France’s deep heritage, beautiful landscapes, and lively culture make it one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. With about 90 million visitors annually, tourism makes up about 8% of the country’s gross domestic product. The country’s highlights are the mountains, wineries, acclaimed sights, breathtaking coastlines, and fantastic cuisine.
France captivates the hearts of a million people each year. From the iconic Eiffel Tower of Paris to the historical and royal residency of King Louis XIV, the Palace of Versailles, there is something for everyone. It has the beautiful Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. Cote d’ Azur or the French Riveria, the Mediterranean coast of Southern France, is a sight not to be missed.
However, the factor that makes visiting France engaging and interesting is the historical stories surrounding it, especially the ones from 18th-century France.
Andrea’s Tale of Power in the 18th-Century France
V. C. Love’s The Countess of Stonemason is a story of a young, strong-headed woman, Andrea, set in 18th-century France. This story revolves around her journey when she rises to prominence as the Countess of Stonemason.
With this historical legend, the author explored themes like independence vs. conformance, madness and obsession, love and loneliness, and ambition and sacrifices. This book motivates readers to discover 18th-century France adventures, as in the book, Andrea embarks on escapades that span France, Spain, and the New Spain.
Experience The 18th Century France
The presence of architecture from across the ages gives tourists a chance to experience 18th century France adventures, including mouthwatering food, exquisite wineries, exhilarating beaches, and approximately more than thirty-five UNESCO heritage sites.
One of the famous Netflix productions, Emily in Paris, a four-season on-going series, is not only renowned for the modern-era chic dressing but also for the French lifestyle and places shown and represented throughout the show. This proves how enamored people worldwide are with France and its culture.
A Glimpse Into the Old France
If one has a love for exploring historical places, France is the place to be. With castles and palaces and religious buildings like churches and forts, tourists have countless destinations and locations to explore. These places have inspired hundreds of adventurous stories and tales that we may have heard from time to time. All such locations and spots promise the visitors an 18th-century France adventure.
Strasbourg Cathedral:
Known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Strasbourg, it was one of the world’s tallest buildings from 1647 to 1874. It is a Catholic cathedral in Alsace, France, and no less than Gothic art. The historical building was constructed across centuries over the site of an old Roman temple, whose crypt remains.
Pere Lachaise Cemetery:
It is the largest park and cemetery in Paris, built in 1804. It expands to 44 hectares of land. Approximately there are 70,000 marked burial plots. The exact number is yet undiscovered. Many celebrities, such as Oscar Wilde, Camille Pissaro, Honore de Balzac, and Colette, have been buried here. As you move further, the place also features Haussman Chambers and ancient mausoleums.
Nimes Arena or Amphitheatre of Nimes:
The Nimes Arena used to be home to the traditional Roman games during the great empire. It has around thirty-four rows of seating and can accommodate an audience of about 20,000. When the Roman Empire was no longer in existence, the Visigoths converted it into a fortress, and later, a small village came into being within its walls, with wells, houses, churches, and a castle. These structures were there till the 18th century, after which the deconstruction began. Since 1813, bull races have been viewed there, allowing the arena to fulfill its original function once again.
Lascaux Caves:
A group of young French teenagers discovered over six hundred paintings of animals from the Upper Paleolithic time in the 1940s. These Paleolithic paintings were around 17,000-20,000 years old. Lascaux opened for visitors after WWII, but upon receiving around 1500 visitors per day, the constant release of CO2 from human breath started to damage the paintings. The original caves were closed in 1963. Now, only scientists and field experts are allowed to visit the caves every year.
Catacombs of Paris:
One of the most famous historical places in France is this ossuary-like structure that was created in 1774 to reduce and eliminate the city’s overcrowded cemeteries. It is known as the “Empire of Death Waiting.” The Catacombs of Paris hold the remains of millions of victims of Guillotine beheaded in 1794. In the 19th century, people considered this place a quirky venue for private events and concerts. In 1874, it was announced open for public viewing. The visitors are greeted with a verse that translates into, “Halt, this is the realm of Death.”
Explore France Through Andrea’s Story
Other than these historical spots, many more destinations and locations link today’s world to the 17th and 18th centuries, promising its visitors an 18th-century France adventure. Places like Mount Saint-Michel, Carnac Megalithic Standing Stones, Les Invalides, D-Day Landing Beaches, and Sainte Chapelle, etc., provide the tourists with a glimpse of old-fashioned France and have their own adventures to make them all the more unique and memorable.
For a similar set-in-18th-century historical tale, grab a copy of “The Countess of Stonemason” by V. C. Love from Amazon. Indulge yourself in the historical timeless tale of Andrea now.
