Titled National Monuments – A photographic tour of Francethis 240-page work published on October 1, 2026 brings together 200 illustrations. The photographs play on framing and scale, alternating aerial views, full-page compositions and sculpted details. A way to take the time toobserve architectures the richness of which we do not always perceive at first glance.
Michel Bussi, trained geographer and successful novelist, talks about French heritage otherwise.
Built from 1440, the Pey-Berland tower is the independent bell tower of Saint-André Cathedral, in Bordeaux. Built away from the building to preserve its structure from the weight of the bells, it dominates the historic center of the city. The cathedral, classified as a historic monument since 1862, belongs to the perimeter of Bordeaux listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. At the top of the tower, the golden statue of Notre-Dame d’Aquitaine, installed in 1863, rises to 66 meters. © David Bordes
Stones, but also human stories
Of the sites prehistoric to remains antiques, of the abbeys to castles, in passing by THE cathedrals, THE fortifications, THE monuments memorials And THE gardens, the work given has see all there diversity of heritage place below there protection of Center of the monuments national.
However, a monument is not limited to its facade or its history ; it also lives thanks to those who maintain it, restore it and introduce it to visitors, whether they are curators, guides, gardeners or even local residents. It is this dimension that the work intends to restore. Each step opens with a poetic title and a short text by Michel Bussilike the notes of a traveler along his journey.
The approximately 110 sites brought together therefore do not form a simple heritage catalog: they compose a story where places, landscapes and people respond to each other.
Le living room ceremonial of the hotel of Lauzun, on the island Saint-Louis, has Paris, testifies of refinement of the interiors aristocratic of 17th century century, with his woodwork golden, his fabrics precious And her furniture richly decorated. © David Bordes
The view of geographer Michel Bussi
This choice of author owes a lot to the career of Michel Bussi. Born in 1965 in Normandy, where he still lives and works, he first worked as a teacher-researcher in geography. A training that has had a lasting impact on his writing, particularly through the attention paid to territories and the links that unite places and their inhabitants.
His first thriller, Lupine Codeappeared in 2006. He achieved wide notoriety with A plane without herpublished in 2012, before establishing itself lastingly in the landscape of French detective novels. THE National Monuments Center suggested that he put this dual sensitivity, literary and geographical, at the service of this photographic tour of France.
As for the artistic direction, it was entrusted to Grégory Bricout, graphic designer, typographer, photographer and illustrator graduated from the National School of Decorative Arts in Paris. With more than 25 years of experience in visual communication and publishing, he has notably designed models for Gallimard, Flammarion and La Martinière.
Built At 13th century below THE reign of Saint Louis, THE ramparts of Aigues-Mortes, In THE Gard, extend on 1.6 km around of there quoted medieval. Their towers And their doors fortified testify of role strategic of this city founded For to offer At kingdom of France A access direct has there Mediterranean. At first plan, THE waters dews of the saline remind there place historical of there production of salt In the local economy. © David Bordes
Published in the Hors collection collection, “National Monuments – A photographic tour of France” adopts a format of 19.5 × 26 cm and a manufacturing designed to remain accessible. It is priced at 25 euros.
