City: France
Top Things to do in France
Countries
The 10 Best Architectural Buildings in France, France
– in Europe (green & dark grey)
– in the European Union (green)
Restaurants in France
1. Cathedrale Sainte-Cecile
Overall Ratings
5.0 based on 4,251 reviews
Reviewed By soloflyer2018 - Brisbane, Australia
The magnificent brick building with its amazing Gothic entrance is very hard to describe because it is so huge and apparently the largest brick Cathedral in that part of the world. But... when you enter inside that is when your breath is taken away...it is beautiful. Although it is a French Cathedral the Art is Italian and it is spectacular. I actually visited more than once because I could not absorb everything. The history, the color, the Art ,amazing and a definite "must see" in Albi.
2. Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Paris
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 71,255 reviews
This famous cathedral, a masterpiece of Gothic architecture on which construction began in the 12th century, stands on the Île de la Cité and is the symbolic heart of the city.
Reviewed By ashwathramr - Kochi (Cochin), India
A must visit landmark Cathedral in Paris, I turned up at 7:45 AM.. early and entered inide at 8 : 00 AM, the exterior architecture is amazing magnificent , the cathedral is stunning with ornate and intricate statues and two bell tower , he facade of the Cathedral is well designed in Gothic architectural style, the interiors of the cathedral is impressive with high column and glass works ,as i walked inside the cathedral i was just lost in the era of the Gothic Period. This is one of the best cathedral that i ve ever visited in my life. You can capture some of the stunning views of the cathedral . My suggestion to visit the cathedral is enter the cathedral in the morning early hours , when the crowd is less, the entry is free, but you have to stand in line to enter and security check is there. the touristic crowd and group tour pours in so visit at early is always the best to enjoy your visit to this marvelous masterpiece.. At evening hour the views of the cathedral is also stunning...there is a huge open space in front of the cathedral for capturing beautiful views.
3. Sainte-Chapelle
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 27,113 reviews
The Sainte-Chapelle is the finest royal chapel to be built in France and features a truly exceptional collection of stained-glass windows. It was built in the mid 13th century by Louis IX, at the heart of the royal residence, the Palais de la Cité. It was built to house the relics of the Passion of Christ. Adorned with a unique collection of fifteen glass panels and a large rose window forming a veritable wall of light,the Sainte-Chapelle is a gem of French Gothic architecture. Designated world heritage site by UNESCO. Open:> 1st March to 31st October: Monday to Friday: from 9.30 a.m. to 12.45 a.m. and to 2.15 p.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m.> 1st November to 29th February: Monday to Friday: from 9 a.m. to 12.45 a.m. and to 2.15 p.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday: from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Last admission 30 minutes before closing time. The best time to visit is in the morning from Tuesday to Friday. Closed:> 1st January, 1st May and 25th December and in case of negative temperatures.
Reviewed By KVirgils - London, United Kingdom
Glorious and uplifting to walk around this beautiful chapel Every time I visit I marvel at the windows especially if you visit when the sun is shining !
4. Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 11,335 reviews
Standing atop Fourvière Hill, this basilica, constructed in the late 19th century, has an ornate interior to contrast its grave exterior.
Reviewed By Moko2000
This is a very beautiful church and the mosaics and ceiling are amazing and the view over Lyon is amazing as well. You can either take the tram or walk up. Its very easy to reach from old town
5. Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 14,053 reviews
The Benedictine Abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel is one of the most remarkable examples of mediaeval religious and military architecture and was one of Christianity's most important pilgrimage sites from the 8th to the 18th century.The Abbey comprises a superb ensemble of clerical buildings including the abbey church, the cloister, the refectory, the monks' ambulatory and the gardens of what has been known as the ""Merveille"" (Marvel) since the 12th century. In summer, the Abbaye du Mont-Saint-Michel is best seen in all its splendour after sunset during the special “sons et lumières"" shows. Designated world heritage site by UNESCO. Open: > 2nd May to 31st August: from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. > 1st September to 30th April: from 9.30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Last admission 1 hr before closing time. Closed: > 1st January, 1st May and 25 December. Admission fees: Adults : 9€; Concessions (18 to 25) = 5,50 €; Free admission: minors under 18*; Free admission: 18-25 years old* (citizens of one of the 27 countries of the EU or are non-European permanent residents of France) * excluding school groups
Reviewed By F1750XYsharonl - Hobart, Australia
The Abbey at Mont Saint Michel is one of the most impressive locations I have visited in the 30 odd countries I have visited! The location and the history are fascinating and the quaint shops and restaurants make it a perfect place to visit on a (long) day trip from Paris by fast train. Exploring the abbey was one of the highlights of my trip and I highly recommend it to anyone although the stairs and steepness of the site may challenge some.
6. Chateau de Fontainebleau
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 3,411 reviews
With over 1500 rooms at the heart of 130 acres of parkland and gardens, Fontainebleau is the only royal and imperial château to have been continuously inhabited for seven centuries. A visit to Fontainebleau opens up an unparalleled view of French history, art history and architecture.
Reviewed By Ivisitedtheplace - Israel, null
I visited this place... with my wife, Mrs. H. It was her choice and decision to come here- full disclosure: I’m not sure that I remembered or knew anything about this place from my knowledge of French history. We had been to Versailles in 1982 and I had read on TripAdvisor (hey-is there anything else that I do?) about the crowds and lines at the other place, so this became our destination. The palace is included in the Paris Museum Pass and the entire round trip journey is included in the weekly Navigo Decouverte pass. Total extra cost then for this excursion: zero zip zilch effes. As you know from reading my previous review, we departed from Gare de Lyon. Our train was cancelled and delayed, so we had some extra 30 minutes of waiting time (and you can see my photos of that to know what I did and saw during that time). So we took the 40 minute train journey and the city bus (passing a sign regarding a historic synagogue that we did not visit). The mansion boasts 1500 rooms and it is obvious that only a section is in use for exhibition. Mrs. H and I had a disagreement as to whether we visited either forty or fifty rooms. At the entrance, there are key pad lockers to store your stuff- be sure to do that- it makes the wandering quite bearable. Now overall, the place and the palace and the building and all the rooms and all the amazing stuff on display are quite remarkable. But the lighting leaves quite a lot to be desired- maybe the goal is the actual illumination during the days and era when the place was in active royal use. As is known and as is stated in my headline for this review, this was the famous and beloved and very frequented palace and royal residence of the one and only Napoleon Bonaparte himself (see my reviews and photos of the magnificent painting of his coronation in my Louvre review and my comments and photos of his sarcophagus and tomb in my Musée de l’Invalides review- both submitted within the last month or so (December 2019). Anyway- being a person quite interested in history and who simply loves and craves being in historical places, this visit was outstanding and amazing and breath taking- primarily because- and I admit- I didn’t know what I was going to be seeing. So now I am about to ruin the shock value for you- read on, my friend. The rooms and the stuff in them were amazing and unbelievable. To chance upon an amazing historical piece that I did not expect- so exciting and incredible- leaving me almost breathless- and here are four of the things: Napoleon’s original tri cornered hat!! What’s more incredible than that? I spent some time posing for many selfies with that hat prompted squarely on my patê (you can see his hat in my attached photos, but don’t look for me in my photos submitted here though). And then his guest rooms and the bedroom and baby cradle of his beloved son, and stuff of his wife and then- so amazing and what a fantastic surprise- his throne room with his throne chair, his bedroom with his small bed (hey- Wikipedia says that he was 160 centimeters- not so bad), and then the document room, where he resigned before going into exile. All of this and more were amazing- causing Mrs. H to start sending me WhatsApp messages again, to extract me (just as she had needed to do in the three Monet museums of Marmottan, d’ Orsay and L’Orangerie). Once she succeeded in forcibly extracting me from reveling at being in the very presence and location of iconic Napoleonic history, we went outside to the top of the gardens and lake. Yes- we saw the rowboats. After that, we departed. So please sign up follow me on TripAdvisor to see of my continuing Paris adventures. So please enjoy my many photos showing what I’ve described. And hey- doesn’t this very extensive and detailed review deserve a “like” from you?
7. Grand Theatre
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,235 reviews
Considered by many to be the cultural heart of the city, this elaborately carved opera house surprises the senses with its fine architecture and interior design as well as its world-class performances.
Reviewed By CwparisR - Calgary, Canada
My husband and I attended the afternoon performance on a Saturday. Very beautiful opera building and the ballet was outstanding.
8. Cathedrale Saint-Gatien
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 2,090 reviews
Reviewed By 590JackK - Lebanon, United States
While there are many sites to behold in the city of Tours, be sure to visit this cathedral. It took four hundred years to build, and was listed as an historic monument in 1862. Everything about it is astonishing to see, from the portals of the facade to the stained glass windows. The two towers each hold something significant in them: the north the royal stairs; the south the cathedral's bells. Aside from other Parisian-style gothic architecture, there are also the tombs of Charles VIII and Anne de Bretagne's children, all in the south chapel. There are plentiful cathedrals to visit when visiting this region; I'd make this one of them.
9. Cathedrale St-Front
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 1,002 reviews
Reviewed By ericVvB - Barendrecht, The Netherlands
Nice walking inside and the chandeliers take our breath away. Even when there is a service ongoing and when you are quite, You may visit parts of the building.
10. Cathedrale Notre-Dame de Rouen
Overall Ratings
4.5 based on 4,468 reviews
This stunning Gothic structure is considered by some to be the town's most important architectural landmark.
Reviewed By Keeley2305 - Toddington, United Kingdom
Well worth a visit if you are in the city of Rouen, free entry Beautiful historic cathedral with plenty of information in other languages aside from French. The tomb of Richard the lionheart is inside, and statue of Joan of arc Tour guides can be found around the cathedral who can be very informative
