Ruins in France

Discover 42 unusual ruins in France.

The Buried Church Beneath Musée Rude

A forgotten stone skeleton of medieval Dijon slumbers beneath the feet of unsuspecting museum visitors.

Bordeaux, France

Palais Gallien

A Roman amphitheatre turned meeting spot for witches.

Dunkerque, France

Bains Dunkerquois

A ghostly and forgotten art deco bathhouse by the windy shore of Dunkirk, weathered but still standing.

Saint-Rémy-de-Provence, France

Glanum

This ancient Roman town was revered for the healing waters of its sacred spring.

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.

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.