2025 Calendar: Did You Know About These Fascinating French Sites?
A journey through 12 European countries: January in France
For all of you following and using my 2025 Calendar, you know what this is about. And for all of you who aren’t using it, you have to start!
So, what’s it about?
For Christmas 2024 I wanted to give a special gift for all my readers — a chance to explore Europe in 2025. I wanted to thank all my readers and I wanted it to be something that can be used for:
daydreaming,
learning something new each day and/or
adding new places to your wish lists.
This calendar journey through 12 European countries discovers new iconic landmarks, hidden gems, and fascinating historical and cultural sites each month.
The year started in January with France.
Why France?
It’s home to some of the world’s most breathtaking landmarks, each with its own unique story. From medieval castles to Roman aqueducts, from towering cathedrals to hidden wine villages, these places aren’t just stunning, they’re really steeped in history.
Here are some amazing facts about the French sites featured in my 2025 travel calendar.
The Eiffel Tower Almost Didn't Survive
Did you know the Eiffel Tower was meant to be temporary? Built for the 1889 World’s Fair, it was supposed to be dismantled by 1909.
The Louvre Holds Over 480,000 Treasures
Everyone knows the Mona Lisa lives at the Louvre, but did you know this museum holds over 480,000 works of art?
Mont Saint-Michel: The Fortress That Stood Strong
During the Hundred Years’ War (1337–1453), Mont Saint-Michel was an impenetrable stronghold. Despite repeated attacks by the English, the abbey fortress never fell.
Notre Dame Hosted Napoleon’s Coronation
On December 2, 1804, Napoleon Bonaparte crowned himself Emperor of France inside Notre Dame Cathedral.
Sainte-Chapelle: A Masterpiece of Light
The upper chapel of Sainte-Chapelle in Paris is an otherworldly vision, with 1,113 stained-glass windows that depict 1,134 biblical scenes.
Avignon: Once the Seat of the Popes
For much of the 14th century, Avignon—not Rome—was the center of the Catholic world. Six papal conclaves were held in the Palais des Papes, leading to the election of popes from 1334 to 1394.
The Dune du Pilat: Europe’s Tallest Sand Dune
Near Bordeaux, the Dune du Pilat stands at an astonishing 106.6 meters—making it the tallest sand dune in Europe. It has been forming for over 4,000 years, constantly shifting due to wind and tides.
Carcassonne Inspired a Board Game
The medieval fortress city of Carcassonne is so iconic that it inspired the popular Carcassonne board game, released in 2000.
Pont du Gard: A Roman Engineering Marvel
The Pont du Gard, one of the best-preserved Roman aqueduct bridges, was built almost 2,000 years ago.
The Arc de Triomphe Honors an Unknown Soldier
Under the Arc de Triomphe, a Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was placed in 1921 to honor the fallen of World War I.
Versailles: Where History Was Signed
The Hall of Mirrors in the Palace of Versailles isn’t just a dazzling room — it’s where the Treaty of Versailles was signed in 1919, officially ending World War I.
Sacré-Cœur: Paris’ Second-Most Visited Site
With its white domes overlooking the city, Sacré-Cœur Basilica in Montmartre is the second-most visited attraction in Paris—right after the Eiffel Tower.
Verdon Gorge: France’s Grand Canyon
The Gorges du Verdon, with its turquoise river winding through towering cliffs, was formed around 6 million years ago. It’s often called “France’s Grand Canyon”—and for good reason.
Reims Cathedral: The Coronation Church
For nearly 1,000 years, French kings were crowned at Reims Cathedral, starting with Louis VIII in 1223.
Chambord’s Da Vinci Connection
The design of Château de Chambord is believed to have been influenced by Leonardo da Vinci, especially its double-helix staircase—which allows two people to ascend and descend without ever crossing paths.
Château de Chenonceau: The Ladies' Château
Spanning the River Cher, Château de Chenonceau is famous for the powerful women who shaped it, including Catherine de' Medici and Diane de Poitiers. No wonder it's called the "Ladies' Château."
Chartres Cathedral: A Gothic Masterpiece
Regarded as one of Europe’s most beautiful cathedrals, Chartres Cathedral has been a UNESCO site since 1979. Its stained-glass windows alone make it a must-visit for Gothic architecture lovers.
Musée d’Orsay: From Train Station to Art Museum
Before it became one of the best art museums in the world, the Musée d'Orsay was a railway station built in 1900. It wasn’t transformed into a museum until 1986, and now it houses the world’s largest Impressionist collection.
Omaha Beach: A Pivotal D-Day Landing Site
On June 6, 1944, American forces stormed Omaha Beach in one of the toughest battles of D-Day. Walking on its sands today, it's hard to imagine the fierce fighting that helped change the course of history.
Pont Alexandre III: Paris’ Most Elegant Bridge
The Pont Alexandre III, often considered the most beautiful bridge in Paris, is known for its golden statues and intricate Art Nouveau details. Cross it at sunset for a perfect photo.
Vieux Lyon: A Hidden Renaissance Treasure
The Vieux Lyon district is one of the largest Renaissance neighborhoods in Europe, filled with hidden courtyards, cobblestone streets, and traboules—secret passageways once used by silk workers.
Cité du Vin: Bordeaux’s Wine Wonderland
Wine lovers, rejoice! Cité du Vin in Bordeaux isn’t just a museum—it’s an immersive journey through the history, culture, and flavors of wine.
Pont d’Arc: A Natural Masterpiece
Formed by the Ardèche River, Pont d’Arc is a breathtaking natural limestone arch, standing 54 meters high and 60 meters wide.
Alsace Wine Route: A Sip Through History
Established in 1953, the Alsace Wine Route is one of the oldest wine trails in France, winding through charming villages and rolling vineyards. It’s especially famous for its Rieslings and Gewürztraminers, some of the best white wines in the world.
Château de Villandry: A Garden Like No Other
Built in 1536, Château de Villandry is best known for its stunning Renaissance gardens with their perfectly manicured hedges, intricate flower beds, and even a vegetable garden.
The Nîmes Arena: A Roman Spectacle
Dating back to the 1st century AD, the Nîmes Arena is one of the best-preserved Roman amphitheaters in the world. Once hosting gladiator battles and public spectacles, it could seat 24,000 spectators!
Château de Fontainebleau: A Palace of Emperors
Few places have hosted as many rulers as Château de Fontainebleau. The Gallery of Francis I, with its stunning frescoes, is one of the most beautiful Renaissance interiors in France.
Étretat’s Dramatic Cliffs
The white chalk cliffs of Étretat, shaped by wind and sea, are some of the most striking coastal landscapes in France. Artists like Claude Monet found inspiration here, capturing the dramatic arches and rock formations in their paintings.
Strasbourg Cathedral’s Astronomical Wonder
One of the tallest churches in the world, Strasbourg Cathedral is famous for its astronomical clock, which still draws crowds every day at noon.
Saint-Émilion: A Village Beneath the Vines
The medieval village of Saint-Émilion isn’t just famous for its world-class Bordeaux wines—it’s also home to a 12th-century monolithic church, carved entirely from limestone underground.
The Lascaux Caves: France’s Prehistoric Art Gallery
The Lascaux Caves contain some of the most famous examples of prehistoric art, with over 600 painted animals dating back approximately 17,000 years.
Which of These Have You Visited?
Which of these sites have you been to? Which ones are on your travel list? Let me know in the comments!
For more things French, check out my posts on France:
Musée d'Orsay in Paris: A railway station turned into Impressionist art haven
La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux’s as the ultimate wine experience: A wine lover’s journey through Bordeaux’s iconic museum and tasting experience 🍷
The Elegance of the Trianon Estate: Versailles Beyond the Palace: UNESCO sites in France: Palace and Park of Versailles (visited July 2022)
Plus, January of my “2025 Calendar: 12 Countries in 12 Months” is dedicated to France and its cultural gems.
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A special gift for my readers – explore Europe in 2025!
Lots of fresh, beautiful and interesting ideas here for things to see (many that I haven’t) for the next time we visit France! I’ve made a few screen shots to sock away in an electronic album, Places to Go, to hopefully remember to use in planning an itinerary next time.
This was a fun review, and I'd heard of every site -- I think there are 31!
The ones I HAVEN'T visited are:
1. Les Gorges du Verdon
2. The Reims cathedral
3. La Cité du Vin in Bordeaux (although I've been to Bordeaux a number of times)
4. Le Pont d'Arc
5. Le Château de Fontainebleau
6. Etratat
Sometimes I feel like I've missed out on a lot having lived here for 35 years, but I guess I have covered a bit of territory!