Visiting France soon and want to discover our beautiful castles? You’ve come to the right place!
France is a paradise for history and art lovers and we are blessed to have so many beautiful castles.
From the Renaissance masterpieces in the Loire Valley to huge mediaeval castles, France has it all!
In this article, you’ll find a selection of 10 stunning castles in France that will make you feel like you’re in a fairytale.
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1. Château de Chambord
Located in the Loire Valley, Chambord is one of the most famous castles in the world. It’s a prime example of French Renaissance architecture and a wonderful place to visit.
Chambord was built to impress and if there is one thing I know for sure, it’s that it will impress you.
It was built by King of France Francis I and was meant to be the most impressive castle in France at the time. With 440 rooms, 84 staircases and 282 fireplaces, it for sure is an architectural masterpiece.
Chambord is open every day. You can visit the castle, go up to the rooftop but also have a walk in the French gardens and the estate.
2. Château de Chenonceau
While Chambord might be the largest of the Loire Valley Chateaux, it’s not necessarily the prettiest since it was never really inhabited.
Chenonceau on the other hand is small but mighty! It’s also a very important castle in history since it originally was a gift from King Henry II to his mistress Diane.
When King Henry II died, Catherine de Medici (his wife) became regent of France and forced Diane to exchange the Château.
Inside, it’s a stunning castle. Each room is very unique and opulently decorated. One of the most impressive rooms is the ball room which is located in the part of the building that spans over the River Cher.
3. Cité de Carcassonne
Located in the South West, Carcassonne is home to the largest medieval bastide in Europe.
The citadel dates back from the Gallo-Roman period and is incredibly big and well preserved. You can still find all the walls and even walk on them and they are 1.2km long!
The citadel was added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage sites in 1997 and is by far one of the best places to visit in the South West.
You can easily get there by car or train from Toulouse. It takes a few hours to visit the castle and walls but it’s also worth heading in the town centre to eat the local dish, the Cassoulet.
4. Château du Haut Kœnigsbourg
When it comes to fairytale places in France, the region of Alsace sets the standard and that’s exactly where you’ll find the stunning Château du Haut Kœnigsbourg.
It’s ideally located near Strasbourg and Colmar, making it an excellent place to add to any Alsace road trips.
It was built in the 12th century and is perched on a hill making it an excellent view point as well.
It was strategically constructed here because of its position between the French Vosges and the German Black Forest.
5. Château de Chantilly
Located only 50km north of Paris, the Château de Chantilly is the perfect place to visit if you want to see a stunning castle during your trip to Paris without necessarily going all the way to the Loire Valley.
It was built by Henry d’Orléans around 1560 who was one of the sons of King Louis-Philippe of France.
The castle is open every day except on Tuesdays and a great place to visit. You can go inside the castle but also discover the beautiful gardens and the art collection.
6. Château de Pierrefonds
This is another castle in Northern France that can be visited on a day trip from Paris since it only takes an hour to get there.
It’s a beautiful example of gothic architecture which is a bit more rare amongst French castles.
It was built by Louis d’ Orleans, son of the king Charles V. It’s important to note that its construction only took 10 years and finished in 1397.
It’s a great place to visit if you are interested in learning more about the history of France, especially since it’s home to a collection of armors that used to belong to Napoleon III. The castle was also used during WWI as barracks.
The castle is open every day to the public and charges an entrance fee that is much lower to the others on this list.
7. Château de Beynac
Located in the beautiful Dordogne, the Château de Beynac is a great example of a medieval castle in France since it was built in the 12th century.
It’s set just above the river Dordogne and boasts amazing views of the valley and the other castles in the area.
It’s quite well known amongst French people since it was used as a filming location for a famous French movie (The Visitors) but is not that famous with foreign tourists.
This means that it’s a unique occasion to discover a castle that the French visit and truly love.
It’s very well preserved and you get to see most of the rooms in the castle, including the kitchen which is very complete.
8. Château d’Ussé
Located in Central France, in the department of Indre-et-Loire, the Château d’Ussé is technically the ultimate fairytale castle in France since it was used as a source of inspiration by Charles Perrault when he wrote the tale of the Sleeping Beauty.
It was built in the 15th century but a lot of improvements were made a few decades later which is why you find both Gothic and Renaissance architecture traits.
The chateau is open every day and a great place to visit since it’s also surrounded by a vineyard and beautiful gardens.
It’s also worth noting that it’s another UNESCO World Heritage Site in France.
9. Château de Cheverny
The Château de Cheverny is another beautiful castle in the Loire Valley. It’s very unique because it has been inhabited by the same family, the Hurault family, for over centuries.
It was built in the 17th century and is a brilliant example of the classical architecture style.
The castle is open every day of the year. The visit includes the castle itself but also the English-style park and gardens.
10. Château de Foix
Located in Ariège, in the French Pyrenees, the Château de Foix is quite unique compared to the others on this list.
It’s perched on a high rock and boasts incredible views of the town and the chain of mountains.
It is a bit less impressive in terms of architecture style but that’s because it is a medieval castle. The views though are unbeatable.
The castle is open every day except on Mondays and also houses a museum.
I hope this article has been helpful and will make you want to discover all our beautiful castles!
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