Discover many of the best known of the 1000 castles in France, with our guides to their history and visitor information
Alsace
Chateau d'Andlau (Bas-Rhin)
It is the views as much as the castle itself at Chateau Andlau that provide a substantial part of the attraction
See Chateau d'Andlau guide
Chateau de Fleckenstein (Bas-Rhin)
The Chateau de Fleckenstein is one of the most imposing ruined castles along the Route des Chateaux in Alsace
See Chateau de Fleckenstein guide
Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg (Bas-Rhin)
The substantial Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg is one of the most visited and most substantial in Alsace, and has a fascinating history - and stunning views
See Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg guideAquitaine
Chateau de Beynac (Dordogne)
High on a clifftop and beautifully restored, the Chateau de Beynac is our favourite castle in the region
See Chateau de Beynac guide
Chateau de Biron (Dordogne)
The Chateau de Biron is a perfect way to discover the history and countryside of the southern Dordogne
See Chateau de Biron guide
Chateau de Bonaguil (Lot-et-Garonne)
The medieval Chateau de Bonaguil, in a lovely woodland setting, is one of our favourite castles in France
See Chateau de Bonaguil guide
Chateau de Bourdeilles (Dordogne)
The Chateau de Bourdeilles consists of a medieval defensive castle and a Renaissance castle in the pretty village of Bourdeilles.
See Chateau de Bourdeilles guide
Chateau de Bridoire (Dordogne)
Visit the Chateau de Bridoire, a medieval chateau with lots of games for all the family.
See Chateau de Bridoire guide
Chateau de Castelnaud (Dordogne)
The extensive Chateau de Castelnaud and the associated Museum of Medieval Weapons are very popular with both adults nd children
See Chateau de Castelnaud guide
Chateau de Commarque (Dordogne)
The Chateau de Commarque is an imposing ruined castle that was 'found' in the forest and has now been cleared and opened to the public.
See Chateau de Commarque guide
Chateau de Fenelon (Dordogne)
The chateau de Fenelon is half medieval and half renaissance, and sited in an imposing elevated position in the Dordogne
See Chateau de Fenelon guide
Chateau de Fumel (Lot-et-Garonne)
The Chateau de Fumel is not open to the public but a walk through the adjacent gardens can be pleasant in spring
See Chateau de Fumel guide
Chateau de Gavaudun (Lot-et-Garonne)
Chateau de Gavaudun, a ruined medieval castle, sits high on a rock in the scenic Gavaudun Valley
See Chateau de Gavaudun guide
Chateau de Hautefort (Dordogne)
At Chateau de Hautefort you can see a vey imposing castle and also extensive and carefuly maintaind garden
See Chateau de Hautefort guide
Chateau de Jumilhac (Dordogne)
The Chateau de Jumilhac is in the northern Dordogn, within the Perigord-Limousin Regional Natural Park
See Chateau de Jumilhac guide
Chateau de Lanquais (Dordogne)
The Chateau de Lanquais - sometimes called the Louvre of the Perigord - combines medieval and renaissance architecture
See Chateau de Lanquais guide
Chateau de Losse (Dordogne)
Close to Montignac, the Chateau de Losse is an interesting castle that also has very pretty gardens
See Chateau de Losse guide
Chateau de Montfort (Dordogne)
Close to Sarlat, the Chateau de Montfort is an imposing setting above the river - but unfortunately not open to the public
See Chateau de Montfort guide
Chateau de Pau (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)
The Chateau de Pau is an impressive combination of the renaissance and 19th century architectural styles
See Chateau de Pau guide
Chateau de Puyguilhem (Dordogne)
Extensive renovation work at the Chateau de Puyguilhem has brought a new lease of life to this Renaissance style castle
See Chateau de Puyguilhem guide
Chateau de Puymartin (Dordogne)
The views, the furnishings and the legend of a resident ghost all combine to make Chateau de Puymartin an interesting destination
See Chateau de Puymartin guide
Chateau des Milandes (Dordogne)
The beautifully restored Chateau des Milandes, in Renaissance style, is best known for its association with the jazz dancer called Josephine Baker
See Chateau des Milandes guideAuvergne
Chateau de Laroque (Cantal)
Chateau de Laroque is a 13th century fortified castle on a hill above the village of Laroquebrou in the Auvergne
See Chateau de Laroque guide
Chateau de Val (Cantal)
The Chateau de Val is an impressive medieval castle on the edge of a lake in Cantal
See Chateau de Val guide
Murol (Puy-de-Dome)
The highlight of a visit to Murol is the Chateau de Murol that stands high on a rocky mass above the village
See Murol guideBrittany
Chateau de Dinan (Cotes-d'Armor)
Dinan castle is an imposing medieval castle which also has views across the town from the ramparts
See Chateau de Dinan guide
Chateau de Josselin (Morbihan)
The Chateau de Josselin has a 1000 year history and includes both medieval and renaissance parts
See Chateau de Josselin guide
Chateau de Pontivy (Morbihan)
The Chateau de Pontivy has dominated the centre of Pontivy in Morbihan since 1485
See Chateau de Pontivy guideBurgundy
Chateau d'Ancy-le-Franc (Yonne)
The 15th century castle at Ancy-le-Franc was one of the very first renaissance style castles to be built in France
See Chateau d'Ancy-le-Franc guide
Chateau de Tanlay (Yonne)
The frescoes and interior decoration are among the highlights of a visit to the moated Tanlay castle
See Chateau de Tanlay guideCentre
Chateau de Chamerolles (Loiret)
The chateau de Chamerolles is an attractive chateau with a pretty Renaissance garden
See Chateau de Chamerolles guideFranche-Comte
Chateau de Cleron (Doubs)
The gardens of the Chateau de Cleron can be seen next to the Loue River in the village of Cleron in Doubs
See Chateau de Cleron guide
Chateau de Joux (Doubs)
The Chateau de Joux is an imposing clifftop castle with a 1000 year history close to Pontarlier
See Chateau de Joux guideLanguedoc-Roussillon
Chateau d'Aguilar (Aude)
The Château d'Aguilar is one of the most famous Cathar castles in the south of France
See Chateau d'Aguilar guide
Chateau de Peyrepertuse (Aude)
Visit the Peyrepertuse Castle, the most popular of the Cathar castles found in the south of France
See Chateau de Peyrepertuse guide
Chateau de Puilaurens (Aude)
Castle Puilaurens is a Cathar castle of France in a beautiful mountain location
See Chateau de Puilaurens guide
Chateau de Queribus (Aude)
Castle Quéribus is a famous castle on the summit of a mountain in the south of France used by the Cathars
See Chateau de Queribus guide
Chateau de Termes (Aude)
Château De Termes is one of the most important Cathar castles in southern France
See Chateau de Termes guide
Chateaux de Lastours (Aude)
The four ruined castles in Lastours, in cathar country, were built in the 13th century
See Chateaux de Lastours guide
Fort de Salses (Pyrenees-Orientales)
The medieval fort of Salses was transformed by Vauban to create a substantial and impregnable fortress
See Fort de Salses guide
Perpignan Palace of Kings of Majorca (Pyrenees-Atlantiques)
The Palace of Kings of Majorca is an imposing fortress and royal residence in Perpignan, built of red brick in the 13th century
See Perpignan Palace of Kings of Majorca guideLimousin
Tours de Merle (Correze)
The Tours de Merle is a group of medieval castles in ruins in a picturesque setting above a river
See Tours de Merle guideLoire Valley
Chateau d'Amboise (Indre-et-Loire)
The Chateau d'Amboise is a castle with impressive gardens and a lovely view across the rooftops of Amboise
See Chateau d'Amboise guide
Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau (Indre-et-Loire)
Not the most luxurious or largest castle in the region, it is the beauty and waterside location that gives the Chateau d'Azay-le Rideau its special charm
See Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau guide
Chateau d'Ussé (Indre-et-Loire)
The imposing Chateau d'Usse, next to the Loire, is an imposing medieval-renaissance castle surrounded by gardens and park
See Chateau d'Ussé guide
Chateau de Blois (Loir-et-Cher)
One of the most impressive of the Loire castles, the Chateau de Blois is best known for its double helix renaissance staircase
See Chateau de Blois guide
Chateau de Chambord (Loir-et-Cher)
The largest castle in the Loire Valley, Chateau de Chambord exceeds all expectations with its grandeur - despite being built as a hunting lodge and rarely occupied!
See Chateau de Chambord guide
Chateau de Chaumont (Loir-et-Cher)
The small village of Chaumont-sur-Loire is dominated by the Chateau de Chaumont, one of the largest Loire Valley castles and with a famous annual International Garden Festival
See Chateau de Chaumont guide
Chateau de Chenonceau (Indre-et-Loire)
The perfectly lovely Chateau-de-Chenonceau includes a renaissance gallery across the river and gardens designed by Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medicis
See Chateau de Chenonceau guide
Chateau de Cheverny (Loir-et-Cher)
Cheverny Castle is perhaps the most opulently furnished of the Loire castles, and also has very lovely gardens
See Chateau de Cheverny guide
Chateau de Chinon (Indre-et-Loire)
Château de Chinon retains more medieval elements than most Loire Valley castles
See Chateau de Chinon guide
Chateau de Clos Lucé at Amboise (Indre-et-Loire)
The Chateau de Clos-Lucé was home to Leonardo da Vinci and you can visit the house and also see recreations of many of his inventions
See Chateau de Clos Lucé at Amboise guide
Chateau de Langeais (Indre-et-Loire)
Château de Langeais is a medieval-renaissance castle with nicely furnished rooms and the oldest castle keep in France
See Chateau de Langeais guide
Chateau de Valencay (Indre)
The renaissance style castle and formal gardens make the Chateau de Valencay among the most interesting in the Loire
See Chateau de Valencay guide
Chateau de Villandry (Indre-et-Loire)
The rooms at Chateau de Villandry can be explored, but it is the world famous French style gardens here that will hold your attention the longest
See Chateau de Villandry guide
Chateau du Rivau (Indre-et-Loire)
One of the more modest castles in the region, both the Chateau de Rivau and its associated gardens are very pleasant to explore
See Chateau du Rivau guide
Domaine Royal de Château Gaillard (Indre-et-Loire)
The Domaine Royal de Château Gaillard in Amboise is the first Renaissance manor house in France, newly restored and surrounded by lovely gardens
See Domaine Royal de Château Gaillard guideMidi-Pyrenees
Chateau de Bournazel (Aveyron)
The Chateau de Bournazel is a charming chateau in the renaissance syle, in Aveyron
See Chateau de Bournazel guide
Chateau de Castelnau-Bretenoux (Lot)
The Chateau de Castelnau-Loubressac is an imposing medieval castle built in red stone
See Chateau de Castelnau-Bretenoux guide
Chateau de Foix (Ariege)
The chateau de Foix is an impressive medieval castle on a rocky spur in the Ariege valley
See Chateau de Foix guide
Chateau de Najac (Aveyron)
Najac castle is the impressive ruins of a 13th century castle in Aveyron
See Chateau de Najac guideNormandy
Chateau de Beaumesnil (Eure)
The Chateau de Beaumesnil is a baroque style castle surrounded by park and gardens
See Chateau de Beaumesnil guide
Chateau de Boutemont (Calvados)
Beautiful chateau and gardens in the Calvados department of Normandy
See Chateau de Boutemont guide
Chateau de Harcourt (Eure)
The Chateau de Harcourt in Eure is a medieval castle now restored and surrounded by an impressive arboretum
See Chateau de Harcourt guide
Chateau Gaillard (Eure)
The evocative ruins of Chateau Gaillard, built in the 12th century by Richard the Lionheart, are one of the most imposing sites in Normandy
See Chateau Gaillard guideParis region
Chateau de Champs-sur-Marne (Seine-et-Marne)
The Chateau de Champs-sur-Marne is a beautifully restored 18th century chateau with extensive gardens
See Chateau de Champs-sur-Marne guide
Chateau de Rambouillet (Yvelines)
Once a Royal castle, the Chateau de Rambouillet is now the summer residence for French presidents
See Chateau de Rambouillet guide
Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte (Seine-et-Marne)
The Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte is one of the most important classical style castles in France
See Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte guide
Chateau de Vincennes (Val-de-Marne)
The Chateau de Vincennes has an interesting history as an important royal residence for several centuries and
See Chateau de Vincennes guide
Fontainebleau (Seine-et-Marne)
The extraordinary decoration of the numerous rooms and royal apartments at Fontainebleau, and the lovely parkland around the house, make it a key monument in Paris
See Fontainebleau guide
Versailles Palace (Yvelines)
A short distance outside central Paris, the Palais de Versailles is an enormous and luxuriously furnished palace, with landscaped gardens to match
See Versailles Palace guidePays de la Loire
Chateau d'Angers (Maine-et-Loire)
The mighty fortified walls of Chateau d'Angers form an interesting contrast with the more 'beautiful' castles of the Loire region.
See Chateau d'Angers guide
Chateau de Brissac (Maine-et-Loire)
The Chateau de Brissac is the tallest castle in France, has more than 200 rooms and extensive parkland to explore!
See Chateau de Brissac guide
Chateau de Montreuil-Bellay (Maine-et-Loire)
The Château de Montreuil-Bellay is an impressive 15th century castle surrouned by medieval ramparts and furnished n period style
See Chateau de Montreuil-Bellay guide
Chateau de Saumur (Maine-et-Loire)
The Chateau de Saumur stands in an impressive location with views across the Loire river
See Chateau de Saumur guide
Chateau de Tiffauges (Vendee)
The Chateau de Tiffauges is a 12th century castle in Vendee, known for its medieval re-enactments
See Chateau de Tiffauges guide
Chateau du Lude (Sarthe)
The Chateau de Lude and its lovely gardens are the closest of the Loire Chateaux to Paris
See Chateau du Lude guide
Chateau Plessis-Bourre (Maine-et-Loire)
The most unusual feature of Chateau Plessis-Bourre is the way it combines medieval and renaissance architecture, and has been unchanged for hundreds of years
See Chateau Plessis-Bourre guidePicardy
Chateau de Chantilly (Oise)
The Chateau de Chantilly is an extensive castle from the 16th-19th centuries, surrounded by extensive gardens and parkland
See Chateau de Chantilly guidePoitou-Charentes
Chateau de Cherveux (Deux-Sevres)
The Chateau de Cherveux, one of the best preserved 15th century castles in the region, is close to Niort
See Chateau de Cherveux guide
Chateau de la Mercerie (Charente)
The Chateau de la Mercerie is a manor house with a substantial wing added in the 20th century, and now recently restored
See Chateau de la Mercerie guide
Chateau de La Rochefoucauld (Charente)
The Chateau de La Rochefoucauld is the most important castle in Charente, with both medieval and renaissance parts to the castle
See Chateau de La Rochefoucauld guideProvence
Chateau de Lacoste (Vaucluse)
The chateau de Lacoste is an 11th century castle in Provence, known for its connection with the Marquis de Sade
See Chateau de Lacoste guide
Chateau de Lourmarin (Vaucluse)
The Chateau de Lourmarin is a castle on the edge of the village of the same name, with both medieval and renaissance elements
See Chateau de Lourmarin guide
Chateau de Tarascon (Bouches-du-Rhone)
The Chateau de Tarascon is an imposing 15th century castle on the banks of the Rhone
See Chateau de Tarascon guide
Château des Baux-de-Provence (Bouches-du-Rhone)
The Château des Baux-de-Provence is a remarkable ruined castle above the village of Les Baux-de-Provence, with amazing views across the Alpilles
See Château des Baux-de-Provence guide
Papal Palace, Avignon (Vaucluse)
The Papal Palace in Avignon is the most imposing gothic palace in Europe
See Papal Palace, Avignon guideSee more tourist attractions in France