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Beautiful French Town

The towns and villages of France

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Just minutes from the city center, the artificial lake of Vaivre offers an exceptional 95-hectare space dedicated to relaxation, sports, and biodiversity. The sailing center and water sports: A true haven for watersports enthusiasts, the lake is perfect for windsurfing, catamaran sailing, canoeing, kayaking, and stand-up paddleboarding. A sandy beach welcomes swimmers during the warm summer months. The walking and cycling path: A flat, fully developed 5-kilometer path circles the entire lake. It's the ideal playground for joggers, cyclists, and families looking for a pleasant walk in the fresh air. The bird sanctuary: Part of the lake is classified as a protected natural area. Equipped with observation points, it shelters dozens of species of migratory and resident birds (herons, great crested grebes, mallards), delighting nature photographers.

Vesoul

The Hill of La Motte, the green and sacred lung

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Located just opposite Vienne, on the right bank of the Rhône, this unique site offers a spectacular immersion into the daily life of the Gallo-Romans. A Rhône Pompeii: Spanning over 7 hectares, this archaeological site has unearthed a vast residential and commercial district of ancient Vienne. Visitors can stroll among the cobbled streets, baths, shops, and opulent glass-roofed houses (domus). The Site Museum: Suspended above the excavations by a daring metal structure, this museum houses an exceptional collection of Roman mosaics of rare finesse (such as the mosaic of the punishment of Lycurgus or the Calendar mosaic). They bear witness to the extravagant luxury of the inhabitants of the time. Workshops and Reconstructions: The site regularly offers demonstrations of ancient craft techniques (pottery, mosaics) and reconstructions of Roman gardens to better understand the flora and agriculture of two millennia ago.

Vienna

The splendors of ancient Vienna

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Vincennes and its woods are home to internationally renowned cultural and scientific institutions, offering exceptional immersive experiences. The Paris Zoological Park (Vincennes Zoo): Easily recognizable from afar thanks to its famous 65-meter-high artificial "Great Rock," this completely transformed zoo offers a journey around the world of biodiversity through five major biozones (Patagonia, Africa, Europe, Amazon, and Madagascar). The Cartoucherie and the Théâtre du Soleil: A former 19th-century arms factory nestled in the heart of the woods, the Cartoucherie has been transformed into a leading center for theatrical creation under the impetus of Ariane Mnouchkine. The atmosphere is unique, blending socially engaged art with rustic conviviality. The Château as a place of remembrance: The monument now houses the rich collections of the French Army Historical Service (SHD). Its temporary exhibitions and archives allow visitors to delve into French military history and uncover the secrets of major battles.

Vincennes and its Castle

The Château de Vincennes, the fortress of kings

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Located at the opposite end of the bay, the Amont cliff (the smaller of the two main cliffs) presents a steeper profile, crowned by monuments steeped in history. The Notre-Dame-de-la-Garde Chapel: Perched proudly atop the Amont cliff, this small stone chapel with its neo-Gothic lines has watched over sailors and fishermen since the 19th century. Destroyed during the Second World War and then rebuilt exactly as it was, its silhouette is an integral part of the local landscape. The Nungesser and Coli Monument: Just behind the chapel rises a monumental spire 24 meters high, erected in homage to the aviators Charles Nungesser and François Coli. In 1927, they attempted the first non-stop crossing of the North Atlantic aboard their aircraft, L'Oiseau Blanc (The White Bird), last seen over Étretat. La Perrey and the pebble beach: The promenade (the "Perrey") borders the large grey pebble beach. It invites long walks, soothed by the unique rumble of pebbles rolled by the sea's surf, offering an ideal setting to admire the sunset between the two cliffs.

Étretat

The Cliffs of Aval and the Hollow Needle, the setting for masterpieces

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Vichy is a quintessential garden city, where green spaces play a prominent role and offer wonderful areas for strolling. The Parc des Sources: Created under Napoleon I in the heart of the city, this historic, rectilinear park is shaded by majestic chestnut trees and century-old airplanes. It is the historic heart of the spa town, perfect for leisurely walks and meeting new people. The Allier Parks (Napoleon III and Kennedy): Developed on former marshland to protect the city from river flooding, these 14-hectare English-style landscaped parks border the lake. They are home to more than 2,000 trees from around the world, including rare species, and much-loved winding paths. Bandstands: Witnesses to the festive atmosphere of yesteryear, the bandstands in the Parc des Sources still host open-air concerts during the summer season, reviving the spirit of the Belle Époque to the sound of orchestras.

Vichy

The thermal heritage and the beneficial springs

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Proudly overlooking the village from a height of over 150 meters, Fort Libéria is a spectacular mountain fortress connected to the town in an unusual way. A perched citadel: Built by Vauban in 1681 and reinforced under Napoleon III, this fort offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the confluence of the valleys and the Canigou massif. It houses armories, defensive bastions, and the historic former women's prisons. The "Thousand Steps" underground passage: To connect the village to the fort, military engineers carved a monumental underground staircase into the mountainside. Nearly 800 steps long (despite its popular name), this vaulted tunnel, constructed entirely of stone, is a feat of engineering and physical prowess to climb. The legends of the poisoners: The fort is famous for having served as a prison for the accomplices in the infamous "Affair of the Poisons" under Louis XIV. The visit allows you to discover the dark cells where these state prisoners ended their days chained to the wall.

Villefranche-de-Conflent

Vauban's ramparts and military architecture

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Severely affected by historical conflicts, Épernay brilliantly reinvented itself at the beginning of the 20th century, boasting a vibrant city center with meticulous architectural details. The Saint-Martin Portal: The only Renaissance vestige to have survived past destruction, this magnificent sculpted stone portal, dating from 1540, was once part of the Saint-Martin Abbey Church. It testifies to the antiquity and refinement of Épernay's heritage. The Gabrielle-Dorziat Theater: Inaugurated in 1902, this Italian-style theater features a Louis XV facade adorned with theatrical sculptures. Its interior, with a superb painted ceiling and luxurious velvet, offers an intimate setting for the city's cultural performances. Hugues-Plomb Square and the Art Deco facades: The reconstruction of the 1920s left a distinctive mark on several buildings in the city center. While strolling through the shopping streets, one discovers geometric patterns, bow windows and ironwork typical of the Art Deco period.

Épernay

Champagne Avenue, the Champs-Élysées of the Marne

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