Answer:
Face with a tree skin like the sea. A great beast I am. Yet vermin frightens me.
I have a little pool with two layers of wall around it. One white and soft and the other dark and hard. Amidst a light brown grassy lawn with an outline of a green grass.
I am essential to life on earth! I am split into thirds. Two thirds are the same. One of the thirds is 8. The other two are 1 each.
I stand up tall and am made of steel With baguettes and garlic at my heel. I love the colors red white and blue but obviously not as much as you. I am a marvel for all to see Though to some I am a monstrosity!
Light hides me and darkness kills me. What am I?
I am rarely touched but often held. If you are smart you'll use me well. What am I?