Castles in France

France, land of palaces and historic castles

With almost 35,000 châteaux spread across its territory, France is a veritable open-air museum.
Whether majestic palaces, medieval fortresses or elegant residences, these monuments bear witness to a rich and varied history.

Each château, with its unique architecture and fascinating past, offers a captivating insight into France’s heritage.

A visit to these emblematic sites, which can be found in every region, will plunge you into the heart of centuries of art, culture and tradition.
The castles of France are an invitation to travel back in time and explore the treasures of a country with an unrivalled heritage.

Château de Beynac

Region : Nouvelle-Aquitaine

City : Beynac-et-Cazenac

Château de Bonaguil

Region : Nouvelle-Aquitaine

City : Saint-Front-sur-Lémance

Château de Sully-sur-Loire

Region : Centre-Val de Loire

City : Sully-sur-Loire

Royal City of Loches

Region : Centre-Val de Loire

City : Loches

What styles of castels are there in France?

Here are some examples of castels in France:

Castles: these are castles built to protect the inhabitants from enemy invasions. They usually have thick walls and watchtowers to keep an eye on the surrounding area. Examples include Château de Coucy, in the Aisne region, and Château de Castelnaud, in the Dordogne.

Renaissance castles: these are castles built during the Renaissance period in the 16th century. They are generally more elegant and ornate than fortified castles, with arcaded facades and French-style roofs. Examples include Château de Chambord, in the Loir-et-Cher region, and Château de Chenonceau, in the Centre-Val de Loire region.

Medieval castles: these are castles built during the medieval period, which lasted from the end of Antiquity to the end of the 15th century in Europe. They are often associated with the Middle Ages, a period of European history between the 5th and 15th centuries.
There were several types of medieval castles, including fortified castles, which were built for defense, and pleasure castles, which were built for relaxation and entertainment.

Gothic castles: these are castles built during the Gothic period, which lasted from the end of the 12th century to the end of the 15th century in Europe. They are characterized by the use of pointed arches, a type of vault used to cover interior spaces.

18th-century castles: these are castles built during the 18th century, the time of King Louis XIV. They are often very sumptuous, adorned with gilding and statues. Examples include the Château de Versailles, near Paris, and the Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte, in Seine-et-Marne.