139 Museums to Explore in France

Thoronet Abbey is one of three Cistercian abbeys in southeast France. This iconic building was built in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. One of the first buildings in France to be listed as a historic monument is Thoronet Abbey.

The Airborne Museum has become the largest museum in Europe dedicated to the American paratroopers of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions of the United States Army. Unique of its kind in Europe, it features a life-sized scene depicting a stick of paratroopers belonging to the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the US 101st Airborne Division enplaning at an English aerodrome in June 1944.

The Bavay Ancient Forum is an archaeological museum located in Bavay in the Nord department, France. The site Bagacum Nerviorum gradually discovered during archaeological excavations in the xix th and xx th centuries. The current museum was opened in 1976 and has a good number of collections from other places, from other regions. Some of these collections have gone to enrich the funds of other organizations. A must-see place in this area which shows light to history.

Espace Bernadette Soubirous Nevers is a former convent and the motherhouse of the Sisters of Charity of Nevers in Nevers, France, and is where the body of Saint Bernadette reposes. In 1970, it was converted into a sanctuary run by volunteers and a few sisters who administer to pilgrims and manage the building. There is also a museum that highlights the various steps in Bernadette’s life: the cachot, the grotto, Hospice of Lourdes and her time in Nevers. Some photographs and artifacts depict her

The Biarritz aquarium is the first maritime museum in Biarritz was created in 1871 by the Marquis Léopold de Folin. It underwent the first renovation in 1992 inorder to house an important collection of marine animals and stuffed birds. It now presents the marine life of the Bay of Biscay and information on fishing techniques, cetaceans, whaling, and the life of sailors. Its terrace contains a shop, the outdoor seal pool where the seals eat, and offers a panoramic view of the coast.

A huge bunker which was built during the time of the second world war by the Nazi army. The bunker was never completed as a result of the repeated bombing by the British and United States air forces. It is now part of a museum, near Saint-Omer in the northern Pas-de-Calais département of France. Today, the bunker is preserved as part of a privately owned museum that presents the history of the site and the German V-weapons program. It has been protected as a historical monument.

Caen Castle is one of the largest medieval enclosures in Europe. It was built of Caen stone around 1060. It stood first and foremost as a place of power, where the Dukes of Normandy and Kings of England regularly held their major assemblies. It is now home to the Musée de Normandie and the Musée des Beaux-Arts. Its terrace and ramparts command fine views over the town and there is also a public park surrounding this castle.

CAPC Musée d'art contemporain de Bordeaux , formerly the Center d'arts plastiques contemporains, is a museum of modern art established in 1973 in Bordeaux, France. It was a former warehouse for colonial goods such as sugar, coffee, cocoa, cotton, spices and oils. a beautiful sleep reminiscent of a medieval church and used to present temporary exhibitions.

The Carnavalet - History of Paris museum is the Parisian municipal museum dedicated to the history of Paris from the origins of the city to the present day. Located in the Marais district in rue de Sevigne in Paris. it presents exceptional collections: memories of the French Revolution, paintings, sculptures, furniture, and objets d'art. The museum consists of the Hôtel de Carnavalet and the Hôtel Le Peletier de Saint-Fargeau linked by a gallery on the first floor. It has an area of ​​10,000 sq

The Wellington quarry is a memorial site for the First World War located in Arras , in the Pas-de-Calais department . This network of underground galleries played a major role in the capture of the German lines and saved the lives of many Allied soldiers by making them pass through the basement. It is part of the 19 kilometers that make up the underground quarries of Arras.

It is Neither museum nor foundation. With a total area of ​​4,500 square meters, the CCC OD has three exhibition spaces: the nave has monumental installations permanently visible from the outside, the black gallery is dedicated to artists of our time and the white gallery is regularly devoted to the work of Olivier Debré. The CCC OD also has a bookstore and a restaurant. One of the nice location where you can understand the history.

The Pompidou-Metz center is a public cultural cooperation 2 art establishment located in Metz, between the Parc de la Seille and the train station. Its construction is carried out as part of the development operation of the Amphitheater district. It is an art center dedicated to modern and contemporary art, whose cultural project is the presentation of temporary exhibitions and the programming of live shows, cinema sessions, and conferences in two dedicated rooms.

Château d'Angers is a castle converted into a museum that houses the world's oldest and largest collection of medieval tapestries. This beautiful historical monument is located in the city of Angers. It houses the world-famous collection of Tapestries of the Apocalypse.

A well preserved castle ruin which was located in the commune of Saint-Michel-de-Boulogne. The castle was built in the eastern corner of the medieval city and thus became an integral part of its defenses. At present the castle houses a museum. The museum however is just a regular world history museum and not related to the castle's history. This is a beautiful castle in a very nice old town.

The Chateau de Joux is one of the most impressive and interesting castles to visit in the Franche-Comté region. The chateau is also known as the Fort de Joux. It served as a prison for successive French governments between the 17th and the 19th centuries. In that capacity, the château is best known as the site of imprisonment for so many leaders.

A beautiful medieval castle which was constructed in the 9th century. Built some 500 meters above the Indre River. Designed and occupied by Henry II of England and his son, Richard the Lionheart during the 12th century. The building is an example of the military architecture of the Norman period. One of the main examples of French architecture and is also one of the nice tourist locations in this area. In 1985 it was converted into a museum, and has one of the most extensive collections of med

The Château de Saché is a writer's house museum located in a home built from the converted remains of a feudal castle which was Located in Saché. it is where French writer Honoré de Balzac wrote many of his novels in the series La Comédie Humaine in which he attempted to reflect every aspect of French society at that time. Since 1951, the château has been open as an evocative museum dedicated to Balzac.

Château de Saumur is a castle-palace situated in the Saumur town of France. It was the princely palace of the Dukes of Anjou in the 14th and 15th centuries and the residence of King René. There are collections of decorative and fine arts are displayed in halls located on the first floor of the castle.

Walk into the beautiful Château de Sully where each room takes you on a voyage of discovery. This place is the perfect blend of tradition and bold, exception, and elegance. The château is approached by an axial stone bridge across its moat. The façades express the traditionally defensive character of the rez-de-chaussée, the ground floor, and the richer, more open aspect of the piano nobile, articulated by pilasters. It was now one of the majestic historical places and it attracts a lot of touri

The Château was built by Jean le Breton was the Lord of Villandry and of Villesavin, on the position of an old manor house. The Château was built by the same French and Italian master builders and workmen who built the great Royal Palaces and it has remained for four centuries, almost perfectly untouched. The interior of the manor contains refined furnishings and has a collection of tin objects. The castle also hosts several museums, including a wedding museum presenting an exceptionally rich co