Visiting France and not seeing at least 3 to 4 of its famous medieval castles is a mistake. France has some of the most beautiful castles and chateaus in Europe. Your itinerary should include at least a few.
I’ve visited a couple of them, and the atmosphere and history have always enriched my trips. So, I’ve researched the most interesting and beautiful French medieval castles for you to perfect your French trip and add some to your itinerary, too.
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List Of The 9 Best Medieval Castles In France To Visit & Map
- Chateau de Chantilly
- Chateau de Fontainebleau
- Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg
- Chateau D’Annecy
- Chateau de Chambord
- Chateau de Chenonceau
- Vitre Chateau
- Carcassonne Castle
- Mont Saint-Michel Abbey
Here is a map of the location of the 9 most beautiful French medieval castles. Save it for your reference and navigate to your favorite when you travel:
French Castle Vs. French Chateau
Some of you might be confused about the terminology here. Let me explain. French castles from the 13th and 14th centuries are also locally called ‘Chateaux’.
So, Chateau, is basically a French word for a castle.
๐ฐ A singular form of the word in the French language is Chateau.
๐ฐ A plural form of the word in the French language is Chateaux.
So, in this article, I often refer to these castles as ‘chateaux’, the official French name. Below is a description of each castle and things I recommend you visit in its region.
1. Chateau De Chantilly
Chateau de Chantilly is theย second most important museumย after the Louvre, thanks to its countless galleries from famous artists and many generations who owned it. It was built in the Middle Ages toย control the roads between Senlis and Paris, the capital of France.
Let’s explore a bit of its history.
Breif History Of Chateau De Chantilly
During the Classical Era, the Chateau belonged to Charlotte de Montmorency, wife of Henri II de Bourbon. She was also known as Prince of Condรฉ. After, their son, Louis II de Bourbon, inherited it.
He brought a lot of life to the castle, invited artists, and organized parties. Thanks to him, the castle soon became as important as the Palace of Versailles. Artists also built the French gardens around.
During the French Revolution, the Duke of Bourbon lost his son when he was assassinated, which ended the Bourbon-Conde lineage of the castle. He then gave the castle to his grand-nephew Henri d’Orleans.
Finally, he built a Condรฉ museum inside, where you can learn more about the castle’s history and dynasties. One thing you can’t miss is its gardens, created by the same architect who also designed the gardens at Versailles Palace.
The Chateau holds a lot of the culinary history of France. The Chantilly vanilla cream was invented in the Chateau’s kitchen when they hosted King Louis XV.
The castle was also featured in the James Bond movie ‘A View to a Kill.’
Where Is Chateau De Chantilly & What Else To Visit?
Chateau de Chantilly is located in the Hauts-de-France region in northern France. It’s in a small town, Chantilly, just 42km (26 miles) from Paris.
Below, I am giving you some suggestions for what else you can do and see in the Hauts-de-France region:
๐ Lille city, the capital
๐ Gerberoy town
๐ Bay of Somme & its Belle Epoque steam train
๐ Picardy & Les Grandes Cathedrales
๐ WWII. Dunkirk site – Operation Dynamo
๐ READ ALSO: French Riviera Itinerary For 7 Days
2. Chateau De Fontainebleau
Visitors often forget Chateau de Fontainebleau as most only come to Versailles Palace. Little do we know that this chateau used to be the residence of the French monarchy for a long time in history.
It’s also one of the biggest royal castles in France. So let’s explore it together.
Brief History Of Chateau De Fontainebleau
This chateau was home to several important French personalities, including Louis VII, Napoleon I, Francis I, Napoleon Bonaparte, Henri II and his wife Catherine de Medici, and Napoleon III with Marie Antoinette.
Many crucial events in French history happened in the area, including marriages, coronations, and births of royals. For instance, Pope Pius VII stopped by to crown Napoleon as the French Emperor.
In addition, other famous personalities visited this chateau, such as Charles V., Holy Roman Emperor. Later, Napoleon was arrested and imprisoned in the castle for 2 years.
The castle has many outlooks since each emperor wanted different designs. So, locals renovated it according to each emperor’s taste.
Nowadays, you can see all the belongings of the kings they’ve kept over the years. Come to see Marie Antoinette’s bed, who had never slept on it since she was assassinated before it arrived in her royal room.
During WWII, the Chateau de Fontainebleau was the headquarters of the Germans.
Where Is Chateau De Fontainebleau & What Else To Visit?
Chateau de Fontainebleau is situated in the metropolitan area of Paris, just 70km away from the French capital. You can easily take a train from the Gare de Lyon in Paris, which takes about 50 minutes.
Many people visit Versailles Palace as a day trip from Paris. Chateau de Fontainebleau often gets forgotten but has even more things to see. So if you want to avoid crowds, visit Chateau de Fontainebleau instead.
3. Chateau Du Haut-Koenigsbourg
This castle has stood here in the Alsace region of Franceย since the 12th century. It was built toย protect various trade routesย across the region.
You can expect one of the most spectacular views of the Alsace region, Germany’s Black Forest, and even spot the stunning Swiss Alps. It’ll truly bring you back to the Middle Ages.
Brief History Of Chateau Du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg has witnessed several European conflicts and rivalries among past emperors, mainly the Habsburgs, Hohenzollern, and Hohenstaufers.
During the Thirty Years War, it was burnt down by the Swedish army and consequently sieged for 50 days. After, it was abandoned for 2 centuries.
You might have noticed that this medieval castle doesn’t have a French name but a German one. Even its architecture is influenced by the German style.
It’s because it was given to the German Kaiser Wilhelm II, the German Emperor and the last King of Prussia, at the beginning of the 20th century. He declared war against France and the United Kingdom in 1914, which started WWI.
He was so in love with the Middle Ages that he restored its architecture to remind him of the German Empire and gave the castle a medieval outlook.
It’s situated on the Alsace wine route, so you can kill two birds with one hit and enjoy both when visiting France.
Where Is Chateau Du Haut-Koenigsbourg & What Else To Visit?
Chateau du Haut-Koenigsbourg resides in the beautiful Alsace. It’s in northeastern France, near Germany and Switzerland, on the River Rhine plain.
It’s one of my favorite regions in France. Check out the things below you can see in this region beside the chateau:
๐ Strasbourg city
๐ Colmar medieval town
๐ Cruise on the Rhine River
๐ Mont Sainte-Odile Abbey
๐ Alsatian vineyard route
4. Chateau D’Annecy
Chateau d’Annecy is located in the charming town of Annecy, close to Switzerland. It’s in the middle of its historical center. It provides some of the most stunning views from all medieval castles in France at Lake Annecy.
Brief History Of Chateau D’Annecy
The castle was built to protect the route that linked Geneva with Italy in the past. Between the 13th and 14th centuries, it became a residence of the Counts of Geneva.
It was completely destroyed by fire back in 1340. Dukes of Genevois-Nemours renovated it in the 16th century to its original outlook with defensive medieval architecture and a few aspects of the French Renaissance. Then, in the 17th century, it was abandoned.
After, the town of Annecy bought it. They’ve started using it for exhibitions and have kept it an important historical landmark of the town.
Nowadays, it’s a historical and art museum in Annecy town and the Regional Observatory of the Alpine Lakes.
Where Is Chateau d’Annecy & What Else To Visit?
Annecy town, with its chateau, is in southeast France, in the region called Auvergne-Rhรดne-Alpes. It’s one of the most stunning French regions regarding natural resources and beauty.
You’ll find many crystal-clear lakes, charming towns, spectacular mountains, ski resorts, and thermal spas in the region.
Let’s see what else you can explore here besides Annecy and its castle:
๐ Lyon city
๐ Frech Alps 7 their ski resorts (Les Arcs, Chamonix, La Plagne)
๐ Chamonix alpine town
๐ Mont Blanc – highest European mountain
๐ Auvergne volcanoes
๐ Gorges de l’Ardรจche – European Grand Canyon
๐ Vichy spa resort
๐ READ ALSO: Best Of Southern France Itinerary For 14 Days
5. Chateau De Chambord
Chateau de Chambord is another majestic French castle, theย largest in the Loire region. It also hosts theย biggest park in Europe. It’s almost as big as Paris.
So just imagine getting lost in its stunning gardens, having a French picnic, and exploring another part of French history.
Brief History Of Chateau De Chambord
The chateau was built as a hunting lodge for King Francis I. Therefore, it didn’t have any defensive features. The king used it for recreational purposes and put a lot of importance on its appearance.
He wanted the castle to represent his power and commissioned Leonardo da Vinci to make it impressive. One of the features Leonardo da Vinci worked on is its double helix staircase, which is, for many, the most interesting thing to see inside the castle.
One part was used for ascending, and the other part for descending. This way, the king was sure he never met his servants and other staff in the castle.
Interestingly, King Francis I didn’t live much time in the castle. Indeed, he only spent 72 days there during his life. It’s because the rooms were huge with a big ceiling, so it was difficult to heat them properly.
Nowadays, you can visit its beautiful gardens. It also has its own wine stored in Chambord oak, which creates a specific taste. You can get the wine in a local boutique.
Where Is Chateau de Chambord & What Else To Visit?
Chateau de Chambord stands in the famous Loire River Valley in the French region, Centre-Val de Loire. It’s in the center of France, so you can visit it on the way to other places. It’s a region full of other castles and rich history.
Chateau de Chenonceau is also situated in this region. So you can kill two birds with one stone and visit two medieval castles in France.
Below, I ‘m listing a few other things you can visit in this region:
๐ Briare Canal
๐ Bourges city
๐ Taste Loire Valley wine
6. Chateau De Chenonceau
Welcome to the Lady’s Castle. Chateau de Chenonceau is located in theย Loire Valleyย on the shores of River Cher. In the past, the only way to access the castle was through a bridge, which the local women protected very well.
The female residents were also in charge of the architecture – that’s why it’s called the Ladies Castles. Let’s explore it together.
Brief History Of Chateau De Chenonceau
This chateau is the best representation of French Renaissance and Gothic architecture. It used to be home to several families; Marques family, King Charles VIII, Manager Bohier, and King Francis I.
Unfortunately, one didn’t save the castle from burning down, and the other brought it to debt. So after, the managers had a lot of work to put the castle back together.
One of the most influential women who owned the castle was Louise Dupin. She inherited it from her father, Claude.
She invited many writers and artists to the castle and her literary salon during the French Enlightenment Era. But more importantly, she saved the chateau from damage during the French Revolution.
The castle served as a military hospital during WWI. Its rooms had a capacity of 120 beds, and over 2200 injured soldiers came there for treatments. One of the rooms also had an X-ray machine.
Consequently, it was damaged during WWII. Germans bombarded it heavily in 1940. Then, in 1994, it got hit by the Allies, who were trying to defend the Germans on the territory.
Where Is Chateau De Chenonceau & What Else To Visit?
Chateau de Chenonceau is also located in the historical Centre-Val de Loire region in the small town of Chenonceaux. You can visit it with Chateau de Chambord and add a nice wine tour through the Loire River valley to your itinerary.
7. Vitre Chateau
Vitre Chateau was one of the first French medieval castles officially listed as a historical monument. Do you fancy playing an hour-long puzzle game inside the castle? That it might be your choice to visit exactly this one.
You’ll have to find a secret way out during the game, and it’s a lot of fun. Enjoy the fairy-tale castle and learn more about Brittany’s history.
Brief History Of The Vitre Chateau
This castle was originally built solely with wood. However, after being burnt down several times, the Baron Robert of Vitrรฉ rebuilt it using stone.
In the 1500s, the castle became even the seat of the Parliament of Brittany.
It’s one of the most beautiful medieval castles in Europe. It stands at the edge of Brittany, where many powerful families fought against each other to expand their territories. This border is also called ‘Marches de Bretagne.’
Later on, many castles in this area were converted into medieval cities, including Vitre Chateau. Consequently, many influential people, artists, merchants, and manufacturers came to the city to live there.
Nowadays, you can learn about its history, listen to several fairy tales, and have fun.
Where Is Vitre Chateau & What Else To Visit?
Vitre chateau stands in the beautiful City of Arts and History, Vitre, in the Brittany region.
Brittany also has stunning coastal scenery next to the Atlantic Ocean, worth driving nearby. You can also eat a lot of seafood during your trip and explore the history of its small towns.
Let’s see what else is worth visiting in Brittany:
๐ Saint-Malo
๐ Dinan old center
๐ Saint-Goustan
๐ Locronan – one of the most beautiful villages in France
๐ Rochefort-en-Terre – stone village
๐ รle de Batz
8. Carcassonne Castle
Carcassonne is more than just a medieval castle. It’s an entire city in the beautiful Occitanie region of France.
Its surroundings provide some of the most stunning scenery, including wine yards and Pyrenees mountains in the background.
Brief History Of Carcassonne Castle
Carcassonne was built in the 6th century BC as a hill fort named ‘oppidum.’ It became a crucial link between Europe and the Iberian peninsula, where Spain and Portugal are located. It’s always been a powerful stronghold.
Its city walls are 3km long (1.9 miles) and encompass 52 huge towers together. These still stand here from the 13th and 14th centuries.
Interestingly, the castle was never a target and was never attacked by foreign troops. Nobody tried to attack and destroy it, even during the Hundred Years’ War.
Only in the mid-1800s was the castle and its city almost demolished. Unfortunately, it didn’t make it into Napoleon’s list for restorations in the country, and the French government wanted to bring it down.
Luckily, locals raised their voices and fought for Carcassonne to stay. The French poet Gustave Nadaud made the Carcassonne later famous with his poem. He wrote about a man who dreamt about the medieval city before dying.
Where Is Carcassonne Castle & What Else To Visit?
Carcassone is situated in the Occitanie region, the southern part of France. It has always had a strategic position between the Atlantic and Mediterranean Sea.
Occitanie is known specifically for its beautiful medieval architecture, captured by snowy Pyrenees mountains in the background. You can learn a lot about French history, visit one of the most important religious towns, Lourdes, and hike in the mountains.
Below, I give you some recommendations on what else you can explore in Occitanie:
๐ Toulouse
๐ Lourdes
๐ Pyrenees National Park
๐ Albi town
๐ Espiguette beach
๐ St-Guilhem-le-Desert
๐ Montpellier
๐ Perpignan
9. Mont Saint-Michel Abbey
It all started with a dream. One day, Aubert Bishop had a dream in which Archangel Michael appeared to him. He urged this bishop to build a church on an island. However, Aubert wasn’t interested and didn’t take it seriously.
Legend has it that Archangel Michael eventually burnt a hole into the bishop’s head to convince him to build this church.
The dream became a reality, and nowadays, you can visit one of France’s most fairy-tale castles. Welcome to Saint Mont Michel.
Brief History Of Mont St. Michel Abbey
After its construction, the Abbey became a center for worship, pilgrimage, and prayer. It was also home to Benedictine monks for years.
In the Middle Ages, the Abbey of St. Michel became a center for education and development. It attracted many famous European personalities.
The Abbey has such strong fortifications that the English couldn’t defeat it during the Hundred Years’ War, even though they tried several times. Locals believe it was God who protected the island with its castle.
Joan of Arc, a little peasant girl who also fought against the Kingdom of England in the Hundred Years’ War, was inspired by this castle’s resistance, which helped her in the fight and gave her more strength and belief.
Mont Saint-Michel Castle and its Abbey are also famous pilgrimage sites. Over the years, it has become as popular as Santiago de Compostela in Spain.
During the high tide is the entire island with its castle inaccessible. Yet it receives 3 million visitors annually.
Some visitors, especially pilgrims, like to walk on the sand from the mainland to the castle, despite the newly built bridge that has been standing there since 2014.
Where Is Mont St. Michel & What Else To Visit?
Mont St. Michel Island stands in the Normandy region of France. It’s also close to Brittany, so you can visit both regions. Normandy offers stunning scenery and beautiful beaches and has witnessed many events from the Second World War.
You can explore its history and monuments while enjoying the unique cliffs falling to the Atlantic Ocean.
Let’s see what Normandy has to offer us:
๐ Airborne museum
๐ Omaha beach
๐ Le Havre
๐ รtretat Cliffs
๐ Rouen city
๐ Claude Monet’s House & Gardens
Get a skip-the-line ticket to Mont Saint-Michel or join a guided tour to Mont Saint-Michel from Paris by clicking on the images below: ๐๐
FAQs
I’ve also answered some of the frequently asked questions about these French chateaux. Check my answers below:
How Many Medieval Castles Are In France?
France has approximately 15000 medieval castles. That’s crazy if you think about it. The most medieval castles are in the Loire Valley, Alsace, and Occitane.
How Many Castles Are In France?
France has approximately 45000 castles (including all types of castles). They’re spread throughout the country and represent the French culture and history.
What Is The Oldest Castle In France?
Chateau de Thil is the oldest French castle, dating back to 850 AD. It’s located in the Burgundy region, close to Dijon city. Unfortunately, it’s closed, so you can’t visit its interior. But you can at least drive towards it and see it from the outside.
What Is The Largest Medieval Castle In France?
Chateau de Fontainebleau and Chรขteau de Fougรจres are claimed to be the two largest medieval castles in France. Both of them are impressive and worth visiting.
If you’re in Paris, make a day trip to Chateau de Fontainebleau, which is very similar to Versailles Chateau and less crowded.
WRAP-UP: Famous Medieval Castles In France
I recommend visiting these 9 most beautiful French medieval castles when you’re in France. Every time I see them, it brings me back to the French medieval ages. They’re the perfect place to learn about history, not only local but European history. These castles represent beauty and power; I’m sure you can find many secrets inside. So, add them to your itinerary.
If you have any questions or need help planning your trip to France, contact me at info(at)voicesoftravel.com. I’ll gladly help you.
Happy Travels!
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About the author: Nicoletta is a travel enthusiast and passionate language learner. While traveling, she loves to connect with locals using her language skills to learn about new cultures. Look for her skiing, hiking in the mountains, or exploring new destinations as she designs travel itineraries for her clients.
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