Archives: Atlas Obscuras

Maison Bernard

Discover Maison Bernard in Théoule-sur-Mer, France: One architect's organic, human-centric design has been fully realized in this alien art house.

The Abandoned Village of Occi

Discover The Abandoned Village of Occi in Lumio, France: Resting on a hill overlooking the coast, these medieval ruins look completely deserted save for their restored chapel.

Carriere Wellington Tunnels

Discover Carriere Wellington Tunnels in Arras, France: An underground city of ancient quarry tunnels hid thousands of Allied soldiers in WWI.

Pont Julien

Discover Pont Julien in Bonnieux, France: From carts to cars, this leftover Roman bridge in France has managed to survive for centuries.

The Devils Tower

Discover Château de Bonneval and The Devils Tower in Coussac-Bonneval, France: Legend has it this 11th-century castle was paid a visit from the devil.

The Magic Owl of Dijon

Discover The Magic Owl of Dijon in Dijon, France: For over 300 years this little carving has been the city’s good luck charm.

Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches

Discover Mulberry Harbour at Arromanches in Arromanches-les-Bains, France: Remains of the artificial harbours invented for the Allied invasion of Normandy can still be seen at sea.

Church of the Jacobins’ Little Crushed Man

Discover Church of the Jacobins' Little Crushed Man in Toulouse, France: There is a strange little carving of a person seemingly crushed by a pillar behind the remains of St. Thomas Aquinas.

The Ruins of Oppede-le-Vieux

Discover The Ruins of Oppede-le-Vieux in Oppède, France: These medieval ruins have survived since the 12th century, even providing shelter from the Nazis.

Pointe du Hoc

Discover Pointe du Hoc in Cricqueville-en-Bessin, France: A daring D-Day assault by U.S. Army Rangers is commemorated atop the high cliffs of this strategic point.

Museum of the Beast of Gevaudan

Discover Museum of the Beast of Gevaudan in Saugues, France: An unsettling shrine dedicated to the ravenous beast that prowled 18th-century France.

Cunégonde et Malabar

Discover Cunégonde et Malabar in Nice, France: Artist's eccentric property excessively decorated with found objects and work of his own.

Les Loups du Gevaudan

Discover Les Loups du Gevaudan in Saint-Léger-de-Peyre, France: A sanctuary for wolves in a community which once trembled in fear of the murderous "Beast of Gévaudan.".

The Osmothèque

Discover The Osmothèque in Versailles, France: Perfume museum and library.

Dali’s Statue of Liberty

Discover Dali's Statue of Liberty in Vascœuil, France: To the famous surrealist artist, liberty required two torches held high.

Barry Troglodyte Village

Discover Barry Troglodyte Village in Bollène, France: Series of underground houses inhabited continuously for centuries.

The Flower Tree

Discover The Flower Tree in Lyon, France: A colorful piece of contemporary art cheerfully clashes with Lyon's historical architecture.

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i
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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