Eiffel Tower Paris France

Named after its creator, Gustave Eiffel, the Tour DEiffel has adorned the French capital of Paris for more than a century.It was erected in 1886 in record time and can be seen from almost every square and tiny lane in Paris.

The eye is first drawn to its sturdy steel girders and weight-bearing transverse poles which are held in place by about 2.5 million rivets, an amazing technical achievement of its time.

From the airy heights of the first viewing platform, there is a wonderful multi-directional panorama across Paris.On the higher viewing platforms the air is thinner but the views are increasingly spectacular.The Trocadero, Arc De Triomph, and Sacre Coeur, indeed, the whole of Paris are the distant earthbound stars of this visual experience which towers over one of the mostbeautiful and charming citys in the world. Buy this film on DVD in a collector souvenir case or download. Great for memories of trip taken, educational tool for the classroom, library, and more at TravelVideoStore.com

LES BAUX-DE-PROVENCE FRANCE

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Global Treasures SACRE COEUR Paris, France

The shining white basilica of Sacré-Coeur towers above Montmartre and across the famous Parisienne art district of the same name. It is located on a hill that is thirty metres high and provides a good view of both Paris and the River Seine.

The magnificent basilica on top of Montmartre Hill can be seen for miles and is synonymous with Paris. Beneath Sacré Coeur is the former winegrowers´ village of Montmartre that, at the end of the 19th century, attracted several important artists. Montmartre's exotic nightlife also gave it a special appeal and venues such as the Moulin Rouge have become world famous.

Despite the district's commercial aspects even today Montmartre possesses its own unique charm and a good measure of the atmosphere of bygone times.

Even at night Sacré Coeur dominates the skyline above Paris' vast ocean of colourful lights and thus confirms it to be one of the most striking and best known landmarks in Europe.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

Global Treasures - Avignon Provence - France

Avignon

A famous song that features a bridge takes us into the French Provencal town of Avignon.Sur Le Pont DAvignon: thus begins the world famous French song that is familiar with both young and old alike. It is a song of dance on the Pont Saint Énézet Bridge.

Internal disputes in addition to power struggles in Rome transformed Avignon into the new seat of the Pontificate. The impressive Popes Palace dominates the centre of the town. Its exterior resembles a military fortress rather than a religious residence.

A coat of arms above the main entrance is reminiscent of the papal court that was founded by Klemens The Sixth.In 1348 he bought Avignon for 80,000 gold ducats from Johanna The First, Queen of Sicily. During his term of office he added a new, more luxurious building to the Old Palace that was constructed between 1334 and 1342. The beauty of the palace manifests itself in the numerous terraces and towers that were used for defensive purposes during the 14th and 15th centuries.

Seven successive French popes transformed Avignon into one of the most glamorous medieval courts in Europe. The towns expansion gradually became increasingly more splendid and the pontificates dependence on French royalty became further entrenched.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

Eze France

Amidst the marvelous coastal landscape of the French Cote DAzur lies the picturesque medieval village of Eze.

The main part of the village that can still be seen today was created in the 10th century, during the Middle Ages.Tranquility seems almost to overflow from quaint windows onto the streets of this charming village in which its narrow alleyways and stone buildings mix with the lush green of the trees.

Eze radiates summer freshness and in a magical kind of way, light and shadow unite to form a magnificent picture of pure beauty.

Breathtaking, panoramic views down to the Mediterranean are an additional treat and, located around the villages castle, the Cactus Garden is yet another attraction.

For real old world charm, this is the place to be!

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations.Our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage.Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

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Global Treasures NOTRE DAME Paris, France

It is believed that the origin of the richly decorated Episcopal cathedral of Notre Dame dates back to the time of Bishop Maurice De Sully in 1163. But the majority of the cathedral's present day architecture with its strange and fantastic creatures of ancient mythology, such as the chimeras, was designed in the 19th century.

The church owes much of its fame to the famous French author, Victor Hugo and his book The Hunchback Of Notre Dame, a great classic of French literature. The stone chimeras are reminiscent of the book's main character, Quasimodo.

The remarkable and beautifully designed rose windows in the transept are particularly noteworthy as each is original and dates back to 1270 A.D.

In 1804 Napoléon Bonaparte was crowned emperor in Notre Dame by Pope Pius The Seventh on this famous island on the River Seine, the Ile De La Cité.

For the French nation the historic importance of this impressive monument is inestimable.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

Global Treasures DINAN Bretagne, France

Dinan is a small enchanting French town on the banks of the Rance and is one of the most beautiful and well preserved medieval towns in Brittany.


Today, cobbled lanes and several half-timbered buildings highlight the town's colourful history and in 1066 many of Dinan´s inhabitants took part in the Norman Conquest and the Hundred Years´ War also left its traces here. However, despite its battles and sieges the picturesque old town has survived to the present day and has become one of the most popular tourist destinations in Brittany.


The town´s defences were constructed in the 14th century. A circular wall, two and a half kilometres long, protected the inhabitants of Dinan from hostile attack.


Due to its well planned defences the town remained untouched and even today it's like stepping back into the Middle Ages.


Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

7 Days PROVENCE France

Marseille is the oldest city in France, the country's largest commercial harbour and the capital of Provence, an enchanting region full of contrast. The most impressive religious building in Marseille is a fortified monastery church that dates back to the fifth century, the mighty Abbaye Saint Victor. Deep down in the rock is an Early Christian crypt and a number of stone sarcophaguses that contain the remains of various holy martyrs that date back to the Roman persecution of the Christians. Aix-En-Provence, along with its numerous lanes, is one of the most beautiful cities in France. More than forty spectacular fountains help to cool down this ancient town in the hot months of summer when both foreign and French tourists visit the city. 'Sur Le Pont D'Avignon' are the words of the world famous French song that is familiar to both young and old alike. It is a song of dance on the bridge of the Pont Saint Bénézet but it is more likely that the people here once danced under the bridge as that is the location of its bars! For almost two thousand years an imposing Roman amphitheatre has dominated the city of Nîmes. It is the capital of the Departement Gard that is situated on the periphery of Provence. One of the most well preserved mediaeval fortifications in Europe surrounds the small town of Aigues-Mortes along the western periphery of the Camargue in the south of France. The town was established in 1240. From the city wall that is eleven metres high and six metres thick, there is a wonderful view across the rooftops of the impregnable city. With historic towns in which both the Romans and the Papacy felt at home, and with blossoming fields of lavender and ancient mountain villages, Provence is a land of sweet aromas and radiant light.

Global Treasures CARNAC Carnac Stones Bretangne, France

The megaliths of Carnac in Brittany are stone relics that are thousands of years old and date back to the middle of the Neolithic period. Four long avenues of mighty stone known as 'alignments' extend across eight kilometres of scenic terrain.

The Kerzerho Stones are one of the most splendid alignments in Carnac. They consist of more than eleven hundred stones and cover an area of almost two kilometres. But what significance did this formation have with its Neolithic creators and how were they able to transport these massive stones? The stones will probably never reveal their secrets but many historians and archaeologists believe that they were connected with some kind of religious belief.

The area around Carnac also contains numerous intriguing Dolmen, a series of vertical stones that support a large slab, a kind of stone table. Along the northern border of Plouharnel Village there is a fine example of this unique construction that dates back to the Stone Age, the Dolmen of Rondonssec.

The large number of Dolmen indicates that the region was once not only of great astronomical importance but was also used as a burial site. It is not known who was buried here but they may have been tribal and religious leaders as well as those who had made an important contribution to the well-being of the tribe.

For several centuries the tranquil and mysterious atmosphere of this place has fascinated all those who have experienced it. The megaliths of Carnac are masterpieces of prehistoric architecture and grand monuments that have survived time itself.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.

Global Treasures ARLES Provence, France

A beautiful fountain with an Egyptian obelisk graces the Place De La République in the heart of Arles, an historic and charming small town in the south of France.

Next to the City Hall is the Romanic Saint Trophime Cathedral with its splendid church porch that dates back to the 12th century.

The town's Amphitheatre is the region's greatest building that has survived from the time of the Roman Empire and it is also the most important arena in the former Gallic colony. Three watchtowers that date back to the Middle Ages were left in tact by archaeologists as a reminder of the fortifications of the beautiful amphitheatre.

Arles and its magnificent cathedral soon became one of the Romans' most favoured towns and was referred to as 'Little Rome in Gaul' when more than twenty thousand spectators witnessed savage gladiatorial battle in its Amphiteatre.

Today Arles is closely associated with the name of world famous Dutch painter, Vincent Van Gogh. He completed around four hundred paintings in the town.

A visit to Arles is like travelling back in time but with all the unique atmosphere of the present.

Global Treasures - History's Most Protected Monuments - Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live today, and what we pass on to future generations. our cultural and natural heritage are both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration. Places as unique and diverse as the wilds of East Africa's Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Baroque cathedrals of Latin America make up our world's heritage. Join us as we explore one of these protected monuments.