Top 15 Stunning Castles to Visit in France

Here is a compilation of the most exquisite castles in France. Many of these are well-known and frequently featured in guides, while others are somewhat lesser-known and slightly off the beaten path.

Each selected castle is steeped in history, but perceptions of beauty vary: some of the most architecturally impressive structures served as the backdrop for infamous sieges, while others have been cherished retreats for royalty and aristocrats.

It is unsurprising that many of these castles are located in the Loire Valley, where all the Renaissance châteaux are recognized as one World Heritage site.

Let us explore the most stunning castles in France:

1. Château de Chambord, Loir-et-Cher

Beginning the list is the most magnificent and esteemed château in the Loire, which is significant considering the density of remarkable architecture in this region of France.

Constructed in the 1500s for King Francis I, it is instantly recognizable due to its iconic array of cupolas and turrets adorning the roof.

Photographs do not adequately convey the building’s scale until one realizes that the minute figures on the main façade’s terraces are individuals! It is rumored that Leonardo da Vinci contributed to the castle’s most famous interior feature; a central double-helix staircase that spirals elegantly up three levels, illuminated from above by a skylight.

2. Château de Villandry, Indre-et-Loire

Located just west of Tours, this Renaissance palace is celebrated for its splendid formal gardens.

These gardens are arranged over four terraces and were restored in the early 20th century by the Spanish physician Joachim Carvallo, utilizing texts dating back to the 1300s.

Each garden features a distinct theme: a sun garden, a water garden, an ornamental garden, and a decorative vegetable garden, where the plots are arranged in orderly squares and crosses.

Regardless of one’s affinity for gardens, all four are remarkable for their grandeur, scale, and precision.

The castle encapsulates the classic Loire style with mansard roofs and 18th-century interiors.

3. Vaux-le-Vicomte, Seine-et-Marne

This visually striking and historically significant mid-17th-century palace located southeast of Paris showcases unparalleled grandeur.

It stands as a Baroque embodiment of Nicolas Fouquet’s legendary ambition, extravagance, and taste.

This endeavor also marked the first collaboration between the designers responsible for Versailles, Charles le Brun and André le Nôtre.

The extensive grounds are so vast that at one time, 18,000 laborers were required for their maintenance.

Considering this, opting for a golf cart rental might be a practical choice to explore the area efficiently.

This is particularly beneficial for visitors accompanied by children.

The palace also enchants younger guests by offering period costumes for their exploration.

4. Fort de Salses, Pyrénées-Orientales

This castle was expressly constructed for military purposes. This massive and formidable Catalan fortress was commissioned by the Spanish Catholic Monarchs at the beginning of the 16th century and was completed in just seven years.

The building’s history is extensive, marked by numerous sieges throughout its existence, losing its strategic significance in 1659.

A guided tour is highly recommended, as it provides access to areas of the castle that would otherwise remain inaccessible.

5. Château de Chenonceau, Indre-et-Loire

Returning to the Renaissance era, Château de Chenonceau is an exceptionally beautiful palace, constructed on arches that span the River Cher.

It is no surprise that it is the second most-visited château after Versailles; the unique setting sets it apart while its connections to significant historical figures add to its allure.

The most notable of these was Diane de Poitiers, a favored companion of King Henry II, who presented her with the palace.

Acquire fascinating historical insights with the assistance of the English audio guide before seeking a tranquil spot in the opulent grounds—including gardens, a maze, woodlands, and a small farm featuring donkeys—for a leisurely picnic.

6. Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg, Bas-Rhin

In Alsace, a region of France long contested by various nations, Château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg exudes historical significance.

The castle commands the Alsatian Plain from the Buntsandstein Rock, providing sweeping views towards the Black Forest.

It is constructed from pink sandstone, imparting a subtly glimmering quality under sunlight.

The castle’s current appearance was achieved in the late-19th century during a visionary restoration overseen by Kaiser Wilhelm II, more than 200 years after it had been pillaged by Swedish forces during the Thirty Years’ War.

7. Château de Cheverny, Loir-et-Cher

If you were an admirer of Tintin books in your youth, Château de Cheverny might appear familiar; it served as the inspiration for Hergé’s Marlinspike Hall.

A small exhibition dedicated to fans can be found here.

This château has remained within the same family for six centuries and features lavish 17th and 18th-century interiors, particularly notable in its apartments.

For young visitors who may become restless, the guided tour includes a tourist train ride through the English-style grounds, as well as a boat trip on the expansive pond.

Additionally, visitors can explore the kennels, where around a hundred hunting dogs are exercised daily, or enjoy refreshments in the elegantly converted orangerie café.

8. Château de Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne

Located southeast of Paris, the Château de Fontainebleau served as the residence of French monarchs and emperors for seven centuries.

The architecture, interiors, art, and grounds provide an intricate narrative of French history through various eras.

Each new occupant contributed their own touch, including Napoleon, who favored this residence during the early 1800s.

Guided tours offer insights into the Emperor’s private quarters, including the study where he once worked.

The exquisite Renaissance Rooms, adorned in the 1500s under the guidance of Francis I and Henry II, are compelling alone to justify the visit.

9. Château de Chantilly, Oise

This palace is a 19th-century interpretation of the Renaissance style, reflecting the grandeur one would expect.

The elegant gardens were designed by André Le Nôtre, and the impressive 18th-century stables are original, now housing a museum dedicated to horses and equestrian culture.

Prominent within is the Musée Condé, which features invaluable art, sculptures, and a stunning library containing medieval manuscripts.

The collection, amassed over centuries by the Princes of Condé, includes masterpieces from illustrious Italian Renaissance artists such as Raphael, Botticelli, and Sassetta.

Remarkably, the exhibition has seen little change since 1898 when it was bequeathed to the state by the Duke of Aumale.

10. Château d’Angers, Maine-et-Loire

This castle exhibits none of the Renaissance embellishments, characterized instead by its austere exterior, complete with 17 dual-tone towers constructed from layers of schist and limestone.

However, upon entering the Gothic inner wards with their cultivated gardens, one encounters a much more refined atmosphere, offering a glimpse into the courtly life of the Dukes of Anjou.

The Dukes, known patrons of the arts, are commemorated by the Apocalypse Tapestry, measuring 103 meters and dating from the late 14th century, recognized as the oldest surviving medieval French tapestry.

As with the finest historic monuments, each new building or room encountered transports visitors to a different period of history.

11. Tours de Merle, Corrèze

Ruins can possess as much beauty as pristine palaces, as evidenced by this collection of decaying towers set within a steep valley on the western slope of the Massif Central.

These structures were remnants of fortified houses that date from the 1200s to the 1500s.

The site played a role in numerous conflicts during the Middle Ages, including the Hundred Years’ War in the 14th century, during which it was occupied by English forces.

Currently, it comprises a 10-hectare park where it harmoniously integrates with the forested landscape.

Exploring the area offers an exhilarating sense of discovery, alongside various medieval-themed entertainment activities available in the summer months.

12. Château de Vincennes, Val-de-Marne

While “beautiful” may not be the most fitting descriptor, this castle situated in the eastern suburbs of Paris is certainly intriguing and is rich in historical significance.

Renowned for its tall keep—the tallest of its kind in Europe—the castle was constructed in the 14th century and continued to be utilized by French royalty for the subsequent 400 years.

Two monarchs were wed at Vincennes in the 1200s, while three kings met their demise here, including Henry V of England, who succumbed to dysentery in 1422. Following his fall from grace, Nicolas Fouquet was imprisoned within the keep under orders from Louis XIV.

13. Peyrepertuse, Aude

Numerous hilltops in the eastern Pyrenees are crowned by the ghostly remains of once-mighty castles.

These fortresses belonged to Counts sympathetic to the Cathar movement, a religious sect suppressed during the 13th-century Albigensian Crusade.

Peyrepertuse is notable as one such fortress that emerged relatively unscathed from this conflict, although, like Fort de Salses, it was ultimately abandoned in the 17th century.

The remains now present an ethereal quality, integrated seamlessly into a limestone crag towering 800 meters above sea level.

When it comes to dramatic landscapes, the photographs captured here will undoubtedly surpass others on this list.

14. Château de Langeais, Indre-et-Loire

This castle’s architecture dates back to the late-15th century, built after its predecessor was ravaged during the Hundred Years’ War.

Remarkably, it has remained largely unchanged since then, as it did not undergo any further military action.

Within, visitors can marvel at an impressive collection of original 15th and 16th-century furniture and tapestries, with intricate details sure to capture attention, especially since Château de Langeais lacks the crowds of other major Loire attractions.

For families, the staff effectively brings history to life for younger visitors: fun reenactments include swordplay, while the operational drawbridge is raised and lowered several times daily.

15. Château de Bonaguil, Lot-et-Garonne

Perched on a rock at the convergence of the Thèze and Lémance Rivers, Bonaguil is a fortified structure in a state of partial ruin.

It was one of the final great feudal castles, as advancements in artillery necessitated a less extravagant design.

Its current visage originates from the early 1600s and remains impressively intact, largely because no military commander considered it wise to assault its formidable defenses.

These defenses included seven drawbridges, various murder holes, and newly fashioned gun ports.

A tour through this remarkable site promises an exhilarating journey through regal halls, up spiral staircases, and ascends to the top of the keep for breathtaking views.