Evolution of Architecture in France (not for low connections)

Since I've seen some people here who only know the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe I'll post here some more samples of the architecture of France.

Carnac, it was built between 4.500BC and 2.000BC. It's a site of 3.000 erected stones. It's more than 1km long. It's a pre-Celtic building built by the very first people of France.







Then, during the celtic part (Gaul), they mainly built Dolmens, Menhirs and Tumulus. Nothing that was really impressive or deserves to be mentioned. At least, none really get above the lot.

The came the Roman period. The Romans built a lot of thing in Gaul.

The Arch of Augustus is in Orange. Built around 60BC.





Also in Orange, there is the most preserved Roman Theatre in Europe. Also built by Augustus.





In Reims, the Porte de Mars is the largest Roman Arch.



Nimes has fine examples of Roman Architecture too. The Maison Carr�e is a very rare example of Roman Temple.





The Roman Arena (Arles has a great one too).





And around Nimes, one could see the Pont du Gard. 49m tall and 275m long.







Those are the best examples of Roman architecture, but France has other examples.

Following the fall of Rome, it was then the Dark Ages. Little things were built and those often ended destroyed.

The Abbey of the Mont Saint Michel was built by the Bretons in 708 (nowaday, it's in Normandy).







Having the muslim empire at their gates, the southern counties built a lot of castles to defend themself from the muslims (who were often raiding and area). Those were later known as the Cathars' castle.

Queribus




Montsegur





Puilaurens




And cities were fortified. Here is Carcassonne.





The Basilica Saint Sernin was built in 1070. It is a fine example of Romanesque architecture (in brick) it's 60m tall.







The local counts and dukes often built palace for their own court. Most of them ended destroyed or converted in official buildings.

The Great Abbey of Cluny was a jewel in France, it used to be the biggest church until the construction of St Peter in Rome. It was destroyed during the Napoleonic Wars. Built in the XIth to XIIth century.





Perigueux has a fine example of Romanesque Church too.





The Counts of Anjou, being a very powerfull noble (as King of England and Duke of Normandy). Built massive castles too.

In Angers (Capital of Anjou).






And the one in Chinon.





Then, Abbot Suger made the first trully Gothic church. With the Saint Denis Basilica (the inside is very gothic, the outside is more mixed).







Massive constructions of Gothic cathedrals started.

Chartres.







Reims









Beauvais, never finished because of the 100 Years' war.







Amiens







Bourges



Limoges (this one took 600 years to be built).






Laon





And Narbonne:







There are many other examples, just can't post them all.

The Pope, Clement V, moved the Vatican out of Rome for Avignon for a time.







The Duke of Burgundy built his palace in Dijon too.





Followed the 100 years' war. After this, France stopped to build for a time until Francis I and the Renaissance. Impressive are the Loire Chateaux.






Chenonceau




Pierrefonds




And near Paris, Fontainebleau





The architectural style evolved until Henry IV who brought a new one.

When he got the trone of France, he already had a castle in Pau.





He extended the Louvre more or less to its actual shape.




Built the Place des Vosges


And renovated the Capitol of Toulouse.





He also built several bridges and stuff like this.

Louis XIV built a lot too, first of course is Versailles.















And the Hotel des Invalides





The Canal du Midi join the Mediteranean sea to the Atlantic Ocean though the Garonne River, it was built to allow the French ships to move without using Gibraltar.





In Nancy, the Place Stanislas was built.





Under Napoleon, France experienced some Greek revival, of course there is the Arc de Triomphe.





But also, Saint Marie Madeleine.





Followed the Bourbon restauration, the second republic and the second empire. With a more extravagant architecture.

The Opera Garnier.











And the palace in Biarritz, now an hotel.





In Marseille, the Basilique Notre Dame de la Garde.



And the Fourviere Basilica in Lyon.







The Sacr� Coeur (finished after the others)





Then there is the more industrial era. The Eiffel Tower





The Garabit Viaduct





Then followed the world wars were little thing were built. After WWII, France started to build again.

The Tancarville Bridge.



The Saint Nazaire Bridge



The Tour Montparnasse





And the Centre Georges Pompidou.





In Lyon, the Credit Lyonnais Tower.



With the time, building took a more modern shape.

The Louvre Pyramid.



The National Library



The Grande Arche



Some buildings in La Defense







The European Parliament building.



Pont de Normandie



And the Millau Viaduct






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