Online dictionary of France travel and tourism: human heritage

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Orange antique theater

French words: Théâtre antique d'Orange , Théâtre Romain d'Orange
alternative words: Orange Roman theater, Orange theater, Orange amphitheater
keywords: human heritage , roman remains , southern france , theater , tourist resort
related web sites: http://www.ville-orange.fr , http://www.villa-kerylos.com/orange
explanation: Built in the 1st century under Emperor Augusta's reign, the theater of Orange with 9000 seats is one of the best preserved among Roman remains. It was closed in 391 after a christianization of the Roman empire, then vandalized with an invasion of barbarians. During the middle ages, the theater had been squatted by poor people until 1825 when Prosper Mérimée, responsible of historic monuments, restored it. It has belonged to Unesco's human heritage since 1981 and many outdoor entertainment takes place.

Orleans

French words: Orléans
keywords: human heritage , loire region , tourist resort , town
related web sites: http://www.ville-orleans.fr , http://morgann.moussier.free.fr/orleans/
explanation: Conquered by Julius Cesar in 52 BC, Orleans was rebuilt in 3th century by Roman Emperor, Aurelian from which derives the city name. During the middle ages, Orleans had been the capital of Merovingian dynasty then a dukedom in Capetian dynasty which came to succeed the latter as Valois-Orleans dynasty. During 100 years war, Orleans was saved by Jeanne d'Arc from a siege in 1428. Located 110km south of Paris on Loire bank, Orleans is the capital of Centre region and owns an university. The population 113,000.

Paris

French words: Paris
keywords: human heritage , paris , tourist resort , town
related topics: Paris subway , Paris tramway , Parisian bus , RATP
related web sites: http://www.paris.fr , http://www.parisbalades.com
explanation: Celtic tribe called Parisii settled on an islet of the Seine in 3e BC, from which the name of Paris is derived. After being conquered by Romans in 52 BC, the city called Lutetia developed on the left bank, but it was abandoned with the fall of Roman Empire. In 987, Hugues Capet was elected French king with Paris the capital. It declined again during one century war against England in 14th and 15th centuries and regained slowly its status of capital in 16th century. Its population is now about 2 millions.

Petit Trianon palace

French words: Palais du Petit Trianon
alternative words: Petit Trianon, Queen's hamlet
keywords: castle , human heritage , paris suburb , tourist resort
related topics: Versailles palace , Grand Trianon palace
related web sites: http://www.insecula.com/musee/M0131.html , http://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Petit_Trianon
explanation: In 1761, Louis XV charged the architect Jacques-Ange Gabriel to build a small palace near Grand Trianon, for his mistress, Madame de Pompadour. Achieved after their death and given by Louis XVI to Queen Marie Antoinette in 1774, Petit Trianon palace is considered a perfect example of French neoclassic building. Some farm houses of 18th century built around a lake, where Marie Antoinette had spent her time to gather vegetables, are restored and called "Queen's hamlet".

Pope palace

French words: Palais des papes , Palais des papes d'Avignon
alternative words: Palace of the popes, Palais des papes
keywords: castle , human heritage , southern france , tourist resort
related topics: Avignon
related web sites: http://www.palais-des-papes.com , http://www.avignon.fr/fr/culture/musees/palais.php
explanation: In order to avoid the conflict with Italians, Pope Clement V moved the pontificated to Avignon in 1309. The next pope, John XXII transformed his Episcopal residence to the pontifical. The 3rd pope, Benedict XII began to build an imposing castle (old palace) as he had been a Cistercian monk. Considering this site as definitive, the next pope, Clement VI enlarge it by adding an elegant edifice (new palace). The last pope, Gregory XI returned back to Rome in 1377 but Avignon elected an own pope (great Schism).

Provins

French words: Provins , Ville de Provins
alternative words: Provins City
keywords: castle , human heritage , paris suburb , tourist resort , town
related web sites: http://www.provins.net
explanation: Having belonged to the powerful Counts of Champagne, Provins has well preserved the aspect of a medieval city (12th-13th centuries) until today and for that reason, it was chosen as a human heritage of UNESCO in 2001. As remarkable architecture, we can quote city's rampart, Cesar tower and St Quiriace church. Each Sunday of summer, the show on a duel of chevalier is organized. Located 100 km east of Paris, you cannot enter Provins with a private car during the high season.

Reims

French words: Reims
keywords: human heritage , tourist resort , town , wine
related web sites: http://www.ville-reims.fr , http://www.reims-tourisme.com
explanation: Located 130 km northeast of Paris in northern France, Reims has existed since Roman period and played an important historic role. In fact, since the baptism of Clovis in 496, French kings had used to be crowned in Reims' cathedral. During WWI, it was heavily shelled by German troops. Cultivating grapes used for the champagne on the neighboring hill, Reims is the economic capital of Champagne region and its population 187000. Since 1991, the medieval monuments of Reims have belonged to Unesco human heritage.

Rocamadour

French words: Rocamadour
keywords: church , human heritage , tourist resort , town
related web sites: http://www.rocamadour.com , http://www.notre-dame-de-rocamadour.com
explanation: Hanged on a cliff over Alzou river in southwestern France, Rocamadour had already a small sanctuary dedicated to Virgin Mary before 10th century. It got a fame when man had discovered in 1166 a corps under the chapel, quickly attributed to a relic of Saint Amadour due to the miracles it provoked. Though many monuments have been damaged by religious wars, Rocamadour was enlisted in Uesco's human heritage in 1998 as a monument of Santiago de Compostela pilgrim. The car parking is on the tableland at top.

Saint Chapel

French words: Sainte Chapelle
alternative words: Sainte Chapelle
keywords: church , human heritage , paris , tourist resort
related topics: Notre-dame cathedral , Cite island
related web sites: http://www.histoire-en-ligne.com/article.php3?id_article=25 , http://architecture.relig.free.fr/chapelle1.htm
explanation: Located on Cite Island, near Notre-Dame cathedral, Saint Chapel was built in 1248 by French King, Saint Louis, in order to enshrine the relics of Christ that he had purchased from a Byzantine emperor. The chapel was directly attached to the royal palace so he could directly go to the second floor, while the ground floor was for the common people. Though the French revolution damaged it seriously, it was restored in 19th century. Its stained-glass is considered one of the master pieces of the medieval art.

Saint Emilion

French words: Saint-Emilion
alternative words: Saint-Emillion
keywords: human heritage , town , wine
related topics: Bordeaux
related web sites: http://www.saint-emilion-tourisme.com
explanation: Tiny village situated 20km east of Bordeaux and founded by Saint Emilian in 8th century, Saint-Emilion is on the heart of vineyard region of Bordeaux wines and its vintage is considered one of the best along with Médoc, Graves and Pomerol. Several century old vineyard landscape, strewn with monuments on the route of Santiago de Compostela, has been protected as Unesco's human heritage since 1999.

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47 articles extracted from postgresql database.