Museums, castles, historic sites, aquariums and archaeological ruins – enrich yourcultural knowledge while enjoying the fresh sea air! Have you chosen a holidayby the sea to recharge your batteries? The invigorating fresh air and seabreezes will certainly do that, but that’s not all the coast has to offer! TheFrench coast boasts numerous cultural sites and museums where you can learn allsorts of new things. It’s time for a cultural holiday!
• Caen and our duty to remember
Caen offers visitors its unique Mémorial, which is dedicated mainly to thehistory of the Second World War. In this carefully laid out museum, films andphotos encourage visitors to keep alive the message “Never again!”.
• Carnac brings (External link) prehistory to life
The major prehistoric site of Carnac and its museum retrace the historyof mankind back to almost 450,000 years ago. The collection on display is oneof the richest in the world, comprising more than 6,000 exhibits! Also in Carnac,don’t miss the famous line of Kermario menhirs, where 982 stones seem to havestood for eternity.
• In La Rochelle, travel 20,000 leagues under the sea
Discover a silent world in one of the largest and most beautiful aquariums inEurope. You’ll be amazed by the many different colours and sizes of the 10,000 Arcticand tropical species kept here and you’ll learn all about life underwaterthanks to your audio-guide.
• Biarritz (External link) – a window on the Orient
If you’re fascinated by Asia, then make your way to the centre ofBiarritz where you’ll find one of the five most important Oriental museums in Europe!Asiatica is home to more than 1,000 amazing works of art from India to Chinawhich date from the prehistoric period to the current day.
• An imposing island fortress near Marseille (External link)
A forbidding fortress built on an island off the coast of Marseille, theChâteau d’If was once a famous prison. Come andvisit its imposing fortifications and legendary prison cells, which inspiredAlexandre Dumas to write his famous novel “The Count of Monte Cristo”.
• Nice – a centre for modern art
Klein, Warhol, Arman, César – if you’re inspired by these famous names,then don’t miss the superb MAMAC, Nice’s museum of modern and contemporary art,which is home to a fabulous collection of works by great masters.
• Monaco’s pioneering oceanographic museum
Come and visit the ancestor of all French and European oceanographic museums! Foundedin 1910, this imposing building built right on the cliff overlooking theMediterranean offers curious visitors an amazing collection of marine species.
Contacts
Mémorial de Caen (External link)
Muséede la Préhistoire (External link)
Alignements de Kermario (External link)