Jaser

Ile-de-France (Ile-de-France) is primarily represented by Paris - the capital of France and the most romantic city in the world. But in Ile-de-France there are many other sights to see: delightful castles with perfect parks and romantic gardens, ancient abbeys, royal residences, the Regional Natural Park and the excellent cuisine of the region.

This beautiful castle, Chateau d'Usse, is located on the edge of the Chinon Forest overlooking the Indre Valley. The castle was first fortified in the 11th century, by the Normans, by a Ussé lord named Gueldin de Saumur, who surrounded the fortress with a palisade. Because of its fabulous Flaming Gothic and Renaissance appearance, the Chateau d'Usse is often referred to as the Sleeping Beauty Castle.

Without a doubt, Mont Saint-Michel is one of the most impressive architectural ensembles in Europe. Built in the 8th century, the abbey of Mont Saint-Michel is located on a rocky island on the northern coast of France, in Normandy. The uniqueness of this place is that this island is located only 600 m from the continent, it can be easily reached at low tide, as numerous pilgrims did. At the same time, it is also an ideal place for defense: at high tide, potential attackers would have to drown.

Situated on the banks of the Rhone River, Tarascon Castle has been remarkably well preserved. This is one of the finest medieval castles in France and Europe. It was built in the 15th century by the Dukes of Anjou and is a very architecturally compact building, surrounded on all sides by the river.

The over fortified castle of Foix is ​​an important tourist attraction in the region, the center of the Cathars. It was built in the Middle Ages and has been known since 987. In 1034 the castle became the capital of the County of Foix and played an important role in medieval military history. Towers were gradually added to further protect the fortress. The two square towers of the castle, built before the 11th century, served as a political and civil prison for 4 centuries, until 1862. The newest tower is round and was added in the 15th century. Since 1840 the castle has been classified as a historical monument.

The secrets of the past, which some amazing places on earth keep in themselves, have always excited the minds of scientists and ordinary people who happened to be there. Fans of historical secrets and mysteries will find something to see in Portugal - one of the most mysterious places in the country is located in the city of Sintra, 30 kilometers from Lisbon. This is Quinta da Regaleira. Every meter of land here is full of puzzles, over which many scientists from all over the world have been struggling for many centuries in a row.

The Algarve region, protected from the north by mountains, has a different culture, climate and scenery than the rest of Portugal. The amazing beauty of the coast and the mild climate make the Algarve one of the most popular tourist destinations in Portugal. One of the attractions of Portugal is located here, in the Algarve region. This is Praia da Marina beach - a small and secluded piece of the coast, which is located away from the main infrastructure of the resort, so here you can fully enjoy the peace and tranquility, as well as rocky landscapes and a clean pebble beach.

The lands where today's urban life in Cascais rages were settled by the first inhabitants in the 12th century. The resulting settlement, due to its favorable geographical position on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, near the capital, quickly grew and began to flourish, and these lands subsequently became the subject of battles between different nations more than once.

The Portuguese city of Guimarães is the cultural and historical center of the country, and its main symbol is the medieval castle of Guimarães, which has become a historical landmark of Portugal. Today, the castle has been restored and has practically not retained its original appearance, and the fortress on the site of the castle, Monte Largo hill, was first built back in the 7th century. The modern appearance of the castle acquired much later - in the 12th century.

One of the most beautiful Portuguese cities, which in fact is itself a landmark of Portugal, is located closer to the east of the country, in the province of Alto Alentejo. This is the city-museum of Evora, framed by wonderful olive groves, vineyards, flowering meadows that turn the town into a real garden. The city itself includes a lot of historical sights - ancient buildings, temples, palaces, cathedrals, reflecting the rich history of the city.

As for the natural beauties of Portugal, we can say that there is a place for expanse and contemplation: amazing mountain landscapes, numerous lakes, rivers and waterfalls, lush greenery of mountain meadows - in a word, you will find something to see in Portugal. Despite the natural diversity, there is only one reserve on the territory of Portugal - the Peneda-Gerês National Park. This protected area is spread between the Peneda and Geres mountain ranges.