UNESCO sites in Bourgogne-Franche-Comté

The Bourgogne Franche-Comté is the French region that has the most sites listed to the UNESCO World Heritage.  
Discover these 8 exceptional sites, revealing the richness and diversity of the regional cultural and natural heritage: cultural landscapes, military architecture, industrial history, wine production, archaeological and religious heritage ... From the prehistoric times to the contemporary era, discover an unique journey on a territory of infinite beauty…

 

1. La Grande Saline de Salins-les Bains  Salins-les Bains, Jura

The Great Saline of Salins-les-Bains was one of the most important salt factory in France. Much more precious in the Middle Ages than nowadays, the salt was known as the "white gold" and made of Salins one of the largest cities in Franche-Comté. Discover its majestic underground gallery (11th century) and its industrial tools (19th century), including a pumping system still working. Live a wonderful travel through 1 200 years of history and stories of men and women who transformed this factory into an industrial wonder ! 

https://www.salinesdesalins.com

2. La Saline Royale d'Arc-et-Senans Arc-et-Senans, Doubs

This former saltworks was created in addition to the Great Saline of Salins-les-Bains, to increase the local salt production. Designed by the daring architect Claude Nicolad Ledoux in the 18th century, the Royal Saltworks shows the new views on industry that are emerging in France right before the Industrial Revolution. Hidden behind its high walls, an impressive and beautiful architectural complex hosts nowadays two museums, a congress center, an artist residence and a 3 stars hotel. Cultural and artistic center, the Royale Saltwork offers each year several wide events, temporary exhibitions and a Garden Festival !

https://www.salineroyale.com

3. La Citadelle de Besançon Besançon, Doubs

Outstanding example of the military architecture from the 17th century, the Citadelle watches on the Franche-Comté's capital, Besançon. Real masterpiece of Vauban, Louis XIV's royal architect, it hosts three museums and offers the most stunning views on the Ancient city. Embedded in a Doubs' meander, Besançon is a living city that offers events and cultural places to make you discover its long and rich history.

https://www.citadelle.com

4. La Chapelle Notre-Dame du Haut de Ronchamp Ronchamp, Haute-Saône

Discover the work of one of the greatest contemporary architect, Le Corbusier. Le Corubier's masterpiece, Notre-Dame du Haut de Ronchamp's hill hosts a chapel, the pilgrim's shelter, the chapelain's house and the peace pyramid. It is a real ode to meditation and light, used as raw materials. Religious and cultural site, the Ronchamp chapel is sure to move you.

https://www.collinenotredameduhaut.com

5. Les sites lacustres de Chalain et Clairvaux Chalain and Clairvaux-les-Lacs, Jura Chalain and Clairvaux's lakes tell the exceptional story of generations of men who lived on their shores since prehistoric times. Remarkable archeological remains give a moving overview of these people, who lived here 7 000 years ago. They are a testimony of the cultural wealth of these unknown old times. 
6. Abbaye cistercienne de Fontenay Fontenay, Côte d'Or

Established in 1118 by Saint Bernard de Clairvaux, the Fontenay's abbey is the oldest Cistercian abbey still viewable in the world. It embodies 900 years of monial lifestyle and architectural religious techniques, through the French Revolution and several religious wars. All of the Romanesque buildings are still preserved: the abbatial church, the monk's dormitory, the cloister, the chapter room, the monks room and the forge. The remarkable gardens will offer you a place to relax and enjoy this peaceful haven.

https://www.abbayedefontenay.com

7. La basilique et la colline de Vézelay Vézelay, Yonne

True jewel of the Romanesque art, the Vézelay's basilica lays on a majestic hill, watching on the Burgundy vineyards. Dedicated to Marie Magdalene, the basilica attracts christian pilgrims since the XIth century. Major spiritual and artistic place, Vézelay hosts about a million people a year, to see its exceptional Romanesque sets and its stunning plays on lights. Vézelay's heart beats with its historical, spiritual but also cultural life, being or having be artists' home. 

https://www.basiliquedevezelay.org

8. Les Climats du vignoble de Bourgogne Bourgogne

The burgundy "climats" are about men's ancestral skills and knowledge meeting the living ground. Each plot is a testimony of the unrivalled will to link wine and the ground's geological and weather features. Discover 2 000 years of history and traditions, still living nowadays through 1 146 climats. 

https://www.climats-bourgogne.com/

9. L'église de la Charité-sur-Loire La Charité-sur-Loire, Nièvre

La Charité-sur-Loire has an incredibly rich history, and hosts one of the Romanesque art's jewel : the Notre-Dame church, major stage on the Compostela's paths. In the middle of the XIth century, the Cluny's abbey created the Charity priory. "Cluny's eldest daughter" ended up being so well-developed that she had more than 200 monks and took an important part into the Clunisian order's development. Wars, fires and the French Revolution destroyed a part of this priory but it was never fogotten. Several refurbishments made it shine again and allow its visitors to enjoy its historical and cultural life. 

https://www.lacharitesurloire-tourisme.com/profiter/leglise-saint-pierre-de-la-charite-sur-loire

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