The prettiest UNESCO World Heritage Sites in the world
1. Royal Capetian Fortresses of Languedoc, France
Rather than just one property or location, this listing in France, new for 2026, comprises eight fortified sites: Castle and ramparts of Carcassonne and the fortresses of Aguilar, Lastours, Montségur, Peyrepertuse, Puilaurens, Quéribus, and Termes. Together, they’re described as a historically significant and core part of the region’s 13th- and 14th-century defensive systems.
2. Beaches of the D-Day Landings, Normandy, 1944, France
Another new addition to the UNESCO World Heritage Site list is the beaches that witnessed the slaughter of thousands of soldiers as they fought against Nazism. On 6 June 1944, the beaches of Utah, Omaha, Gold, Juno, and Sword Beaches, plus Pointe du Hoc, were the site of the largest amphibious invasion in the history of warfare. Today, the dramatic sweeps of sand are often used for commemorations, and the wild landscape beyond offers space for reflection about those who fought for the freedoms we enjoy today.