List of World Heritage Sites in France facts for kids

A flag of France.

France is home to many amazing places that are recognized by UNESCO as World Heritage Sites. These special places are important for everyone to protect because they show us about human history, culture, or incredible natural beauty. France agreed to protect these sites back in 1975, which meant it could start suggesting places to be added to the World Heritage List.

Today, France has 49 World Heritage Sites! Most of them, 42, are about culture, like old buildings or historic towns. Six are natural sites, like beautiful landscapes or unique ecosystems. One site is a mix of both! Some of these sites are even shared with other countries. The first sites were added in 1979, and new ones are still being added. France also has a "tentative list" of 37 more places that might become World Heritage Sites in the future.

France's Amazing World Heritage Sites

These are some of the incredible places in France that are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. They are chosen because they are very special and important to the world.

Site	Image	Type	Year Listed	What Makes It Special
Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe	The Abbey Church of Saint-Savin-sur-Gartempe.	Cultural	1983	This church is famous for its amazing wall paintings from the 9th century. They are very old and well-preserved.
Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay	The Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay.	Cultural	1981	A beautiful 12th-century abbey that shows how Cistercian monasteries were built. It's very simple and peaceful.
Arles, Roman and Romanesque Monuments	Roman and Romanesque Monuments in Arles.	Cultural	1981	Arles has many ancient Roman buildings, like an arena and a theatre, showing its past as an important Roman city.
Vézelay, Church and Hill	Vézelay Abbey.	Cultural	1979	This 12th-century church is a masterpiece of Romanesque art and was an important starting point for pilgrims.
Belfries of Belgium and France	A belfry in Loos, France.	Cultural	1999	These tall bell towers, called belfries, were built in towns to show their freedom and power. This site is shared with Belgium.
Bordeaux, Port of the Moon	The Port of the Moon in Bordeaux.	Cultural	2007	Bordeaux's port is a great example of an 18th-century city designed for trade and shipping.
Canal du Midi	A section of the Canal du Midi.	Cultural	1996	This 17th-century canal is an amazing engineering feat. It connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea.
Amiens Cathedral	Amiens Cathedral.	Cultural	1981	A huge and beautiful Gothic cathedral from the 13th century, known for its impressive size and detailed sculptures.
Bourges Cathedral	Bourges Cathedral.	Cultural	1992	Another stunning Gothic cathedral from the 13th century, famous for its unique architecture and stained glass.
Chartres Cathedral	Chartres Cathedral at night.	Cultural	1979	This 13th-century cathedral is one of the best examples of French Gothic architecture, especially its stained glass windows.
Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Remi, and Palace of Tau, Reims	The Cathedral of Notre-Dame in Reims.	Cultural	1991	These sites in Reims are important for French history, especially for the coronations of French kings.
The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural Landscape	The Causses and Cévennes landscape.	Cultural	2011	This area shows how people have lived and farmed in the mountains for centuries, creating a unique landscape.
Historical centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon Bridge	The Papal Palace in Avignon.	Cultural	1995	Avignon was once where the Popes lived! This site includes their grand palace and a famous old bridge.
Episcopal City of Albi	The Episcopal City of Albi.	Cultural	2010	Albi is a city built around its impressive cathedral and bishop's palace, made from red brick.
From the Great Saltworks of Salins-les-Bains to the Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, the Production of Open-pan Salt	The Royal Saltworks at Arc-et-Senans.	Cultural	1982	These 18th-century saltworks show how salt was produced and how workers lived. It's a cool example of early industrial architecture.
Fortifications of Vauban	A fortification by Vauban in Besançon.	Cultural	2008	These are military forts designed by a famous engineer, Vauban, in the 17th century. They are strong and well-planned.
Jurisdiction of Saint-Émilion	The village of Saint-Émilion.	Cultural	1999	This area is famous for its vineyards and historic village, showing how wine has been made here for centuries.
Le Havre, the City Rebuilt by Auguste Perret	Le Havre, rebuilt by Auguste Perret.	Cultural	2005	After World War II, Le Havre was rebuilt in a modern style. It's a unique example of 20th-century urban planning.
Mont Saint-Michel and its Bay	Mont Saint-Michel at sunset.	Cultural	1979	A stunning medieval abbey built on a rocky island, surrounded by a beautiful bay. It looks like something out of a fairy tale!
Palace and Park of Fontainebleau	The Palace and Park of Fontainebleau.	Cultural	1981	A grand royal palace that was home to French kings and emperors for many centuries.
Palace and Park of Versailles	The Palace of Versailles.	Cultural	1979	The famous palace of King Louis XIV, known for its incredible Hall of Mirrors and vast gardens.
Paris, Banks of the Seine	The Seine River in Paris.	Cultural	1991	The banks of the Seine River in Paris are lined with famous landmarks, showing the city's long history and beauty.
Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière, and Place d'Alliance in Nancy	Place Stanislas in Nancy at night.	Cultural	1983	These beautiful 18th-century squares in Nancy are a great example of European urban design.
Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct)	The Pont du Gard, a Roman aqueduct.	Cultural	1985	An ancient Roman aqueduct bridge, built almost 2000 years ago, that is still standing strong.
Provins, Town of Medieval Fairs	Medieval fortifications in Provins.	Cultural	2001	Provins was a major trading town in the Middle Ages, and its medieval walls and buildings are still well-preserved.
Historic site of Lyon	Old Lyon with its unique rooftops.	Cultural	1998	Lyon's historic center shows its long history, from Roman times to the Renaissance, with beautiful old buildings.
Prehistoric pile dwellings around the Alps		Cultural	2011	These are ancient villages built on stilts over lakes or wetlands. This site is shared with several other countries.
Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère Valley	A painting from Lascaux Cave.	Cultural	1979	This valley has many caves with incredible prehistoric cave paintings, some of the oldest art in the world!
Strasbourg – From the Grande Île to the Neustadt	Strasbourg's Grande Île.	Cultural	1988	Strasbourg's historic center and its newer imperial district show its unique blend of French and German influences.
Roman Theatre and its Surroundings and the "Triumphal Arch" of Orange	The Roman Theatre in Orange.	Cultural	1981	Orange has a very well-preserved Roman theatre and a triumphal arch, showing its Roman past.
The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and Chalonnes		Cultural	2000	This beautiful river valley is famous for its many grand castles (châteaux) and charming towns.
Historic Fortified City of Carcassonne	The fortified city of Carcassonne.	Cultural	1997	A medieval fortified city with impressive walls and towers, looking like a castle from a storybook.
Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve	The Calanche of Piana.	Natural	1983	This stunning coastal area in Corsica has dramatic red rock formations and clear blue waters.
Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems	Lagoons of New Caledonia.	Natural	2008	These lagoons in New Caledonia are home to an incredible variety of marine life and coral reefs.
The Pitons, Cirques and Remparts of Réunion Island	Piton des Neiges on Réunion Island.	Natural	2010	Réunion Island has amazing volcanic landscapes, with huge natural amphitheatres (cirques) and sharp peaks (pitons).
Pyrénées – Mont Perdu	Mont Perdu in the Pyrénées.	Mixed	1997	This mountain area, shared with Spain, is beautiful with its high peaks and deep valleys, and shows how people have lived there for ages.
Nord-Pas de Calais Mining Basin	A mining site in Nord-Pas de Calais.	Cultural	2012	This region shows the history of coal mining over three centuries, with its unique landscape shaped by the industry.
Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, Ardèche	Replica paintings from Chauvet Cave.	Cultural	2014	This cave has some of the oldest and most amazing cave paintings in the world, dating back tens of thousands of years.
The Climats, terroirs of Burgundy	Vineyards in Burgundy.	Cultural	2015	This area in Burgundy shows how grape growing and wine making have developed over many centuries, creating unique wine regions.
Champagne Hillsides, Houses and Cellars	Vineyards in Champagne.	Cultural	2015	This is where the famous sparkling wine, Champagne, was invented and perfected.
The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern Movement	Villa Savoye, designed by Le Corbusier.	Cultural	2016	This site includes several buildings designed by the famous architect Le Corbusier, showing his new ideas for modern architecture. It's shared with many countries.
Taputapuātea	Taputapuātea marae.	Cultural	2017	Located in French Polynesia, this ancient site was a very important political and religious center for Polynesian people.
Chaine des Puys – Limagne fault tectonic arena	A volcano in the Chaîne des Puys.	Natural	2018	This area has a chain of volcanoes that show how the Earth's crust moves and changes.
French Austral Lands and Seas	Wildlife in the French Austral Lands.	Natural	2019	These remote islands in the Southern Ocean are home to unique plants and animals, making it a huge natural wonderland.
Great Spa Towns of Europe	The Thermes les Dômes in Vichy.	Cultural	2021	This site includes several historic spa towns across Europe, where people came to relax and use natural mineral waters. Vichy represents France.
Cordouan Lighthouse	Cordouan Lighthouse.	Cultural	2021	This lighthouse is very old and shows how lighthouse design and technology have changed over time.
Nice, Winter Resort Town of the Riviera	The famous Negresco hotel in Nice.	Cultural	2021	Nice became a popular winter vacation spot because of its mild climate and beautiful seaside location at the foot of the Alps.
Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe	Beech forest in Fontainebleau.	Natural	2021	This site protects ancient beech forests across Europe, showing how these important forests grow and change naturally.
Funerary and memory sites of the First World War (Western Front)	A cemetery from World War I.	Cultural	2023	This site, shared with Belgium, includes cemeteries and memorials from the First World War, honoring those who fought.
The Maison Carrée of Nîmes	The Maison Carrée in Nîmes.	Cultural	2023	An incredibly well-preserved ancient Roman temple in Nîmes, showing the amazing architecture of the Roman Empire.
Volcanoes and Forests of Mount Pelée and the Pitons of Northern Martinique	Mount Pelée in Martinique.	Natural	2023	This volcanic area in Martinique is important for studying volcanoes and is home to many unique animal and plant species.

Places Being Considered for the List

France has many other special places that it hopes will one day become World Heritage Sites. These are on a "tentative list" and are being considered by UNESCO.

• Carnac megalithic sites (1996)
• Saint-Denis Cathedral (1996)
• Rouen: timber-framed urban area, Rouen Cathedral, Basilica of Saint Ouen, Church of Saint Maclou (1996)
• Vaux-le-Vicomte Castle (1996)
• Fortified cities of the Low Countries of north-western Europe (1996)
• Montagne Sainte-Victoire and Paul Cézanne sites (1996)
• Concretion cave complexes in southern France (2000)
• Vanoise National Park (2000)
• Mont Blanc (2000)
• The Camargue (2002)
• Strait of Bonifacio (2002)
• Écrins National Park (2002)
• Port Cros National Park (2002)
• Guérande salt marshes (2002)
• Mediterranean shore of the Pyrénées Mountains (2002)
• Bay of Marseille (2002)
• Roman Narbonensian cities and area: Nîmes, Arles, Glanum, aqueducts, via Domitia (2002)
• Cerdagne railway (2002)
• National Aerospace Research Centre, Meudon (2002)
• Hangar Y (2002)
• Former Menier chocolate factory in Noisiel (2002)
• Historic centre of Sarlat (2002)
• Rochefort arsenal and fortifications of the Charente Rivers estuary (2002)
• Marquesas Islands (2010)
• Metz Royal and Imperial, power plays, stylistic exchange and urban identity (2014)
• Allied landing beaches in Normandy, 1944 (2014)
• Cité de Carcassonne and its mountain sentinel castles (2017)
• Charolais-Brionnais region, a cultural landscape for cattle farming (2018)
• Fontainebleau Castle, Gardens, Park and Forest (2020)
• The built heritage of the construction of a State in the Pyrenees: the Co-principality of Andorra (2021)
• Saint-Honorat, a monastic island in the Lérins archipelago at Cannes (2022)
• Pic du Midi de Bigorre Observatory, a high-altitude pioneer (2022)

Where are France's World Heritage Sites?

See also

In Spanish: Anexo:Patrimonio de la Humanidad en Francia para niños

• List of Intangible Cultural Heritage elements in France
• List of World Heritage Sites in Western Europe
• Tourism in Brittany
• Tourism in France