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

161. Château de Serrant

Château de Serrant has many antique furniture pieces, paintings and other things that you can see as you tour its expansive interior. The library in this castle has over 11,000 books. There is also a dining room and numerous kitchens. The landscape outside of the castle is just as impressive.

162. Citadelle de Sisteron

Citadelle de Sisteron was constructed in the 11th century and was remodelled nearly two hundred years later. It is positioned in the middle of the Mediterranean and the Alps. From this structure, you will have an excellent view of the nearby mountains as well as all of the homes that make up the town below.

163. Château de Sully-sur-Loire

Château de Sully-sur-Loire is a classic medieval fortress that was built back in the 1300s, and those who come to visit can stroll through the forested park in this area. There is a medieval-themed festival that is held in this region each year that you should try to catch as well.

164. Château de Suscinio

Château de Suscinio was built as a fortress in the 13th century, inhabited by many Dukes over the years. Eventually, the structure was abandoned when it fell into a severe state of disrepair. It was restored in the 1960s with many improvements made to the overall structure. It still has all six of its towers as well as an interior courtyard.

165. Château de Tanlay

Château de Tanlay was built in the 1500s and has been owned by the descendants of the Admiral de Coligny for many years now. It is located in a beautiful park with flower-lined paths. You can only explore this castle with a guide, and tours are available Monday through Sunday.

166. Château de Thoury

Construction on Château de Thoury started in the 12th century and stretched on all the way to the 1500s. It was restored in the 1300s and has retained much of its beauty this day. There is a hunting-themed museum here as well as a vaulted cellar. This is a great place to visit for all history buffs.

167. Château de Touffou

Touffou overlooks the Vienne River, and its elegant architecture is quite spectacular. The garden just outside of the structure is definitely worth taking a close look at. There are many different bedrooms, each of which features antique furniture pieces that are incredibly unique. It is a wonderful historic attraction for everyone.

168. Château de Tournoël

Château de Tournoël has a medieval architecture that dates back to the 12th century. It has been attacked numerous times with multiple reconstructions. When you tour this castle you will see the chapel, kitchens, guardroom, gardens and apartments. The keep of this castle is the perfect place to look out over the mountains.

169. Château de Tournon

Tournon-sur-Rhone is a very small town with a castle that was built in the 10th century. Additional sections have been put on to this structure over the years up until the 16th century. You can walk through all of the furnished rooms to admire its incredible elegance. There is a huge collection of historical items spread throughout the castle.

170. Château du Touvet

Château du Touvet was built in the 13th century and has lush gardens that were first planted in the 1700s. Its interior is very impressive with all sorts of historic antique furniture and classic paintings. It once served as a protective structure from enemy forces, but it is now a beautiful historic landmark.

171. Château d’Urtubie

Château d’Urtubie can be found in Urrugne, and it is a 14th-century structure that is filled with antique furniture and beautiful artwork from centuries ago. The six-hectare park that surrounds this castle makes for a beautiful landscape that you can enjoy before going in. There is also a chapel from the 1600s that you must visit.

172. Château d’Ussé

Château d’Ussé is a gorgeous 15th-century castle with numerous fortified towers and a gothic architecture that will be sure to take your breath away. The Renaissance period chapel is quite remarkable, as are the nearby gardens. There are tours through this castle that will allow you to see all that it has to offer.

173. Le Duché d’Uzès

The castle in the small town of Uzès has a long and fascinating history that you will be able to hear about when taking the guided tour. It has some amazingly beautiful stained glass windows as well as an incredible view of the city centre. There is also the King’s Tower, which is another incredible historic landmark in the area.

174. Val Castle

Val Castle’s medieval architecture gives it a majestic look that is the very definition of beauty. This historic landmark includes a Gothic-style chapel and six different towers that you can explore. There are audio guides as well as guided tours that you can take with someone who is very knowledgeable about this monument.

175. Château de Valençay

Château de Valençay was once the residence of princes and other royalty. It has been meticulously preserved throughout the years, and it’s one of the most beautiful historical landmarks in France. The Italian arcaded gallery and domed roofs of this palace make it truly special and a remarkable place overall.

176. Château de Vaux le Vicomte

This 17th-century structure is located in Maincy, which is a small village in the hills. Each of the rooms in this palace is decorated with beautiful antique pieces from the 17th and 18th centuries. You should take a stroll through the formal gardens outside to see the rare and exotic flora.

177. Château de Vayres

Château de Vayres was once where King Henry IV resided, and it looks out over the Dordogne. There are some beautiful formal gardens that have a variety of flowers that are native to the area. With all of the different attractions in this area, you should really consider visiting.

178. Château de Vendeuvre

The exterior of this castle has an impressively detailed architecture with a fully furnished interior. The garden outside includes a water fountain and some wonderful landscaping. It was built in the 18th century and certain details of its design come from other castles in the region.

179. Château de Ventadour

This medieval fortress was first built in the 12th century, though construction didn’t finish until nearly 100 years later. It overlooks the Soudeillette valley. Those who look down from on top will witness a truly spectacular landscape beneath. The ruins of this fortress may be crude, but they are breathtaking nonetheless.

180. Palace of Versailles

The Palace of Versailles was constructed in the early 1600s, and it is one of the most visited attractions in the entire country. There are 700 different rooms in total and over 2,000 windows. The Marble Courtyard is a very impressive aspect of this building, but you don’t want to miss any of it when visiting.

181. Château de Villandraut

Château de Villandraut dates back to the 14th century, and it is known for its tall round towers and unique architecture. Over the years it has been reduced to ruins, but it is still an interesting place to visit for those who love history. You can get a guided tour of the entire area any day of the week.

182. Château de Villandry

The longest French river Loire has played a significant role in the history of the country. In a wide valley many strongholds and chateaux that served the rulers were built all around, and today they welcome thousands of visitors a year.

When you find yourself somewhere around the city of Tours, pay a visit to Château de Villandry, the last of the great chateaux built in the Loire Valley during the Renaissance period.

183. Château de Villemonteix

This castle has been around since the 1400s and is still a place of residence. It features a number of old but beautiful tapestries, paintings and wood pieces from many different artists. When you come here you can learn about each of these items from a tour guide.

184. Château de Vincennes

A hunting lodge was built in the Vincennes forest by the Capet dynasty back in the 12th century. During the centuries the lodge has been rebuilt several times from lodge to keep around which was later added the massive walls with 9 towers. Napoleon modified the fortification towers to fit the place for the use of modern artillery in 1808. You can now visit this symbol of the modern French state. It’s open everyday and the basic admission is 9,-EUR.

185. Château de Fougères

The Château de Fougères is located in the small town of Fougères in northwestern France. The castle is located in the center of the town and is surrounded by a water moat. Occupiing an area of two hectares it is one of the largest French castles. Castle is accessible to tourists.

186. Ouvrage La Ferté

This fortress is relatively new, built in 1935 with a monument added in 1949 to honour the dead from the German attack in 1940. Those who are interested in World War II history will find this historic site to be particularly fascinating. You can get a guided tour from April until November.

187. Château de Virieu

Construction on this castle started back in the 11th century, though it had some major work done to it in the mid-1700s. Cannons were added in the 17th century to make it even more secure. When you tour this structure you will see the Great Hall, White Bedroom, and all of the other amazing places this castle has to offer.

188. Château de Vizille

Château de Vizille was constructed in the 1600s at the request of the leader of the French military at the time. There is now a museum inside with numerous historic objects that tell a fascinating story about French history. It is situated on an expansive park with all sorts of wildlife as well as a lake.

189. Château de Vogue

Château de Vogue sits atop a hill overlooking a small but idyllic town. Standing in front of this castle, you can look over almost the entire Ardeche Valley. It is a truly amazing landscape, but the interior of the castle is the real attraction. There are numerous art exhibitions inside all year round.

190. Château de Foix

Château de Foix is the heart of the small town in which it resides. It dates back to 987, and it was made the capital of County of Foix back in 1034. Since the early 1900s, it has been a museum with numerous archaeological objects and exhibits that have fascinating stories behind them.

Well, long enough? 🙂 There are a lot more great chateaux worth visiting in France, this is just a modest selection of the best castles in France! If you know about some more that should not miss on the list, please let us know below in the comments and we will be glad to add them on the list as well!

France is home to a wealth of majestic and historic castles, each with its own unique charm and story. The iconic Château de Versailles, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as a symbol of opulence and grandeur, attracting millions of visitors each year.

The romantic Château de Chambord, with its distinctive Renaissance architecture, is another popular destination, nestled in the Loire Valley, known as the “Garden of France.” Meanwhile, the medieval fortress of Mont-Saint-Michel, perched on a rocky island, captivates with its stunning location and rich history.

These are just a few examples of the many magnificent castles that grace the French countryside, offering visitors a glimpse into the nation’s royal past and architectural brilliance.