This article is also available in 🇫🇷 French
Hear ye, hear ye! It’s time to embark on an adventure and explore the most beautiful castles in France. SIXT, your loyal steed, has crafted a dazzling top 14 list for you. This crusade spans from the Loire Valley castles to Carcassonne, passing through Versailles and Alsace. Buckle up, here is our top 14 must-visit castles in France!
- Le château de Chambord
- Le château de Chenonceau
- Le château de Vaux le Vicomte
- Le château d’Amboise
- Le château de Versailles
- Le château de Chantilly
- Le château de Fontainbleau
- Le château d’Azay le Rideau
- Le château du Haut Kœnigsbourg
- Le château et les remparts de Carcassonne
- Le château de Beynac
- Le palais des Papes
- Le château des ducs de Bretagne
- Le château de La Rochepot
1. CHÂTEAU DE CHAMBORD 👸
A star among the Loire Valley castles, Château de Chambord attracts numerous visitors each year. And rightly so: 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces, 13 staircases, and an exceptional domain of over 50 km²… King Francis I thought big, and we thank him for it.
What to do at Château de Chambord?
You can freely visit the castle and gardens or opt for a guided tour. If you have children with you, Château de Chambord organizes dedicated activities like treasure hunts, riddles, workshops in the forest, or in the vegetable garden!
Did you know? At the start of World War II, Château de Chambord served as a hiding place for thousands of artworks from museums in Paris and Northern France. Among them, the Mona Lisa spent a few weeks within the walls of this building, which was very likely designed by… Leonardo da Vinci!
🚗 Parking tip: Parking costs 6 €*. It’s free if there are 7 or more visitors in your group visiting Château de Chambord.
If the life of castles appeals to you, plan a road trip of the Loire Valley castles to Chambord!
2. CHÂTEAU DE CHENONCEAU 💧
Welcome to the Ladies’ Castle. Also located in the Loire Valley, it was built in the early 16th century. Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de’ Medici stayed here, hence its nickname! Château de Chenonceau is inspired by Italian palaces, giving it an elegance reflected in its over 600-meter-long gallery, checkerboard floor, and French garden.
3. CHÂTEAU DE VAUX LE VICOMTE 🕯
Dating from the 17th century, Château de Vaux le Vicomte is known to have inspired the Palace of Versailles! The castle has always been more or less inhabited, giving it an added soul: practically unchanged decor, intact architecture, and stunning French gardens.
👑 What to do at Château de Vaux le Vicomte?
The castle organizes candlelight guided tours on Saturdays. An extraordinary experience, a must-do during your visit to the most beautiful castles in France.
4. CHÂTEAU D’AMBOISE 🎨
Another Loire Valley castle in our top 14: Château d’Amboise. A medieval fortress serving as the residence of French kings, Château d’Amboise saw stars of the era like Leonardo da Vinci! As a bonus, this Renaissance castle offers one of the most beautiful views of the Loire Valley from the top of its tower.
👑 Fun fact: Château d’Amboise provides visitors with Histopads. A tool that allows you to scan a room and see what was happening there. You might come across Charles VIII and Francis I.
5. CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES ⚜️
No top 14 list would be complete without mentioning the Palace of Versailles. Brief recap: Versailles was initially a simple hunting lodge built by Louis XIII in the early 17th century. The Sun King transformed Versailles into the luxurious palace it is today: 60,000 m² of floor space, 2,300 rooms, and 815 hectares of parkland!
👑 What to see and do at Château de Versailles?
- Visit the Hall of Mirrors and the Gallery of Battles
- Tour the king’s and queen’s private apartments
- Explore the French gardens designed by André Le Nôtre
- Visit the Orangery and the picturesque Queen’s Hamlet
📌 SIXT to the rescue: You can reach Château de Versailles by car with SIXT Versailles. If driving, parking is available at the Place d’Armes.
6. CHÂTEAU DE CHANTILLY 🐴
Since we are in the Paris region, why not take a detour to Château de Chantilly, located nearby in Oise? Art and horse enthusiasts, this French castle is for you: the estate houses the Chantilly racecourse and the Condé Museum, which exhibits the largest collection of old paintings in France after the Louvre!
Must-see places at Château de Chantilly:
- Painting galleries
- Grand apartments
- Book cabinet
- French and Anglo-Chinese gardens
- Horse museum
- The show “Once upon a time the Great Stables”
7. CHÂTEAU DE FONTAINEBLEAU 👑
A grand residence of the French kings until the Second Empire, Château de Fontainebleau now houses a museum dedicated to Napoleon I and his family! Besides learning more about him, you can see Napoleon I’s throne and crown in the former king’s chamber.
📌 Good to know: The castle, the Napoleon I museum, and the grand apartments are accessible for free tours. However, the Imperial Theatre, the Small Apartments, Madame de Maintenon’s Apartments, and the Turkish boudoir are only accessible on guided tours!
8. CHÂTEAU D’AZAY-LE-RIDEAU 🏝
Under the reign of Francis I, Château d’Azay-le-Rideau was built on an island in the Indre. An architectural feat, it became a reference in the new art of building in the Loire Valley in the 16th century. The Château d’Azay-le-Rideau is so well-maintained that one quickly gets carried away into the Renaissance era through its many rooms: the king’s apartment, bedrooms, oratory, and the Marquis de Biencourt’s salon.
9. CHÂTEAU DU HAUT-KOENIGSBOURG 🏔
Overlooking Alsace from its mountain top, Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg is one of the most famous medieval castles in France. It attracts more than 500,000 visitors annually! And for good reason: a real journey back in time awaits you during your visit. Bonus: Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg organizes theatrical visits to fully immerse you in the Middle Ages.
10. CHÂTEAU ET REMPARTS DE LA CITÉ DE CARCASSONNE 🥳
For the 10th building in our top 14 of the most beautiful castles in France, head to Carcassonne! Nestled in the Aude and Occitanie regions, the ramparts of the Cité de Carcassonne immerse you in the medieval world of yesteryear. In summer, Carcassonne organizes an exceptional show not to be missed to learn more about the customs of the time.
11. LE CHÂTEAU DE BEYNAC 🪨
Now head to the Southwest, specifically the Périgord Noir. Here lies one of the best-preserved medieval castles in France, in Beynac-et-Cazenac, on the banks of the Dordogne. Perched 150 meters above the river, this defensive structure was built in the 12th century to protect the region from invasions.
Its uniqueness? Its exceptional state of preservation allows you to dive into everyday life in the Middle Ages. And, cherry on the cake, you’ll enjoy a majestic view of the entire surrounding region, including the Château de Castelnaud located across the Dordogne.
Did you know? Château de Beynac has served as a set for a dozen films, including “The Visitors” and “Joan of Arc”!
12. LE PALAIS DES PAPES 🖼
In Avignon, visit the residence that housed nine popes throughout the 14th century, from Clement V in 1309 to Benedict XIII in 1403.
The Palais des Papes was indeed the residence of the heads of the Catholic Church at this time, the city being more central than Rome in the Christian world. It is also the largest Gothic construction in the world, spreading over nearly 15,000 m². Avignon was then the capital of Western Christendom, a kind of Vatican made in France!
Crenellated towers, walkways, as well as chapels, cloisters, and sculptures form a strange architectural mix, halfway between a fortress and an XXL cathedral. After the popes returned to Rome at the end of the 14th century, the palace fell into disrepair… It then became a prison and later housed a garrison of soldiers.
Today restored, the building has acquired new prestige thanks to the Avignon Festival, whose Cour d’Honneur was the first setting of the famous theater festival.
13. LE CHÂTEAU DES DUCS DE BRETAGNE 🥞
Located in the heart of Nantes, Château des Ducs de Bretagne combines defensive and pleasure
architecture. A strange mix explained by the history of Brittany, then independent in the Middle Ages. Built in the 15th century, the castle served as a defensive monument for Francis II, Duke of Brittany, against the French army of King Charles VIII.
In 1487, France seized the castle and Francis II’s daughter, Anne of Brittany, married Charles VIII. She could, however, continue to live in the castle, where she completed the renovations.
Inside the fortress, you can admire a magnificent ducal palace. Beware, your eyes! In flamboyant Gothic style, the buildings feature intricately carved stone walls, Italian-style decorations, and the sumptuous Golden Crown Tower.
14. LE CHÂTEAU DE LA ROCHEPOT 😜
We end the top 14 most beautiful castles in France with a lesser-known building. In Côte d’Or, about twenty kilometers from Beaune, stands Château de La Rochepot, in the village of the same name.
Hidden on a lush rocky spur, it was built in the 12th century. Like many others, it was destroyed during the French Revolution. In the 19th century, the building was rebuilt identically by the son of President Sadi Carnot, who acquired the estate. In addition to the classic defensive elements of a medieval castle (drawbridge, barbican, etc.), you can admire the superb colorful varnished roofs, typical of the region. In short, a gem not to be missed if you visit Burgundy!
Tips for visiting the most beautiful castles in France
How many castles are there in France?
There are an estimated 45,000 castles in France. This includes Renaissance castles as well as those dating back to the Middle Ages. Some, like the castles in Alsace, are in ruins but the foundations remain. The Loire Valley boasts the most castles in France. A great idea for a road trip to start your royal adventure!
What are the most beautiful castles in France?
It depends on the architectural style you like. But the Loire Valley castles are undoubtedly the most impressive in France, thanks to their architecture and almost intact decor. For example, Château de Chambord is famous thanks to the movie “Donkey Skin” but is actually empty, whereas Château de Chenonceau is carefully decorated as it was in the past!
How much time do you need to visit the Loire Valley castles?
At least 4 full days are needed to visit the main Loire Valley castles, which are: Château de Chambord, Chenonceau, Château du Clos Lucé, and Cheverny. If you have a week, it’s interesting to plan an itinerary from Tours to Amboise, passing through Blois to visit Château d’Amboise, Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau, and Château d’Ussé! This list is not exhaustive, as there are actually over 50 castles to visit in the region.
Can you access the most beautiful castles in France by car?
Yes. Most castles have parking. For those perched on mountains, leave your car and climb on foot! A road trip to the most beautiful castles in France is a great way to tour the country! Find the car that best suits your needs with SIXT!
Are guided tours useful?
Yes. Even though all castles are accessible for self-guided tours, a guided tour provides valuable information. They allow you to learn more about past habits and discover all the juicy anecdotes of yesteryear. Moreover, they often give access to secret corners of the castles, inaccessible during self-guided tours.
Can you visit the most beautiful castles in France with children?
Absolutely. Most of the most beautiful castles in France organize activities specially designed for your little ones. It’s a chance to give them a bit of history without them even realizing it!
Read also :
- Road trip through Bordeaux
- The most beautiful villages in France
- Things to do in Lyon: A different side of France
* This article is based on information available as of September 2024. Please be aware that some information may change, and the details provided may no longer be accurate or applicable in the future.
