The temples of Karnak are three kilometres north of Luxor. It is without a doubt the greatest site of the Egypt of the Pharaohs. Dating back 4700 years, it remains the largest religious structure ever built. The major part of it was constructed during the New Kingdom era. Karnak was an immense building site for over two thousand years.It was not a temple, rather an entire religious complex, a bustling city where thousands of people (...)

The Ramesseum is dedicated to the glorious and most famous pharaoh Ramses the second, who reigned for 67 years. It is a funerary temple, one of the most beautiful of the eastern bank’s constructions.The Ramesseum is located to the north of the Memnon colossus, between the temples of Amenhotep and Tutmosis the 4th, in the Theban necropolis, across the Nile from Luxor.

For almost three millennium, the Nile valley has been home to one of the most brilliant civilisations in history. The invention of a written language, consisting of ideograms called hieroglyphs, not long after the appearance of the cuneiform in Mesopotamia in 3300 BC, marked mankind’s progression out of the prehistoric period. The Egypt of the Pharaohs developed rapidly, reaching its golden age in the 8th century BC, and leaving in (...)

For almost three millennium, the Nile valley has been home to one of the most brilliant civilisations in history. The invention of a written language, consisting of ideograms called hieroglyphs, not long after the appearance of the cuneiform in Mesopotamia in 3300 BC, marked mankind’s progression out of the prehistoric period. The Egypt of the Pharaohs developed rapidly, reaching its golden age in the 8th century BC, and leaving in (...)

For almost three millennium, the Nile valley has been home to one of the most brilliant civilisations in history. The invention of a written language, consisting of ideograms called hieroglyphs, not long after the appearance of the cuneiform in Mesopotamia in 3300 BC, marked mankind’s progression out of the prehistoric period. The Egypt of the Pharaohs developed rapidly, reaching its golden age in the 8th century BC, and leaving in  (...)

Ramses II continues to fascinate us over the centuries, because he is the symbol of the triumphant Pharoah, and one of the greatest builders of Ancient Egypt. One could compare him to Louis XIV, the Sun-King, with whom he shared a surname, because he was the son of Ra, the Sun God himself. He ruled as an absolute monarch, and raised the prestige of the Pharoahs to its ultimate peak.

Cairo… some love it , some hate it, but no-one can remain indifferent. Amongst the countless marvels to be found here, are a number of magnificent Islamic buildings. Cairo’s Islamic history started at the very dawn of Islam, when the Caliph Omar set out to conquer neighbouring regions. The town of Fustat was built in 640, on the site of present day Old Cairo, and it was home to the first mosque on African soil.

The Mamluk dynasty was the empire of the slaves. Political stability and internal peace provided Egypt with a period of prosperity and rapid development. The Mamluk period lasted from 1250 to 1516. Originally members of the Ayubbid Sultan’s private guard, the Mamluks revolted at the time the of the seventh crusade. Their reputation as courageous warriors proved to be well-earned: they ruled all of Egypt, defeated the (...)

Ancient China’s civilisation has kept a presence in today’s China. Its imprint reminds us of China’s greatness, at the time when it reigned over the greater part of Asia. The Forbidden City, at the heart of Beijing, incarnates the ancient emperors’ power. A city within the Imperial city, it is where the Emperor of China lived, leaving the compound on very rare occasions.

Legends tells that the only man-made structure that can be seen from the moon is the Great Wall of China. Fact or fiction? In any case, this strategic fortification is the most impressive of its time. Walking it, one feels as an invincible warriors, but at its feet, we feel insignificant. It is under the rule of Shi Huangdi of the Qin dynasty in 221 BC that the Great Wall’s construction begins. Designed to protect Chinese lands from its opponents, (...)

Occupied since Neolithic times, the site was first built on by the Seleucids in the Hellenistic era. They were veterans of the army of Alexander the Great, who had conquered Syria, and – according to legend – named it Gerasa (the city of the Gerontes). Put under pressure by the Nabateans, then the Jews, Gerasa adapted to the Roman conquest. Conquered by Pompey in 63 BC, the town fell into the hands of the Romans, and with the alliance  (...)

Petra, located in a valley bordered by mountains, was occupied around the 6th century BC by the Nabataeans. They made it prosper thanks to its ideal trading location, on the caravan trails transporting incense, spices and other luxury products between Egypt, Syria, Southern Arabia and the Mediterranean. In the 4th century BC, the town spread over 10 kilometres.
Al-Siq, the long, narrow and sinuous natural passageway, is  (...)

At the heart of a valley, surrounded by mountains, the site of Petra was occupied in about the 6th century BC by the Nabateans. The town prospered, largely thanks to its location on the trade route for caravans transporting incense, spices and other luxury products around Egypt, Syria, Southern Arabia, and the Mediterranean. By the 4th century BC, the town covered an area of more than 10km.

The Khmer Krom, and indeed the kingdom of Cambodia, consider themselves the descendants of the Khmer Empire which ruled the region from the 9th century to the 16th century. The empire is thought to have been founded by Jayavarman II. He built his capital north of Lake Tonle in 1802. Under his rule the Empire reached its peak, and achieved its greatest territorial expansion, covering Cambodia and large areas of Laos and Thailand.

The Aztecs, or Mexicas (from their capital city’s name, Mexico-Tenochtitlan) settled around the beginning of the 14th century. In the 16th century, the Aztec Empire had a flourishing economy, represented by the wealth of its capital city, Tenochtitlan, the current Mexico-city. Human sacrifice was a common and essential ritual. It held multiple political and religious functions.

The Mayan civilization extended mainly over parts of Mexico, Belize, Guatemala, the Honduras and el Salvador. Established at the end of the 3rd millennium BC, Mayan civilization peaked between the 6th century and 9th century of our era, before declining and disappearing at the time of the Spanish conquest in the 16th century. With the Aztecs and the Incas, it was one of the three great pre-Columbian civilizations which shaped the  (...)

The Incas did not leave any written word. The only testimony comes from the first conquistadores who collected the natives’ tales. Successors, among others, to brilliant civilisations preceding them, the Incas were originally a small tribe from the Quechua region on the bank of Lake Titicaca, between Peru and Bolivia. They are part of a confederation of several groups, occupying at first a subordinate rank.

A long forgotten culture, the Maya civilisation’s past is filled with myths, scientific discoveries and impressive constructions. We invite you to discover the five most beautiful Maya cities, the only remaining keys to decrypt this legendary civilisation. Chichen Itza was probably the main religious centre of Yucatan. Many mysteries remain about its (...)

To visit Carthage is to walk in the footsteps of Hannibal, in a quest to discover over 3000 years of history. The ancient Punic city, destroyed and then rebuilt by the Romans who proclaimed it capital of the African proconsular province, has now become a trendy Tunis suburb. The Carthaginian Empire was reputed for its size, its territory spread throughout the entire Mediterranean region, but it was in Carthage that important  (...)

Much of the beauty of Laos lies in its fragility. The country’s history is both long and rich. The Plain of Jars testifies to activity here before the Christian Era. A country touched by a range of different influences, both Hindu and Buddhist cultures have left their mark here. The country’s history really began in around the 12th century, when Tai populations arrived from Southern China. In 1353 the « Country of a million elephants » was (...)

Visitors from all over the world are drawn to Burma not only for its rich history, but also for its atmosphere, its smells and its warm hospitality.
Occupied by the Mons, the Burmans and the British, Burma has known a great may cultures. Today, according to government classifications, the population is composed of seven peoples: Shans, Mons, Karens, Karenni, Chin, Kachin and Rakhine.

The Phoenician city of Baalbek was once the Roman settlement Heliopolis. 
Located between two of most civilized regions of the era, and between the Nile and Euphrates rivers, the town was a key strategic point. The site is largely composed of Greco-Roman ruins, with a few traces of earlier Semitic settlements, and it includes the only Temple of Jupiter in the world.

The greater part of Morocco’s history is found in the country’s heart, in the imperial cities. Each succeeding sultan and emperor from the Moroccan dynasties chose his own capital city. With a 12-century rich history, Fes is the city to discover remnants of Andalusia’s culture. Both modern and traditional, the city, founded by sultan Idris the 1st, combined contemporary elements with 13th century relics edified by the Marinids.

Andalusia is, without a doubt, the most surprising region of Spain, with its stunning landscapes and incredible cultural riches. This abundance of monuments, each more magnificent than the last, is due to its unique history, particularly Andalusia’s golden age: the Arab occupation from the 10th to the 15th century. The area was dominated by the Visigoths until April 711 when the governor of Tangier, Tariq started a battle of conquest which was later called the Al-Andalus (the region of Spain dominated by the Arabs).

Istanbul is a mysterious city with many different identities. Byzantium for the Byzantines, Constantinople for the Oriental Roman Empire, Catholic for the Crusaders, and Muslim for the Ottomans, it has long been the refuge of the most powerful empires of the planet. From 1299 to 1923, it was the centre of the Ottoman Empire, which spread right up to the borders of Europe.

Rajasthan, or «land of the Kings » is undoubtedly the most colourful state in India. It’s harsh landscapes, half desert, half arid hills, make a striking contrast to the brightly coloured clothing worn by the locals. Rather like a fairytale kingdom, the state is full of magical cities: Jodhpur, Jaipur, Udaipur...

L’Inde du Sud recèle les plus beaux temples Hindous et des monuments des grandes civilisations comme les Cholas et les Pallava qui règnèrent sur l’Inde du Sud et sur l’Asie du Sud-Est.   Le temple de Chidambaram au sud de Pondichery est dédié à Shiva dansant. Le dieu y aurait inauguré sa danse sacrée dont la danse actuelle du Tamil Nadu, le Bharata Natyam, tirerait son origine.  

The Umayyad dynasty was one of the longest and the most legendary dynasties in Mediterranean history. From 661 to 750, this dynasty of Caliphs governed the Muslim world, which extended from Central Asia to Spain. 
Mohammed and the Umayyads shared a common ancestor ?Abd Manaf ibn Quayy. His son Hasim was the founder of the Banu Hašim clan, to which the prophet belonged, while his other son ?Abd Sams was the founder of the Umayyad dynasty through his son Umayya.

The Umayyad dynasty was one of the longest and the most legendary dynasties in Mediterranean history. From 661 to 750, this dynasty of Caliphs governed the Muslim world, which extended from Central Asia to Spain. Mohammed and the Umayyads shared a common ancestor ?Abd Manaf ibn Quayy. His son Hašim was the founder of the Banu Hašim clan, to which the prophet belonged, while his other son Abd Šams was the  (...)

L'histoire de la Russie est celle de la formation d'un vaste empire qui, du Xe au XXe siècle, s'est peu à peu étendu, à partir des plaines de l'Europe orientale aux rives du Pacifique et aux montagnes d'Asie centrale.   Ce fut d'abord le Grand Empire qui s'étendait sur tout le bassin du Dniepr avec Kiev pour capitale. Les princes de Kiev nouèrent des relations avec Byzance et adoptèrent la religion orthodoxe et l'alphabet grec.

La période Nara (710 à 794)En 710, l’Imperatrice Gemmei décide d’établir la capitale du Yamato à Nara, sous le nom de Heijô-Kyô. Bâtie, comme Kyôto plus tard, sur un plan en damier, avec des rues à angles droits, la nouvelle capitale va devenir la première grande cité Bouddhiste.  La période Heian (794-1185)La création de la nouvelle capitale ( Kyôto ) marque le début d’une période de faste artistique et intellectuel. Elle sera plus tard également synonyme de décadence politique.Dés la création de Kyôto, la cour développe un raffinement artistique extraordinaire.