Things to do in Thiers
Explore top experiences
Top 10 attractions in Thiers
Chateau d'Aulteribe
Sermentizon · 9.9km from Thiers
Fontainebleau Palace
The Palace of Fontainebleau is known as "the epitome of French history" and is included in the World Heritage List. It was originally a royal hunting palace and was expanded into an important palace in the French Renaissance. Later, many architects and artists participated in the reconstruction, so it left the imprint of the styles of various periods. Location Fontainebleau is a small town located about 55 kilometers southeast of Paris. It is one of the favorite weekend excursions of Parisians. The Palace of Fontainebleau is located here, surrounded by forests. The Fontainebleau Forest surrounding the palace was originally a royal hunting ground, and now it has become an outdoor sports base for bouldering enthusiasts. The bouldering season in October attracts many rock climbers from all over the world. The main building of the Palace of Fontainebleau includes a main tower, six palaces, five courtyards and four gardens. The main attractions in the palace are the ballroom, the conference hall, the chapel, the throne hall, the Diana fresco promenade, the François I promenade, the queen's bedroom, the Napoleon's living room, and the Pope's apartment. Napoleon loves yellow, and his wife Josephine prefers roses, so the overall colors of the interior decoration are mainly yellow and rose red. There are also four museums in the palace, namely the China Pavilion, the Napoleon I Pavilion, the Gallery, and the Home Pavilion. Among them, the Chinese Pavilion has a large collection of precious cultural relics from Yuanmingyuan, and displays thousands of art treasures such as ancient paintings, gold and jade jewelry, and sculptures of China's Ming and Qing Dynasties, but sometimes it is not open to visit. Among Western museums, the Palace of Fontainebleau is the collection and exhibition of Yuanmingyuan treasures. #White Horse Court# The White Horse Court is the main entrance to Fontainebleau. The horseshoe-shaped steps here are a scene of the Palace of Fontainebleau, where Napoleon gave his speech when he abdicated. #China Pavilion# Entering the building from the right side of the courtyard is the ticket office. Don't forget to lead the audio guide after purchasing the ticket. Then walk along this promenade and start to visit the Palace of Fontainebleau. There are stairs near the end, so don't rush upstairs, just keep going to the China Pavilion. If you can't find the location of the China Pavilion, you can ask the staff. The door of the China Pavilion is generally closed, and it needs to be closed after entering. There is a golden pagoda about 2 meters high in a prominent position in the museum. The whole body is inlaid with emeralds on every floor, which is basically similar to the existing golden pagoda in the Forbidden City in Beijing. There are also two precious gilt bells and other various Yuanmingyuan treasures. Except for weekends and holidays, the China Pavilion is closed earlier, so you can visit it in the morning. On March 1, 2015, 15 exhibits were stolen from the Palace of Fontainebleau, including the cloisonné unicorn and the golden manza in the old collection of Yuanmingyuan. #other treasures# Go upstairs from the China Pavilion, and you can continue to enjoy the Napoleon I Pavilion, the Throne Hall (Napoleon's throne is very small) and many other rooms. You can also see the François I promenade. The lower half is made of golden yellow fine wood carvings about 2 meters high as a retaining wall. Exquisite murals, the entire promenade is both brilliant and elegant. After visiting the main exhibition halls, go down to the first floor to the exit, where there is a souvenir shop, and you can go out to browse the courtyard and garden. In fact, you can also go back to the China Pavilion after a short walk from the exit, but there is only a hint to enter the courtyard. In addition to the indoor landscape, the courtyard of the Palace of Fontainebleau is also very characteristic. The decorative style of the combination of thin wood retFrance · Fontainebleau
Chillon Castle
Chillon Castle stands on a small rocky island jutting into the eastern end of Lake Geneva, facing the lakeside town of Montreux and connected to the shore by a wooden bridge. The entire castle follows the contours of the oval island rock, surrounded by water on all sides. From the shore, it appears to float on the lake, with its gray-white stone walls and reddish-brown conical towers reflecting the lake and mountain scenery like a painting. The land-facing side is studded with arrow slits and shooting ports, forming a heavily fortified defense structure, while the lakeside features elegant Gothic arched windows, once the residence of the House of Savoy—a harmonious blend of strength and grace in this ancient waterborne fortress. The earliest written records of the castle date back to the mid-12th century, though its central keep was built in the 11th century, predating documented history. Strategically located on a vital north-south European trade route, merchants traveling to Rome via the Great St. Bernard Pass would pass by its gates. The House of Savoy leveraged this position to collect tolls and expanded the castle into their summer palace in the 13th century. After Bernese forces captured it in 1536, it successively became a bailiff's residence, armory, and prison. The castle's fame stems partly from its dungeon: François Bonivard, abbot of Geneva's St. Victor Abbey, was chained to a pillar here for years after opposing the Duke of Savoy's control of Geneva, until his rescue by the Bernese. In 1816, Lord Byron visited, immortalized the story in his poem "The Prisoner of Chillon," and carved his name on the pillar. Rousseau featured it in "Julie, or the New Heloise," while Hugo and other literati also wrote about it. Crossing the wooden bridge into the castle reveals courtyards, halls, bedrooms, the keep, and dungeons—like stepping through a three-dimensional medieval history book. The underground prison is particularly noteworthy: its walls are built from the island's natural rock, topped with Gothic vaulting typically reserved for cathedrals, with Byron's inscribed pillar still standing. Several grand halls once hosted Savoyard feasts, their windows framing Lake Geneva's vistas. The Bernese bedroom displays an elaborate four-poster bed with heating, a bathroom, and running water—remarkably advanced for its time. The Chapel of St. George preserves 14th-century religious murals, rare survivors of Reformation iconoclasm. The armory exhibits medieval to 17th-century weapons—swords, halberds, arquebuses, crossbows, and armor—offering insights into period warfare. Visitors should linger: beyond interior artifacts, the lakeside path offers classic panoramic views of this aquatic fortress.Switzerland · Veytaux
Church of Saint Genès in Thiers
Thiers · 562m from downtown
Lake Geneva
Lake Geneva is located on the border between Switzerland and France, nestled between the Alps in a crescent shape, with approx. 60% of its waters within Switzerland. The lake water is clear and blue, with distant snow-capped mountains reflected in it, forming a typical view of theAlpine region. Numerous views and landmarks are distributed along the lakeshore. Chillon Castle, built on a rock in the lake, has stood for nearly a thousand years and is one of Switzerland's famous medieval buildings, and Byron once wrote a famous long poem about it. The towns along the shore each have their own charm. Geneva blends modern urban vibes with historical heritage, and Montreux is known for its pleasant lakeside climate. Taking a boat cruise on the lake is a classic way to enjoy the panoramic view of Lake Geneva and the scenery on both shores. In summer, you can enjoy water activities such as sailing and kayaking on the lake, while in winter, you can head to the nearbyAlpine regionto ski.Switzerland · Saint-Prex
Palais des Papes
The Palais des Papes stands majestically on the rocky heights at the northern end of the old town of Avignon, overlooking the Rhône River. It is one of the largest medieval Gothic buildings in Europe. In the early 14th century, the papal court moved to Avignon, and for nearly seventy years thereafter, several popes successively resided here, earning Avignon the title of "the papal city." The palace and fortress are integrated into one, with thick walls and multiple towers guarding its perimeter. Inside, it is divided into the old palace and the new palace: the old palace, built during the reign of Benedict XII, is simple and sturdy, with a strong defensive character; the new palace, expanded by Clement VI, is magnificent and grand, representing mature Gothic architecture, including the over-50-meter-long great chapel within its walls. Historical calamities have scattered most of the interior furnishings, making the architecture itself the main attraction—Giovannetti's frescoes on the domes and walls of the Saint Martial and Saint John chapels, the full-wall hunting scenes in the pope's study "Hall of the Stag," along with the lofty and spacious conference hall and the hall where cardinals once convened to elect the pope, still evoke the grandeur of the past. The tour route is quite long, with most halls now featuring plain stone walls, though the two small frescoed chapels and the "Hall of the Stag" are particularly worth close attention. The spacious halls make good use of the multimedia tablets available for virtual reconstructions, allowing visitors to "see" the original furnishings. From the palace's elevated terrace, you can enjoy panoramic views of the old town's red-tiled roofs and the Rhône River, with the nearby Pont Saint-Bénézet also fully visible. The Avignon Theatre Festival, held every summer, uses the palace courtyard as one of its main stages—visiting during this time lets you experience the lively atmosphere that takes over the old town.France · Avignon
Chambord
Chambord is the larger and grander castle in the Loire Valley castle complex. It is a combination of the French medieval heritage and the innovative architecture of the Italian Renaissance. The castle was included in the World Heritage List in 1981 and is regarded as a national treasure by the French. The history of Chambord Castle Chambord was built in 1519 by François I of the Valois Dynasty as a hunting palace. It has a history of nearly 500 years. There are many forests here, rich in all kinds of food, wine and all kinds of wild animals. The castle is surrounded by river water, backed by the big forest, facing the Chambord garden, green trees, flowers, sculptures and clear lake water, which add radiance and beauty to each other, making people feel relaxed and happy. Large-scale Chambord is large in scale and majestic, with a length and width of more than 100 meters. The palace is white and gray. The carvings on the walls are very fine. 77 stairs, 282 chimneys and 426 rooms. On the first floor of the Royal Residence of Chambord, there is the bedroom, study, prayer room, etc. of Francois I. The vaulted ceiling is very beautifully carved and worth seeing. The interior of the palace is decorated with well-crafted velvet, and the walls with golden edges on a white background are brilliant, and the brocade tapestries hanging on the walls can be regarded as works of art. In the small theater on the south wing is the premiere of Molière's classic works "Mr. The hall on the second floor has a unique carving on the vault, which combines the initials "F" of François I with his salamander symbol, and there is a fireplace in the hall for indoor heating. Tower top terrace Chambord has a wide and unique tower top terrace, which was the place where the king and the royal family watched the garden scenery and rodeo. The tower is 56 meters high, and when you climb to the top of the tower, you can overlook the charming surrounding scenery, including the forest area of Chambord and the Loire River. There is a café on the terrace, where you can sit and have a drink and enjoy the beautiful view while enjoying the aroma of coffee.France · Chambord
The Loire Valley Castles
The Loire is a beautiful river. Especially in the middle reaches of the river valley, the ancient castles are dotted with beautiful scenery, and it has the reputation of "French Garden". Many ancient castles were built during the war period in the Middle Ages. During the Hundred Years War, the French royal family took refuge in the Loire Valley. This area consists of the Château de Chambord, the Château de Chenonceau and the Château de Cheverny which form the Loire Valley castle complex. Chambord is one of the grander castles in the Loire Valley, with a history of more than 500 years. Chambord has two major attractions. One is the interior. It has 440 rooms and 84 stairs. Stepping into the main castle from the main entrance, you are immediately in a bright and spacious marble palace, facing the famous "double spiral staircase", which is the famous staircase of this palace. There are two sets of separate and staggered railings. The second is the wide tower top terrace. The castle's original function of military defense was built, but the tower top terrace of Chambord has completely become a good place to watch the garden scenery and rodeo.France · Chambord
Glacier 3000
Glacier 3000 is located on the way from the shores of Lake Geneva to the Alps, so it is easily accessible from Geneva, Montreux, Lausanne, etc. If you have limited time in Switzerland, this is a great place to save time viewing the glaciers and have fun with the snow. The restaurant on top of the hill was designed by world designer Mario Botta and is futuristic. From here you can see the European peak Mont Blanc, Switzerland's iconic Matterhorn and the Jungfrau. There are also a variety of snow and ice sports available here: snowboarding, snow golf, snow bus and dog sledding. Here you can enjoy ice and snow fun even in summer. In addition, it is also a paradise for hiking from October to May. Climb the Oldenhorn at 3123 meters, or try the glacier hike from the summit cable car station ScexRouge to the Sanetsch pass and the fixed rope route to Gemskopf.Switzerland · Ormont-Dessus
Notre-Dame De L'Hermitage
Noiretable · 15.2km from Thiers
Experiences you can't miss in Thiers
Featured Day tours in Thiers
View all Day tours
5.0/5
· 70 reviewsFree cancellation
Book now for today
70 consecutive positive reviews
From£30.12
From£618.58
From£618.58
From£618.58
![1-day tour of Beaujolais in Lyon, France [Private Charter Route | Bilingual Guide | Flexible Itinerary]](https://ak-d.tripcdn.com/images/0105d120009cfuoy2EA0A_C_568_320.jpg?_fr=wc)
From£617.57
5.0/5
· 2 reviewsFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
From£12.66
4.8/5
· 33 reviewsFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
33 consecutive positive reviews
5% off
Limited-time sale
From£25.65£27
4.9/5
· 493 reviewsFree cancellation
25 consecutive positive reviews
From£4.31
Featured Cultural experiences in Thiers
View all Cultural experiences
Free cancellation
Book now for today
20% off
Limited-time sale
From£4.38£5.48
Free cancellation
Book now for today
20% off
Limited-time sale
From£4.38£5.48
Free cancellation
Book now for today
20% off
Limited-time sale
From£5.40£6.75
4.9/5
· 562 reviewsFree cancellation
Book now for tomorrow
100 consecutive positive reviews
From£28.15
5% off
Limited-time sale
From£16.03£16.88
Free things to do in Thiers
Chateau d'Aulteribe
Sermentizon · 9.9km from ThiersFontainebleau Palace
France · FontainebleauImmediate access, Book now for todayChillon Castle
Switzerland · VeytauxImmediate access, Book now for todayChurch of Saint Genès in Thiers
Thiers · 562m from downtownLake Geneva
Switzerland · Saint-PrexPalais des Papes
France · AvignonChambord
France · ChambordImmediate access, Book now for todayThe Loire Valley Castles
France · ChambordGlacier 3000
Switzerland · Ormont-DessusNotre-Dame De L'Hermitage
Noiretable · 15.2km from Thiers
What travellers say about Thiers
Jo See29 June 2026
5.0
This palace is definitely worth visiting. If you want to see grandeur and opulence without excessive crowds at Varsailles, visit Fountainebleu Palace instead. Eat at the cafe nearby afterwards. The service is good and the food is amazing!
Fontainebleau Palace
草凡人19 April 2025
5.0
Take the train to Montreux and stroll along the shore of Lake Geneva. Beyond the water are the snow-capped mountains, stretching quietly. Chillon Castle is on a small stone island near the water. It is not big, but it takes you back to medieval Europe. It is worth a visit.
Chillon Castle
yanke17 July 2025
5.0
Lake Geneva, which shares the same name as the city, is very vast, with a sapphire-like color and sparkling in the sun. From Geneva Airport, you can take a train to Nyon, a small town on the shore of Lake Geneva. The hotel rooms there are large, and the lake view rooms also have terraces to enjoy the lake view. The breakfast is very rich and cost-effective. From the dock in Nyon, you can take a boat to the French flower town opposite and experience the fun of crossing two countries in half an hour. The price of the flower town is lower than that of Switzerland, and it is very pleasant to enjoy authentic French food there.
Lake Geneva
猪猪山大王11 October 2026
5.0
Finally checked out two of Avignon's most iconic landmarks in the South of France! On one side is the Papal Palace, the massive mansion of the former popes, and on the other is the famous Pont d'Hôtel de l'Étoile (the broken bridge from the children's song). Both are just a few minutes' walk apart, and buying a combined ticket is even more cost-effective!
🏰 Papal Palace (Grand Papal Palace)
It's breathtaking from afar. The massive stone walls are solid and imposing, befitting its status as the world's largest Gothic palace. Seven popes lived and worked here, making it the center of power in medieval Europe.
The interior has numerous rooms, and the free tablet-based guided tour is incredibly useful. It recreates the rooms' original appearance, showing surviving old frescoes, a huge banquet hall, and the popes' bedrooms. Although most of the furniture is long gone, leaving only the stone walls, you can still imagine the grandeur of the Papacy in its heyday.
You absolutely must climb to the rooftop terrace! It's an unparalleled viewpoint, offering a panoramic view of the Rhône River and the Pont d'Hôtel de l'Étoile, along with the red rooftops of the old town – perfect for taking stunning photos.
A friendly reminder: If you're not interested in medieval history, this might feel a bit empty, but those who love exploring old buildings will adore it.
🌉 Pont Saint-Bénézet (commonly known as the Pont des Beaux-Arts in Avignon)
Legend has it that a shepherd boy was guided by a divine oracle to build this bridge. Originally, it had 22 arches, but the Rhône River flooded it year after year. After a massive flood destroyed most of it, the locals decided the repair costs were too high and simply gave up, leaving only four arches. 😂
It's the inspiration for the French nursery rhyme "On the Pont des Beaux-Arts in Avignon"! Standing on the broken bridge, feeling the river breeze, watching the water flow by, and with a small chapel nearby, you can explore this short stretch in about half an hour.
Although you can no longer cross to the other side, its ruined state adds to its charm, and the view of the Papal Palace from the bridge is a superb angle.
💡In summary: The Papal Palace offers a rich historical atmosphere and panoramic views, while the Pont des Papes (the bridge over the Papal States) provides romantic photo opportunities and perfect for recreating childhood memories. The two complement each other perfectly. After exploring the Papal Palace, wander into the old town's alleyways and find a small café to relax – this is the true way to experience southern France.
I recommend buying a combined ticket for the Papal Palace and the Pont des Papes; this allows you to leisurely visit both places in one day, and half a day is sufficient.
Palais des Papes
Chat Tang3 January 2026
5.0
Beautiful and peaceful château. Clean and comfortable room, lovely surroundings, and very welcoming hosts. Highly recommended.
Chambord
Tania Akter (Bangladesh)8 December 2025
5.0
The Loire Valley Castles offer an enchanting journey through France’s royal past, where elegance, grandeur, and natural beauty come together effortlessly. Each château has its own personality—some boast lavish Renaissance architecture, while others feel like fairytale fortresses surrounded by peaceful moats and manicured gardens. The region’s rolling vineyards, riverside landscapes, and charming villages create the perfect backdrop for exploring these historic gems. Whether you’re wandering through the ornate halls of Chambord, admiring Chenonceau’s iconic arches over the river, or enjoying the serene parks around smaller estates, the experience feels timeless and inspiring. The Loire Valley Castles are a must-visit for culture, history, and photography lovers.
The Loire Valley Castles
yybalance30 June 2026
5.0
It's beautiful. I came at the end of May, and the weather was very comfortable; you could wear short sleeves to see the snow.
Glacier 3000
