michaelsballard's User Profile - Atlas Obscura
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Sainte-Geneviève-des-Bois, France

Grotto of Saint Genevieve

18th century underground pilgrimage site, dedicated to a Saint that did something...
Noisy-sur-École, France

Les Sables du Cul du Chien

An unusual sand beach in the middle of a forest.
Fontainebleau, France

Fontaine de Diane (Fountain of Diana)

Peeing dogs guard the Roman hunting goddess atop a fountain at France’s Château de Fontainebleau.
Chevilly, France

Aérotrain d'Orléans Test Track

The experimental test tracks of a retro-futuristic monorail still stand in the French countryside.
Blois, France

Mechanical Dragon Clock

A beautiful and classically designed villa, with an hourly infestation of monsters.
Bruère-Allichamps, France

Bruère-Allichamps Borne Milliaire

Designed to mark the geographical center of France.
Nevers, France

The Not-Quite Incorruptible St. Bernadette of Lourdes

Perhaps the most beautiful of preserved saints, with a little help from Paris.
Treigny, France

Guedelon Castle

Despite centuries of architectural innovation, this French castle is being built like it's the 13th century.
Taingy, France

Carrière d'Aubigny

This former limestone quarry is now a subterranean wonderland of grand stonework.
Beine, France

Corkscrew and Vineyard Museum

View one man's eccentric collection of nearly 5,000 corkscrews, then sip some Chablis.
Tonnerre, France

Fosse Dionne

This natural French spring has been turned into a magical grotto by Roman and medieval constructions.
Dijon, France

The Magic Owl of Dijon

For over 300 years this little carving has been the city’s good luck charm.
Savigny-lès-Beaune, France

Château de Savigny-lès-Beaune

This French chateau is home to the world’s largest private collection of fighter jets.
Beaune, France

Ramparts of Beaune

These ramparts, once lined with towers, were constructed in defense of Beaune.
Mervans, France

Église Saint-Maurice de Mervans

Was the twisted roof on this church's belltower an intentional design or a happy accident?
Arc-et-Senans, France

La Saline Royale

The shape of this old salt factory complex was inspired by the course of the Sun.
Besançon, France

Astronomical Clock of Besançon

One of the world's most complex timepieces.
Domrémy-la-Pucelle, France

Birthplace of Joan of Arc

The woman who helped save 15th-century France was born in this humble home.
Saverne, France

Chappe Optical Telegraph

Before the electric telegraph, a chain of stone towers carried messages across France.
Grandfontaine, France

Site of Victor Hugo's Conception

A sandstone block marks the alleged spot where the legendary writer was conceived.
Ottrott, France

Secret Passages of Mont Sainte-Odile

An ancient monastery, a locked room, and a mysterious book heist.
Strasbourg, France

Stained-Glass Demons

Explore this medieval cathedral by trying to spot all the malevolent monsters hiding in its beautifully colored windows.
Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg Astronomical Clock

There has been an astronomical clock on this spot since the 14th century.
Strasbourg, France

Strasbourg Cathedral's Antique Graffiti

Visitors dating back to the 1600s carved their marks in the stones of the iconic tower.