Online dictionary of France travel and tourism: human heritage

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Bourges cathedral

French words: Cathédrale de Bourges , Cathédrale Saint-Etienne de Bourges
alternative words: Bourges, Cathedral of Bourges
keywords: church , human heritage , tourist resort
related web sites: http://www.lapinville.net/cbourges.htm , http://www.bourges.fr , http://www.diocese-bourges.org
explanation: In 1195, Archbishop of Bourges, Henri de Sully, wanted to replace his old cathedral by using the newly introduced gothic style, such as Notre dame de Paris of which bishop is his brother Eudes. Due to financial and technical difficulties (a huge pillar was added to prop the southern tower) it was achieved only in 1324. The northern tower, collapsed in 1506, was rebuilt in 1562. Considered as a master piece of the French medieval Christian art, Bourges cathedral was enlisted in UNESCO human heritage in 1981.

Cahors

French words: Cahors
keywords: human heritage , tourist resort , town , wine
related topics: Toulouse
related web sites: http://www.mairie-cahors.fr , http://www.quercy-tourisme.com/cahors/
explanation: Located 110km north of Toulouse in a meander of Lot river, Cahors was founded in 1st century by Romans near the spring of Divona, from which they brought waters to the city via aqueduct. During 13th century, Cahors was prosperous thanks to Lombard bankers who had chosen it as the main French branch. Valentre bridge built between 1308-1378 has been enlisted to Unesco's human heritage as a monument of Saint Jacques de Compostelle pilgrim. Cahors is the capital of Lot prefecture and reputed for its wine.

Canal du midi

French words: Canal du midi
alternative words: South canal, Southern canal
keywords: human heritage , tourist resort , transport
related topics: Toulouse
related web sites: http://www.canaldumidi.com
explanation: In 1662, French King Louis XIV asked Pierre Paul Riquet to create a direct navigable route from the Atlantic ocean to the Mediterranean sea by avoiding Spain hostile to France. Begun in 1666 and achieved in 1681 with 12000 workers, Canal du Midi connects Toulouse on Garonne river and Sete on the Mediterranean through ingenious mechanism such as tunnels and bridges over rivers. Considered as a major technical realization of 17th century, Canal du Midi has been enlisted to Unesco human heritage since 1996.

Carcassonne

French words: Carcassonne
keywords: castle , human heritage , southern france , tourist resort , town
related web sites: http://www.carcassonne.org , http://www.carcassonne.culture.fr
explanation: Located in southern France, Romans had already built a fortress there due to its strategic importance. During the middle ages, Carcassonne had been a strong hold of Cathars to resist Albigensian Crusade until 1209. After the incorporation to France in 1247, an outer rampart was added to make the fortress impregnable because Carcassonne was a border town with Aragon kingdom. In 1997, medieval city was enlisted to Unesco's human heritage. Carcassonne is the capital of Aude prefecture and the population 44000.

Chambord castle

French words: Château de Chambord
alternative words: Chateau de Chambord, Chateau Chambord
keywords: castle , human heritage , loire region , tourist resort
related web sites: http://www.chambord.org , http://www.chambordcountry.com , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chateau_Chambord
explanation: Located near Blois and 150km south of Paris, Chambord is the largest among "Chateaux de la Loire". Its construction started in 1519 as second residence of King Francois 1st and achieved only in 1559 after his death. Owning 4 central towers served by the stairs with a double spiral, a guest of Francois 1st, Leonardo Da Vinci may participate in conceiving this renaissance style castle. After Francois's death, the castle decayed slowly. Surrounded by a vast forest, Chambord belongs to UNESCO's human heritage.

Chartres cathedral

French words: Cathédrale de Chartres
alternative words: Chartres, Cathedral of Chartres
keywords: church , human heritage , tourist resort
related web sites: http://www.ville-chartres.fr , http://www.chartres.com
explanation: Located 80 km south-west of Paris, at the center of a great farming region, Beauce, the cathedral of Chartres is one of the largest and the most beautiful cathedrals in France. Though there was already a small church at the same place in 4th century, the current cathedral was built in 1194 after many fires and has lasted miraculously until nowadays in spite of religious wars and French revolution.

Chenonceau Castle

French words: Château de Chenonceau
alternative words: Chateau de Chenonceau, Chateau Chenonceau, Chenonceaux
keywords: castle , human heritage , loire region , tourist resort
related web sites: http://www.chenonceau.com , http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chateau_Chenonceaux , http://www.linternaute.com/sortir/chateaux-loire/5.shtml
explanation: The pre-existing castle on the northern bank of Cher River, tributary of Loire, having been erased due to a treason of its lord, the new owner, Thomas Bohier, Chamberlain for King Charles VIII, built a new one between 1515 and 1521, by keeping only the donjon. Then the castle was handed in 1555 to Diane de Poitiers, a mistress of King Henri II, who would extend the castle over Cher river. After the king's death, Queen Catherine Medici confiscated it to make her residence and to lay out a beautiful garden.

Chinon castle

French words: Château de Chinon
alternative words: Chinon, Château de Chinon
keywords: castle , human heritage , loire region , tourist resort
related web sites: http://perso.wanadoo.fr/jean-francois.mangin/capetiens/fenetres_filles/chateau_chinon.htm
explanation: Though there had existed already a fortress since Roman period on a spur on the northern bank of Vienne, tributary of Loire, Chinon increased its importance, when the count of Anjou, conquered the castle in 1044 and later the count Henri II became king of England in 1154. He fortified the castle by adding Moulin tower and Fort Saint Georges but French King, Philippe II conquered the castle in 1205. He reinforced further the fort of Coudry. French King, Charles VII met first Jeanne d'Arc in 1492 at Chinon.

Cite Island

French words: L'île de la Cité , La Cité
alternative words: Ile de la Cite
keywords: castle , human heritage , locality , paris , tourist resort
related topics: Notre-Dame cathedral , Saint Chapel
related web sites: http://www.insecula.com/musee/M0073.html , http://www.pariserve.tm.fr/quartier/00ilecite.htm
explanation: Initially, it was merely an islet lost inside Seine river but offering a secured place against invaders, a town had developed slowly. During Roman period, the town was called Lutece. It resisted against Attlia in 451, encouraged by Sainte Genevieve. Clovis of Merovingian dynasty made Paris its capital. In 885, the resistance organised under the command of Eude against Vikings. Rich in medieval monuments such as Notre-Dame, Sainte Chapelle and Conciergerie, the island belongs to UNESCO's human heritage.

Clermont-Ferrand

French words: Clermont-Ferrand , Clermont
alternative words: Clermont
keywords: human heritage , tourist resort , town
related web sites: http://www.clermont-ferrand.fr
explanation: Located in Auvergne near a volcanic chain, Clermont is one of the oldest town in France. After the conquest by Julius Cesar in 52 BC, it had become one of the largest towns on Gaul region. The council of Clermont held in 1095 triggered the first crusade. In 1630, Clermont merged with Montferrand nearby to become Clermont-Ferrand. 19th century founded Michelin is one of the largest tire factories in the world. Notre Dame du Port church built in 11th century was enlisted in Unesco's human heritage in 1998.

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47 articles extracted from postgresql database.