Arènes de Nîmes

2. 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

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

6. 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

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. 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

11. 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

12. 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

13. 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