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This marble statue of Julius Caesar by French sculptor Nicolas Coustou was commissioned in 1696 for the Gardens of Versailles and later transferred to the Louvre Museum. Julius Caesar is shown in his Roman armor with a cloak and a marshals baton which depicts him as a general and a statesman.

View of the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain taken April 1985. The snow-covered mountains, which form a formidable physical barrier between France to the north (left) and Spain to the south (right), are the main focus of this low-oblique, southeast-looking photograph. Scarcely interrupted by accessible passes and pierced in only two places by railroad tunnels, the Pyrenees are an ideal natural boundary between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. The northern flank of the Pyrenees is characterized by a series of large alluvial deposits that fan out across southwestern France. The darker, roughly triangular area in southwest France is part of the forested Aquitaine Basin. The southern flank of the Pyrenees (Spain) is characterized by aridity and very rugged, mountainous conditions. Human settlement is sparse throughout the Pyrenees. However, because the region is rich in mineral waters, there are dozens of mineral water resorts, and winter sports attract visitors from southwestern France. The very small mountainous country of Andorra (not distinguishable in this photograph) has survived in an inaccessible upper valley of the Pyrenees. Image courtesy of NASA.

The Alps march across this image of Autumnal (early October) southern Europe. On either side of and above the Alps are the countries of (from left to right) France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Slovenia, while below the Alps is Italy. The Mediterranean and Ligurian Seas sit to the west of Italy, while to the right is the Adriatic Sea. As the season progresses, snow begins to whiten the Alps. Image courtesy of NASA.

The brightly lit metropolitan areas of Torino (Italy), Lyon, and Marseille (both in France) stand out amidst numerous smaller urban areas in this dramatic photo from the international space station. The image captures the nighttime appearance of the France-Italy border. The southwestern end of the Alps Mountains separates the two countries. The island of Corsica is visible in the Ligurian Sea to the south (image top). The full moon reflects brightly on the water surface and also illuminates the tops of low patchy clouds over the border (center). Photo courtesy of NASA.

Rich in antiquities and picturesque landscapes, the island provinces of Corsica, France, (top) and Sardinia, Italy, (bottom) have captured the imaginations of historians and poets alike for centuries. Corsica, crowned with snow-capped mountains, jeweled with shimmering lakes, and cloaked in misty emerald forests, is situated in the Mediterranean Sea southeast of mainland France. The island has almost 1,700 hills and mountains, and is carved by an extensive network of rivers. Across the Strait of Bonifacio to the south is Sardinia, the Mediterranean's second largest island. Stretching across the central, eastern part of Sardinia is the rugged terrain of Gennargentu - mountainous, thickly vegetated, and mostly uninhabited. The port city of Cagliari sits on the large bay on Sardinia's southern coast. Photo courtesy of NASA.

View of Gordes in Provence. The buildings are constructed of white stones and rise in tiers above the Imergue Valley on the edge of the Vaucluse Plateau.

The Gordes Castle in Provence dates to 1031.

The village square in Gordes is adjacent to the Castle.

World War I memorial in the Gordes village square.

The Castle on the village square in Gordes, Provence, was partially rebuilt in 1525.

Fields of lavender in Provence near Roussillon.

A Roman bridge still in use in Provence near Roussillon.

View of the village of Roussillon in Provence. The village sits atop the highest hills between the Coulon Valley and the Vaucluse Plateau.

View of an alley in the village of Roussillon in Provence.

Village church in Roussillon, Provence.

Much of the architecture in Roussillon is colored with earthen tones from a nearby ocher quarry.

Approaching the fortified medieval town and artist's haven of Saint-Paul de Vence in Provence.

Flowers drip from balconies in the town of Saint-Paul de Vence in Provence.

The Eiffel Tower is located in the heart of Paris and is the tallest structure in the city. Locally nicknamed "La dame de fer" (French for "Iron Lady"), it was constructed from 1887 to 1889 as the entrance to the 1889 World's Fair. The wrought-iron lattice tower is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. At 324 m (1,063 ft) tall it is about the same height as an 81-story building, and measures 125 m (410 ft) on each side. The Eiffel tower provides visitors with not only an incredible view of Paris, but also restaurants and shops.

The Eiffel Tower is a wrought-iron lattice tower on the Champ de Mars in Paris. It is named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel, whose company designed and built the tower. Locally nicknamed "La dame de fer" (French for "Iron Lady"), it was constructed from 1887 to 1889 as the entrance to the 1889 World's Fair and has become a global cultural icon of France. The tower is 324 m (1,063 ft) tall, about the same height as an 81-story building, and the tallest structure in Paris. Its base is square, measuring 125 m (410 ft) on each side. During its construction, the Eiffel Tower surpassed the Washington Monument to become the tallest man-made structure in the world, a title it held for 41 years until the Chrysler Building in New York City was finished in 1930. The tower has three levels for visitors, with restaurants on the first and second levels. The top level's upper platform is 276 m (906 ft) above the ground.

A view of the Eiffel Tower framed by a row of Parisian buildings in summer. The 7th arrondissement of Paris is one of the 20 arrondissements of the capital city of France. Called Palais-Bourbon, in a reference to the seat of the National Assembly, the arrondissement includes some of the major and well-known tourist attractions of Paris, such as the Eiffel Tower, the Hôtel des Invalides, the Musée d'Orsay, and Musée Rodin. Situated on the Rive Gauche - the "Left" bank of the River Seine - this central arrondissement is home to many foreign diplomatic embassies.

View of the Palais de Chaillot as seen from the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The two curved buildings making up the Palais house a number of museums including the Naval Museum, the Museum of Man (ethnology), and the Architecture and Heritage City.

The Place de la Concorde in Paris is the largest square in the French capital. In the center of the Place stands a giant obelisk, transported from Egypt and erected in 1836.

The Arc de Triomphe is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, standing at the western end of the Champs-Elysees at the center of Place Charles de Gaulle. The Arc de Triomphe honors those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars, with the names of all French victories and generals inscribed on its inner and outer surfaces. Beneath its vault lies the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier from World War I.

The Arc de Triomphe was designed the Neoclassical version of an ancient Roman triumphal arch, honoring those who fought and died for France in the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars. Covered with reliefs, shields, and sculptures, the inside walls of the monument list the names of 558 French generals, as well as the names of the major battles of the Napoleonic wars. Among the many carvings and statues is La Marseillaise, a winged figure of Liberty calling on the French to defend their nation. At the top, a museum of lithographs and photographs depicts the arch throughout its history. From the observation deck, visitors have a panoramic view of Paris, including Place de la Concorde, the Louvre, Eiffel Tower, and Sacré-Cœur.

The Eglise du Dome is the church at the building complex named Les Invalides in Paris. Containing a hospital and retirement home for war veterans, the site also consists of museums and monuments relating to the military history of France.

There are an estimated 95,000 museums in the world and the largest one is the Louvre in Paris, France. This view of the museum features the Paris Pyramid at the main entrance. Designed by I.M.Pei and completed in 1988 as part of the Grand Louvre project, the pyramid enlarged the museum for visitors and the collection. Constructed of glass and metal, the structure stands 21.6 m (71 ft) tall and replicates the Great Pyramids of Giza.

In his painting popularly known as the Mona Lisa, Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci revolutionized portrait painting by zooming in on his subject Lisa del Giocondo, a young silk merchant’s wife, on a large canvass. Her husband never paid for the painting and it ended up with the French King Francis I. The Mona Lisa, perhaps the world’s most famous portrait, now hangs in the Louvre in Paris, France where six million visitors view it each year.

The Venus de Milo is one of the three most famous female figures at the Louvre (along with the Mona Lisa and the Winged Victory of Samothrace). The statue was named for the Greek island of Milos where she was discovered in 1820 and acquired by the French ambassador to Greece who presented her to King Louis XVlll. The king donated the statue to the Louvre in 1821.

Discovered on the Greek island of Samothrace in 1863 with later attempts to recover the remainder of the statue in 1879. The Winged Victory of Samothrace, or Nike, the winged goddess who heralds victory, was brought to the Louvre in 1883 and adorns the top of the Daru staircase.

The Arc de Triomphe du Carrousel is one of many triumphant arches in France. Located near the Louvre Museum, the Arc was built between 1806-1808 by Emperor Napoleon I to commemorate his diplomatic and military victories. Designed by Charles Percier and Pierre François Léonard Fontaine, the proportions of the arch were directly drawn from those of the Arch of Septimius Severus in Rome. Originally, the Arc served as a gateway to the Tuileries Palace, then the imperial residence, which was later destroyed. Standing 19 m (63 ft) high and 23 m (75 ft) wide, the Arc has numerous bas reliefs depicting Napoleon’s victories. Nonetheless, atop the Arc is a sculpture depicting Peace riding a triumphal chariot led by gilded Victories on both sides. The latter were added in 1828 to commemorate the restoration of the Bourbons following Napoleon's downfall.

Notre Dame de Paris is one of the most famous Gothic cathedrals in the world. Construction began in 1160 over the ruins of two earlier churches and was completed in 1250; additions were added over the subsequent century. Over time, Notre Dame underwent numerous restorations to counter centuries of deterioration and destruction. During a restoration campaign in 2019, a fire broke out in the attic and the blaze destroyed most of the roof, the famous spire, and some of the rib vaulting. Reconstruction is currently underway.

This marble statue of Joan of Arc stands in Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. The statue dates from 1920-21 and was sculpted by Charles Jean Desvergnes. Canonized in 1920, Joan is one of the patron saints of France.

The South Rose Window in Notre Dame Cathedral was a gift from the French king Saint Louis IX in 1260. The stained glass window measures 12.9 m (42 ft) in diameter and contains 84 panes of glass. The themes are the New Testament and the Triumph of Christ reigning over heaven and surrounded by all his witnesses on earth.

Altar in the church of Saint-Ferdinand-des-Ternes in Paris.

The Comedie Francaise or Theatre-Francais is one of the few state theaters in France. Founded in 1680, it is the oldest active theater company in the world. Established as a French state-controlled entity in 1995, it is the only state theater in France to have its own permanent troupe of actors. Shown is the entrance to the Salle Richelieu in Paris, the principal theater of Comedie Francaise.

Sorbonne University is a public research university in Paris that was established in 2018 by the merger of Paris-Sorbonne University and Pierre and Marie Curie University, along with smaller institutions. The history of the Sorbonne dates to 1257 when Sorbonne College was established by Robert de Sorbon. The Sorbonne is one of the most prestigious universities in Europe and the world.

This gilded bronze statue of Joan of Arc is located in the middle of the street at the Place des Pyramided in Paris. Erected in 1874, the statue sits not far from the site where Joan was wounded trying to take back Paris from the invading British on 8 September 1429.

Flower festooned boat on the Seine River in Paris.

The Palace of Versailles, built by King Louis XIV, is located 19 km (12 mi) west of Paris, France. The Hall of Mirrors is the largest room in the Palace. Seventeen mirror arches (each containing 21 mirrors and thus totaling 357 mirrors in the hall) face 17 windows that overlook the palace gardens. In this hall on 28 June 1919 the Treaty of Versailles was signed. The Treaty was one of the most important of the peace treaties ending World War I five years after it began. The treaty formally ended the state of war between Germany and the Allied Powers.

The massive courtyard at the Chateau de Versailles (Palace of Versailles). Most of the construction at the sprawling site was carried out in four phases between 1664 and 1710, during the reign of Louis XIV.

The Latona Fountain, located in the center of the garden at the Palace de Versailles, is inspired by the myth of Latona, mother of Apollo and Diana, and her encounter with the peasants of Lycia. Insulted by the peasants, she punished them by changing them into frogs. Latona is pictured at the top of fountain with the frogs at the bottom. This tale from Apollo’s childhood appealed to Louis XIV since he had chosen the sun god as his emblem.

The gardens of Versailles were designed by André Le Nôtre, one of France’s most famous and influential landscape architects. The gardens surround the palace on three sides. This view is from the Grande Perspective, which is the east-west axis of the garden.

The Abbaye aux Hommes (Men's Abbey) is a Romanesque church dedicated to St. Etienne (St. Stephen) in Caen. Built by order of William the Conqueror, the former Benedictine abbey was completed in 1063.

The tomb of William the Conqueror in the Church of St. Etienne in Caen.

Gardens before the Church of St. Etienne in Caen. Formerly referred to as the Men's Abbey, the structure was completed in 1063 and is now dedicated to St. Stephen.

Entrance to the D-Day Landing Museum in Arromanches, Normandy.

Rows of crosses at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy. Located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach (one of the landing beaches for the Normandy Invasion of 1944), the cemetery contains the remains of 9,387 American military dead.

The poignant Wounded Soldier Memorial on Omaha Beach in Normandy.

Frontal view of the Wounded Soldier Memorial on Omaha Beach in Normandy.

The war stone in the center of the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in Normandy. The Cross of Sacrifice is visible in the background. The cemetery contains the remains of 2,958 predominantly Canadian soldiers killed during the later stages of the Battle of Normandy in the Second World War.

Some of the memorial markers at the Bretteville-sur-Laize Canadian War Cemetery in Normandy.

This photo shows a calm Normandy Beach, but on 6 June 1944 it was the site of the largest amphibious military operation in history, D-Day. Officially known as “Operation Overlord,” the invasion began the liberation of France (and later the rest of Europe) from the Nazis and laid the foundation for the Allied victory on the Western Front. The Normandy landings took place across an 80 km (50 mi) stretch of beach divided into five sectors: Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword. The total invasion force was comprised of 6,000 landing craft, ships, and other vessels carrying 176,000 troops, 822 aircraft filled with paratroopers, and an additional 13,000 aircraft to provide air cover and support.

The US Ranger attack on Pointe du Hoc was one of the most challenging landings on D-Day during World War II. Even though the allies had heavily bombed the gun battery located here, the Rangers faced stiff resistance as they climbed the cliffs to create a foothold above.

The US Ranger attack on Pointe du Hoc, France, was one of the most challenging landings on D-Day. Even though the allies had heavily bombed the gun battery located here, the Rangers faced stiff resistance as they climbed the cliffs. Pointe Du Hoc is one of the few areas on the Normandy Coast where craters from WWII are still visible today.

After the D-Day landing in June 1944, the allied forces needed reliable port infrastructure to be able to sustain the advancing forces. Engineers designed and installed a unique system of barges and floating causeways to be able to service multiple ships at the same time. Thousands of tons of arms and cargo came through this artificial port at Arromanches-les-Bains, France, daily in the months after D-Day. The remnants of the harbor remain visible today at low tide.

Allied soldiers killed during the World War II D-Day invasion and the following campaign were buried in the Normandy American Cemetery and Memorial in Colleville-sur-Mer, France.

The fortified island abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel off the coast of Normandy. At one time the site was disconnected from the coast at high tide, but silting has since connected the island to the mainland. Today, an operation is underway to desilt the area around the island. It was not until the 8th century that the first monastic establishment appeared on the island. Before that it was a stronghold of Romano-Breton culture and power. In the Hundred Years War, the French successfully prevented the English from capturing the island. During the Reformation, the popularity of the Mont declined, and during the French Revolution it became a prison which finally closed in 1863. In 1874, Mont-Saint-Michel was declared a historic monument; in 1979, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Close up of some of the impressive fortifications at Mont-Saint-Michel.

The cloisters at Mont-Saint-Michel.

The Chateau de Saint-Malo in Britanny now serves as the town museum and town hall.

View of the marina outside the walled city of Saint-Malo in Brittany. The city began as a 6th century monastic settlement. Over time its citizens developed a reputation for asserting their autonomy. From 1490-93, Saint-Malo declared itself an independent republic. During the 16th-18th centuries, it was famous as the home of the corsairs (French privateers). Jacques Cartier, the French explorer, called Saint-Malo home. The first colonists of the Falkland Islands came from Saint-Malo.

Shops in the town of Cognac, where the famous brandy (distilled wine) was first developed.

The Chateau fort de Lourdes, which overlooks the town, occupies a strategic position in the Pyrenees. Parts of the structure date back to Roman times.

Pilgrims and visitors at Lourdes. The Rosary Basilica in the foreground serves as an entranceway to the larger Basilica of the Immaculate Conception behind. Lourdes is the reputed site of 18 Marian apparitions in 1858. The town is one of the world's greatest pilgrimage sites hosting some 5 million visitors annually.

Some of the massive walls at the fortified town of Carcassone. Restored in 1853, the fortress became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

A section of the fortifications at Chateau Comtal, part of the larger defenses at the fortress of Carcassone.

A street scene on a rainy day in the fortified town of Carcassone.

The ancient Roman arena at Nimes is still in use today. Built about A.D. 70, it was remodeled in 1863 and can seat some 16,300 spectators.

The Maison Carree in Nimes, one of the best preserved of surviving Roman temples, dates to 16 B.C. In subsequent centuries it served as a church, a meeting hall, a storehouse, and a stable. In 1823 it became a museum.

The Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard, built during the mid-first century A.D., was part of a 50 km (30 mi) long aqueduct system that brought water to the city of Nemausus (today's Nimes). Built entirely without the use of mortar, its construction is thought to have taken about three years using 800 to 1,000 workers.

The city of Avignon in southeastern France is well known as the former seat of the papacy in the 14th century. Shown is the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) on the right and the Romanesque Cathedral Notre Dames-des Doms on the far left.

A beach at Nice. The city is a major tourist center and a leading resort along the French Riviera.

Farmers market in Nice.

A street market in Beaune, a town located in the heart of the Burgundy wine region.

A street scene in Dijon, the capital of the Burgundy region. The city was first settled by the Romans and then became the domain of the Dukes of Burgundy, who ruled the area until the late 1400s. It is known for its many architectural styles and hosts the annual Dijon International and Gastronomic Fair.

The Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne (Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy) in Dijon.

A cafe on a canal in Colmar. The town, situated on the Alsatian Wine Route, was founded in the 9th century. In 1226, it became a Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire. It was conquered by Louis XIV and the French in 1673 and over subsequent centuries alternated between German and French control. It reverted to France in 1945.

Buildings along a canal in Colmar, an Alsatian town known as "Little Venice." Situated on the Lauch River, Colmar connects to the Rhine via a canal.

Half timbered houses along a shopping street in old Colmar.

A street scene in old Colmar. The picturesque town is a tourist magnet; it annually hosts the Alsatian Wine Fair.

Street scene in the Alsatian town of Colmar.

Colorful houses along a canal in Colmar, an Alsatian town with the sobriquet of "Little Venice."

The Eglise Saint-Matthieu (Dominican Church of St. Matthew) in the Alsatian town of Colmar was built in the 13th century.

Colorful house in the medieval Alsatian town of Riquewihr. The locale is renowned not only for its historic architecture, but also for the fine wines it produces.

The road into Ingersheim on the Alsatian Wine Route.

Vineyards along the Alsatian Wine Route.

Vineyards along the Alsatian Wine Route.

The main square in Equisheim with the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. This church, built in 1808, replaced one dating to medieval times.

The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the Chapel of Saint-Leo IX, and the statue of Saint-Leo IX in Eguisheim.

The Chapel of Saint-Leo IX stands in the main square of Eguisheim next to the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

A statue of Saint-Leo IX stands in the main square of Eguisheim before the church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Saint-Leo IX was born in Eguisheim and became Pope in 1049.

Street scene in Eguisheim along the Alsace Wine Trail.

Old wine press along the streets of Eguisheim.

Strolling through the streets of Eguisheim.

Street scene along the flower-lined streets of Eguisheim.

Strasbourg Cathedral was begun in 1176 and completed in 1439. Although it displays some elements of Romanesque style, it is widely considered to be among the finest examples of high Gothic architecture. Inside is an unusually accurate clock that has been built and rebuilt three times over the centuries, and which indicates a variety of astronomical data. The animated figures still move to indicate the hours of the day.

The famous west portal of the Strasbourg Cathedral is in the Gothic style and has hundreds of figures sculpted into it.

Rose windows, such as this one in Strasbourg Cathedral, are a common feature of Gothic architecture.

A half timbered house on Grande Ile (Big Island) in Strasbourg. Grande Ile is in the Ill River, which runs through Strasbourg. The entire island has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its buildings showing developing stages of architecture - beginning in the medieval period and working up to the classical period. Besides Strasbourg Cathedral there are four other venerable churches, as well as the Palais Rohan, a former residence of the prince-bishops of the area.

The old custom's building (L'Ancienne Douane) on the Grande Ile in Strasbourg. Constructed in 1358, the structure housed the port and tax authorities, and was used to store and transform goods and merchandise going up and down the Rhine River. Today the building houses a restaurant.

A sightseeing boat along the Ill River in Strasbourg.

Walkway along the Ill River in Strasbourg.

A view of the western side of Strasbourg Cathedral. Only one spire was ever completed.

View of the Strasbourg Cathedral roof from its spire. Some of the flying buttresses supporting the cathedral walls can be clearly seen.

Looking down on Strasbourg from the Cathedral. Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region and the Bas-Rhin department. It is the ninth largest city in France and is the home of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, and Eurocorps (the European Union's military forces). It is an important center of manufacturing and engineering, and has a port on the Rhine River. The Celts first settled the site in about 1300 B.C. It became a part of the Roman Empire in 12 B.C. In A.D. 923 it became part of the Holy Roman Empire. The University of Strasbourg is the largest university in France.

Place Stanislas (Stanislas Square) in the center of Nancy, formerly the capital of the Duchy of Lorraine, now the capital of Meurthe-et-Moselle. The square, constructed between 1751 and 1755, was the brainchild of Stanislas Leszczynski, Duke of Lorraine and former King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Nancy became a French province on the death of Stanislas in 1766. In 2005, the heads of three countries - Germany, Poland, and France - met here to inaugurate the renovated Place Stanislas. A statue of Stanislas Leszczynski stands in front of the Town Hall.

The Neptune Fountain is one of four waterworks erected by Barthelemy Guibal in Stanislas Square in Nancy; this one was completed in 1751.

The Amphitrite Fountain in Stanislas Square in Nancy is one of four erected by Barthelemy Guibal; this one dates to 1750.

The Graffe Gate is one of the oldest remaining parts of Nancy's fortifications. It was erected in the 14th century, and its towers were used as prisons for many years. Its bell also formerly tolled the curfew. The facade displays a distinctive Lorraine Cross, since the city was the former capital of the Duchy of Lorraine.

The Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau was built on an island in the Indre River between 1515 and 1527 and is one of the earliest of French Renaissance chateaux.

The Chateau d'Usse was rebuilt in the 15th century on a stronghold site dating back to the 11th century. By tradition, this is the castle Charles Perrault had in mind when he wrote the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale.

The Chateau de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley was built in the early 16th century. It is one of France's most popular tourist attractions.

The royal Chateau d'Amboise in the Loire Valley was rebuilt in the late 15th century over a stronghold dating back to the 11th century.

The royal Chateau d'Amboise in the Loire Valley was rebuilt in the late 15th century over a stronghold dating back to the 11th century.

The steps leading down to the 500 meter-long tunnel that leads from the mansion of Clos Luce to the royal Chateau d'Amboise.

The mansion of Clos Luce in Amboise is connected to the nearby royal Chateau by an underground passageway. It served as the residence of Leonardo da Vinci for the last three years of his life (1516-1519). The mansion currently is the museum for the surrounding region and displays 40 models of machines developed by Leonardo.

Bust of Leonardo da Vinci in the castle park at Château d'Amboise, Loire Valley.

The studio of Leonardo da Vinci at the manor house Clos Lucé, near the king's residence at the royal Château d'Amboise.

Tomb in the chapel of Saint Hubert at the Château d'Amboise containing the presumed remains of Leonardo da Vinci.

The French Benedictine monk Dom Pérignon (1638-1715) made many important contributions to the production and quality of champagne wines as a way to offset his monastery’s financial difficulties. He studied how to avoid explosions during the refermentation, advocated harvesting grapes in small crops in cool conditions before sending them to the press, and popularized using naturally occurring processes in winemaking. Wines bearing his name sold for twice as much as others, making it the first time in economic history someone successfully used their own name and personality as a marketing tool. In 1937, Moët & Chandon bought the brand name Dom Pérignon for their prestige cuvée, as well as the remains of the Abbey of Hautvillers in Epernay where the monk lived. This statue stands outside the gate.

The 110 m-long Chaban-Delmas Bridge over the River Garonne in Bordeaux was opened in 2013. The center span can be raised to 77 m allowing tall ships to pass through. The bridge is named in honor of Jacques Chaban-Delmas, a former French prime minister and a former mayor of Bordeaux.

View of Bordeaux, the capital of the historic region of Aquitaine.

Chateau de Reignac in Saint Loubes near Bordeaux. The area is famous for its wine production.

Chateau Lansessan in Cussac-Fort Medoc on the left bank of the Bordeaux wine region.

Fort Medoc was built between 1689 and 1721 on the orders of King Louis XIV to protect the seaward approaches to Bordeaux on the Gironde estuary.

Built on marshy soil, Fort Medoc does not have tall walls. Its defenses reflect the military design principles of the 17th century, which included short, thick earthen walls impervious to cannon fire.

The Church of Saint Joan of Arc in Rouen. The obscured sign at the bottom left marks the spot where the saint was burned in 1431.

The spot where Joan of Arc was executed is adjacent to the Saint Joan of Arc Church in Rouen, Normandy.

The facade of the Cathedral Notre-Dame at Rouen, Normandy. The cathedral, built and rebuilt over a period of eight hundred and fifty years (groundbreaking in 1030, completion in 1880), has features from Early Gothic to late Flamboyant and Renaissance architecture.

Famous impressionist painter, Claude Monet, arrived at his house in Giverny in 1883; he lived and painted there for 43 years until his death in 1926. The flower garden, called Clos Normand, is in front of Monet’s house; in 1893, he bought the property across from his home that would become his Japanese-inspired water garden. Monet was directly involved in planning his gardens, in essence shaping the subjects of much of his work. This view is from the famous Japanese Bridge draped with wisteria as depicted in numerous Monet paintings.

A view of the pond in the Japanese water garden at Giverny. Monet bought the land in 1893, ten years after arriving at the home. A small brook called the Ru, a diversion of the Epte, a tributary of the Seine, crosses the property. After purchasing the property, Monet had a small pond dug as he wished to replicate the Japanese gardens in the prints he collected. There was initial opposition to the pond as the neighbors thought Monet's strange plants would poison the water.

A view of Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps and in Western Europe. Mont Blanc stands 4,810 m (15,781 ft) and is located north of Chamonix, France where the first Winter Olympics was held in 1924.

This marble statue of Julius Caesar by French sculptor Nicolas Coustou was commissioned in 1696 for the Gardens of Versailles and later transferred to the Louvre Museum. Julius Caesar is shown in his Roman armor with a cloak and a marshals baton which depicts him as a general and a statesman.