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Arènes de Nîmes• Best preserved Roman amphitheater in the world• Built around the year 70 A.D.• 1863: Remodeled and now serves as a bullring• Seats 16,300 people• In the mid-8th century a fortified palace was constructed
within the amphitheater • Later, a small neighborhood developed inside, with 100
denizens and 2 chapels• The band Metallica recorded one of their DVDs here• You can tour the arena and visit the gladiator’s quarters,
complete with weapons
Lascaux II
• Located in southern France, known for its complex of caves• Famous for its Paleolithic cave paintings• Original caves located near village of Montignac, in the department of Dorodogne• Paintings are estimated to be 17,300 years old• Paintings are of large animals, most of which have fossil evidence of living in the area• 1979: Added to the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites• September 12, 1940: Cave paintings discovered by 4 teenagers, chasing their dog
who went into the cave• 1948: Cave complex opened to the public• Rooms inside the cave complex: Hall of the Bulls, Passageway, Shaft, Nave, Apse,
Chamber of Felines• 1983: Lascaux II opened• Lascaux II: Replica of the two cave halls—Great Hall of Bulls and Painted Gallery• Cave contains nearly 2,000 figures, which can be grouped into 3 categories: animals,
human figures, abstract signs• The paintings contain no images of surrounding landscape or vegetation
Palais Garnier• Also known as the Opéra National de Paris• Has 1,979 seats• 1861: Architectural design competition held to select the architect• Built from 1861 to 1875, for use by the Paris Opera• Originally called the Salle des Capucines, because of its location on the
Boulevard des Capucines• Later named after its architect, Charles Garnier• Today, it is primarily used for ballet• Considered by many to be the most famous opera house in the world• While being constructed, a legend was begun that the opera house was
being built over a subterranean lake• This is the setting of Gaston Leroux’s novel The Phantom of the Opera• Most expensive building of the Second Empire• There is a 7-ton bronze and crystal chandelier, designed by Garnier, in the
auditorium• Also houses the Bibliothèque-Musée de l’Opéra de Paris
Château de Chinon
• Located on the bank of the Vienne River in Chinon, France
• When King Philip IV accused the Knights of the Templar of heresy, several leading members of the order were imprisoned here
• Charles VII: In the 16th century, it became a prison• 1840: Declared a monument historique by the French
Ministry of Culture• Early 21st century $14.5 million euros spent to restore
the château• 6 mars 1429: Jeanne d’Arc arrived. Claims to have
heard heavenly voices that said Charles would grant her an army to relieve the siege of Orléans
Place de la Concorde• Location: Paris, France• Largest and one of the main public squares in Paris• Located in the 8th arrondissement (east end of the
Champs-Élysées)• 1755: Designed by Ange-Jacques Gabriel as a most-
skirted octagon• There are a series of statues and fountains• During the French Revolution, a statue of Louis VX
was torn down, and the area renamed Place de la Révolution
• The Embassy of the United States is located in one of the corners of the Place
• Luxor Obelisk: Located at the centre of the Place– An Egyptian obelisk decorated with hieroglyphics– 1 of 2 Egyptian obelisks given to the French by the Egyptian
government– In the 1990s, President François Mitterand returned the
second obelisk to the Egyptians– The obelisk once marked the entrance to the Luxor Temple– Made of red granite– 75 feet tall, weighs over 250 metric tons– The original cap is missing, so the government of France
added a gold-leafed pyramid cap in 1998
• The two fountains located here symbolize the fountains in Paris
Pont du Gard
• An ancient Roman aqueduct bridge that crosses the Gardon River (southern France)
• Part of the Nîmes aqueduct, it is 31 miles long, and 160 feet high• Built by the Romans to carry water from a spring at Uzès to Nîmes• The aqueduct was built without using mortar• Built in the 1st century AD, this is the highest and best preserved
aqueduct• A team of 1,000 workers took years to build• 1985: Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site• Formerly carried about 44 million gallons of water each day to the
fountains, baths, and homes• Used until the aqueduct became clogged by mineral deposits and
debris, preventing water from flowing• Today, vehicular is not permitted, and there is a museum
Tsingy de Bemaraha Strict Nature Reserve
• 1990: Names a UNESCO World Heritage Site• Has a unique geography, preserved mangrove
forests, wild bird and lemur populations• You can visit the Manambolo River Valley• There are seasonal and permanent rivers
throughout the reserve• Great for hiking, bird watching, and walking• Many limestone pinnacles can be seen
throughout
Montagne d’Ambre• Famous for its waterfalls, crater lakes, and
wildlife• Contains montane rainforests, mid-altitude
rainforests, and a dry deciduous forests• One of the most biologically diverse places in
Madagascar: 75 species of birds, 25 species of mammals, 59 species of reptiles
• You can camp or stay in a lodge in the park• A taxi ride from city of Diego will cost about
30,000 to 40,000 ariary
Andafiavaratra Palace
• Located on the highest hilltop in Antananarivo• Originally, served as the residence of the Prime Minister• Has been used for many different purposes—army
barracks, court, school of fine arts, presidential palace• 1976: original palace burnt down• Currently, serves as a museum• There are about 1,466 objects of historical importance in
the museum• Andafiavaratra literally means facing north• Each of the 4 corner towers include a bell tower
Rova of Antananarivo• Location: Madagascar• A royal palace complex that served as home of the
sovereigns of the Kingdom of Imerina• Manjakamiadana: the original palace, was built in two
stages. • 6 November 1995: a fire broke out, and destroyed or
severely damaged all of the buildings• Prior to the fire, it was about to be named a UNESCO
World Heritage Site• Reconstruction was estimated to cost about $20 million
Ambohimanga
• Refers to both a hill and a city• Located about 24km east of Antananarivo• Ambohimanga is a Malagasy word meaning one of three
things: “blue hill”, “sacred hill”, or beautiful/good hill”• Considered the most significant symbol of the cultural
identity of the people of Madagascar• A walled historic village, with residences and burial sites
of several key members of the royalty of the Merina people
• 1 of 12 sacred hills of Imerina• Named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2001
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