French Photo Album
Paris
There are lots of famous buildings in Paris such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
There are lots of famous buildings in Paris such as the Eiffel Tower and the Louvre.
La Tour Eiffel (The Eiffel Tower)
The Eiffel Tower was erected in 1889 as the entrance to the World Fair which was held to celebrate the centenary of the French republic. Many people complained that it was ugly and could possibly be dangerous but eventually Gustave Eiffel was given permission to build it.
It was supposed to be dismantled after 20 years but in the end it was left where it was as it was such a tourist attraction. Thousands of people still climb it every year. |
For special occasions, such as Bastile Day, there are often fireworks displays. http://www.toureiffel.paris/en.html |
The Louvre
Here are some more pictures of the Louvre:
Galeries Lafayette
The Galeries Lafayette is a very famous department store. It began as a small haberdashery at the end of the 19th century until but is now a huge upmarket department store. https://www.galerieslafayette.com/ |
The Opera House
Arc de Triomphe
Champs Elysées
Cruise on the Seine
Montmartre
Place du Tertre
Pont Neuf
Musée d'Orsay
The Musée d'Orsay is housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, an old railway station that was built between 1898 and 1900. There are paintings by artists such as Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gaugin and Van Gogh.
The Musée d'Orsay is housed in the former Gare d'Orsay, an old railway station that was built between 1898 and 1900. There are paintings by artists such as Monet, Manet, Degas, Renoir, Cézanne, Seurat, Sisley, Gaugin and Van Gogh.
Château de Versailles
Disneyland Paris
Many people go to visit Euro Disney each year. Here they can see the characters, such as Sleeping Beauty, Mickey Mouse and Pluto. You can also go on rides, such as Space Mountain, It's a Small World and Big Thunder Mountain. |
Here are some more pictures of Paris:
Brittany
Brittany, or Bretagne, as it is known in French, is in the north-west of France. It surrounded on the north, south and west by the English Channel, the Bay of Biscay, the Celtic Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
Brittany, or Bretagne, as it is known in French, is in the north-west of France. It surrounded on the north, south and west by the English Channel, the Bay of Biscay, the Celtic Sea and Atlantic Ocean.
The Music & Dancing of Brittany
The traditional Breton costumes are very beautiful:
Breton Music & Dance
Breton music and dancing can be seen at festivals such as the Inter-Celtic Festival which is held in Lorient every year. Theses are the types of musical instruments that are played.
Breton music and dancing can be seen at festivals such as the Inter-Celtic Festival which is held in Lorient every year. Theses are the types of musical instruments that are played.
Dancing
If you would like to see some dancing and hear some music click on the picture below.
If you would like to see some dancing and hear some music click on the picture below.
Nantes
Nantes is in the west of France. It is on the Loire River.
Nantes is in the west of France. It is on the Loire River.
There is an amazing street theatre company in Nantes. Here are some pictures of one of their street performances. They have travelled all over the world doing performances. The puppets are huge. They are controlled by people on the ground and on cranes which are attached to the puppets. http://www.royal-de-luxe.com/en/company/ |
You can see some more pictures & videos below:
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Carnac
This is the biggest megalithic site in the world. There are dolmens, tumuli and menhirs. More than 3,000 standing stones were lined up. There are legends about Arthur in Brittany as well as in Wales. The story goes that the stones were in fact a Roman legion which were turned into stone by Merlin.
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Castles
There are a lot of beautiful castles in France. This is the one in Josselin:
There are a lot of beautiful castles in France. This is the one in Josselin:
Normandy
Giverny
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
This area is in the south-east of France. It borders Italy, the Mediterranean Sea and Monaco. Provençal and Occitan were spoken in this area. However, they are not as widely spoken now as they used to be.
This area is in the south-east of France. It borders Italy, the Mediterranean Sea and Monaco. Provençal and Occitan were spoken in this area. However, they are not as widely spoken now as they used to be.
Nice
Nice is a very popular destination for tourists. It is located on the Mediterranean Sea.
Nice is a very popular destination for tourists. It is located on the Mediterranean Sea.
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There are a lot of lovely buildings in Nice. |
Around Nice
There are some lovely villages around Nice. Here are some pictures:
There are some lovely villages around Nice. Here are some pictures:
Cannes
Here are some pictures of Cannes. There is a film festival here each year. The very wealthy come here in their yachts.
Here are some pictures of Cannes. There is a film festival here each year. The very wealthy come here in their yachts.
Aix-en-Provence
Paul Cézanne was born in Aix-en-Provence. He spent most of his life painting there. However, when he tried to go to art school he was not admitted. Instead he studied law and went to night classes to learn how to draw. His first paintings were very dark. His paintings became much brighter after he took Pissarro advice and began painting in the sunlight. |
Like other cities in France it was a walled city. Not much of the walls remain but you can see examples of the watchtowers below:
In the older part of the city some of the streets were made wide enough for the carriages that traveled to people's homes. However, other behind the mainstreets are much more narrow.
There are some beautiful buildings in Aix-en-Provence.
There are also some lovely squares. In many of these squares there are restaurants and markets.
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In some towns there are fountains. Some were built to celebrate the town or its surroundings. Others were put there to give people drinking water. One of these fountains was for sheep to drink from as they moved from place to place. Another provided warm water!
Avignon
Changes were made to the palace over time. It was a dangerous time in which to live so fortifications were built into the castle to protect the inhabitants. The Popes were treated like kings so had huge rooms with many tapestries and other beautiful items. They held banquets in the banqueting hall. |
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That is until the French Revolution. In 1791 Avignon became part of France. |
Palais des Papes
The walls of the Avignon have been completely preserved to this day.
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There are lots of beautiful buildings in Avignon. |
Pont Saint-Bénézet
The Rhône, over which the bridge was built, is the fastest and most powerful river in France. The current was so powerful that half the bridge collapsed.
This is the popular children's song that was written about the bridge:
Chorus
Sur le Pont d'Avignon (On the bridge of Avignon)
On y danse, On y danse (We all dance there, we all dance there)
Sur le Pont d'Avignon (On the bridge of Avignon)
On y danse tous en rond (We all dance there in a circle)
First verse
Les beaux messieurs font comme ça (The fine gentlemen go like this) (bow)
Et puis encore comme ça. (And then again like this)
Second verse
Les belles dames font comme ça (The beautiful ladies go like this) (curtsy)
Et puis encore comme ça. (And then again like that)
Third verse
Les filles font comme ça (The young girls go like this) (salute)
Et puis encore comme ça (And then like that)
Fourth verse
Les musiciens font comme ça (The musicians go like this) (they all bow to women)
Et puis encore comme ça. (And then like that)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJKfxtYAt0s
Chorus
Sur le Pont d'Avignon (On the bridge of Avignon)
On y danse, On y danse (We all dance there, we all dance there)
Sur le Pont d'Avignon (On the bridge of Avignon)
On y danse tous en rond (We all dance there in a circle)
First verse
Les beaux messieurs font comme ça (The fine gentlemen go like this) (bow)
Et puis encore comme ça. (And then again like this)
Second verse
Les belles dames font comme ça (The beautiful ladies go like this) (curtsy)
Et puis encore comme ça. (And then again like that)
Third verse
Les filles font comme ça (The young girls go like this) (salute)
Et puis encore comme ça (And then like that)
Fourth verse
Les musiciens font comme ça (The musicians go like this) (they all bow to women)
Et puis encore comme ça. (And then like that)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uJKfxtYAt0s
Ferris Wheel
There is a huge Ferris wheel in Avignon. |
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Villeneuve-lès-Avignon
Across the river from Avignon is Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.
Across the river from Avignon is Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.
Fort Saint-André
During the medieval period Avignon was independent and was not part of France. In order to protect the border a fort was built, in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.
During the medieval period Avignon was independent and was not part of France. In order to protect the border a fort was built, in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon.
Arles
Arles is another city on the Rhône River. In ancient times it was under Roman rule and was a provincial capital. Here are some pictures of the city.
Arles is another city on the Rhône River. In ancient times it was under Roman rule and was a provincial capital. Here are some pictures of the city.
The Roman influence in Arles can still be seen in the city.
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The Forum was in the centre of a Roman city. It was an area in which you could find markets and temples. It was where the main political, legal and social activities took place. Unfortunately the one in Arles has been built over but you can still see the remnants of some of the buildings. |
Les Cryptoportiques - Le forum souterrain
The Cryptoportico was the foundation of the forum. Originally archeologists thought it might have been an underground marketplace, a public baths, an underground promenade or a granary but it was really just a huge basement.
The Cryptoportico was the foundation of the forum. Originally archeologists thought it might have been an underground marketplace, a public baths, an underground promenade or a granary but it was really just a huge basement.
The Amphitheatre
The amphitheatre was an open-air venue which was used to host different kinds of events, such as gladiator combats. Initially the fights took place in the forum. Temporary wooden seating was set up for the audience. As the gladiator combats became more popular amphitheatres were built in major Roman cities. Below are pictures of the amphitheatre in Arles. The cavea, the stone seats where the spectators sit, is made up of 34 rows which was divided into 4 sections. People of different social classes sat in different areas and entered and exited through different passageways. The original floor was raised so that machinery and props for the shows could be stored and brought out when they were needed. After the fall of the Roman Empire the amphitheatre was used as a fort and 4 towers were added.
The amphitheatre was an open-air venue which was used to host different kinds of events, such as gladiator combats. Initially the fights took place in the forum. Temporary wooden seating was set up for the audience. As the gladiator combats became more popular amphitheatres were built in major Roman cities. Below are pictures of the amphitheatre in Arles. The cavea, the stone seats where the spectators sit, is made up of 34 rows which was divided into 4 sections. People of different social classes sat in different areas and entered and exited through different passageways. The original floor was raised so that machinery and props for the shows could be stored and brought out when they were needed. After the fall of the Roman Empire the amphitheatre was used as a fort and 4 towers were added.
Gladiators
Roman gladiators were the sportsmen of their day. They followed a strict code and were not permitted to kill their opponents in the arena. There was even a referee. However, some of them did get injured. Those that were injured were given the best medical care they could have received at the time. There were different types of gladiators. Each had their own weapons. Gladiator bouts are reenacted in the amphitheatre in Arles. You can see pictures and a video below of gladiators fighting:
Roman gladiators were the sportsmen of their day. They followed a strict code and were not permitted to kill their opponents in the arena. There was even a referee. However, some of them did get injured. Those that were injured were given the best medical care they could have received at the time. There were different types of gladiators. Each had their own weapons. Gladiator bouts are reenacted in the amphitheatre in Arles. You can see pictures and a video below of gladiators fighting:
Courses Camarguaises
Le Théatre Antique
The theatre was used to for events such as plays, pantomimes, choral events, and orations. It is still being used for events such as concerts.
The theatre was used to for events such as plays, pantomimes, choral events, and orations. It is still being used for events such as concerts.
Les Thermes de Constantin
The first Roman baths were built in Pompeii. They were so popular that baths were built in other Roman cities. They were very popular with men, women and children of every class. Men and women went at different times as they were naked! People came before the evening meal to meet their friends and relax as well as wash themselves. The thermal waters were thought to heal illnesses. They moved from room to room. Each room was a different temperature.
The first Roman baths were built in Pompeii. They were so popular that baths were built in other Roman cities. They were very popular with men, women and children of every class. Men and women went at different times as they were naked! People came before the evening meal to meet their friends and relax as well as wash themselves. The thermal waters were thought to heal illnesses. They moved from room to room. Each room was a different temperature.
Place de la République
There are a lot of squares in French towns. Place de la République is a popular one in Arles.
There are a lot of squares in French towns. Place de la République is a popular one in Arles.
Saint-Remy-de-Provence
This is a very interesting little village.
This is a very interesting little village.
St Paul's de Mausole
This is the hospital where Vincent Van Gogh went when he was sick. He painted a lot of pictures of the scenery in the area. Copies of the paintings are hung around the gardens and in the village.
This is the hospital where Vincent Van Gogh went when he was sick. He painted a lot of pictures of the scenery in the area. Copies of the paintings are hung around the gardens and in the village.
Glanum
Just outside Saint-Remy-de-Provence is the ancient city of Glanum. Glanum was a fortified town built around the 6th or 7th Century. The people who built the original town thought that a Celtic god called Glan lived in the water of the spring. They thought that the water had healing properties. Around the 2nd Century they began building Greek style buildings as they did a lot of trading with the Greeks.
Just outside Saint-Remy-de-Provence is the ancient city of Glanum. Glanum was a fortified town built around the 6th or 7th Century. The people who built the original town thought that a Celtic god called Glan lived in the water of the spring. They thought that the water had healing properties. Around the 2nd Century they began building Greek style buildings as they did a lot of trading with the Greeks.
After that it became a Roman colony. This totally transformed the city. The Romans started building Roman style buildings. This was the ancient entrance to the city during Roman times. |
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Traditional dancing and music
As in Brittany traditional dances and music were once popular in Provence.
As in Brittany traditional dances and music were once popular in Provence.
There is a region called Landes in Gascony. Long ago the area was extremely poor. The people who lived there were mainly shepherds. There were very poor roads and the ground was marshy. In order to move around the people learned to walk on stilts. They became so good on the stilts that they also learned to dance on them. Click on the picture to see some videos of these dancers. |
French Basque Country
The French Basque Country, or Northern Basque Country as it is also known, is the area lying on the west of the French department of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
The French Basque Country, or Northern Basque Country as it is also known, is the area lying on the west of the French department of the Pyrénées-Atlantiques.
Birraitz
Biarritz is a city on the Bay of Biscay. It is very close to the Spanish border.
Biarritz is a city on the Bay of Biscay. It is very close to the Spanish border.
Shopping in France
In France you can buy a lot of food in specialist shops such as these below:
In France you can buy a lot of food in specialist shops such as these below:
La confiserie This is a sweet shop. |
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Here are some more photos of shops:
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Kiosks There are kiosks like this all over France. You can buy newspapers, magazines and postcards in the kiosks. |
Markets
There are many street markets in France.
There are many street markets in France.
The Gendarmerie
The Gendarmerie are the French Police. |
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Carousels
There are carousels in many cities.
There are carousels in many cities.
Sometimes the streets are decorated: |
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Some Famous French Inventions
Animation
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Cinema
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Hot air balloon
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Parachute
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Airship
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Cinema
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