Introducing players to the Kalos region, Pokemon X & Y marked the first time a core series Pokemon game ꩵwas made entirely in 3D. In order to make 𒁃the best use of their new technology, Junichi Masuda and the game developers decided that their game theme would be "beauty."
From the very moment players woke from their beds in Vaniville Town, a whole world of colour emerged; an unfamiliar world to even longtime fans of the series. This world was not influenced by Japan's breathtaking landscapes or 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:America's bustling metropolises, but instead by the natural artistry of northern France. Reportedly the world's most visited country, France's influence on Kalos extends beyond NPCs saying "bonjour" and ties directly into the region's story.
10 😼 Vaniville Town - Moulins, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Vaniville Town is the smallest settlement in 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:the Kalos region and is home to the protagonist and their mom. The town serves as the first introduction to the European architecture found throughout the game, starting with cobblestone paths and brick walls.
Roughly three hours south of France's capital is the commune of Moulins, located on the Allier river. While Vaniville is not situated on a river, the closely neighbouring town of Aquacorde is. Moulins, like Vaniville, is also a smaller town, with a population of fewer than 20,000 people.
9 🎉Santalune City - Fontainebleau, Île-de-France
Before reaching Lumiose City, you must first obtain 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:the Bug Badge from Leader Viola at the Santalune Gym. Similarly, the commune of Fontainebleau lies between travellers going from Moulins and the center of Paris. The comparisons don't end here either, as Santalune and Fontainebleau also are home to renowned forests; Santalune Forest and the real-world Forest of Fontainebleau.
Just as many Bug-type Pokemon can be found in Santalune, Fontainebleau Forest is home to over 5,000 species of insects. The town of Fontainebleau is als🌠o considered a popular weekend getaway for many Parisians.
8 🤪 Camphrier Town - Blois, Centr𓆉e-Val de Loire
Camphrier Town is the location of Shabboneau Castle, as well as Hotel Camphrier. The castle is said to have once been occupied by a noble family that gave away many of their pꦅossessions. Here, you give the Pꦚoke Flute to a man in the castle in order to wake a Snorlax blocking the path.
Shabboneau Castle is likely a nod to the Royal Chateau de Blois, which is significant to France's history as the residence of King Louis XII. The city of Blois is also notable for being Joan of Arc's base of operations during the siege of Orléans.
7 ౠ Geosenge Town - Carnac, B✃rittany
Geosenge Town is notable in the games for its standing stone formation in the center of the town. The town's motto is "quiet stones speak volumes," which is certainly true, as beneath these stones lie the Team Flare HQ and the ultimate weapon.
The stones here are a clear reference to the Carnac stones, a vast collection of over 3,000 megaliths found in and near the town of Carnac. The collection includes menhirs, or standing stones, which Menhir Trail, the path to Geosenge, is named after. The Carnac stones are surrounded in mystery but have been dated back to 4,ꦯ500 BCE.
6 ꦍ Shalour City &💯; Tower of Mastery - Saint-Malo, Brittany & Mont Saint-Michel, Normandy
Shalour City is one of the most impressive-looking locations in Kalos, being home to the grand Tower of Mastery. It is here that your character will learn about Mega Evolution and be able to use it for the first time 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:against Successor Korrina. In the real world, Shalour City is geographically linked to Saint-Malo, a port city surrounded by a wall.
Like the path leading to the Tower of Mastery, it is possible to cross the ocean on foot from Saint-Malo to Grand Be island at low tide. The tower itself, however, is based on the Mont-Saint-Michel, a famous abbey walled in entirely on a tidal island. It is listed as a World Heri🧸tage Site and is visited by millions every year.
5 📖 Coumarine 💧City - Le Havre, Normandy
Players receive their fourth Gym Badge from Gym Leader Ramos in Coumarine City. One of the most peaceful locations in Pokemon X & Y, Coumarine sits right on the water, where you can visit the pier and market. The ci🃏ty is divided into a northern half and southern half by a tram. Le Havre, a beautiful commune on the river Seine estuary,🧔 is approximately located here in the real world.
Le Havre also happens to have a monorail system and a division in its northern and southern halves. The north part of Le Havre is residential, while the south coastal part is a popular tourist spot. Le Havre is the largest port in northern France.
4 ဣ Snowbelle City - Besançon, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté
Located southeast of Paris is the city of Besançon, roughly in the same location w🦄here Snowbelle City can be found in Kalos. In the games, Snowbelle has a constant snowfall, which is a reference to the harsh winters in the real French city. The cold temperatures in Besançon are brought in by the nearby Jura Mountains, which are sometimes referred to as "Little Siberia."
The Jura Mountains' highest peak is Le Crêt de la Neige, meaning Snow Crest. Like Mont-Saint-Michel, fortifications in Besançon have been liste🅠d as World Heritage Sites. The city is 💙known for its advancements in engineering and is the historic capital of watchmaking.
3 Kiloude City - Arles, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur
Kiloude City is the southernmost city in Kalos and is only accessible to players after they defeat Champion Diantha and obtain a train ticket to go there. The city's real-world counterpart, Arles, is actually located in southern France, 168澳🍃洲幸运5开奖网:outside of the general area Kalos is based on. The t🐟rain commute, which is mere seconds in the games, takes about four hours in real life.
Arles is known for being home to several famous painters, including Pablo Picasso and Vincent van Gogh. To reflect this, Kiloude City also has NPC artists that give out clothing and talk about being inspired by the city. All the houses in both Arles and Kiloude City have orange rooft♛ops.
2 ꦏ Pokemon League - Notre-Dame Caဣthedral, Île-de-France
The architecture of the towering Kalos Pokemon League is an obvious homage to France's Notre Dame Cathedral. Notre Dame is an iconic French Gothic landmark, visited by millions who come to France to look upon its splendour. The monument is even more visited than the Eiffel Tower itself.
Many aspects of French Gothic architecture are present in the Pokemon League, including the giant rose windows. The cathedral caught fire in 2019, (after the release of Pokemon X & Y) and is currently being reconstructed. It's hoped that reconstruction will be completed by the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.
1 Lumiose City - Paris, Île-de🤪-France
When 🥂thinking of Pokemon X & Y, it is hard not to picture the white Prism Tower, just as it is t🌞o not picture the Eiffel Tower when thinking of France. Every aspect of Lumiose City is inspired by Paris, from its buildings to its famous fashion avenues to its people.
The name Lumiose is even derived from Paris' nickname, La-Ville-Lumière (the City of Light). Other than the obvious Eiffel Tower, other visitable landmarks include the Louvre Museum, a famous art museum, and the Canal Saint-Martin, a canal connecting to the river Seine. Lumiose City's museum and canal are direct references to these city features.