View of the Pyrenees Mountains between France and Spain taken April 1985. The snow-covered mountains, which form a formidable physical barrier between France to the north (left) and Spain to the south (right), are the main focus of this low-oblique, southeast-looking photograph. Scarcely interrupted by accessible passes and pierced in only two places by railroad tunnels, the Pyrenees are an ideal natural boundary between the Iberian Peninsula and the rest of Europe. The northern flank of the Pyrenees is characterized by a series of large alluvial deposits that fan out across southwestern France. The darker, roughly triangular area in southwest France is part of the forested Aquitaine Basin. The southern flank of the Pyrenees (Spain) is characterized by aridity and very rugged, mountainous conditions. Human settlement is sparse throughout the Pyrenees. However, because the region is rich in mineral waters, there are dozens of mineral water resorts, and winter sports attract visitors from southwestern France. The very small mountainous country of Andorra (not distinguishable in this photograph) has survived in an inaccessible upper valley of the Pyrenees. Image courtesy of NASA.

The Alps march across this image of Autumnal (early October) southern Europe. On either side of and above the Alps are the countries of (from left to right) France, Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, and Slovenia, while below the Alps is Italy. The Mediterranean and Ligurian Seas sit to the west of Italy, while to the right is the Adriatic Sea. As the season progresses, snow begins to whiten the Alps. Image courtesy of NASA.

The brightly lit metropolitan areas of Torino (Italy), Lyon, and Marseille (both in France) stand out amidst numerous smaller urban areas in this dramatic photo from the international space station. The image captures the nighttime appearance of the France-Italy border. The southwestern end of the Alps Mountains separates the two countries. The island of Corsica is visible in the Ligurian Sea to the south (image top). The full moon reflects brightly on the water surface and also illuminates the tops of low patchy clouds over the border (center). Photo courtesy of NASA.

Rich in antiquities and picturesque landscapes, the island provinces of Corsica, France, (top) and Sardinia, Italy, (bottom) have captured the imaginations of historians and poets alike for centuries. Corsica, crowned with snow-capped mountains, jeweled with shimmering lakes, and cloaked in misty emerald forests, is situated in the Mediterranean Sea southeast of mainland France. The island has almost 1,700 hills and mountains, and is carved by an extensive network of rivers. Across the Strait of Bonifacio to the south is Sardinia, the Mediterranean's second largest island. Stretching across the central, eastern part of Sardinia is the rugged terrain of Gennargentu - mountainous, thickly vegetated, and mostly uninhabited. The port city of Cagliari sits on the large bay on Sardinia's southern coast. Photo courtesy of NASA.

View of Gordes in Provence. The buildings are constructed of white stones and rise in tiers above the Imergue Valley on the edge of the Vaucluse Plateau.

The Gordes Castle in Provence dates to 1031.

The village square in Gordes is adjacent to the Castle.

World War I memorial in the Gordes village square.

The Castle on the village square in Gordes, Provence, was partially rebuilt in 1525.

Fields of lavender in Provence near Roussillon.

A Roman bridge still in use in Provence near Roussillon.

View of the village of Roussillon in Provence. The village sits atop the highest hills between the Coulon Valley and the Vaucluse Plateau.

View of an alley in the village of Roussillon in Provence.

Village church in Roussillon, Provence.

Much of the architecture in Roussillon is colored with earthen tones from a nearby ocher quarry.

View of the Palais de Chaillot as seen from the Eiffel Tower in Paris. The two curved buildings making up the site house a number of museums.

The Place de la Concorde in Paris is the largest square in the French capital. In the center of the Place stands a giant obelisk, transported from Egypt and erected in 1836.

The Eglise du Dome is the church at the building complex named Les Invalides in Paris. Containing a hospital and retirement home for war veterans, the site also consists of museums and monuments relating to the military history of France.

Altar in the church of Saint-Ferdinand-des-Ternes in Paris.

Flower festooned boat on the Seine River in Paris.

The Louvre Pyramid, built in 1989, serves as the main entrance to the Louvre, one of the world's largest and most visited museums. Objects dating from prehistory to the 19th century are on display there.

The massive courtyard at the Chateau de Versailles (Palace of Versailles). Most of the construction at the sprawling site was carried out in four phases between 1664 and 1710, during the reign of Louis XIV.

The Abbaye aux Hommes (Men's Abbey) is a Romanesque church dedicated to St. Etienne (St. Stephen)in Caen. Built by order of William the Conqueror, the former Benedictine abbey was completed in 1063.

The tomb of William the Conqueror in the Church of St. Etienne in Caen.

Gardens before the Church of St. Etienne in Caen. Formerly referred to as the Men's Abbey, the structure was completed in 1063 and is now dedicated to St. Stephen.

Entrance to the D-Day Landing Museum in Arromanches, Normandy.

Rows of crosses at the American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, Normandy. Located on a bluff overlooking Omaha Beach (one of the landing beaches for the Normandy Invasion of 1944), the cemetery contains the remains of 9,387 American military dead.

View of the marina outside the walled city of Saint-Malo in Brittany. The city began as a 6th century monastic settlement. Over time its citizens developed a reputation for asserting their autonomy. From 1490-93, Saint-Malo declared itself an independent republic. During the 16th-18th centuries, it was famous as the home of the corsairs (French privateers). Jacques Cartier, the French explorer, called Saint-Malo home. The first colonists of the Falkland Islands came from Saint-Malo.

The Chateau de Saint-Malo in Britanny now serves as the town museum and town hall.

The fortified island abbey of Mont-Saint-Michel off the coast of Normandy. At one time the site was disconnected from the coast at high tide, but silting has since connected the island to the mainland. Today, an operation is underway to desilt the area around the island. It was not until the 8th century that the first monastic establishment appeared on the island. Before that it was a stronghold of Romano-Breton culture and power. In the Hundred Years War, the French successfully prevented the English from capturing the island. During the Reformation, the popularity of the Mont declined, and during the French Revolution it became a prison which finally closed in 1863. In 1874, Mont-Saint-Michel was declared a historic monument; in 1979, it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Close up of some of the impressive fortifications at Mont-Saint-Michel.

The cloisters at Mont-Saint-Michel.

Shops in the town of Cognac, where the famous brandy (distilled wine) was first developed.

The Chateau fort de Lourdes, which overlooks the town, occupies a strategic position in the Pyrenees. Parts of the structure date back to Roman times.

Pilgrims and visitors at Lourdes. The Rosary Basilica in the foreground serves as an entranceway to the larger Basilica of the Immaculate Conception behind. Lourdes is the reputed site of 18 Marian apparitions in 1858. The town is one of the world's greatest pilgrimage sites hosting some 5 million visitors annually.

Some of the massive walls at the fortified town of Carcassone. Restored in 1853, the fortress became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1997.

A section of the fortifications at Chateau Comtal, part of the larger defenses at the fortress of Carcassone.

A street scene on a rainy day in the fortified town of Carcassone.

The ancient Roman arena at Nimes is still in use today. Built about A.D. 70, it was remodeled in 1863 and can seat some 16,300 spectators.

The Maison Carree in Nimes, one of the best preserved of surviving Roman temples, dates to 16 B.C. In subsequent centuries it served as a church, a meeting hall, a storehouse, and a stable. In 1823 it became a museum.

The Roman aqueduct at Pont du Gard, built during the mid-first century A.D., was part of a 50 km (30 mi) long aqueduct system that brought water to the city of Nemausus (today's Nimes). Built entirely without the use of mortar, its construction is thought to have taken about three years using 800 to 1,000 workers.

The city of Avignon in southeastern France is well known as the former seat of the papacy in the 14th century. Shown is the Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) on the right and the Romanesque Cathedral Notre Dames-des Doms on the far left.

A beach at Nice. The city is a major tourist center and a leading resort along the French Riviera.

Farmers market in Nice.

Approaching the fortified medieval town and artist's haven of Saint-Paul de Vence in Provence.

Flowers drip from balconies in the town of Saint-Paul de Vence in Provence.

A street market in Beaune, a town located in the heart of the Burgundy wine region.

A street scene in Dijon, the capital of the Burgundy region. The city was first settled by the Romans and then became the domain of the Dukes of Burgundy, who ruled the area until the late 1400s. It is known for its many architectural styles and hosts the annual Dijon International and Gastronomic Fair.

The Palais des Ducs de Bourgogne (Palace of the Dukes of Burgundy) in Dijon.

A cafe on a canal in Colmar. The town, situated on the Alsatian Wine Route, was founded in the 9th century. In 1226, it became a Free Imperial City of the Holy Roman Empire. It was conquered by Louis XIV and the French in 1673 and over subsequent centuries alternated between German and French control. It reverted to France in 1945.

Buildings along a canal in Colmar, an Alsatian town known as "Little Venice." Situated on the Lauch River, Colmar connects to the Rhine via a canal.

Half timbered houses along a shopping street in old Colmar.

A street scene in old Colmar. The picturesque town is a tourist magnet; it annually hosts the Alsatian Wine Fair.

Street scene in the Alsatian town of Colmar.

Colorful houses along a canal in Colmar, an Alsatian town with the sobriquet of "Little Venice."

The Eglise Saint-Matthieu (Dominican Church of St. Matthew) in the Alsatian town of Colmar was built in the 13th century.

Colorful house in the medieval Alsatian town of Riquewihr. The locale is renowned not only for its historic architecture, but also for the fine wines it produces.

The road into Ingersheim on the Alsatian Wine Route.

Vineyards along the Alsatian Wine Route.

Vineyards along the Alsatian Wine Route.

The main square in Equisheim with the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. This church, built in 1808, replaced one dating to medieval times.

The Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, the Chapel of Saint-Leo IX, and the statue of Saint-Leo IX in Eguisheim.

The Chapel of Saint-Leo IX stands in the main square of Eguisheim next to the Church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul.

A statue of Saint-Leo IX stands in the main square of Eguisheim before the church of Saint Peter and Saint Paul. Saint-Leo IX was born in Eguisheim and became Pope in 1049.

Street scene in Eguisheim along the Alsace Wine Trail.

Old wine press along the streets of Eguisheim.

Strolling through the streets of Eguisheim.

Street scene along the flower-lined streets of Eguisheim.

Strasbourg Cathedral was begun in 1176 and completed in 1439. Although it displays some elements of Romanesque style, it is widely considered to be among the finest examples of high Gothic architecture. Inside is an unusually accurate clock that has been built and rebuilt three times over the centuries, and which indicates a variety of astronomical data. The animated figures still move to indicate the hours of the day.

The famous west portal of the Strasbourg Cathedral is in the Gothic style and has hundreds of figures sculpted into it.

Rose windows, such as this one in Strasbourg Cathedral, are a common feature of Gothic architecture.

A half timbered house on Grande Ile (Big Island) in Strasbourg. Grande Ile is in the Ill River, which runs through Strasbourg. The entire island has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its buildings showing developing stages of architecture - beginning in the medieval period and working up to the classical period. Besides Strasbourg Cathedral there are four other venerable churches, as well as the Palais Rohan, a former residence of the prince-bishops of the area.

The old custom's building (L'Ancienne Douane) on the Grande Ile in Strasbourg. Constructed in 1358, the structure housed the port and tax authorities, and was used to store and transform goods and merchandise going up and down the Rhine River. Today the building houses a restaurant.

A sightseeing boat along the Ill River in Strasbourg.

Walkway along the Ill River in Strasbourg.

A view of the western side of Strasbourg Cathedral. Only one spire was ever completed.

View of the Strasbourg Cathedral roof from its spire. Some of the flying buttresses supporting the cathedral walls can be clearly seen.

Looking down on Strasbourg from the Cathedral. Strasbourg is the capital of the Alsace region and the Bas-Rhin department. It is the ninth largest city in France and is the home of the Council of Europe, the European Parliament, and Eurocorps (the European Union's military forces). It is an important center of manufacturing and engineering, and has a port on the Rhine River. The Celts first settled the site in about 1300 B.C. It became a part of the Roman Empire in 12 B.C. In A.D. 923 it became part of the Holy Roman Empire. The University of Strasbourg is the largest university in France.

Place Stanislas (Stanislas Square) in the center of Nancy, formerly the capital of the Duchy of Lorraine, now the capital of Meurthe-et-Moselle. The square, constructed between 1751 and 1755, was the brainchild of Stanislas Leszczynski, Duke of Lorraine and former King of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth. Nancy became a French province on the death of Stanislas in 1766. In 2005, the heads of three countries - Germany, Poland, and France - met here to inaugurate the renovated Place Stanislas. A statue of Stanislas Leszczynski stands in front of the Town Hall.

The Neptune Fountain is one of four waterworks erected by Barthelemy Guibal in Stanislas Square in Nancy; this one was completed in 1751.

The Amphitrite Fountain in Stanislas Square in Nancy is one of four erected by Barthelemy Guibal; this one dates to 1750.

The Graffe Gate is one of the oldest remaining parts of Nancy's fortifications. It was erected in the 14th century, and its towers were used as prisons for many years. Its bell also formerly tolled the curfew. The facade displays a distinctive Lorraine Cross, since the city was the former capital of the Duchy of Lorraine.

The Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau was built on an island in the Indre River between 1515 and 1527 and is one of the earliest of French Renaissance chateaux.

The Chateau d'Usse was rebuilt in the 15th century on a stronghold site dating back to the 11th century. By tradition, this is the castle Charles Perrault had in mind when he wrote the Sleeping Beauty fairy tale.

The mansion of Clos Luce in Amboise is connected to the nearby royal Chateau by an underground passageway. It served as the residence of Leonardo da Vinci for the last three years of his life (1516-1519). The mansion currently is the museum for the surrounding region and displays 40 models of machines developed by Leonardo.

The Chateau de Chenonceau in the Loire Valley was built in the early 16th century. It is one of France's most popular tourist attractions.

The royal Chateau d'Amboise in the Loire Valley was rebuilt in the late 15th century over a stronghold dating back to the 11th century.

Statue of Dom Perignon (1638-1715) in the town of Epernay. The Benedictine monk made many important contributions to the production and quality of champagne wines.