Castles in France – 190 amazing Castles, Chateaux and Palaces to visit in France

41. Château de Castelnau-Bretenoux

Construction of this castle went from the 12th to 17th century, and it was built to resist enemy attacks. There has been very little damage to this structure over time, so it is in very good condition. The interior is furnished and attracts many visitors who want to tour its elegant rooms and halls.

42. Château de Castelnaud

Château de Castelnaud is situated next to the Dordogne River, and the surrounding scenery is absolutely breathtaking. There are numerous villages in this area with places to shop and eat. The castle once acted as a fortress in medieval times, and it is now a popular historic attraction with all kinds of fascinating artefacts inside.

43. Château de Cazeneuve

Château de Cazeneuve is located in the commune of Prechac, and it is a very impressive sight, to say the least. It once served as a pleasure palace in the 1600s, but it is now a historic attraction open to the public. The towering trees and gardens that surround the castle make for a very relaxing and tranquil landscape.

44. Château de Chalus-Chabrol

Château de Chalus-Chabrol may not be completely intact anymore, but the ruins are still a spectacular sight nonetheless. There is a feuillardier (chestnut wood cutter) museum as well as a nice formal garden that you can visit while you are here. There are no interior tours available, though it is a lovely area to visit.

45. Château de Chamarande

Château de Chamarande was built in the 18th century and has a very elegant aesthetic that attracts lots of visitors each year. It is located within a park that features all different kinds of plants and flowers. There are also numerous water fountains that also serve as beautiful sculptures, some of which are over two hundred years old.

46. Château de Chambord

Château de Chambord is known for its striking architecture and large round towers. It has over 400 bedrooms and more than 250 fireplaces. You can walk through the paths that surround the castle and see the interior during certain times of the year. This is one very impressive historic structure that you’ll not want to miss.

47. Château de Chamerolles

Château de Chamerolles has been around since the early 1500s, but additions have made been over the years. It available for the public to tour and learn more about its fascinating history. There is a museum dedicated to perfumes, and it’s actually quite interesting. This castle is one of the best-preserved in France today.

48. Château du Champ de Bataille

Château du Champ de Bataille can be found in Normandy in the Le Neubourg commune. It was constructed in the late 1600s, but it remains in excellent condition. You can visit this castle from March all the way up to October. There is an extensive collection of historic objects and old furniture that are put on display for visitors.

49. Château de Champs-sur-Marne

Château de Champs-sur-Marne is an 18th-century historic structure that has been occupied by many important people throughout history, such as the Princess of Conti. It features expansive gardens on the grounds with beautiful vibrant flowers. You can walk around inside the palace as well as throughout the grounds.

50. Château de Chantilly

Château de Chantilly was constructed in the 16th century, and it features a museum with some very beautiful paintings that are hundreds of years old. Outside of the castle are some gorgeous flowerbeds within a formal French garden. Chantilly is a wonderful place to visit, and this is just one of its many great attractions.

51. Château de Chareil-Cintrat

Château de Chareil-Cintrat was once the residence of Claude Morin, and it was built in the early 1500s. Inside the structure, you will find numerous murals that are quite detailed and beautiful. This castle is open to visitors most of the year, and it is located inside a vineyard. This is a great place to visit for those who like history and wine.

52. Château Gaillard

This castle is located in the very remote village of Les Andelys, and it was built back in 1196. The scenery in this area is absolutely incredible, and it’s something everyone should see when they come to France. You can walk along the Petit-Andely to take in the amazing scenery here.

53. Château Guillaume

Château Guillaume is situated in the Allemette valley, and it features four towers with a traditional medieval design. This castle was meant to stand strong against enemy attacks, and it is still in great shape today. There are a small church and some houses in the area, but it is very isolated as a whole.

54. Château de Châteaudun

Château de Châteaudun is quite impressive and unique due to the mixture of Renaissance and Medieval design styles. There is a large garden in front of the structure with all sorts of plants. When you walk to the top of this castle and look out, the view is quite spectacular. There is also a museum in the area with lots of art pieces.

55. Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire

This magnificent castle was originally constructed in the 1400s, and it is one of the most well-preserved castles in the region. When you look out from the terrace, you will be able to see the whole of the Loire Valley. This vantage point is like no other, so it is definitely worth visiting.

56. Château de Chenonceau

You will find that Château de Chenonceau is a remarkable structure with some of the best gardens in the country. When you tour the interior of the castle, you will find lots of beautifully furnished rooms with decorations that consist of old historic items. Many important people have stayed here, including five different queens.

57. Château de Cheverny

Château de Cheverny is a 17th-century palace that has been the residence of numerous royal figures throughout the years. It was designed in the classical style, and there is a year-round exhibition that you don’t want to miss. There are tours available to the public via boat or car so you can explore the structure itself and the grounds.

58. Cirey-sur-Blaise Castle

This is one castle that you should really try to see while you are in France. It was once home to Voltaire until 1749, but many other fascinating people have lived there throughout the years. When you tour this place you will see the dining room, kitchen, library, drawing rooms, and the many other areas that make it up.

59. Château de Compiègne

This palace was once inhabited by royalty, but it is now a museum that you can walk through to learn about the history of the area and those who have lived here. The Second Empire museum is particularly fascinating. There is also a park with different trails that you can walk through nearby.

60. Château de Condé

Once home to the Princes of Conde, this palace has held up very well over the years. It still features many of the interior decorations from over 200 years ago. You can tour the entire area from April to October. This park that makes up a big section of the castle grounds is a great place to walk through on a warm day.

61. Château de Conros

Château de Conros is a large castle designed in the medieval style. It was built in 1130 and is situated against the Cere River. There is a chimney that dates back to the 15th century, and a total of 70 different windows. It has received numerous reconstructive treatments over the years, and it is still very much intact.

62. Château de Cormatin

Château de Cormatin was constructed in the 1600s, and it features a large park with a garden and beautiful flowers throughout. There are also some small lakes and very old trees. This was considered one of the more luxurious places to live in all of France for a very long time.

63. Château du Coudray-Salbart

Château du Coudray-Salbart dates back to the 13th century, and can be found close to Echire village. It is a protected historic site and has a number of courtyards on the grounds. While this structure was built as a fort, it never had to withstand the full force of an attack. The architecture of this structure is overwhelmingly impressive.

64. Château de Courances

Château de Courances is known for the expansive park that resides in. It has a huge garden that makes up over 70 hectares of land. It is open to the public for a good portion of the year. You will be able to explore the tranquil paths and vibrant gardens that are scattered around this area.

65. Château de Courson

Château de Courson was built in the 1700s, encircled by a large park with trees that are hundreds of years old. You can visit this park every day of the week, though it is closed for some holidays. The rose gardens are particularly beautiful, and fall is the best time of year to visit.

66. Château de Couzan

Château de Couzan is over 700 years old and was built as a military fortress. It has been restored numerous times over the years, and there are tours available to the public year round. It is located atop a steep hill, which makes for an incredible view of the entire surrounding mountains.

67. Craon Castle

Craon Castle also sits on a big hill, and it was constructed in the 1700s. It was made from Loire stone and has retained much of its original beauty. The expansive park that surrounds this structure is a great place to walk around and see the local flora and fruit-bearing trees.

68. Château de Crozant

The medieval Château de Crozant can be found in an idyllic setting among lush green trees. This fortress has seen its fair share of war, so the structure itself is not completely intact. These ruins are a popular tourist attraction, and the area itself has some of the most beautiful landscape in France.

69. Château de Crussol

Château de Crussol has been around since the 12th century, and its remains make for a magnificent sight. You can explore the path that winds around the castle. There is also a festival held one weekend each year in June. This event includes falcons, horses and a light show that you won’t soon forget.

70. Château de Culan

Construction of Château de Culan came to a finish in the 15th century, and there are a number of towers that really add to its elegant but striking aesthetic. There is also a garden with roses and numerous paths that you can walk down. This is one of the most beautiful historic attractions in the country.

71. Château de Dampierre

Château de Dampierre is a 17th-century palace that has been owned by the De Luynes family since the late 1660s. It was built in the classical architectural style, and it is quite striking. You can tour the entire palace to see its exquisitely detailed interior. There works of art from numerous artists inside.

72. Fort de Giromagny

Fort de Giromagny, also known as Fort Dorsner, was built in the 19th century to withstand attacks from neighbouring enemies. It is open to the public for tours from mid-summer into early autumn. These guided tours educate visitors about the history of the structure and surrounding area. It once housed over 600 soldiers in its barracks.

73. Douaumont fortress

The fortress known as Douaumont was constructed in the late 1880s, and it was once home to hundreds of soldiers. There is a local memorial that pays tribute to the lives that were lost in various battles in this region. It is a wonderful place to visit for those who are obsessed with history.

74. Château de Drée

Château de Drée has a spectacular architectural design, and construction it began in the late 1600s. There are many different bedrooms, a large kitchen, dining room, and even a chapel. The park that makes up the grounds spans over 10 hectares, and it includes rose gardens as well as some very old trees.

75. Château de Duras

Château de Duras took about six hundred years to finish building, and it is one of the more popular historic landmarks in France. This castle features an archaeology museum with some very interesting old artefacts that are on display. Go to the top of the tower if you want to see a breathtaking view of the entire area.

76. Château d’Écouen

Château d’Écouen is close to Paris and sits atop a large hill. This renaissance structure is known for containing some very important cultural artefacts from the Renaissance period. If you have a love of art and history, it is highly recommended that you check this place out.

77. Éperlecques bunker

The Éperlecques bunker stands 22 meters tall, and it played a pivotal role for the French in World War II. Today it serves as a tribute to the brave soldiers who lost their lives, and it’s quite a fascinating attraction. Here you will see a number of historical artefacts from the second war on display throughout the year.

78. Barrière de l’Esseillon

Constructed in 1819, this fort can be found in the Maurienne Valley. It was built as a result of immense pressure from Austria at the time. This is definitely one of the more isolated historic attractions in France, but it is well worth the trip. The surrounding area offers some breathtaking views.

79. Château de Falaise

One of the largest castles in France, Château de Falaise was once home to William the Conqueror. It has a number of towers and other features that tower over those who visit. There are also a few statues that have been erected over the years to commemorate important historical figures in the area.

80. Château de Fère-en-Tardenois

This castle was originally built as a strong fortress in the 13th century to give the French a considerable advantage of invading armies. It is still in very good condition, especially considering how old it is. There is a small village just a few kilometres away with some other interesting historical landmarks you can visit.

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