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UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France
French World Heritage Sites · UNESCO sites in France map · historical landmarks in France
France has 54 sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List — 45 cultural, 7 natural and 2 mixed inscriptions, inscribed between 1979 and 2025. This map of UNESCO sites in France covers every listing, with a short description, the inscription year and the nearest airports — the fastest way to see the country's most important historical sites and landmarks in one place.
French World Heritage Sites range from Abbey Church of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe onwards; Chartres Cathedral was the country's first inscription, added in 1979; Megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan is the most recent, listed in 2025; recurring threads across the list include sacred places.
6 inscriptions are transnational, shared with neighbouring countries: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Belfries of Belgium and France and Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the Alps. Start with Abbey Church of Saint-Savin sur Gartempe, Amiens Cathedral and Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, then use the map above to plan a route between the rest.
- Sites
- 54
- Cultural
- 45
- Natural
- 7
- Mixed
- 2
- First inscribed
- 1979
Sites on the map
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Flying in
Airports closest to the most sites in this country.
- ORYParis (Orly, Val-de-Marne)4 sites
- DLEDole4 sites
- FNINîmes/Garons3 sites
- XCRChalons en Champagne3 sites
- AVNAvignon3 sites
- LILLesquin2 sites
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All 54 sites in France
List of UNESCO World Heritage Sites in France
Every inscription with its year and category. Open a site for its story, map location and nearest airports.
| Site | Year | Type | What it is |
|---|---|---|---|
| Abbey Church of Saint-Savin sur GartempeKnown as the 'Romanesque Sistine Chapel', the Abbey-Church of Saint-Savin contains many beautiful 11th- and… | 1983 | Cultural | Known as the 'Romanesque Sistine Chapel', the Abbey-Church of Saint-Savin contains many beautiful 11th- and 12th-century murals which are still in a… |
| Amiens CathedralAmiens Cathedral, in the heart of Picardy, is one of the largest 'classic' Gothic churches of the 13th century. | 1981 | Cultural | Amiens Cathedral, in the heart of Picardy, is one of the largest 'classic' Gothic churches of the 13th century. |
| Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of EuropeThis transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries. | 2007 | Natural | This transnational property includes 93 component parts in 18 countries. |
| Arles, Roman and Romanesque MonumentsArles is a good example of the adaptation of an ancient city to medieval European civilization. | 1981 | Cultural | Arles is a good example of the adaptation of an ancient city to medieval European civilization. |
| Belfries of Belgium and FranceTwenty-three belfries in the north of France and the belfry of Gembloux in Belgium were inscribed in 2005, as an… | 1999 | Cultural | Twenty-three belfries in the north of France and the belfry of Gembloux in Belgium were inscribed in 2005, as an extension to the 32 Belgian belfries… |
| Bordeaux, Port of the MoonThe Port of the Moon, port city of Bordeaux in south-west France, is inscribed as an inhabited historic city, an… | 2007 | Cultural | The Port of the Moon, port city of Bordeaux in south-west France, is inscribed as an inhabited historic city, an outstanding urban and architectural… |
| Bourges CathedralThe Cathedral of St Etienne of Bourges, built between the late 12th and late 13th centuries, is one of the great… | 1992 | Cultural | The Cathedral of St Etienne of Bourges, built between the late 12th and late 13th centuries, is one of the great masterpieces of Gothic art and is… |
| Canal du MidiThis 360-km network of navigable waterways linking the Mediterranean and the Atlantic through 328 structures (locks… | 1996 | Cultural | This 360-km network of navigable waterways linking the Mediterranean and the Atlantic through 328 structures (locks, aqueducts, bridges, tunnels… |
| Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Former Abbey of Saint-Rémi and Palace of Tau, ReimsThe outstanding handling of new architectural techniques in the 13th century, and the harmonious marriage of sculptural… | 1991 | Cultural | The outstanding handling of new architectural techniques in the 13th century, and the harmonious marriage of sculptural decoration with architecture… |
| Chaîne des Puys - Limagne fault tectonic arenaSituated in the centre of France, the property comprises the long Limagne fault, the alignments of the Chaîne des Puys… | 2018 | Natural | Situated in the centre of France, the property comprises the long Limagne fault, the alignments of the Chaîne des Puys volcanoes and the inverted… |
| Champagne Hillsides, Houses and CellarsThe property encompasses sites where the method of producing sparkling wines was developed on the principle of… | 2015 | Cultural | The property encompasses sites where the method of producing sparkling wines was developed on the principle of secondary fermentation in the bottle… |
| Chartres CathedralPartly built starting in 1145, and then reconstructed over a 26-year period after the fire of 1194, Chartres Cathedral m. | 1979 | Cultural | Partly built starting in 1145, and then reconstructed over a 26-year period after the fire of 1194, Chartres Cathedral m. |
| Cistercian Abbey of FontenayThis stark Burgundian monastery was founded by St Bernard in 1119. | 1981 | Cultural | This stark Burgundian monastery was founded by St Bernard in 1119. |
| Cordouan LighthouseThe Lighthouse of Cordouan rises up on a shallow rocky plateau in the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Gironde… | 2021 | Cultural | The Lighthouse of Cordouan rises up on a shallow rocky plateau in the Atlantic Ocean at the mouth of the Gironde estuary in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine… |
| Decorated Cave of Pont d’Arc, known as Grotte Chauvet-Pont d’Arc, ArdècheLocated in a limestone plateau of the Ardèche River in southern France, the property contains the earliest-known and… | 2014 | Cultural | Located in a limestone plateau of the Ardèche River in southern France, the property contains the earliest-known and best-preserved figurative… |
| Episcopal City of AlbiOn the banks of the Tarn river in south-west France, the old city of Albi reflects the culmination of a medieval… | 2010 | Cultural | On the banks of the Tarn river in south-west France, the old city of Albi reflects the culmination of a medieval architectural and urban ensemble. |
| Fortifications of VaubanFortifications of Vauban consists of 12 groups of fortified buildings and sites along the western, northern and eastern… | 2008 | Cultural | Fortifications of Vauban consists of 12 groups of fortified buildings and sites along the western, northern and eastern borders of France. |
| French Austral Lands and SeasThe French Austral Lands and Seas comprise the largest of the rare emerged landmasses in the southern Indian Ocean: the… | 2019 | Natural | The French Austral Lands and Seas comprise the largest of the rare emerged landmasses in the southern Indian Ocean: the Crozet Archipelago, the… |
| From the Great Saltworks of Salins-les-Bains to the Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, the Production of Open-pan SaltThe Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, near Besançon, was built by Claude Nicolas Ledoux. | 1982 | Cultural | The Royal Saltworks of Arc-et-Senans, near Besançon, was built by Claude Nicolas Ledoux. |
| Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola ReserveThe nature reserve, which is part of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, occupies the Scandola peninsula, an… | 1983 | Natural | The nature reserve, which is part of the Regional Natural Park of Corsica, occupies the Scandola peninsula, an impressive, porphyritic rock mass. |
| Historic Centre of Avignon: Papal Palace, Episcopal Ensemble and Avignon BridgeIn the 14th century, this city in the South of France was the seat of the papacy. | 1995 | Cultural | In the 14th century, this city in the South of France was the seat of the papacy. |
| Historic Fortified City of CarcassonneSince the pre-Roman period, a fortified settlement has existed on the hill where Carcassonne now stands. | 1997 | Cultural | Since the pre-Roman period, a fortified settlement has existed on the hill where Carcassonne now stands. |
| Historic Site of LyonThe long history of Lyon, which was founded by the Romans in the 1st century B.C. | 1998 | Cultural | The long history of Lyon, which was founded by the Romans in the 1st century B.C. |
| Jurisdiction of Saint-EmilionViticulture was introduced to this fertile region of Aquitaine by the Romans, and intensified in the Middle Ages. | 1999 | Cultural | Viticulture was introduced to this fertile region of Aquitaine by the Romans, and intensified in the Middle Ages. |
| Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated EcosystemsThis serial site comprises six marine clusters that represent the main diversity of coral reefs and associated… | 2008 | Natural | This serial site comprises six marine clusters that represent the main diversity of coral reefs and associated ecosystems in the French Pacific Ocean… |
| Le Havre, the City Rebuilt by Auguste PerretThe city of Le Havre, on the English Channel in Normandy, was severely bombed during the Second World War. | 2005 | Cultural | The city of Le Havre, on the English Channel in Normandy, was severely bombed during the Second World War. |
| Megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of MorbihanThis serial property in Brittany, France, features a dense concentration of megalithic structures built during the… | 2025 | Cultural | This serial property in Brittany, France, features a dense concentration of megalithic structures built during the Neolithic period (c. |
| Mont-Saint-MichelAbbey island rising from the tides. | 1979 | Cultural | Abbey island rising from the tides. |
| Mont-Saint-Michel and its BayPerched on a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks exposed to powerful tides between Normandy and Brittany stand… | 1979 | Cultural | Perched on a rocky islet in the midst of vast sandbanks exposed to powerful tides between Normandy and Brittany stand the 'Wonder of the Wes. |
| Nice, Winter Resort Town of the RivieraNice, located on the Mediterranean, at the foot of the Alps, near the Italian border, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur… | 2021 | Cultural | Nice, located on the Mediterranean, at the foot of the Alps, near the Italian border, in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region, reflects the… |
| Nord-Pas de Calais Mining BasinRemarkable as a landscape shaped over three centuries of coal extraction from the 1700s to the 1900s, the site consists… | 2012 | Cultural | Remarkable as a landscape shaped over three centuries of coal extraction from the 1700s to the 1900s, the site consists of 109 separate components… |
| Palace and Park of FontainebleauUsed by the kings of France from the 12th century, the medieval royal hunting lodge of Fontainebleau, standing at the… | 1981 | Cultural | Used by the kings of France from the 12th century, the medieval royal hunting lodge of Fontainebleau, standing at the heart of a vast forest in the… |
| Palace and Park of VersaillesThe Palace of Versailles was the principal residence of the French kings from the time of Louis XIV to Louis XVI. | 1979 | Cultural | The Palace of Versailles was the principal residence of the French kings from the time of Louis XIV to Louis XVI. |
| Paris, Banks of the SeineFrom the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower, from the Place de la Concorde to the Grand and Petit Palais, the evolution of Paris. | 1991 | Cultural | From the Louvre to the Eiffel Tower, from the Place de la Concorde to the Grand and Petit Palais, the evolution of Paris. |
| Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion IslandThe Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island site coincides with the core zone of La Réunion National Park. | 2010 | Natural | The Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island site coincides with the core zone of La Réunion National Park. |
| Place Stanislas, Place de la Carrière and Place d'Alliance in NancyNancy, the temporary residence of a king without a kingdom – Stanislas Leszczynski, later to become Duke of Lorraine –… | 1983 | Cultural | Nancy, the temporary residence of a king without a kingdom – Stanislas Leszczynski, later to become Duke of Lorraine – is paradoxically the oldest… |
| Pont du Gard (Roman Aqueduct)The Pont du Gard was built shortly before the Christian era to allow the aqueduct of Nîmes (which is almost 50 km long). | 1985 | Cultural | The Pont du Gard was built shortly before the Christian era to allow the aqueduct of Nîmes (which is almost 50 km long). |
| Prehistoric Pile Dwellings around the AlpsThis serial property of 111 small individual sites encompasses the remains of prehistoric pile-dwelling (or stilt… | 2011 | Cultural | This serial property of 111 small individual sites encompasses the remains of prehistoric pile-dwelling (or stilt house) settlements in and around… |
| Prehistoric Sites and Decorated Caves of the Vézère ValleyThe Vézère valley contains 147 prehistoric sites dating from the Palaeolithic and 25 decorated caves. | 1979 | Cultural | The Vézère valley contains 147 prehistoric sites dating from the Palaeolithic and 25 decorated caves. It is particularly interesting from an. |
| Provins, Town of Medieval FairsThe fortified medieval town of Provins is situated in the former territory of the powerful Counts of Champagne. | 2001 | Cultural | The fortified medieval town of Provins is situated in the former territory of the powerful Counts of Champagne. |
| Pyrénées - Mont PerduThis outstanding mountain landscape, which spans the contemporary national borders of France and Spain, is centred… | 1997 | Mixed | This outstanding mountain landscape, which spans the contemporary national borders of France and Spain, is centred around the peak of Mount Perdu, a… |
| Roman Theatre and its Surroundings and the "Triumphal Arch" of OrangeSituated in the Rhone valley, the ancient theatre of Orange, with its 103-m-long facade, is one of the best preserved… | 1981 | Cultural | Situated in the Rhone valley, the ancient theatre of Orange, with its 103-m-long facade, is one of the best preserved of all the great Roman… |
| Routes of Santiago de Compostela in FranceSantiago de Compostela was the supreme goal for countless thousands of pious pilgrims who converged there from all over… | 1998 | Cultural | Santiago de Compostela was the supreme goal for countless thousands of pious pilgrims who converged there from all over Europe throughout the Middle… |
| Strasbourg, Grande-Île and NeustadtThe initial property, inscribed in 1988 on the World Heritage List, was formed by the Grande-Île, the historic centre of. | 1988 | Cultural | The initial property, inscribed in 1988 on the World Heritage List, was formed by the Grande-Île, the historic centre of. |
| TaputapuāteaTaputapuātea on Ra’iātea Island is at the centre of the ‘Polynesian Triangle’, a vast portion of the Pacific Ocean… | 2017 | Cultural | Taputapuātea on Ra’iātea Island is at the centre of the ‘Polynesian Triangle’, a vast portion of the Pacific Ocean, dotted with islands, and the last… |
| Te Henua Enata – The Marquesas IslandsLocated in the South Pacific Ocean, this mixed serial property bears an exceptional testimony to the territorial… | 2024 | Mixed | Located in the South Pacific Ocean, this mixed serial property bears an exceptional testimony to the territorial occupation of the Marquesas… |
| The Architectural Work of Le Corbusier, an Outstanding Contribution to the Modern MovementChosen from the work of Le Corbusier, the 17 sites comprising this transnational serial property are spread over seven… | 2016 | Cultural | Chosen from the work of Le Corbusier, the 17 sites comprising this transnational serial property are spread over seven countries and are a… |
| The Causses and the Cévennes, Mediterranean agro-pastoral Cultural LandscapeThis 302,319 ha property, in the southern part of central France, is a mountain landscape interspersed by deep valleys… | 2011 | Cultural | This 302,319 ha property, in the southern part of central France, is a mountain landscape interspersed by deep valleys that is representative of the… |
| The Climats, terroirs of BurgundyThe climates are precisely delimited vineyard parcels on the slopes of the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune south… | 2015 | Cultural | The climates are precisely delimited vineyard parcels on the slopes of the Côte de Nuits and the Côte de Beaune south of the city of Dijon. |
| The Great Spa Towns of EuropeThis transnational serial property comprises eleven spa towns, located in seven European countries: Baden bei Wien… | 2021 | Cultural | This transnational serial property comprises eleven spa towns, located in seven European countries: Baden bei Wien (Austria); Spa (Belgium)… |
| The Loire Valley between Sully-sur-Loire and ChalonnesThe Loire Valley is an outstanding cultural landscape of great beauty, containing historic towns and villages, great arc. | 2000 | Cultural | The Loire Valley is an outstanding cultural landscape of great beauty, containing historic towns and villages, great arc. |
| The Maison Carrée of NîmesBuilt in the 1st century AD in the Roman colony of Nemausus – today’s city of Nîmes in the Occitanie region– the Maison… | 2023 | Cultural | Built in the 1st century AD in the Roman colony of Nemausus – today’s city of Nîmes in the Occitanie region– the Maison Carrée is one of the earliest… |
| Vézelay, Church and HillShortly after its foundation in the 9th century, the Benedictine abbey of Vézelay acquired the relics of St Mary… | 1979 | Cultural | Shortly after its foundation in the 9th century, the Benedictine abbey of Vézelay acquired the relics of St Mary Magdalene and since then it has been… |
| Volcanoes and Forests of Mount Pelée and the Pitons of Northern MartiniqueThe global significance of Mount Pelée and Pitons du Carbet is based on its representation of volcanic processes and… | 2023 | Natural | The global significance of Mount Pelée and Pitons du Carbet is based on its representation of volcanic processes and forest types. |
Frequently asked questions about World Heritage in France
- How many UNESCO World Heritage Sites are there in France?
- France has 54 UNESCO World Heritage Sites: 45 cultural, 7 natural and 2 mixed.
- What was the first World Heritage Site in France?
- Chartres Cathedral was inscribed in 1979. Partly built starting in 1145, and then reconstructed over a 26-year period after the fire of 1194, Chartres Cathedral m.
- What is the newest World Heritage Site in France?
- Megaliths of Carnac and of the shores of Morbihan, inscribed in 2025. This serial property in Brittany, France, features a dense concentration of megalithic structures built during the Neolithic period (c. 5000–2300 BCE), carefull.
- Which sites in France are natural World Heritage Sites?
- 7 of the 54 listings are natural: Ancient and Primeval Beech Forests of the Carpathians and Other Regions of Europe, Chaîne des Puys - Limagne fault tectonic arena, French Austral Lands and Seas, Gulf of Porto: Calanche of Piana, Gulf of Girolata, Scandola Reserve, Lagoons of New Caledonia: Reef Diversity and Associated Ecosystems and Pitons, cirques and remparts of Reunion Island.
- Which UNESCO sites in France are easiest to reach?
- Each site page lists the closest airports with distance, so you can pick the gateway city first and work outwards. The "Flying in" panel on this page shows the main gateways for France.
- What are the main historical sites and landmarks in France?
- The 54 UNESCO-listed sites above are France's internationally recognised historical sites and landmarks, starting with Chartres Cathedral (1979). Each entry links to a full page with a map, photos and travel notes.
- Is there a map of French World Heritage Sites?
- Yes — the map on this page plots all 54 French UNESCO World Heritage Sites; click any marker to open that site's page.