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Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Cathar Castles

FRANCE. AUDE (11) CUCUGNAN.THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS. RISING TO OVER 700 METRES ABOVE SEA LEVEL ON THE SOUTHERN CREST OF THE CORBIERES, THE CASTLE OF QUERIBUS IS THE BEST-PRESERVED OF THE CATHAR FORTRESSES. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. THE CHATEAUX OF LASTOURS SHROUDED IN MIST (FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CHATEAUX FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS) NEAR CABARDES Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES. THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST (FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES (TOUR REGINE, SURDESPINE, QUERTINHEAUX AND CHATEAU DE CABARET) NOW IN RUINS. THESE LASTOURS CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTERESSES DU LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, AERIAL VIEW OF THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, AERIAL VIEW OF THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, AERIAL VIEW OF THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, AERIAL VIEW OF THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, AERIAL VIEW OF THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Chateaux du Pays Cathare

FRANCE. AUDE (11) ORBIEL VALLEY. NEAR CABARDES, THE LASTOURS CASTLES SHROUDED IN MIST. FOUR ANCIENT FORTRESSES KNOWN AS CATHAR CASTLES FROM THE 12TH AND 13TH CENTURIES, NOW IN RUINS. THESE CASTLES ARE AN INTEGRAL PART OF FRANCE'S OFFICIAL APPLICATION (?FORTRESSES OF THE LANGUEDOC?) FOR UNESCO WORLD HERITAGE STATUS IN 2026. Photo by Paul Palau/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Marseille

FRANCE. BOUCHES DU RHONE (13) FRIOUL ARCHIPELAGO: ISLAND AND CHATEAU D'IF. THE CHATEAU D'IF IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS FORTRESSES IN THE WORLD. AT JUST THREE HECTARES, IF IS THE SMALLEST ISLAND IN FRANCE, YET ITS NAME HAS BEEN MADE WORLD-FAMOUS BY ALEXANDRE DUMAS. AFTER THE FALL OF NAPOLEON, THE STORY OF THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO BEGAN IN THE 19TH CENTURY UNDER THE PEN OF ITS WRITER. HIS HERO WAS LOCKED UP IN THE CHATEAU D'IF, WHICH WAS A PRISON FOR 400 YEARS. EVEN IN THOSE DAYS, THE CONDITIONS OF DETENTION IN THIS PENITENTIARY WERE RAGING. TWO CENTURIES AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF ALEXANDRE DUMAS' BOOK, VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE STILL FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF EDMOND DANTES. THESE TRACES LEAD THEM TO DISCOVER THE REAL HISTORY OF THIS FORTRESS BUILT BY FRANCOIS 1ST 500 YEARS AGO. Photo by Antoine Lorgnier/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Marseille

FRANCE. BOUCHES DU RHONE (13) FRIOUL ARCHIPELAGO: ISLAND AND CHATEAU D'IF. THE CHATEAU D'IF IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS FORTRESSES IN THE WORLD. AT JUST THREE HECTARES, IF IS THE SMALLEST ISLAND IN FRANCE, YET ITS NAME HAS BEEN MADE WORLD-FAMOUS BY ALEXANDRE DUMAS. AFTER THE FALL OF NAPOLEON, THE STORY OF THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO BEGAN IN THE 19TH CENTURY UNDER THE PEN OF ITS WRITER. HIS HERO WAS LOCKED UP IN THE CHATEAU D'IF, WHICH WAS A PRISON FOR 400 YEARS. EVEN IN THOSE DAYS, THE CONDITIONS OF DETENTION IN THIS PENITENTIARY WERE RAGING. TWO CENTURIES AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF ALEXANDRE DUMAS' BOOK, VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE STILL FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF EDMOND DANTES. THESE TRACES LEAD THEM TO DISCOVER THE REAL HISTORY OF THIS FORTRESS BUILT BY FRANCOIS 1ST 500 YEARS AGO. Photo by Philippe Royer/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Marseille

FRANCE. BOUCHES DU RHONE (13) FRIOUL ARCHIPELAGO: ISLAND AND CHATEAU D'IF. THE CHATEAU D'IF IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS FORTRESSES IN THE WORLD. AT JUST THREE HECTARES, IF IS THE SMALLEST ISLAND IN FRANCE, YET ITS NAME HAS BEEN MADE WORLD-FAMOUS BY ALEXANDRE DUMAS. AFTER THE FALL OF NAPOLEON, THE STORY OF THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO BEGAN IN THE 19TH CENTURY UNDER THE PEN OF ITS WRITER. HIS HERO WAS LOCKED UP IN THE CHATEAU D'IF, WHICH WAS A PRISON FOR 400 YEARS. EVEN IN THOSE DAYS, THE CONDITIONS OF DETENTION IN THIS PENITENTIARY WERE RAGING. TWO CENTURIES AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF ALEXANDRE DUMAS' BOOK, VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE STILL FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF EDMOND DANTES. THESE TRACES LEAD THEM TO DISCOVER THE REAL HISTORY OF THIS FORTRESS BUILT BY FRANCOIS 1ST 500 YEARS AGO. Photo by Philippe Royer/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Marseille

FRANCE. BOUCHES DU RHONE (13) FRIOUL ARCHIPELAGO: ISLAND AND CHATEAU D'IF. THE CHATEAU D'IF IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS FORTRESSES IN THE WORLD. AT JUST THREE HECTARES, IF IS THE SMALLEST ISLAND IN FRANCE, YET ITS NAME HAS BEEN MADE WORLD-FAMOUS BY ALEXANDRE DUMAS. AFTER THE FALL OF NAPOLEON, THE STORY OF THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO BEGAN IN THE 19TH CENTURY UNDER THE PEN OF ITS WRITER. HIS HERO WAS LOCKED UP IN THE CHATEAU D'IF, WHICH WAS A PRISON FOR 400 YEARS. EVEN IN THOSE DAYS, THE CONDITIONS OF DETENTION IN THIS PENITENTIARY WERE RAGING. TWO CENTURIES AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF ALEXANDRE DUMAS' BOOK, VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE STILL FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF EDMOND DANTES. THESE TRACES LEAD THEM TO DISCOVER THE REAL HISTORY OF THIS FORTRESS BUILT BY FRANCOIS 1ST 500 YEARS AGO. Photo by Philippe Royer/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Marseille

FRANCE. BOUCHES DU RHONE (13) FRIOUL ARCHIPELAGO: ISLAND AND CHATEAU D'IF. THE CHATEAU D'IF IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS FORTRESSES IN THE WORLD. AT JUST THREE HECTARES, IF IS THE SMALLEST ISLAND IN FRANCE, YET ITS NAME HAS BEEN MADE WORLD-FAMOUS BY ALEXANDRE DUMAS. AFTER THE FALL OF NAPOLEON, THE STORY OF THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO BEGAN IN THE 19TH CENTURY UNDER THE PEN OF ITS WRITER. HIS HERO WAS LOCKED UP IN THE CHATEAU D'IF, WHICH WAS A PRISON FOR 400 YEARS. EVEN IN THOSE DAYS, THE CONDITIONS OF DETENTION IN THIS PENITENTIARY WERE RAGING. TWO CENTURIES AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF ALEXANDRE DUMAS' BOOK, VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE STILL FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF EDMOND DANTES. THESE TRACES LEAD THEM TO DISCOVER THE REAL HISTORY OF THIS FORTRESS BUILT BY FRANCOIS 1ST 500 YEARS AGO. Photo by Philippe Royer/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Illustration - Aerial View of France

FRANCE. BOUCHES DU RHONE (13) FRIOUL ARCHIPELAGO: AERIAL VIEW OF THE ISLAND AND THE CHATEAU D'IF. THIS IS ONE OF THE MOST FAMOUS FORTRESSES IN THE WORLD. AT JUST THREE HECTARES, IF IS THE SMALLEST ISLAND IN FRANCE, YET ITS NAME HAS BEEN MADE WORLD-FAMOUS BY ALEXANDRE DUMAS. AFTER THE FALL OF NAPOLEON, THE STORY OF THE COUNT OF MONTE CRISTO BEGAN IN THE 19TH CENTURY UNDER THE PEN OF ITS WRITER. HIS HERO WAS LOCKED UP IN THE CHATEAU D'IF, WHICH WAS A PRISON FOR 400 YEARS. EVEN IN THOSE DAYS, THE CONDITIONS OF DETENTION IN THIS PENITENTIARY WERE RAGING. TWO CENTURIES AFTER THE PUBLICATION OF ALEXANDRE DUMAS' BOOK, VISITORS FROM ALL OVER THE WORLD ARE STILL FOLLOWING IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF EDMOND DANTES. THESE TRACES LEAD THEM TO DISCOVER THE REAL HISTORY OF THIS FORTRESS BUILT BY FRANCOIS 1ST 500 YEARS AGO. Photo by Stephane Compoint/Only France/ABACAPRESS.COM

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Ruins of the Viljandi Order Castle

06.10.2024. Viljandi. The stone castle started to appear in the place of the former Estonian stronghold in 1224. The fortress got its final shape and size at the beginning of the 16th century, becoming one of the distinguished fortresses in Estonia and Latvia. Due to wars between Sweden, Poland and Russia, all that is left from the entire order castle today are just a few stone walls. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

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Ruins of the Viljandi Order Castle

06.10.2024. Viljandi. The stone castle started to appear in the place of the former Estonian stronghold in 1224. The fortress got its final shape and size at the beginning of the 16th century, becoming one of the distinguished fortresses in Estonia and Latvia. Due to wars between Sweden, Poland and Russia, all that is left from the entire order castle today are just a few stone walls. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

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Ruins of the Viljandi Order Castle

06.10.2024. Viljandi. The stone castle started to appear in the place of the former Estonian stronghold in 1224. The fortress got its final shape and size at the beginning of the 16th century, becoming one of the distinguished fortresses in Estonia and Latvia. Due to wars between Sweden, Poland and Russia, all that is left from the entire order castle today are just a few stone walls. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

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Ruins of the Viljandi Order Castle

06.10.2024. Viljandi. The stone castle started to appear in the place of the former Estonian stronghold in 1224. The fortress got its final shape and size at the beginning of the 16th century, becoming one of the distinguished fortresses in Estonia and Latvia. Due to wars between Sweden, Poland and Russia, all that is left from the entire order castle today are just a few stone walls. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

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Ruins of the Viljandi Order Castle

06.10.2024. Viljandi. The stone castle started to appear in the place of the former Estonian stronghold in 1224. The fortress got its final shape and size at the beginning of the 16th century, becoming one of the distinguished fortresses in Estonia and Latvia. Due to wars between Sweden, Poland and Russia, all that is left from the entire order castle today are just a few stone walls. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

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Ruins of the Viljandi Order Castle

06.10.2024. Viljandi. The stone castle started to appear in the place of the former Estonian stronghold in 1224. The fortress got its final shape and size at the beginning of the 16th century, becoming one of the distinguished fortresses in Estonia and Latvia. Due to wars between Sweden, Poland and Russia, all that is left from the entire order castle today are just a few stone walls. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

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Ruins of the Viljandi Order Castle

06.10.2024. Viljandi. The stone castle started to appear in the place of the former Estonian stronghold in 1224. The fortress got its final shape and size at the beginning of the 16th century, becoming one of the distinguished fortresses in Estonia and Latvia. Due to wars between Sweden, Poland and Russia, all that is left from the entire order castle today are just a few stone walls. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

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Ruins of the Viljandi Order Castle

06.10.2024. Viljandi. The stone castle started to appear in the place of the former Estonian stronghold in 1224. The fortress got its final shape and size at the beginning of the 16th century, becoming one of the distinguished fortresses in Estonia and Latvia. Due to wars between Sweden, Poland and Russia, all that is left from the entire order castle today are just a few stone walls. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

E

Ruins of the Viljandi Order Castle

06.10.2024. Viljandi. The stone castle started to appear in the place of the former Estonian stronghold in 1224. The fortress got its final shape and size at the beginning of the 16th century, becoming one of the distinguished fortresses in Estonia and Latvia. Due to wars between Sweden, Poland and Russia, all that is left from the entire order castle today are just a few stone walls. Photo: Elmo Riig/SAKALA

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Japanese forts on China-Soviet border opened to media

HARBIN, China - China opens to the foreign media Aug. 4 one of a group of fortresses constructed by the Imperial Japanese Army in Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China, along the border with the then Soviet Union prior to World War II. Photo shows a Chinese museum established inside a former Japanese underground barracks.

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Japanese forts on China-Soviet border opened to media

HARBIN, China - China opens to the foreign media Aug. 4 one of a group of fortresses constructed by the Imperial Japanese Army in Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China, along the border with the then Soviet Union prior to World War II. Photo shows a Chinese museum established inside a former Japanese underground barracks.

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Japanese forts on China-Soviet border opened to media

HARBIN, China - China opens to the foreign media Aug. 4 one of a group of fortresses constructed by the Imperial Japanese Army in Heilongjiang Province, northeastern China, along the border with the then Soviet Union prior to World War II. Photo shows a Chinese museum established inside a former Japanese underground barracks.