The Underground City of Naours, located in the Picardy region of northern France, is an extraordinary underground complex that has been used since ancient times. The city consists of a network of tunnels, chambers, and passages, carved into the soft chalk rock. Naours was originally a site of refuge in the Roman era, but it grew in complexity over the centuries, particularly during the Middle Ages and World War I.
The city could shelter up to 3,000 people and their livestock during times of conflict. It includes living spaces, storage areas, wells, and even chapels. During World War I, soldiers wrote thousands of inscriptions on the walls of the tunnels, leaving behind a poignant record of their lives underground. Today, Naours is open to the public, offering visitors a unique historical experience and a glimpse into the ingenuity of past generations who built entire communities below the earth’s surface.
Each winter, Europe transforms into a glittering fairyland of lights, markets, and festive cheer. From Vienna’s elegant palaces to Prague’s storybook squares and Rovaniemi’s Arctic magic, these ten cities capture the heart of the holiday season with timeless charm, twinkling streets, and the unmistakable spirit of Christmas.