Reading a novel or watching a fantasy film is like immersing yourself in a world where wonder reigns supreme. It's about discovering worlds with a rich history and splendid landscapes. J.R.R. Tolkien said that fantasy had a comforting power; he was right. And it's largely thanks to these worlds in which we dream of living forever. Here are the 10 universes we'd like to settle down in!
#10 The Seven Kingdoms (Game of Thrones, by George R.R. Martin)
Following the Conquest of Aegon I Targaryen, the continent of Westeros was largely unified. Marked by violence, wars, plots, betrayals, and pillaging, the Seven Kingdoms are a particularly dangerous place. But for those who manage to escape the fire From the Dragons, to the invasion of the White Walkers and the great murderous conflicts that ravaged the continent, caused millions of deaths and destroyed several noble Houses, the world of Game of Thrones remains a splendid universe with varied landscapes. The North, ruled by the honorable House Stark of Winterfell, will offer you snowy territories and hills reminiscent of Ireland and England; To the south, the summer heat of King's Landing and Dorne will please fans of Mediterranean and Iberian landscapes. In short, Westeros is a bit like the Australia of fantasy... A continent as beautiful as it is dangerous!
#9 Tamriel (The Elder Scrolls, by Bethesda Softworks)
The Elder Scrolls - the legendary video game saga from Bethesda Softworks, which has done so much to popularize open-world RPGs - immerses us in the continent of Tamriel. Marked by the great diversity of its landscapes - from the enchanted forests of Elsweyr where the Khajiit live to the snowy peaks of Skyrim, by way of the swamps of Argonia and the deserts of Hammerfell - Tamriel is a world where magic is omnipresent. Despite the presence of dragons and Daedric invasions, Tamriel is the place of all possibilities: you can become a mage in the towers of High Rock or a thief in the alleys of Riften, live a peaceful and comfortable existence in the Imperial City in Windhelm or an adventurous and heroic life exploring other parts of the continent. On the other hand, be careful what you touch, or you risk creating a peasant riot and ending up in prison.
#8 Paris (Le Paris des Merveilles, by Pierre Pevel)
If pollution, rats, and the RATP have damaged your Parisian dreams, then you will undoubtedly be seduced by Le Paris des Merveilles by Pierre Pevel. This alternative version of Belle Époque Paris immerses us in the French capital where Haussmannian architecture shelters supernatural wonders: take a magical tram and wander through the Bois de Vincennes and its enchanted trees, admire Notre-Dame watched over and protected by its gargoyles, stroll in a café where magicians and mythical creatures chat at the next table. Of course, Paris has its share of dangers (especially because of evil sorcerers), but nothing that will spoil your stay!
#7 The Kingdom of Ingary (Howl's Moving Castle, by Hayao Miyazaki)
We could have included in this selection all the universes created by Hayao Miyazaki, but the one that calls to us the most is obviously the Kingdom of Ingary, which serves as the setting for the action of Howl's Moving Castle. (Note that the film does not mention the official name of this kingdom, which is nevertheless cited in the novel Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, which inspired Hayao Miyazaki.) This kingdom, where magic is very present, enchants us; its spells capable of animating a castle and transforming a prince into a scarecrow, its magnificent landscapes that call for contemplation, its food that makes us salivate, are all elements that make us want to live there. #6 Hyrule (The Legend of Zelda, by Nintendo)
Since its first opus released in 1986 on Famicom, The Legend of Zelda has been conceived as a celebration of travel and discovery. Over the course of the episodes, the world of Hyrule has grown in depth, and the pleasure of adventure has increased tenfold. In this respect, the diptych The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, released on Nintendo Switch in 2017 and 2023, have pushed the envelope even further. In addition to the welcoming nature of the various villages, Hyrule offers many sumptuous panoramas that almost plunge us into a state of daze. And we must also mention the ease with which we can cook a whole bunch of succulent dishes, with a speed that would put Uber Eats into receivership! (As for the cost of living, we're talking about a region whose currency is the ruby...)
#5 The Kingdom of Logres (Kaamelott, by Alexandre Astier)
If the Arthurian legend has always been the symbol of adventure and chivalrous exploits, the Kaamelott series by Alexandre Astier transforms it into a place to live. And what a place to live! Aside from infant mortality, barbarian invasions, and the stupidity of some of its inhabitants, the Kingdom of Logres is a place where the pleasures of food, words, and games far outweigh those of adventure and combat. The quest for the Grail, which will bring light to all peoples, can wait when it comes to cheese and goat's milk, the Pelican and the Stone Game, or a lie-in in the bed. No?
#4 The Old Kingdom of Léomance (Old Kingdom Cycle, by Jean-Philippe Jaworski)
The novels (Winning the War, The Knight of Thorns) and short story collections (Janua Vera, The Feeling of Iron) that make up the Old Kingdom Cycle by Jean-Philippe Jaworski - spearhead of French fantasy - immerse us in the states resulting from the fall of the Kingdom of Léomance. While wars, political intrigues, corruption, and the perversion of certain religious cults can have tragic consequences for the population, this does not diminish our desire to eat focaccia under the sun of the Via Mala in the Republic of Ciudalia, to participate in the courtly intrigues of the Duchy of Bromael, to spend quality time with the Crazy Company in Bourg-Preux in the Free March, alongside Bouche-Cousue and the Grand Duke of the Scoundrels and Grand Provost of the Étourdis, to be seduced ourselves by the majesty of the camp of the Adventurers of the Birdwood who work underhand for the Lady of the Blue Forests.
#3 Narnia (Chronicles of Narnia, by C.S. Lewis)
Based on the literary saga by C.S. Lewis, Narnia is a fantasy world one would dream of living in, both for its enchantment and its promise of adventures accessible to all. Its landscapes of timeless beauty, where every corner seems to vibrate with magic and secrets, constantly remind us of the marvelous nature of this universe populated by fauns, centaurs, and majestic lions. These talking creatures, full of wisdom and camaraderie, live within a warm community. While the World of Narnia is not without danger - we think in particular of the White Witch - it appears to be a natural refuge for all dreamers. And then, the proximity of Santa Claus can only convince you to spend time there, right?
#2 The Wizarding World (Harry Potter, by J.K. Rowling)
Adjacent to our own world, the Wizarding World is at the heart of J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter and Fantastic Beasts cycles. First discovered through the eyes of an 11-year-old boy who learned overnight that he was a wizard, the world that is revealed to the reader and viewer surprises with its offbeat character. In the Wizarding World, cars fly, staircases move, candles float in the air, paintings come to life and communicate with each other. Certain places exude hospitality, such as Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, The Burrow, and Hogsmeade Village. The diversity of the fauna and flora completes the Wizarding World's fascinating universe, calling for continual discovery. And who hasn't dreamed of attending one of Hogwarts' banquets? We really dream of living in this world!
#1 Middle-earth (The Lord of the Rings, by J.R.R. Tolkien)
Reading the work of J.R.R. Tolkien and its adaptations by Peter Jackson was the first gateway to fantasy for many fans of the genre. It must be said that the discovery of Middle-earth, its heroes, and its sumptuous landscapes was a real aesthetic shock for millions of enthusiasts. The tranquility of the Shire, the sun-drenched plains of Rohan ridden by brave knights, Gondor and its splendid white citadel of Minas Tirith, the grandiose cities of the Dwarves buried beneath the Mountain, and the Elven kingdoms offer a wide variety of environments, whose majestic landscapes reveal the rich history of the places.
Did you like this article? Then don't hesitate to tell us which fantasy worlds you would like to live in. Perhaps we could do a part 2 (we have some ideas)? In the meantime, we encourage you to discover our selection of the 15 best fantasy Elves. And
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