If you want to see some of the most unusual sights that France has to offer, read on. From underground catacombs to mysterious standing stones, there are some truly bizarre sights to see in France.
4 Unusual Places to Visit When Camping in France
Been to France before and think you ve seen it all? Think again! France s biggest attractions are amongst the most well known and most visited in the world, but away from the Eiffel Tower and the Chateaux of the Loire Valley there are plenty of other unique and bizarre attractions. If you are going camping in France, you ll probably be looking to plan some exciting day trips. If you d like to see something a little different, here are five unusual sights that are well worth visiting.
Standing Stones of Carnac
This Neolithic collection of standing stones is a great sight to see whilst camping in France. Believed to have been erected over five thousand years ago, they are a series of stones carved from local rock and placed in straight lines in the area surrounding the town of Carnac in Brittany. There are hundreds of them, and their purpose, much like that of Stonehenge, is unknown. It is presumed to have something to do with ancient Druidic rituals, though local legend has it that they were a Roman legion that was turned to stone by Saint Cornelius.
Catacombs of Paris
While the most famous attractions of Paris are found above ground – the most unusual and macabre sight is located beneath the streets themselves! The Catacombs are a vast ossuary (a cemetery of bones), created in the 18th century to counter the chronic overcrowding in the main cemeteries of Paris. The bones of thousands of people are stored in these underground chambers, and walking through them is an unnerving and remarkable experience.
Guided tours of the Catacombs are open to visitors, and if you are camping in France near Paris, and you don t scare easily, a visit here is a must!
The Machines of the Isle of Nantes
The Machines of the Isle of Nantes are truly one of the strangest sights in France. Housed in abandoned shipyard warehouses, they are a collection of giant mechanical animals, including a pirate fish, lantern fish, manta ray and even an elephant (the main attraction). Visitors can even go on a 45 minute ride around Nantes on the back of this 12 foot high elephant – it s hard to think of a more surreal thing that you could do in France!
Oradour sur Glane
A truly poignant place to visit whilst camping in France, Oradour sur Glane was the site of one of the most chilling war crimes of the Second World War. On June 10th 1940, an SS regiment moved in to the town and assembled the entire population in the main square. In response to local activity from the French Resistance, they decided to exact a reprisal on the innocent population. In all, 642 men, women and children were killed, and the town was burnt down. Only a handful of the townspeople managed to escape the massacre.
Oradour sur Glane was rebuilt nearby, but the old town remains as it was to stand as a memorial. Visitors can travel there and silently explore the deserted town, a sombre but unforgettable experience.
Author Resource:
Lorraine Waddell is the brand and advertising manager of Canvas Holidays, a leading European camping operator that provides the best selection of sites for camping in France (http://www.canvasholidays.co.uk/destinations/france-604-0.aspx ) With over 40 years of experience, Canvas offer superb camping holidays to France, Spain and a total of 9 European countries.
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