Archives: Atlas Obscuras

The Troglodyte Church of Haute-Isle

Discover Troglodyte Church in Haute-Isle, France: The Church of the Annunciation was carved into the face of a cliff, just like the rest of the town of Haute-Isle.

Hovering Mill of Vernon

Discover The Old Mill of Vernon in Vernon, France: A quaint medieval millhouse hovers surprisingly above the waters of the Seine.

Bibliotheque Mejanes

Discover Bibliotheque Mejanes in Aix-en-Provence, France: A French library that makes sure its love of books is writ large… giant in fact.

Leffrinckoucke Bunkers

Discover Leffrinckoucke Bunkers in Leffrinckoucke, France: These crumbling Nazi artillery bunkers are now fair game for massive graffiti projects.

Goussainville-Vieux Pays

Discover Goussainville-Vieux Pays in Fontenay-en-Parisis, France: The post-apocalyptic remnants of a bucolic town ruined by a plane crash.

Underground City of Naours

Discover Cité souterraine de Naours (Underground City of Naours) in Naours, France: A centuries-old complex of hand-dug stone chambers has sheltered locals in times of trouble.

Marville Ossuary

Discover Marville Ossuary in Marville, France: The remains of 40,000 humans, meticulously stacked in a tiny churchyard shed.

Pic du Midi Observatory

Discover Pic du Midi Observatory in Sers, France: This futuristic observatory at the top of the Pyrénées offers unrivaled views.

Arles Amphitheatre

Discover Arles Amphitheatre in Arles, France: This ancient theater was once the home of fierce gladiatorial battles.

Carnac Stones

Discover Carnac Stones in Carnac, France: Hundreds of prehistoric stones, arranged in perfect lines in a French field.

Testut-Latarjet Museum

Discover Testut-Latarjet Museum in Lyon, France: Nicknamed the "Museum of Horrors," this French anatomical collection has been fascinating visitors for over a century.

Museum of a Million and One Roots

Discover Museum of a Million and One Roots in Cornimont, France: This collection of French root art looks like an indoor fairy wonderland.

Cemetery of the Dogs

Discover Cemetery of the Dogs in Asnières-sur-Seine, France: The Cimetière des Chiens et Autres Animaux Domestiques is one of the oldest pet cemeteries in the world.

Francois Daneck’s Colonial Concept

Discover Francois Daneck's Colonial Concept in Saint-Ouen, France: Collection of antique taxidermy and natural specimens, near one of Paris's oldest flea markets.

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To represent a masterpiece of human creative genius. 261 ii
To exhibit an important interchange of human values, over a span of time or within a cultural area of the world, on developments in architecture or technology, monumental arts, town-planning or landscape design. 480 iii
To bear a unique or at least exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition or to a civilization which is living or which has disappeared. 514 iv
To be an outstanding example of a type of building, architectural or technological ensemble or landscape which illustrates (a) significant stage(s) in human history. 642 ix
To be outstanding examples representing significant on-going ecological and biological processes in the evolution and development of terrestrial, fresh water, coastal and marine ecosystems and communities of plants and animals. 137 v
To be an outstanding example of a traditional human settlement, land-use, or sea-use which is representative of a culture (or cultures), or human interaction with the environment especially when it has become vulnerable under the impact of irreversible change. 172 vi
To be directly or tangibly associated with events or living traditions, with ideas, or with beliefs, with artistic and literary works of outstanding universal significance. (The Committee considers that this criterion should preferably be used in conjunction with other criteria). 256 vii
To contain superlative natural phenomena or areas of exceptional natural beauty and aesthetic importance. 151 viii
To be outstanding examples representing major stages of earth's history, including the record of life, significant on-going geological processes in the development of landforms, or significant geomorphic or physiographic features. 98 x
To contain the most important and significant natural habitats for in-situ conservation of biological diversity, including those containing threatened species of outstanding universal value from the point of view of science or conservation. 168

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