A fortified palace in the shape of a ship on the Thiou river.

The shape of this old salt factory complex was inspired by the course of the Sun.

One of the world's most complex timepieces.

This French chateau is home to the world’s largest private collection of fighter jets.

These ramparts, once lined with towers, were constructed in defense of Beaune.

An atmospheric, medieval-themed book store hides in a 13th-century underground space.

Marvel at the opulent Art Nouveau interior while dining on dirt-cheap French classics.

The French leader's hat sits in a glass case at the oldest restaurant in Paris.

This massive library holds what was once the largest book collection in the world.

This statue was given to France by the United States to commemorate the centennial of the French Revolution.

This stunningly massive housing complex is a go-to filming location for dystopian sci-fi cinema.

Montmartre's sole surviving windmill became an iconic landmark for 19th-century painters, artists, and bohemians.

This structure atop a craggy cliff in one of the most beautiful parks in Paris boasts an unbeatable view.

Once a 19th-century brasserie, this McDonald's exterior celebrates Alsatian design and the "King of Beer."

Travel back in time at a Moroccan-inspired restaurant that was the height of glamor in the 1970s.

This bridge was constructed from the rubble of the infamous Bastille.

Twelve grave-faced marble angels guard the emperor's tomb at Les Invalides.

This Parisian gem is one of the most incredible ethnographic museums in the world.

A scandalous Art Nouveau collaboration that set Paris all atwitter at the turn of the century.

The remaining relics of the patroness of Paris lie in a chapel under a striking double spiral staircase.

The heaviest gold coin ever minted.

This former “ante-chamber to the guillotine” has been refurbished to illustrate the brutal history of French justice.

Ghosts of France's colonial past.

1920's reinforced concrete church by architect Auguste Perret changes the face of modern design.