Here’s my wanderlusty guide to the best virtual an online tours of important landmarks and museums in France.
Do you wish you were in France right now? Or do you dream of France, but just can’t afford to go? Or maybe you just need some destination or cultural inspiration to cure cabin fever?
Well, there’s a fix. Now, you can virtually tour many of France’s must see sites online, right from the comfort of your couch or computer. You can visit stunning landmarks, monuments from ancient Rome, beautiful chateaus, art-filled museums, UNESCO sites, and more. Ooh la la!
With the click of a mouse, you’ll be transported to the City of Light. Grab some wine and cheese, preferably of French vintage. Let’s tour France virtually. Allons-y!
The Best Virtual Tours of French Landmarks and Museums
Here’s my list of destinations in France that you can enjoy online:
1. Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy
Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most visited landmarks and most beautiful towns in northern France. It’s dedicated to the Archangel St. Michael. It’s a breathtaking Gothic fortress-style island commune rising dramatically from the bay. Both the rock top abbey and the cobbled alleys will leave you in a medieval state of mind.
READ: Complete Guide To Mont Saint-Michel
The star attraction is the Abbey of Mont Saint-Michel. It was settled in 996 by Bendictine monks. For 1,200 years, it’s been a Christian pilgrimage site. The abbey is a mix of architectural styles, with religion and military overtones.
Now, you can enjoy this mystic place without being swamped by adoring crowds. There are stories and over 270 images of this iconic landmark on Google Arts & Culture. You can take this virtual tour, powered by Google Street View or tour the island abbey through HistoryView’s VR field trip.
READ: One Week Itinerary for Normany
2. Palace of Versailles, Versailles
The Palace of Versailles is massive, flashy, and very, very gold. The opulence is overwhelming. Even the bathrooms are gold plated. It’s the most famous and popular day trip from Paris. It’s been a UNESCO site since 1979.
The Sun King Louis XIV transformed his father’s hunting lodge into a monumental palace in the mid 17th century. Located in the quaint suburb of Versailles, the Baroque palace was France’s political capital and royal seat from 1682 until October 5, 1789.
Now you can explore the palace virtually on Google Arts & Culture or check out its Facebook page for photos. You can go outside and inside for a birds’s eye view. And admire the famous Hall of Mirrors. Versailles 3D, created by Google, also gives you an impressive tour.
If you’d like to go behind the scenes, here’s my guide to the filming locations for the BBC’s TV series Versailles.
3. Pierrefonds Castle, Pierrefonds
In 1857, Napoleon III hired the famed architect Viollet-le-Duc to rebuild the romantic ruins of Pierrefonds Castle. The ruins have been captured by many artist, including Camille Corot. Napoleon III longed for a lavish castle, fit for a king and evoking a medieval fantasy.
Inspired by Coucy Castle, one of my favorite French ruins, Viollet-le-Duc wanted to maintain an equilibrium between fortified palace with beautiful state rooms and a residence. The rooms are recreated in vibrant rich colors as they would have appeared in the Middle Ages, with medieval motifs like St. George and the Dragon.
Here’s my complete guide to Pierrefonds Castle. Here’s a 360 virtual tour of Pierrefonds. And you can also explore the castle on its official website.
4. Chateau de Fontainebleau, Loire Valley
Chateau Fontainebleau is ravishing a UNESCO site. The rambling chateau boasts 800 years of royal patronage. The NYT calls Fontainbleau “the single greatest assemblage over time of French architecture and decor still in its original state.” It’s a rare royal residence that escaped from the war time ravages of the French Revolution.
Francois I is most associated with Fontainebleau and he significantly expanded it. The highlights are the Royal Apartments, Marie Antoinette’s boudoirs (Turkish Bedroom and the Silver Bedroom), the Papal Apartment, and the grand Francoise I Gallery.
You can virtually tour Chateau Fontainebleau on Google Arts & Culture. Here’s a 360 tour on YouTube from the chateau’s official website and this Youtube video gives you the full scoop on the history and architecture of the magical chateau.
5. Chateau de Chenonceau, Loire Valley
Built in the 16th century, the Chateau de Chenonceau is the most famous and romantic of the Loire Valley chateaus. It spans the River Cher with picturesque palace arches for boats to glide under. Chenonceau housed and was influenced by many famous women over the centuries — Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de’ Medici, and Louise Dupin. It’s nicknamed the “Ladies Chateau.”
Highlights of the meticulously maintained chateau are the lavishly decorated ceilings, the ornate chapel, the Grand Gallery, the bedroom of Diane de Poitiers, and the Medici Gallery (now a museum).
Chenonceau has partnered with Google Arts & Culture. So you take a virtual tour and read stories of the historic chateau. Or take this virtual tour.
6. Chateau de Chambord, Loire Valley
Chambord is the big daddy of Loire valley chateaus. Building started on this massive Renaissance chateau in 1519. Commissioned by Francois I, a lowly hunting lodge was transformed into a monument to royalty and royal sport. It’s rumored that Leonardo da Vinci influenced some of the chateau’s architectural elements.
The chateau is laid out as a keep in the shape of a cross with four towers, two wings, and over 400 rooms. The highlight is its mind boggling double helix staircase. Twin staircases intertwine without actually touching. The rooftop offers breathtaking views over the valley.
You can explore Chambord virtually on Google Arts & Culture. Click on the images to discover more information. You can also take a virtual 360 tour on the Chambord website.
7. Etretat Cliffs, Normandy
Sleepy Etretat is a classic old world Norman-French town on the north coast of France. Etretat is unique in that it boasts mesmerizing scenery. Etretat is set on the sea. Waves crash against the shores of a jagged chalky coastline with arches jutting out. Its beauty inspired artists like the revered Claude Monet and Henri Matisse.
The best way to admire the seascape is to walk along the cliffs. But if you can’t be there in person, you can take a YouTube boat tour to see the cliffs or explore them here. You can also see paintings of Etretat on Google Arts & Culture.
READ: Guide To the Impressionism Trail in Normandy
8. Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims, Champagne Region
With or without a glass of champagne, the Cathédrale Notre-Dame de Reims is one of Europe’s greatest cathedrals. Some experts think it’s France’s most beautiful cathedral, surpassing even Notre Dame de Paris.
It was built over 60 years, beginning in 1211. The ornate western portal is distinctive for its beauty, unity, and harmony. Inside, there’s a towering 500 foot nave. You’re greeted by a wall of 52 intricately carved statues. In the apse behind the ornate altar, you’ll see the catastrophically beautiful stained glass windows created by the famed French painter Marc Chagall in 1974.
You can take a 360 tour here or follow the cathedral’s social media feed on its official website here. Smarthistory also offers an excellent guided tour, giving you the full scoop on every detail of the famed cathedral.
9. Pont du Gard, Occitanie
The mighty Pont du Gard is a surviving scrap of a Roman aqueduct that’s a UNESCO site. The aqueduct was an engineering marvel that originally took water from Uzès to Nimes. The aqueduct soars over the Gardon River and its dramatic gorge.
The aqueduct is massive, despite taking only 5 years to build. The bridge is 48.8 meters high, 275 meters long, and sports 52 arches. Pont du Gard was the highest aqueduct in the Roman Empire. There are three tiers of arches, one on top of the other.
Pont du Gard has partnered with Google Arts & Culture. You can see online exhibits, read stories, or see images of the grand UNESCO site. The Pont du Gard also offers a 360 virtual tour its site.
READ: Historic Landmarks in Southern France
10. The Pope’s Palace, Avignon
News Blast! The popes haven’t always lived in Vatican City. I had long forgotten this little factoid until I was plotting an itinerary for my recent southern France trip. From 1309-77, the popes lived in the enchanting riverside town of Avignon, rather than in Rome. That period was called the “Avignon Papacy.”
Built in 1335-52, the Pope’s Palace is the largest Gothic building in western Europe. The imposing facade resembles medieval fortified churches. You can gasp at the Pope’s private apartments, frescoes, and the soaring chapel. And see what it actually looked like in the 14th century on a histopad, if you’re there in person.
The Pope’s Palace is the 10th most visited site in France. If you can’t be in France, you can tour the palace on YouTube here and there are plenty of photos on the official website.
READ: 10 day Itinerary for Southern France
11. Roman Monuments, Arles
Arles is a fantastic and underrated UNESCO town in Provence. And it’s a veritable playground of ancient UNESCO-listed Roman ruins.
You’ll find the massive Amphitheater (inspired by Rome’s Colosseum) a Roman Theater, and Constantine’s Baths. You can also stroll through Les Alyscamps, a famous tree-lined Roman necropolis a short distance outside the walls of the old town that dates from 241 B.C.
Arles is also associated artist Vincent Van Gogh, the Post-Impressionist genius who changed the art world. He was maniacally prolific in Arles and loved its sun-drenched light.
Here’s my complete guide to visiting Arles. You can tour Arles on Google Arts & Culture and read about the art that Van Gogh produced there. Or watch a YouTube video of the impressive amphitheater.
12. Arena of Nimes, Nimes
The town of Nimes was founded as a Roman colony in the 1st century B.C. Nime’s centerpiece, and key reason for visiting, is its fantastic Roman arena.
The 20,000 seat Arènes de Nîmes was built in 70 A.D. It’s a perfectly symmetrical two level stadium. When first built, the arena hosted gladiator fights, animal chases, and even (shudder) executions. The walls had ingenious features, like trap doors and lifts for “performers.” It looks great for its age and, nowadays, hosts bullfights and concerts.
Take a virtual visit here or on YouTube here.
13. The Antique Theater of Orange, Orange
Orange has both a Roman triumphal arch and the spectacular ruins of a Roman Theater you’ll just love. Because of their historical importance, they’re both designated UNESCO sites. There’s also ongoing excavations of a Roman temple near the theater.
Louis XIV called the Orange Theater “the finest wall in my kingdom.” Indeed, it’s one of the greatest ancient Roman sites in all of Europe. For four centuries, it was the main entertainment venue of Roman Orange. There’s a large statue of Emperor Augustus center stage, just to remind you of his importance.
You can take a virtual tour on the theater website or here on YouTube. Here’s a YouTube video of the triumphal arch.
14. The Fortified City of Carcassonne
Magical Carcassonne takes your breath away. It’s a 13th century fantasy world of towers, spiky turrets, stout walls, winding alleys, and moats. It’s a medieval junkie’s dream city on steroids. As British writer Anthony Horowitz said much more poetically than me, “In no other city I’ve visited does history feel so alive.”
Carcassonne has a double row of fortified walls stretching nearly 2 miles with 52 watch towers, each one crowned with fantastical “witch hat” turrets. The medieval streets are fairytale perfect. Not surprisingly, Carcassonne was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List list in 1997.
You can take a 360 virtual tour of Carcassonne or check it out on YouTube here. Here’s my complete guide to Carcassonne.
15. Albi Cathedral and the Berbie Palace, Albi
Albi is a serious town, with a weighty history, a wondrous must see destination in southwest France. Albi was listed as a UNESCO site in 2010 and is a strangely affecting place, despite the weight of its past or perhaps because of it.
Albi has two truly imposing citadels, the Albi Cathedral and the Berbie Palace, that are UNESCO-listed. The mighty Saint Cecilia Cathedral is a 13th century masterpiece of southern Gothic style. The Berbie Palace houses the Toulouse- Lautrec Museum, a fantastic single artist museum.
You can tour the episcopal city of Albi on Google Arts and Culture, which has images, stories, and virtual tours on Google Street view. You can also take a virtual 360 tour here.
Here’s my complete guide to visiting the underrated city of Albi and my guide to the Toulouse-Lautrec Museum. You can also check out Toulouse-Lautrec paintings on Google Arts & Culture, with almost 700 images.
16. Paris Catacombs, Paris
The Catacombs is Paris’ “Empire of Death,” a 200 mile honeycomb of tunnels. The system is so enormous that no one knows exactly how many tunnels or chambers exist. The Phantom of the Opera and Les Miserables’ Jean Valjean both haunted these tunnels. During WWII, the French Resistance used the tunnels to hide.
With cemeteries in Paris overflowing, a portion of the tunnels were turned into an ossuary for human remains. At first, bones were haphazardly deposited. Eventually, they were organized and systematically displayed.
Now, housebound horror fans can get their fix of Parisian gore. Check out this virtual Catacombs tour. This virtual tour gets you even closer.
17. Les Invalides Complex, Paris
Les Invalides is a complex of buildings in the 7th arrondissement. It includes: (1) the royal chapel, known as the Cathedral of St. Louis des Invalides, with its iconic golden dome; (2) the Musee de l’Armee, and (3) Napoleon’s Tomb.
The cathedral was Paris’ tallest building until the Eiffel Tower was erected in1887. It’s definitely one of Paris’ must see churches.
You enter the royal chapel through monumental bronze doors decorated with fleurs-de-lys and Louis XIV’s initials. Inside, the decoration is sumptuous — painted cupolas, pilasters, columns, low-relief sculptures, and stained-glass windows.
You can enjoy a virtual tour of the interior of the chapel or explore the online collections of the Musee de l’Armee (Army Museum). I’ve also written guides on both Napoleon’s Tomb and the Army Museum, which is one of Europe’s best military museums.
18. Sacre Coeur, Paris
The striking white Sacre Coeur is one of the most iconic attractions in Paris’ popular Montmartre neighborhood in the 18th arrondissement. It sits atop Montmartre Hill, they highest point in Paris, overlooking the city.
The Sacre Coeur is not ancient Paris. It’s surprisingly new. It was only completed in the early 1900s.
The Sacre Coeur offers an actual audio guide tour of the building. It comes complete with shots of the interior and exterior. You can even listen to the organ, which you might miss on a regular visit. Check out the virtual tour here.
READ: Best Things To Do and See in Montmartre
19. Louvre, Paris
The Louvre is Paris’ crown jewel and the world’s most visited museum. This treasure trove of history is closed right now. Unfortunately, it doesn’t have an arrangement with Google Arts & Culture.
But the Louvre does offer free virtual tours of some of its important exhibits. You can walk through the Egyptian Antiquities, Napoleon’s Rooms, the Medieval Louvre, and works by Michelangelo. Via my blog, you can also explore the Louvre’s underrated masterpieces and what I think is the best painting in the Louvre, Theodore Gericault’s Raft of the Medusa.
If you’re a Beyonce fan, her recent music video featured pieces from the Louvre. Now, you can follow the Beyonce Louvre Trail. Here’s my own guide to a virtual tour of the Louvre, which takes you to every must see masterpiece.
20. Musée d’Orsay, Paris
Ah, this is one of my favorite museums in Paris, housed in a beautiful converted Beaux-Arts railway station. The museum has a large collection of French paintings from 1848 to 1914. This is where you’ll find one of the world’s best stashes of Impressionist and Post-Impressionist art.
On Google Arts and Culture you can virtually tour dozens of famous works from French and European artists. You’ll see artworks from Monet, Cézanne, Manet, Gauguin, Seurat, and so many other artists. Smarthistory has a good collection of online videos analyzing the d’Orsay’s masterpieces.
In particular, the d’Orsay is a Van Gogh treasure trove. You can inspect his Self Portrait, Starry Night, Dr. Gachet, The Church at Auvers, and The Siesta. Other masterpieces at the d’Orsay include Manet’s Luncheon on the Grass and Olympia, Cezanne’s Card Players, Monet’s Houses of Parliament, and Renoir’s Moulin de la Galette.
Here’s my complete guide to the Musee d’Orsay and here are my essential tips for visiting the Orsay, which is incredibly popular.
21. Eiffel Tower, Paris
The Eiffel Tower is Paris’ iconic landmark. It was built for the World Fair in 1889 in record construction time, and considered an engineering marvel at the time. But the Eiffel Tower can also be a Paris tourist trap, plagued with crowds and lines.
Now, you can go up the tower virtually with no queue. On the Google Arts & Culture virtual tour, you can enjoy the view from the top over the Champs de Mar and learn about the history of the Eiffel Tower. You can also take a virtual tour on YouTube.
22. Arc de Triomphe, Paris
The Arc de Triomphe, officially titled the L’Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile, was inaugurated in 1836. Napoleon commissioned the ceremonial structure following his victory at the Battle of Austerlitz.
The Arc de Triomphe is the centerpiece to a roundabout with 12 avenues. Beneath the arch lies the flame and tomb of the Unknown Soldier. The top of the Arc de Triomphe offers amazing views over Paris.
While this site doesn’t have an interactive virtual tour, there are still 360 shots of the famous landmark and you can virtually tour it on YouTube.
23. Sainte-Chapelle Virtual Tour, Paris
Completed in 1248 and enshrined within the Palais de Justice, Sainte-Chapelle is Paris’ most exquisite Gothic monument. It’s a 14th century royal chapel, built by Louis IX to house the relics of the passion of Christ. You’ll be awed by the gorgeous stained glass and intricate painted wood columns.
Now, you don’t have to wait in line. You can see the stunning stained glass panels up close and personal on a virtual tour. And you can check out the site on Google Arts & Culture or on Smarthistory.
24. Luxembourg Gardens, Paris
Luxembourg Gardens is one of Paris’ ever-so-pretty green spots, full of architectural delights, in the Latin Quarter. It’s essentially an outdoor sculpture museum. Dating from 1612, the sun-speckled gardens featured heavily in Victor Hugo‘s romantic novel Les Miserables. They were frequented by the real life philosophers Jean-Paul Sartre and Simone de Beauvoir.
Marie de Medici, Henry IV’s widow, commissioned the Luxembourg gardens in the 1630. They were styled to emulate the Boboli Garden of the Pitti Palace, Medici’s childhood home in Florence. The crowning glory is the incredibly romantic Medici Fountain. It’s a grotto-like monument designed to emulate water seeping from the stones.
Now, you can visit the Luxembourg Gardens online via Google Arts & Culture. There are two stories about the gardens and 45 photos, including some of its most famous statues. You can take a 360 tour of the Medici Fountain here.
25. Musee de l’Orangerie, Paris
Paris’ Musée de l’Orangerie, or the Orangerie Museum, is one of the best small museums in Paris. It’s a quick 10 minute walk from its more popular sister museum the Musée D’Orsay. And it’s completely worth the detour, a hidden gem in Paris just waiting for avid fans of the Impressionist painter Claude Monet.
The Orangerie’s claim to fame is its famed collection of Monet’s water lilies, some of which can also be found at the equally stunning Musée Marmottan Monet in Paris’ 16th arrondissement.
In 1927, the water lilies were set in massive curved panels and installed in two adjoining oval shaped rooms in the new museum. Some art historians call the Orangerie the world’s first “art installation” because the space was designed specifically for Monet’s water lilies.
Here’s my complete guide to the Orangerie. You can also visit the museum masterpieces virtually on Google Arts & Culture or on Smarthistory.
26. The Opera Garnier, Opéra national de Paris, Paris
The Opera Garnier might be the most beautiful building in Paris. Especially if you’re in the mood for gold. It first sprang from the brain of Napoleon III, who had almost been assassinated at the old opera house.
The exterior is sometimes compared to a wedding cake. You can sort of see why.
It’s built in a rather bombastic Beaux-Arts style with eclectic Neo-Baroque elements. Inside, there’s gold and marble everywhere. Even a mini Versailles-like Hall of Mirrors.
Now, you can explore the Opera Garnier virtually on Google Arts & Culture. During this tour, you’ll be able to explore everything — the grand staircase, the stage, the balconies, and even the rich red velvet seats. You can marvel at the magnificently painted ceiling by Marc Chagall. You can also take a virtual tour of the opera house.
Here’s my complete guide to the Opera Garnier, if you want more information.
27. Notre-Dame de Paris, Paris
On April 15, 2019, Notre Dame and I cried. Located on the Île de la Cité in the middle of the Seine River, the Gothic cathedral with its dramatic flying buttresses is 859 years old. The first stone of the cathedral was laid in 1163. It was completed in 1345.
Since then, Notre Dame has been the toast of Europe, a utopian symbol of western civilization, of literature, and of culture.
Notre Dame has a storied history. Louis IX deposited the crown of thrones there in 1239. Henry VI was crowned king there in 1431 after the 100 Year War. Mary Queen of Scots was married there. Napoleon was coronated as emperor there in 1804 and married there in 1810. In 1909, Joan of Arc was beatified by the pope.
Since the fateful fire, you can no longer visit. There will likely be years of construction. But don’t despair. Now you can visit take a 360 tour of the edifice virtually. The tour takes you down the nave. You can study the stained glass and rose windows. You can also study Notre Dame on Google Arts & Culture.
28. The Basilica of Saint-Denis
Just outside the Paris city limits lies a completely overlooked hidden gem, the fantastic and underrated Cathedral Basilica de Saint-Denis. It’s a French national treasure.
Saint-Denis is the birthplace of Gothic architecture. It heralds Europe’s transition from a clunky Romanesque style to a more elegant Gothic one. It’s one of the most historic and religiously important buildings in Paris. And it’s essentially a museum of monumental French religious sculpture.
As the world’s first Gothic church, the basilica is even on the tentative UNESCO list. If it still had its north tower, it might be already.
Here’s my complete guide to Saint-Denis. You can tour the basilica virtually on YouTube or take this Smarthistory guided tour.
29. The Camargue, Occitanie
The Camargue is a river delta where the Rhône meets the sea, just 30 minutes outside Arles. The area has dramatic pink salt flats, wild bulls, white horses galloping in the countryside, and pale pink flamingos flapping their wings.
Because of its biodiversity and natural splendor, the Camargue is on the tentative UNESCO list. If you want to see those cute pink flamingos, you can check them out on YouTube here.
30. Virtual Marie Antoinette Tour
Are you interested in the life and times of the French Queen Marie Antoinette? I have a guide to all the Marie Antoinette sites in and around Paris. You can follow in the footsteps of the controversial and often maligned queen.
I give you a sneak peak at Marie Antoinette’s eventful, helter-skelter life in Paris. And I give you a tour of all the Marie Antoinette sites in and around the capital of France. They’re beautiful and intriguing places. Many are must see sights on your Paris bucket list for history or palace lovers.
You may enjoy these other travel guides and resources for France:
• Secret hidden gem towns in France
• Beautiful villages of Brittany
• Beautiful villages in Normandy
• Charming hidden gems in Provence
• Hilltop villages of the Luberon Valley
• Guide to Monet’s Gardens in Giverny
If you’d like to see the best virtual tours of France online, pin it for later.
