, Saint Jacques and the Virgin Mary.

Home to King René.

Don't be overawed by the apparent austerity of this schist and limestone fortress with its 17 towers, built by a young Saint Louis on the frontiers of his kingdom in the 13th century.
Cross the drawbridge and enter the castle to discover the agreeable residence of the Dukes of Anjou, consisting of late Gothic buildings and gardens.

There are other wonders to be seen, including the extraordinary Tenture de l'Apocalypse, the largest surviving mediaeval tapestry (104 metres), the famous "mille-fleurs" tapestries or the tapestry of the Passion...

An architectural marvel.

After passing through Plancoët and describing a series of pleasing meanders at Saint-Lormel, the river Arguenon runs into the Channel at Port du Guildo, in the commune of Créhen.
This estuary is overlooked by the ruins of the old castle, known as the castle of Gilles de Bretagne.
There are a number of megaliths in the area and in a covered alley you will find what is undoubtedly the largest dolmen in the east of the département.
The alley, some 13 metres in length, is covered by five flat stones.
The castle must have been built over a fairly extended period.
From the preseent appearance of the ruins, it is likely that certain parts date from the 13th century.
The castle reached its present general form at the end of the 14th century or in the early 15th century.

An unforgettable plunge into the world's oceans.

The fantastic journey provided by the Grand Aquarium is an attraction not to be missed in Saint-Malo. With its spectacular tanks and cutting-edge displays, the aquarium offers a captivating insight into the rich worlds to be found under the sea. Discover an astonishing 600 species!
Follow the direction of the visit, from the cold oceans of the north to tropical seas, via sharks in the 360° tank, to the mysterious denizens of the sunken galleon and brightly-coloured tropical species.
Enjoy the unique experience of undersea exploring in the Nautilus submarine.

The fortress: a heart of stone in a green setting.

The earliest known history of the castle begins under the Vicomtes de Beaumont, as witnessed by the stone keep at the castle entrance. It witnessed the defeat of William, Duke of Normandy (William the Conqueror) who laid siege to the castle for three years without success.
In 1604, Guillaume Fouquet de la Varenne purchased the castle of Sainte-Suzanne from Marguerite de Navarre and, a few years later, built the residential quarters, a perfect example of contemporary provincial architecture (currently under restoration).

Attacking the Tour Solidor!

The Solidor Tower at Saint-Servan houses the Saint-Malo Museum's collection on this theme.
Numerous models, ship's instruments and objects, made by mariners during their long voyages or brought back as souvenirs of distant shores, fire the imagination with images of extraordinary voyages on the great sailing ships of the late 19th and early 20th century that carried cargoes of nitrates from Chile, wood and grain from California or Australia, nickel from New Caledonia, etc.

The "Solidor Tower" is in fact a fortified structure that originally consisted of a small guard-tower, the existing bastion which incorporates sections of Gallo-Roman masonry, and the three towers connected by curtain walls to the main body of the fortress.
Work on building the fortified keep began between 1369 and 1382, on the orders of Duke Jean IV of Brittany as a means of controlling the town of Saint-Malo, recalcitrant to his authority.

Dinner's practically ready.

La Charmille is a charming introduction to authentic organic farm produce.
The farmers will give you a warm welcome and advise you on local products.
Discover delicious organic vegetables, charcuterie, cider and homemade jams, cheese, dairy products, apples and pears and honey.

235,000 hectares of greenery!

Le Parc Naturel Régional Normandie-Maine is one of France's 44 regional national parks.
It covers a rural area recognised nationally for its heritage and landscape.
Between Argentan and Sillé-le-Guillaume from north to south, and between Le Mêle-sur-Sarthe and Mortain from east to west, the Park covers a total of over 235,000 hectares.
Vast moorlands, the hills of Normandy and the Maine (the westernmost point), forests, orchards of full-size fruit trees (pears in particular), streams and rivers flowing down from the watershed, outstanding cultural heritage (chateaux, manor houses, religious monuments, knowhow and traditions, etc.) set the countryside apart.

Not to be missed:
- The Maison du Parc in Carrouges: Park information centre (walking guides and maps, climbing site, discovery guides, programme of events);
- In Carrouges: exhibitions and sale of craft and food products in July, August and December, in a remarkable 16th century collegiate church;
- An outdoor activity centre in the Alpes Mancelles: outdoor activities for a better knowledge and understanding of nature (kayaking, climbing, mountain-biking, orienteering, archery, understanding the environment).

Takes your breath away!

Nature provides the backdrop for an original round-up of family leisure activities at the heart of the French forests.

The setting is ideal for the Adventure Forest, a place of discovery, physical activities and excitement.

Make your way along the tracks, paths and circuits and to the different workshops offering something for everyone.

Learning and understanding go hand in hand with walking, crazy exploits and daredevil stunts: that's what the Adventure Forest is all about.

For walkers with a sense of curiosity.

Follow this route along Rue de Rimbernin to the Manoir du Tertre (privately owned) and the Passage des Druides with its outcrop of granite boulders.
The Kertugal nature trail crosses the GR 34 footpath which leads to Saint-Marc's cove and the chapel of Saint-Marc, rebuilt in the 18th century.
After crossing the wood and alley of Le Palus, you will come to the church of Saint-Colomban (18th century) opposite which lie the grounds of the Château de Pommorio (privately owned).

In honour of the dada artist.

Seven educational exchange projects involving the permanent collections of the FRAME (French Regional & American Museum Exchange) museums, financed by the Annenberg foundation, were chosen for 2006.
The Musée des Beaux-Arts, in association with the Denver Art Museum and the Dallas Museum of Art, put forward a project based on Marcel Duchamp. To mark the occasion, a new permanent exhibition room features the works of Marcel Duchamp and theAndré Raffray cycle illustrating his life.
The visitor can settle comfortably to consult at leisure a range of visual and sound archives.
The collaboration between the three partner museums also culminated in a musical work commissioned from Paul D. Miller alias DJ Spooky that Subliminal Kid, an author and conceptual artist living in New York.

Sea-lions steal the show!

Sealand, the aquarium in Noirmoutier-en-l'Ile, invites you on a journey to the oceans, both warm and cold.
The aquarium contains a wide range of marine flora and fauna, and also presents a sea-lion show that will delight all ages.

A total of 500,000 litres of sea-water, a 200 metre visit, 200 species and 1,000 animals just waiting to be marvelled at.

36,000 hectares of unspoilt nature.

The Perche is an ancient French province enjoying something of a revival, and is distinguished by a strong geographical, historical, landscape and architectural identity. The Parc Naturel Régional du Perche, created five years ago, covers 118 communes divided between two départements, the Eure-et-Loir and the Orne. The Perche is characterised by a wide diversity of natural habitats: bocages (a mixture of fields, hedgerows and woodland), pastures, 36,000 hectares of forest, ponds and wetlands, hillsides and moorland supporting over 1,200 plant species and a varied fauna including some thirty species listed as of European interest.
The Perche also enjoys a remarkable architecural heritage: manor houses, splendid farms and picturesque villages. The identity of the Perche is also expressed in its customs, local events, traditional activities and popular arts and crafts.
The Manoir de Courboyer, standing in a 65 hectare landscaped estate, houses the Maison du Parc. The estate is a focal point for tourism and cultural activities, offering a range of events and activities: tours of the manor house, exhibitions, Perche produce stalls, a gastronomy centre, etc.

Mature trees providing a home for diverse populations.

The forest, once a "royal forest", is made up of mature oaks and is divided into three massifs occupying the terraces of the Sarthe and the adjoining hills, and became a national forest in 1868.
Granite markers laid in 1875, still to be seen around the edges of the forest, mark the boundaries of its 1,190 hectares.
It provides a refuge for familiar forest animals and birds (deer, wild boar, hares, foxes, magpies, etc.) and the forest ponds are home to an immense variety of pond life.

Follow in the footsteps of a great explorer.

The museum, dedicated to Jacques Cartier, retraces the life and times of its former owner: his everyday life and his great expeditions.
It is housed in the Manoir de Limoëlou, in the Rothéneuf quarter, a building considered to be the ancestor of the malouinières, the mansions built by the shipping magnates of Saint-Malo.

From basement to ceiling.

The tiny commune of Brézé is home to one of the most unusual chateaux in the Valley of the Kings.

This imposing chateau, built between the 11th and 19th centuries, offers an unprecedented opportunity to visit a magnificent Renaissance dwelling fully furnished and still inhabited by the descendants of the first lords.

Enjoy splendid panoramic views over the Brézé lands and the impressively deep moat, now dry and the point of entry to a whole subterranean world.

In the footsteps of...

The tour follows a path marking out the various stages in the life of Alain Gerbault: childhood, the First World War, his adventures at sea, his final port of call in Polynesia.
The extensive museum collection is made up of photographs, maps, letters and personal possessions.

Shortbread treats.

Created in 1904 by Charles Bansard, Asnelles shortbread continues to perfume the air of the town to this day. The factory also produces other shortbread cakes as well as cookies and financiers (almond cakes), still using traditional craftsman's methods. Visits (by appointment) explain the manufacturing process and production line.

The way it used to be.

The School Museum is an invitation to memory and nostalgia for some and a source of discovery and curiosity for others: school as it used to be is presented through an extraordinary collection of teaching aids and school text-books.
The museum was first opened to the public in 1991 and currently contains over 10,000 items (text-books, teaching documents and school furniture) that bring old-time schooldays vividly back to life.

Contemporary art with a modern feel.

Within its outer walls, thanks to the diversity of backdrops available, the chateau offers a splendid setting for this first series of five sculptures, three modern and two contemporary, launching this ambitious project: Rodin's Walking Man on a Column, Bourdelle's Grand Guerrier (the warrior), Giacometto's Grande Femme (tall woman), Sans Titre (untitled) by Damien Cabanes (1999), coloured resin, and One Man, Nine Animals.

The exhibition is an invitation to discovery and surprise, open to all walkers and visitors.

The historian and his work.

French writer and historian Jules Michelet (1798-1874) wrote many of his works in the castle tower where he installed his study.
As you pursue your course along the "Route historique des maisons d'écrivains" (homes of famous writers), you will be able to retrace the life and works of Jules Michelet,
author of such works as Histoire de France (a history of France) or Histoire de la Révolution française, a history of the French Revolution.

A fresh-air getaway.

Looking for a romantic cycling weekend for two, or for all the family? The Eure has some lovely countryside to offer, not least the famous 80km "Voie Verte", an greenway closed to motor vehicles.
Rent bikes on the spot and set off early for a great day's cycling.
A set of cycling maps is on sale at the Tourist Office, price 2€.

A choice of 7 routes will give you every opportunity to discover the natural and architectural heritage of Evreux and its surrounds on two wheels.

Introductory tour…

The agricultural tour provided by the Ecomusée du Pays de Rennes is an introduction to the history of Breton farming. In the course of the tour, take the opportunity to admire collections of plants cultivated over the centuries and down to the present day. One of the aims of the museum and its tour is to ensure the survival of certain plant species.
The orchard, where over a hundred apple varieties are grown, is particularly impressive.

The biggest forest in the département.

The forest of Ecouves, covering an area of 8,153 hectares, is managed by the French forestry commission, the Office National des Forêts, and is the largest in the département.
The ONF, which manages 27,000 hectares of state-owned forests in the Orne, is charged with preserving France's natural heritage by implemeting multi-functional management of the three main functions assigned to the national forests:
- economic activity, through the production of high quality workable wood;
- A choice of tree species and techniques appropriate to the ecological conditions (climate, soil, etc.);
- Sustainable game management;
- Recreational functions including:
- public amenity areas;
- environmental education in schools and for the general public;
- Opening of footpaths;
- An environmental function: with a programme of campaigns aimed at the conservation and/or rehabilitation of habitats and species of special heritage interest.

Admire the coastline.

This 4.8km walk starts from the lake and then follows the Grande Plage along the coastline and its inlets before joining the Sentier des Douaniers footpath and continuing.
Follow the Maxence beach (near which a chalybeate spring still rises, its waters rich in iron).
Next cross the chimney carved into the cliff, known as the Trou de l'Enfer (hell hole).
Pass by the 19th century Château de la Gressière.
End your walk by returning to the Parc Thibaud.
Throughout the walk, the rugged coastline offers magnificent views which can be enjoyed from sea level since the path often runs along the beach. Be sure to set off at low tide, however, otherwise parts of the route will no longer be accessible on foot.

Stones ancient beyond belief.

Dating from some 6,000 years ago, the megalithic site at Carnac is one of the most important prehistoric sites in Europe. Around 3,000 menhirs (standing stones) are aligned over an area of 40 hectares and a distance of 4 kilometres.
The Kermario, Le Menec, Kerlescan and Petit Menec (La Trinité-sur-Mer) alignments, which together form the Carnac site, represent one of the first monumental stone structures in Europe.
Plans are under way to redevelop the site to improve facilities for visitors, to enhance the landscaping and architectural qualities of the site and, by creating pedestrian and cycle paths, to open up new ways of visiting the monument.

At the crossroads of the arts.

Housed since 1797 in the Logis Barrault (15th century) mansion, Angers' fine art gallery, the Musée des Beaux-Arts, reopened its doors in June 2004, after five years of restoration and renovation. Now bigger and more functional, its "Beaux-Arts" section features rich collections of paintings and sculptures from the 14th century to the present day.

A second section, "Histoire d'Angers", retraces the history of the town through archaeological exhibits and examples of art from Neolithic times to the present.
The museum also has a 550m² temporary exhibition space, which features contemporary artists and heritage exhibitions. A broad and varied cultural programme is also on offer (lectures, live shows, guided tours, etc.) encouraging cross-fertilisation between the arts and making works of art more approachable.

Industrial hemp-growing in the Saosnois.

The Maison de la Ruralité in Saint-Rémy-du-Val houses a permanent exhibition that reveals the economic importance of hemp-growing in the Saosnois (northern Sarthe).
The CLE des Valois association has gathered a collection of machines once used in hemp-growing, and explains the traditions of the hemp-farmers.

A giant preserved.

The Château de Fontaine-Henry is perched high over the rich green valley of the Mue.
Its dizzyingly high roofs top a richly sculpted building in the 15th and 16th century styles.
Follow the guide around the interior of the chateau and admire an outstanding collection of furniture and old masters. Children will enjoy the special activities laid on for them in the grounds, and the old-fashioned toys and games.

"A wondrous pyramid".

On the border between Brittany and Normandy, between Cancale and Granville, the bay of Mont-Saint-Michel is a fascinating place. The Mount itself, perched on a rocky outcrop, forms a tiny village whose Grande Rue (the main and, indeed, the only street on the Mount) climbs up to meet the Benedictine abbey at its summit.

The bay, designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1979, is a land of history and legend, shaped over the millennia by the hidden forces of nature. It is here that you will find the highest tides in Europe.
Don't leave the village without tasting the delicious omelette de la Mère Poulard.

Images of five continents.

Discover over 1,200 animals, 120 species from 5 continents, surrounded by luxuriant vegetation in one of the top five zoos in France, famous for its fantastic shows featuring sea-lions, birds of prey and parrots.
Stunning presentations in natural settings await you during your visit: an underwater view of a polar bear, tiny Chinese pandas, an African savannah for the elephants, a pack of Arctic wolves unique in Europe.
The zoo also offers exciting new habitats such as the Argentine pampas, the Australian bush, the taiga where the Siberian tiger roams, or the miniature Malagasy farm.

Visit the Château de Quintin and its permanent collections.

Two chateaux for the price of one in the same park, in the centre of the characterful town of Quintin. An unfinished 17th century chateau, listed as an historic monument, and an 18th century chateau, also listed.
The base of the 17th century chateau, the richly furnished apartments of the 18th century chateau, the former kitchens (including a granite kitchen-garden of extraordinary size), the permanent collections of china, glassware, silverware, trinkets, christening robes and fans are open all year round.

Cholet's best-loved park.

The park was laid out in 1980 and includes provision for both physical activities (sports facilities, swimming pool) and relaxation (a tree-lined walk).

This local park is very popular with all age-groups, and the facilities provide something for everyone.

It serves as the focal point for a whole neighbourhood, a mixture of detached houses, blocks of flats and public buildings (sports college).

A fine church organ into the bargain.

The church of Saint-Rémi was first built in 1778, then rebuilt in 1930 after suffering damage. It was at the time of its reconstruction that it was consecrated to Saint Remi. Consisting mainly of a broad nave and a square sanctuary, the church is remarkable for a number of ancient paintings and statues, but more particularly for its modern stained-glass windows. These represent the battle of Camaret and also the defeat of the English at Trez Rouz.

545 hectares of beautiful woodland.

The Evreux Forest is made up of 545 hectares of beautiful woodland, perfect for any number of walks and rides, from the Mare aux Biches to former quarries. Maps are available from the Tourist Office.
Take a walk with family, friends, or by yourself.

Abbey founded in the 6th century by Saint Evroult.

The abbey was pillaged and rebuilt in the 18th century, then dissolved at the time of the Revolution.
In 1839, the abbey became a major seminary.
The present Neo-Classical chapel dates from this period.
Purchased in 1936 by a national health fund, the Caisse d'Assurance Maladie of the Ile-de-France, the abbey is now used as a physiotherapy and rehabilitation centre.
It is only open for visits on national heritage days (Journées du Patrimoine).

Porcelain and old lace.

The Hôtel du Doyen presents part of the artistic and historical collections of the Musée Baron Gérard (porcelain and Bayeux lace, paintings) in the form of temporary exhibitions.
Admission is free on presentation of the ticket to the Tapestry Museum.

The thrill of the deep.

La Cité de la Mer, which opened on 29 April 2002, is a vast scientific, cultural and fun centre devoted to the immense riches of the oceans and oceanographic exploration.
Exceeding all expectations, the Cité welcomed its millionth visitor in July 2005.!
Encouraged by these visitor numbers, the Cité de la Mer is now launching a second extension phase.
The origins of the Cité de la Mer, which enjoys an enviable situation in the former Cherbourg trans-Atlantic passenger docks, were twofold: to revive an Art Deco masterpiece, the former trans-Atlantic passenger terminal, and to make the nuclear submarine Le Redoutable the biggest submarine open to the public in the world. Those aims have been achieved.
The gradual descent into the abyss, during a three-hour journey into a fault in the ocean floor, is organised according to two major themes:
The Submarine, with an introduction to the Redoutable, the biggest submarine open to the public anywhere in the world.
For 45 minutes, the voice of the Captain explains how a nuclear submarine works and what life onboard is like for its crew.

The Ocean, which concentrates on exploring and using the rich resources of the ocean, and which centres around one of the deepest aquariums in Europe (10.70m) containing over 3,500 fish.

Wonderful memories of bygone years...

In the heart of the Parc Naturel Régional Normandie-Maine, on the fringes of the forest of Perseigne, cycling museum La Belle Echappée relates the history of the Tour de France cycling race and its accompanying advertising caravan.
A unique collection amassed by a dedicated race fan (consisting of famous cycles and jerseys, posters, games, toys, etc.) plus interactive and video spaces with original lighting, guaranteed to recall wonderful memories of bygone years.

Nature disciplined by reason.

Magnificent in itself, the Château de Brécy can also boast 17th century Italianate gardens magnificently laid out in terraces, culminating in ornamental wrought-iron gates by Isaac Geslin that seem to open onto empty sky.
Numerous sculptures and flower beds framed in embroidery-patterned box borders in the style of Claude Mollet make this a truly unique sight.

Discovering the Cotentin.

Where the département of the Manche meets the Calvados, on the "threshold of the Cotentin", the Parc Naturel Régional des Marais du Cotentin et du Bessin is made up of 27,000 hectares of marshland and polders set in a landscape of traditional bocage woodland and rolling meadows (90,000 hectares). Pastureland and hay-meadows, crisscrossed by ditches and dotted with the occasional peat-bog, are the distinctive features of this wetland area that opens out onto the Baie des Veys. With the advent of the winter floods, the marsh turns "white" as the Cotentin peninsula comes into its own.
Less extensive areas of moorlands, woods and forest plus the coastline add diversity to the landscape.

A choice of three circuits.

Here's an out of the ordinary way to explore the countryside and rural heritage of the Eure!
The train runs on the tourist line along the Eure Valley, a stretch of the former Rouen-Orléans line, offering a choice of three circuits.
Every care has been taken to re-create the atmosphere of yesteryear: ticket offices, weighbridge, the goods shed, all the buildings that made Pacy one of the biggest stations on the Acquigny to Saint-Georges-Motel section of the line.
Adults enjoy it, and children are thrilled to play train-driver!
A great idea for a family outing...

In the heart of Laval.

The church of Saint-Vénérand in Laval is a Renaissance masterpiece: serving a parish created in the late Middle Ages, the church of Saint-Vénérand stands out as the most finished expression of Renaissance art in Laval.
Still in an excellent state of repair, the church is open to visitors keen to explore its history.

A meeting-place of artists.

A century ago, a colony of American Impressionist artists settled in Giverny near the home of Claude Monet. Following in their footsteps, the Musée d'Art Américain Giverny invites you to discover American art from 1750 to the present day, with new exhibitions mounted every year.

Designed by Philippe Robert of architects Reichen & Robert, the architecture of the building is intimately linked to the light and landscape that are such essential features of Giverny.

He has created a crossroads between art and nature, in which the Impressionist paintings form part of the surrounding landscape. Set into the hillside, in a natural hollow, the sober white museum building extends horizontally, half-hidden by the surrounding vegetation.

A large, light-filled entrance hall welcomes visitors, and the three exhibition rooms extend over several levels, following the slope of the hillside.

The lowest level houses a small exhibition room and a spacious auditorium equipped for lectures, films, concerts and corporate events.
The architecture us in perfect harmony with its setting and the Giverny site.

A bike, my kingdom for a bike!

March 23rd 2008 is the inauguration date for the new self-service bicycle-rental system organised by the Caen town hall: V'eol.
With over 40 parking stations throughout the city, a new transport system is available for locals and tourists alike. The service will be at your disposal 24/7, forever changing the workings of inner-city transportation. Not only will it reduce pollution, but users will be getting fitter at every ride!

V'eol parking stations are positioned throughout the city.