Ruins in France

Discover 38 unusual ruins in France.

Montgenèvre, France

Fort du Janus

The ruins of a military fortification sit atop this mountain.

A view of the 14-century towers.

Saint-Geniez-ô-Merle, France

Towers of Merle

Explore an eerie, abandoned medieval citadel.

Peyrusse le Roc

Peyrusse-le-Roc, France

Peyrusse le Roc

The evocative ruins of a medieval village.

Abbaye de Montmajour

Abbaye de Montmajour

Home to fantastic views and ancient graves.

Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers

Les Trois-Moutiers, France

Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers

A 2017 crowdfunding campaign saved this historic castle from being destroyed.

19th Century wash-house viewed from the ramparts.

Ramparts of Beaune

These ramparts, once lined with towers, were constructed in defense of Beaune.

Lanleff, France

Temple de Lanleff

The precise origins of this pink sandstone temple are unknown.

L'œil de la Sorcière (The Witch’s Eye)

L'œil de la Sorcière (The Witch’s Eye)

The remains of this castle, known as the Witch’s Eye, watch over the Thur Valley.

The exterior of the Hambye Abbey

Hambye Abbey

This 12th century, partially destroyed, abbey has had several owners and was seized during the French Revolution.

A Celles ruin.

Celles

Half a century after it was abandoned, this ghost town is coming back to life.

The ruins of the Malpasset Dam.

Fréjus, France

Barrage de Malpasset (Malpasset Dam)

The ruins stand as a somber reminder of France’s worst civil catastrophe of the 20th century.

Temple de Mars

Corseul, France

Temple de Mars

Journey through the ruins of this ancient Roman temple dedicated to the god of war.

Lacoste, France

Château de Lacoste

The castle where the Marquis de Sade lived out his darkest fantasies.

The pathway connecting Saint-Malo to Grand Bé.

Saint-Malo, France

Grand Bé

On this romantic tidal island reachable only at low tide the tomb of a famous French writer overlooks the sea.

Detail of the site

Marseille, France

Le Jardin des Vestiges

This garden houses the remains of the ancient Greek port of Marseille.

Bavay Ancient Forum.

Bavay Ancient Forum

These ruins reveal the remarkably intact layout of a Roman marketplace.