The"Monument préféré des Français" is back for its 2024 edition. Remember that in 2023, the famous France 3 TV show hosted by Stéphane Bern named the Château Fort de Sedan in the Ardennes as"France's Favourite Monument". The site thus succeeded the Gare Maritime Transatlantique and the Redoutable in Cherbourg.
The program is back this year to celebrate the 41ᵉ edition of the European Heritage Days in style. Together, we embark on a new tour of France's cultural, architectural and historical heritage, led by Stéphane Bern. After having selected 42 sites in the four corners of France, only 14 remain. 14 monuments ready to become the"Monument préféré des Français 2024".
So which monument represents the Île-de-France region? Which Île-de-France site is in the final this year? Internet users had to choose just one Île-de-France treasure, from among the Abbaye de Royaumont in Val-d'Oise and the Château de Fontainebleau in Seine-et-Marne. In the end, it was the famous holiday resort of the kings at Fontainebleau that won all the votes. The site thus finds itself in the final with 13 other monuments spread across the four corners of France.
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes : Site Le Corbusier Firminy-Vert (Loire)
This site is a perfect example of the modern architecture imagined by Le Corbusier. Built in the 1950s, it includes a Maison de la Culture, a housing unit, a church, a stadium and a swimming pool, making it the largest Corbusier complex in Europe.
Burgundy-Franche-Comté: Saline royale d'Arc-et-Senans (Doubs)
This salt factory built under Louis XV between 1775 and 1779 is a masterpiece by architect Claude-Nicolas Ledoux. Its unique semi-circular shape makes it an exceptional example of 18th-century industrial architecture.
Brittany: Domaine de Trévarez (Finistère)
This late 19th-century château, commissioned by politician James de Kerjégu, is an example of modernity and luxury, with innovations such as electricity and central heating. Its 85-hectare park has been awarded the Jardin remarquable label.
Centre-Val de Loire: Prieuré Saint-Cosme - Demeure de Ronsard (Indre-et-Loire)
A former monastery founded in the 11th century, the Prieuré Saint-Cosme is famous for having been the last home of the poet Pierre de Ronsard, offering a place steeped in spirituality and literary history.
Corsica: Parc de Saleccia (Haute-Corse)
Situated between sea and mountains, this 7-hectare botanical park presents a variety of Mediterranean scenes, including olive groves and ponds, in a typically Corsican setting.
Grand-Est: Sanctuaire du Mont Sainte-Odile (Bas-Rhin)
This spiritual Mecca of Alsace is dedicated to Sainte Odile, patron saint of the region. Situated at an altitude of 753 meters, it offers exceptional views and houses a basilica as well as an ancient megalithic wall, the Pagan Wall.
Hauts-de-France: Douai Belfry (Nord)
The Douai Belfry, with its 14th-century Gothic architecture, is famous for its 62-bell carillon. Reaching a height of 61 meters, it symbolizes the power and independence of northern towns in the Middle Ages.
Île-de-France: Château de Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne)
This château, inhabited by all the kings of France from the 12th to the 19th century, is a living testimony to the country's monarchic history. With over 1,500 rooms, it is one of the most furnished châteaux in France.
La Réunion: Lazaret de la Grande Chaloupe (La Possession and Saint-Denis)
A former quarantine station for indentured workers who came to La Réunion in the 19th century, the Lazaret de la Grande Chaloupe is an important historical site that recalls the island's history of miscegenation and immigration.
Normandy: Château d'Eu - Musée Louis-Philippe (Seine-Maritime)
Built in the 16th century and restored by Viollet-le-Duc in the 19th, the Château d'Eu houses the Musée Louis-Philippe. It is an example of Renaissance architecture and the history of the French royal family.
Nouvelle-Aquitaine: Fort Louvois (Charente-Maritime)
This maritime fort, designed by Vauban in the 17th century to protect the Rochefort arsenal, is a masterpiece of military architecture, with its horseshoe shape and central keep.
Occitanie: Château Laurens (Hérault)
Built at the end of the 19th century, this Art Nouveau palace in Agde, with its Oriental-inspired decor, is a bold architectural work and has recently been restored after a long period of renovation.
Pays de la Loire: Circuit des 24 heures du Mans (Sarthe)
Celebrating its centenary, this legendary racetrack has evolved since its creation in 1923. Today, it is one of the world's most prestigious endurance races.
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur: Villa & Jardins Ephrussi de Rothschild (Alpes-Maritimes)
Overlooking the Côte d'Azur, this Belle Époque villa, built in 1905 by Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild, is an architectural and artistic treasure, surrounded by sumptuous gardens and housing an eclectic collection of works of art.
So, which will be the"Monument préféré des Français 2024"? Find out on Wednesday, September 18, 2024 at 9:05pm on France 3. Stéphane Bern, in charge of the show, will reveal the ranking and this year's winner.
Dates and Opening Time
On September 18, 2024
Starts at 09:00 p.m.
Official website
www.francetelevisions.fr
