The St John’s Cathedral (Sint Jan) in Den Bosch is one of the largest and most impressive Gothic churches in The Netherlands. The Kathedrale Basiliek van Sint-Jan Evangelist (Basilica Cathedral of St John the Evangelist) dominates the skyline of the old town of ‘s-Hertogenbosch in North Brabant in the south of The Netherlands. It is … Read more
The marble throne and shrine of Charlemagne in the Aachener Dom can only be seen when on a guided tour of the historic Aachen Cathedral. The marble throne of Charlemagne (Karl der Grosse / Charles the Great), where 30 German kings were crowned, can be seen only on a guided tour of the Aachener Dom … Read more
Cathédrale Notre Dame d’Amiens in Picardie is the largest Gothic church in France and a UNESCO World Cultural Heritage-listed site. Amiens Cathedral (Cathédrale Notre Dame d’Amiens) is an early 13th-century Gothic masterpiece of superlatives. It is the largest Gothic cathedral in France with the highest nave of any completed medieval church in the country. A … Read more
The remains of the Romanesque Abbaye de Jumièges are amongst the most beautiful ruins in all of France. It is fine day trip from Rouen in Normandy. The ruins of the former Benedictine Abbey of Jumièges in Seine-Maritime in Upper Normandy are considered by many to be the finest ruins in France. This enormous Romanesque … Read more
The UNESCO-listed Gothic cathedral, palace of Jacques Coeur and old town with 400 half-timbered houses are the top sights to see in Bourges in Cher, France Centre. Bourges in the historic province of Berry is one of the most interesting cities to visit in the France Centre region. The town, which was a major economic … Read more
The palace of Jacques Coeur is a top sight to see in Bourges and one of the finest flamboyant Gothic civilian building in France. The mid-15th-century Palais Jacques Coeur in Bourges in France Centre is a sumptuous private residence built by a minister of finance with exquisite taste. It is flamboyant Gothic – an architectural … Read more
The Renaissance Château de Villandry is mostly visited for its magnificent ornamental gardens – famously using vegetables for colorful formal displays. Renaissance Château de Villandry near Tours in the Loire Valley is famous for its exceptional formal gardens. The ornamental kitchen garden of Villandry, where vegetables are planted to form a magnificently colorful ornamental garden, … Read more
Chateau de Valencay in Berry near the Loire was the home of Talleyrand and served as state guesthouse during the reign of Napoleon Bonaparte. Chateau de Valencay is an impressive palace with marvelous formal gardens, a large nature park, a maze, animals, and play areas for children. Valencay served as state guesthouse during the times … Read more
Royal Chambord Castle is the largest and one of the most popular Renaissance chateaux to see on day trips in the Loire Valley in France. Originally intended as a hunting lodge for the royal court, Chateau de Chambord ballooned into the largest chateau in the Loire Valley. This Renaissance chateau is instantly recognizable by its … Read more
Chateau de Chambord was built by Francis I as a royal hunting lodge but became the largest Renaissance castle in the Loire Valley. The royal hunting lodge Chateau de Chambord was started in 1519 by the Valois King Francis I. It was favored by kings fond of hunting such as Henry II and Louis XIV. … Read more