Former hunting lodge of a duke who was an avid collector of impressionist works.

One of the most powerful religious centers in the Middle Ages, dubbed the founder of Western monasticism.

Immortalized by artists, this church incorporates a medieval lighthouse into its shoreside structure.

This historic stone gate tower is now just a lonely relic in the middle of a swamp.

Bordered by forest on three sides and the ocean on the other, the Great Dune of Pilat is the highest sand dune in Europe.

Balconies that have a most unusual accent.

Sculpture of a legendary French dragon.

The world's largest solar furnace uses 10,000 mirrors to concentrate the sun's rays to generate power.

Buddha and Jesus tower over this French mountainside headquarters of the Aumism religious cult.

This castle-fortress is a living example of the transition from medieval defenses to modern fortifications.

One architect's organic, human-centric design has been fully realized in this alien art house.

One of the largest ochre quarries in the world, hidden in a limestone landscape.

This otherworldly French waterfall looks like its waters have turned to stone.

The world's most famous cheese caves.

This modern museum of Mediterranean culture is surrounded by a surreal concrete honeycomb.

This salt marsh in Southern France is as pink as the flamingos that inhabit it.

Two awe-inspiring globes from the reign of the Sun King hang from the ceiling of France's national library.

This bridge was constructed from the rubble of the infamous Bastille.

The water-powered carriages are long gone, but for over a century this funicular railway has been the fastest route to the highest point in Paris.

Even France's favorite aquatic son Jacques Cousteau, couldn't get to the bottom of it.

This life-size replica of the Statue of Liberty's flame is also a tribute to Princess Diana by default.

A public park off the beaten path with a beautiful waterfall and 13th century Cistercian abbey.

Walk through living pictures and music in the Cathedral of Images.

This ancient Roman bridge and aqueduct still stands as a wonder of classical construction.