Monuments to visit Bergen

On the port, there is the Fisketorget, the fish market. It is a very lively market where shrimps and fresh fish abound. But we also sell frozen crab sandwiches and souvenirs. Enjoying fresh salmon, grilled or smoked, is an unforgettable pleasure. It is a visit to make, but be aware that the prices are quite high because of the tourist traffic. However, you can simply stroll around and let yourself be tempted by a small fishcake for the taste.

The small, enchanted villa of the great Norwegian composer and pianist of classical music (Romantic period) is situated high up on a point of greenery overlooking Lake Nordås. Built in 1885 for Bergen-born Edvard Grieg, the house has been preserved in its original state since his death. This museum, which houses all Grieg's period furniture and personal objects, is a house that lives on thanks to the intimate concerts that are still held on the master's old piano. Grieg lived here for over twenty years at the end of his life. Today, there are concerts every day during the International Music Festival, as well as summer concerts on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays. Tickets are on sale at the tourist office. The new, larger concert hall is fortunately hidden under the bridge just before the house. A little further down the road, Grieg's very basic little working hut is practically at the water's edge. His coat, hat and violin still hang on the wall. From the only window, you can see the lake through the branches of the large weeping birches. Another historic building nearby, the Fantoft Stavkirke, a wooden church dating back to 1150, sadly went up in smoke in June 1992, in the wave of arson and Satanism that swept the country. It has since been rebuilt to its original appearance.

This majestic hall was erected in 1261 for royal ceremonies in Bergen, and was the centre of political decisions in Norway (King Magnus Lagabøter married the Danish princess Ingeborg Eriksdatter here the same year). The building had to be restored after being severely damaged by fire in 1944. The guided tours (also in French) include the Rosenkrantz Tower, a fortress built in the 1560s by Lord Erik Rosenkrantz.

It is Bergen's most beautiful summer house and perhaps the finest example of rococo architecture in Norway. The mansion was built in the 1770s and is now open to the public after extensive restoration work. The adjoining garden has been recreated as it was originally, with plants that were in vogue 200 years ago. This place can only be visited by reservation and guided tour. If you like architecture, do not miss this beautiful house.