Chartres Cathedral, France - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Chartres Cathedral, France

Weather: Some sun in the morning with increasing clouds during the afternoon, 51/70F.

Route: From Mont-Saint-Michel 194 km east on A81 and A11.

Population: 38,462

Significance: Probably the best example of gothic architecture in the world - the cathedral was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. Known for its beautiful original stained glass and supporting flying buttresses.

Website: UNESCO World Heritage Site

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The front western facade (from whc.unesco.org)

Detail of the one of entrances (from whc.unesco.org)

Mont-Saint-Michel, France - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Mont-Saint-Michel, France

Weather: Partly cloudy, 48/65F.

Route: From Chambord 334 km WNW on A28.

Significance: One of the most iconic abbeys in the world, set on a small island just off the coast. Most of it was built in the 12th and 13th centuries. 

Website: UNESCO World Heritage Site

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The abbey and island from the coast (from whc.unesco.org)

The courtyard (from whc.unesco.org)

Chateau of Chambord, France - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Chateau of Chombord, France

Weather: Overcast with rain showers at times, 46/62F.

Route: From Bourges 107 km NNW on A71.

Significance: A masterpiece of the Renaissance, Francis I built it soon after his friend Leonardo da Vinci died in the 16th century.  The architect was Dominico da Cortana, but some of the features, like the spiral staircase were at least influenced by da Vinci designs. The chateau was built to show off Francis' power. The cheateau was initially the UNESCO World Heritage Site, but it has been updated to include the entire Loire valley.

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The chateau at sunset (from whc.unesco.org)

The chateau and gardens (from whc.unesco.org)

Bourges Cathedral, France - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Bourges Cathedral, France

Weather: Partly cloudy skies in the morning giving way to cloudy skies in the afternoon, 47/62F.

Route: From Vezelay 126 km WSW on N151.

Population: 64,668

Significance: Bourge Cathedral was a gothic masterpiece of the 12th and 13th centuries. There have been updates in the 16th and 18th centuries - making it a bit of an architectural hodge podge.

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The Cathedral (from whc.unesco.org)

The inside of the cathedral (from whc.unesco.org)

Vezelay, France - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Vezelay, France

Weather: Rain, 44/59F

Route: From Montbard 67 km WSW on D957.

Significance: It was founded in the 9th century and soon became popular as a pilgrimage site when it acquired the relics of Mary Magdalene. It was the starting point for the second and third crusades in the 12th century.

Website: UNESCO World Heritage Site

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The hill town of Vezelay (from whc.unesco.org)

The 12th century church (from whc.unesco.org)

Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay, France - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Cistercian Abbey of Fontenay, France

Weather: Partly cloudy, 47/63F.

Route: From Lyon 254 km north on A6.

Significance: It was founded in 1119 by St. Bernard. He believed that many monasteries had lost their way by being too ornamented and ostentatious. He taught his monks to live a simpler life. He even thought a cross was too much decoration.

Website: UNESCO World Heritage Site

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The Abbey (from whc.unesco.org)

Corridor by the courtyard (from whc.unesco.org)

Lyon, France - UNESCO World Heritage Site

 Place: Lyon, France

Weather: Partly cloudy skies, 46/67F.

Route: From Montignac 398 km ENE on A89.

Population: 518,635

Places to visit: Musee du Cinema et de la Miniature, Basilique Notre Dame de Fourviere, Parc de la Tete d'Or, Museum of Fine Arts of Lyon, Musee des Confluences, Theatres Romains de Fourviere, Institut & Musee Lumiere, Gallo-Roman Museum, Cathedrale Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Lyon, Centre d'histoire de la Resistance et de la Deportation, Musee des Tissus et des Art Decoratif, Memorial National de la Prison de Montluc, Musee de l'Imprimerie de Lyon.

Website: UNESCO World Heritage Site

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Place de Terreaux (from whc.unesco.org)

Roman Theatre (from whc.unesco.org)