French wines are an unshakable standard of quality. Famous castles of France

In Europe, so it’s even difficult to choose which of this beauty is worth visiting. Here are 10 of the most famous and popular castles in France that are definitely worth a visit! Of course, in addition to these ten, there are many castles that will make a lasting impression:

10 most beautiful castles in France
10 Best Medieval Castles in France
10 Best Castle Ruins in France

10 best castles in France:

10. Chateau de Foix

The highly fortified castle of Foix is an important tourist attraction in the region, the center of the Cathars. It was built in the Middle Ages and has been known since 987. In 1034 the castle became the capital of the county of Foix and played an important role in the medieval military history. Towers were gradually added to further protect the fortress. The castle's two square towers, built before the 11th century, served as a political and civil prison for 4 centuries, until 1862. The newest tower is round and was added in the 15th century. Since 1840, the castle has been classified as a historical monument.

9. Chateau de Tarascon

Situated on the banks of the Rhone River, it has been preserved in surprisingly good condition. This is one of the best medieval castles in France and Europe. It was built in the 15th century by the Dukes of Anjou and is a very architecturally compact building, surrounded on all sides by the river.

The magnificent Chateau de Vincennes is a massive castle that belonged to the French kings, built in the 14th century and rebuilt in the 17th century, located in the town of Vincennes, east of Paris (now a suburb of the French capital). Like many famous castles, it began as a hunting lodge built for Louis VII in 1150 in the Bois de Vincennes. Its surprisingly spacious building consists of a fortress with four corner towers, surrounded by a thick perimeter wall.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most impressive architectural ensembles in Europe. Built in the 8th century, Mont Saint-Michel Abbey is located on a rocky island on the northern coast of France, in. The uniqueness of this place is that this island is located just 600 m from the continent, you can easily reach it at low tide, as many pilgrims did. At the same time, it is also an ideal place for defense: at high tide, potential attackers would drown.

Mont Saint-Michel (the abbey and the surrounding town) is one of the most recognizable landmarks in France, included in

This beautiful castle, Chateau d'Usse, is located on the edge of the Chinon forest overlooking the Indre valley. The castle was first fortified in the 11th century by a Norman lord of Ussé named Gueldin de Saumur, who surrounded the fortress with a palisade. Because of its fabulous appearance in the Flaming Gothic and Renaissance style, Chateau d’Usse is often called the Sleeping Beauty Castle.

5. Chateau d'Amboise

This famous castle is located in the center, in the town. The castle was built at the end of the 9th century on a spur above the Loire River. During the reigns of Kings Charles VIII and Francis I (late 15th century), this medieval one was replaced by a new royal residence. The chateau began to fall into disrepair from the second half of the 16th century, most of the interiors were destroyed, but still something was preserved, the halls were restored, as well as the fortress wall with its towers and walls surrounding the castle.

Historical castle Chateau de Chantilly- one of the most significant aristocratic residences in France during the Ancien Regime era. It is located in the town of Chantilly, in Picardy, north of Paris. This beautiful chateau consists of two adjoining buildings: the Petit Château, built around 1560 for Anne de Montmorency, and the Grand Château, which was destroyed during the French Revolution and rebuilt in the 1870s. They are surrounded by a magnificent park, which was laid out by the great Le Nôtre.

The castle was originally built in 1528–1531 for Constable Anne de Montmorency, designed by the architect Jean Bulland. In 1632, for assisting the rebellious Duke Gaston of Orleans, the constable's grandson, Henry II de Montmorency, was put to death. The confiscated estate passed to his sister Charlotte and her husband, Prince de Condé. Their descendants continued to bear the title of Duke of Montmorency and live in Chantilly until the end of the family in 1804.

Inside the Chantilly castle, the Condé Museum is now organized, in the collection of which, in addition to the personal belongings of the princes of Condé, their artistic treasures are exhibited - hundreds of handwritten and first-printed books (including the unique codex of music "Ars subtilior" and the Gutenberg Bible), a rare collection of porcelain and the "Magnificent Book of Hours of the Duke Berry" is a famous illustrated manuscript of the 15th century. Together with numerous engravings and paintings by Botticelli, Clouet, Poussin and other old masters. Every two years, the castle park hosts a fireworks competition - Nuits de Feu, which is attended by people from all over the world.

- one of the most famous and impressive castles in the Loire Valley. The castle is a testament to the Age of Enlightenment, with its original design, furniture and decor, as well as the history of the castle, which was chosen as the residence of a prominent woman, Diane de Poitiers.

It was built in the 11th century on the Cher River. It passed from hand to hand until it was given to Diana de Poitiers, mistress of King Henry II). She saved the castle from destruction during the period French Revolution at the hands of the Revolutionary Guard, convincing of its importance for travel and trade, since it was the only bridge across the river for many kilometers.

2. Chateau de Chambord

- one of the most magnificent and largest castle in. Situated in Europe's largest enclosed wooded park, Chateau de Chambord is a jewel of Renaissance architecture. It was built for King Francis I as a hunting estate and also so he could be closer to his mistress. It is one of the most recognizable castles in the world due to its distinct French Renaissance style, which is a mixture of traditional French medieval elements with a pure Renaissance structure.

1. Versailles

Located approximately 20 km southwest of Paris. When the castle was built in 1624, Versailles was still a small village. Now this area has become a wealthy suburb of Paris.

Versailles was built as a small hunting estate for King Louis XIII in 1624. 8 years later the castle was expanded and became the heart of the new palace. Later, the Sun King Louis XIV turned Versailles into the best palace in the world, moving the royal court here. As a result, Versailles is known not only as a beautiful building, but has become a symbol absolute monarchy Old Regime. Versailles was ahead of its time - it was used as a model for the construction of many other palaces in Europe.

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The most beautiful castles in France

Beautiful architecture france and fascinates with its magnificence and unsurpassedness. It leaves an indelible mark on the soul of everyone who visits these attractions. Although in English the word Chateau is translated as castle, in French- this most often means a palace or estate.

Most visited castles of France, including those in the Loire Valley, were built in the Renaissance architectural style. In fact, there are thousands of castles, but we decided to present you only the most unique and unrivaled ones, which millions of tourists from all over the world want to visit. It is in order to plunge into the era of kings, lords, beautiful ladies and rich nobles and take with you indelible impressions of luxury and comfort, it is worth including palaces and castles in your route.

Castle de Chantilly

Castle de Chantilly- one of the most aristocratic residences of the old world era. It is located 40 km from Paris in the commune of Chantilly, in the valley of the Nonet River, a tributary of the Oise River. He is a shining example transition from a fortified citadel to a beautiful palace. The residence is located on a huge rock, surrounded on all sides by water. Built in 1560, Chantilly is large number luxurious rooms, an art gallery, magnificent gardens and impressive stables.

Be sure to visit the Condé Museum - this is one of the best galleries in France. A walk through the pavilions takes visitors through charming gardens with fountains and sculptures. Chantilly Racecourse was used as a filming location in the James Bond film A View to a Kill. Chantilly will also be of interest to gourmets, since the local whipped cream is famous throughout France.

Castle de Chantilly

On southeast on the outskirts of the Compiègne Forest between the cities of Compiègne and Ville-Cotterets is a fabulous Chateau de Pierrefonds. It is perched on a hill overlooking the picturesque village. The castle is rectangular in plan, its dimensions are 103 m by 88 m, the thickness of the external walls reaches 5 - 6 meters. It contains a monument to Louis of Orleans. There is a coat of arms hall and a hall of knightly ladies. Visitors appreciate all the splendor of the castle, as well as the underground crypt, which contains the remains of several French kings.

The castle served film set for such films as: Aliens, The Messenger, the story of Joan of Arc and the Man in the Iron Mask, as well as the TV series Wizards of Waverly Place and Merlin.

Chateau de Chaumont

Chateau de Chaumont located between the cities of Amboise and Blois in the Loire Valley. It boasts its rich history no less than its wonderful view.

The castle was first rebuilt in 1465 on the ruins of a 10th-century fortress. But it was soon destroyed after King Louis XI learned that its owner, Pierre Aboise, was involved in a conspiracy against the king. After the castle was restored, several decades later, the wife of King Henry II, Catherine de Medici, acquired the palace. Been there often famous people, such as the astrologer Nostradamus. After this, the castle changed a very large number of owners. Today, visitors can tour the castle to see its exquisite interior, gardens, luxurious stables and picturesque views of the Loire River.

Chateau de Chaumont

Chambord Castle

Chambord Castle one of the easily recognizable castles of the Loire. He is one of best examples French Renaissance architecture. The name of the architect is unknown, but research proves the participation in the construction of Leonardo da Vinci, who was at that time an architect at the court of King Francis I.

The castle was built in the 16th century as a hunting refuge for the king. The castle has 400 beautiful rooms and 300 fireplaces. Chateau Chambord has many striking features, such as a double spiral staircase and intricate roofs with chimneys, domes, gables and towers that resemble a city. There is a wonderful reserve there, which is a haven for wild boar and deer.

Chambord Castle

Castle of Versailles

The most famous - Versailles castle, very often it is called Palace of Versailles, This building looks so luxurious, both outside and inside. This particular castle is distinguished by its unique integrity of design and harmony of architectural forms, with a beautifully designed landscape. Versailles is the former residence of the French kings.

The palace is very functional. It contains fabulously beautiful halls and corridors lined with 17 mirrored arches. In the queen's bedroom you can see the secret door through which Marie Antoinette escaped during her march on Versailles. Be sure to walk between the 250 arches of the palace gardens, which are designed in geometric patterns of trees, flowers and paths. You will not remain indifferent to this miracle!

The castle was built in 1624 as a hunting lodge for King Louis XIII and later expanded to serve as a residence for the French royal family. It became a kind of monument to the era of the “Sun King”, an artistic and cultural expression of the idea of absolutism. The Castle of Versailles attracts more than 3 million visitors a year.

Castle hotels in France

Castle tours France.
Cost of individual and group excursions with Russian-speaking guides.

In France, you can live in real castles yourself, equipped according to the most modern requirements of hotel art. For example, you can start a tour in Paris (2 nights), then stay for 3 nights in the 18th century palace CHATEAU D'ARTIGNY (4*). Palace located near the castle-museums of Chenonceau, Blois, Amboise, etc. In the village, not far from the city of Tours, in a chalk cave, there is a restaurant where it is appropriate to taste white wine - Vouvray. Accommodation is only possible in Loire castles with a rental car and without visiting Paris. .

All castle hotels ( brief description)

Accommodation in castle hotels of the Loire Valley

36, quai Charles Guinot – 37400 Amboise

The castle is an elegant ensemble of residences from the 18th century, located 25 km from Tours. The family atmosphere and warmth captivate customers. 28 rooms and 4 apartments are fully equipped: TV, telephone, minibar, bathroom, air conditioner. 2 restaurants with panoramic views of the garden and the Loire River, swimming pool, tennis courts, golf course.
( ... )

49350 Saumur – Chenehutte-les-Tuffeaux

Accommodation at a castle hotel in Brittany

Ballew Castle
(Chateau de la Ballue)
The historical and cultural context of the construction of Ballue Castle in the 17th century is full of the turmoil and passions of that era. Located on the Golden Arc - an outpost of Brittany, 20 km south of the famous Mount Saint-Michel, in a picturesque hilly area. It is within easy reach of the historic fortified towns of Fougeres, Combourg, Saint-Malo, Dinan and Dinard. The owners of the harmonious and austere castle will put at your disposal the most prestigious bedrooms. The French park laid out around is conducive to leisurely walks.

(The cost of accommodation and online booking of a room in this castle...)

Kermezen Castle
(Chateau de Kermezen)
A typical Breton castle of the 17th century is lost in a quiet green valley a few kilometers from the town of Paimpol, the island of Brehat, Perros-Guirec. The hosts will welcome you to a manor that has been in the family for 500 years.

France is rich in historical monuments, and perhaps the most significant of them are castles. During the Middle Ages, a huge number of castles were built in France. Kings, knights, courtiers and courtiers lived in them. All castles are completely different in architectural style and appearance.

It is hardly possible to find a pair of twins. Many masterpieces of history have survived to this day. Now these are magnificent museums, architectural monuments, sights of the country, for the sake of visiting which a whole army tourists all year round comes to France.

Angers Castle

Initially it was a small settlement. Angers Castle accommodates a mixture of historical events And architectural styles. It is through the history of this castle that one can see the whole rich history emergence of the French state. England and France repeatedly fought over the possession of this castle.

Versailles is one of the most famous, majestic and beautiful castles in France. It was built during the reign of King Louis XIII and was a simple hunting lodge. But it was soon expanded, and the Royal Family moved in to live there. For many years, Versailles was the residence of kings.

Versailles is beautiful both inside and out

It was hardly possible to find anything more worthy for the residence of kings. Versailles is beautiful both inside and out. Everyone dreams of walking around a castle, but an even greater desire is to stroll through the huge, magnificent English gardens of the palace. Such a beautiful geometric idyll of flowers, trees and paths is rarely seen anywhere. It's almost unique.

Vincennes Castle

The greatest royal fortress, which is located in the suburbs of Paris near the Ile de la Cité.

Vincennes Castle has survived to this day in its original form.

Unlike many castles in France, which were usually built on a hilltop or cliff, this castle was built on a plain. Special fortress ditches were dug and filled with water from a small stream. In the Middle Ages, the castle was surrounded by a forest in which there were many wild animals. It was not without reason that the favorite pastime of kings was hunting.

Troussay Castle

Not far from Blois, in the Loire Valley there is a small medieval Castle of Trousset. Initially it was a fortress, which was built back in 1450. The oldest parts of the castle were built in the 16th century during the reign of Francis I.

In those days, the castle belonged to Robber de Bugis, the head of the royal stables and the king’s squire. It was the domain of the de Bugy family until 1732, but then the castle was bought by the Peluys family, a family of lawyers. But they were also short-lived masters. The castle passed from one owner to another until it was bought by the family of the scientist and historian Louis de la Saucay.

Away from the bustle of the city lies the majestic Chateau de Chambord. This is a very beautiful castle with magnificent architecture, it delights with its sophistication, elegance, and splendor. The Chateau de Chambord is rightly called a masterpiece of the Renaissance.

The Chateau de Chambord is rightly called a masterpiece of the Renaissance.

Its size and grandeur will not leave anyone indifferent. It was not without reason that King Francis I constantly thought about how to make Chambord Castle special. He even wanted to change the course of the river so that the castle would outshine the others with its splendor.

Castle of Ussé

On the banks of the Indre, in the Laura valley, there is a small medieval castle of Usset. The first owner, who first built a wooden fortress in the 9th century, was Gelduin de Saumur. And his son, Gelduin II, laid the first stone of the castle in 1040, which has survived to this day. It was he who was described in his fairy tale “The Sleeping Beauty” by Charles Perot.

This castle is truly beautiful. Beautiful nature, gloomy Chinon forest, deep rivers. The castle itself was built in dark colors, but its white towers could be seen from afar. The castle is full of architectural delights of that time. Back in 1861, the castle of Ussé was recognized historical monument France.

Perhaps the most majestic building located in the central part of the Loire Valley is the Chenonceau Castle. This castle was built on the basis of a military fortress, which was surrounded by deep water ditches.

Chenonceau Castle was built on the basis of a military fortress

And only with the help of a drawbridge could one get into the fortress. The castle was built during the Renaissance, which is reflected in the architecture of the building. Everything is gorgeous both outside and inside. And this speaks of refined and exquisite taste his owners.

Chateau d'If

Built in the 16th century, the Château d'If has actually survived to this day. The castle was built in the Mediterranean Sea on the island of the Friulian archipelago. Initially, its goal was to prevent any enemy attacks on Marseille from the sea. But the castle has a happy fate, because during the entire period of its existence it never repelled a siege. That is why the original appearance of the castle has been preserved to this day.

This is perhaps the most favorite castle among tourists. After all, there is not a single person who does not know the story about the Count of Monte Cristo, which was told by Alexandre Dumas. Many people want to personally plunge into the world of Edmond Dantes, to see with their own eyes the cell where their favorite hero suffered for several decades.

The Chateau d'If was a prison for many aristocrats. Many sat in it and waited for their sentence, which was then carried out in the square in the center of the castle. To this day, the castle smells of death.

Royal Castle of Amboise

The Royal Castle of Amboise is considered to be the most famous castle in the world. This is the first architectural creation in the Loire Valley. The castle was built in the Renaissance style, but it can also be classified as a Gothic building. These two styles of architecture are very closely intertwined in the external design of the castle.

Royal Castle of Amboise in Renaissance style

The Royal Castle was built in the 11th century. Many brought him fame royal families who lived here. Here is the tomb of the great artist Leonardo da Vinci. It is the Royal Castle of Amboise that belongs to World Heritage UNESCO.

Chinon Castle

In ancient times, Chinon Castle was a fortification system for three different castles. It was during the reign of Charles VII that the fortress flourished. Having begun reforms in the reorganization of France, announcing the abolition of the feudal order, the king moved to live in Chinon Castle.

A significant meeting between the papal legate Alexander VI and King Louis XII also took place within the walls of this castle. At this meeting, the king received permission from the church to dissolve his marriage to Jeanne Valois. This allowed the king to soon marry the widowed Anne of Brittany, thus becoming king for Brittany as well.

Over the years, Chinon Castle has lost its military significance and turned into a prison.

Castle of Clos Lucé

An equally famous castle in the Laura Valley is the Castle of Clos Lucé. The great Leonardo da Vinci brought fame to this castle. It was here that the famous Italian found refuge towards the end of his life.

The beautiful castle of Clos Lucé, built of pink and white brick, was located near the Royal Castle of Amboise. The first house built of colored bricks appeared here during the reign of Louis XI. Currently, these two neighboring castles can easily compete in beauty.

Castle Sumor is the largest and no less famous castle located in the Loire Valley. The castle itself was built in the shape of an irregular quadrangle. Round white towers were erected in each corner, two of which have retained their original appearance to this day. Even the masonry, made in the 13th century, has been preserved.

Chateau de Saumur is a famous castle located in the Loire Valley

The remaining towers have been restored. The eastern tower is decorated with coats of arms that belonged to the Angevin family. Originally it was a fortress. But the Duke of Anjou reconstructed it for the royal court. During the reign of Louis XIV, the castle served as a prison.

During Napoleon's military operations, the castle was converted to store weapons and ammunition. Having gone through a difficult life path, Sumor Castle was partially destroyed. Currently, the restored castle will soon begin to welcome tourists and lovers of historical attractions.

Of course, this is far from full list famous castles of France. There are more than a thousand of them and you can talk about them for a long time. After all, the history of each castle is unique and interesting. These castles have lived interesting life, which our contemporaries are trying to look into.

Video review of castles in France

The abundance of magnificent architectural and historical monuments located in the Loire River valley in France determined the inclusion of the Loire Valley from Sully-sur-Loire to Chalon-sur-Loire in the UNESCO World Heritage List.

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The Middle Ages and the Renaissance left a large historical and cultural mark in the form of numerous castles and palaces, perfectly preserved in Europe. Looking at photos of castles in France, you can note their rich, elegant and full of details architecture. Undoubtedly, each of them has its own national characteristics, characteristic of the culture of this country. There are more than 300 of them in total, we will show you the most beautiful and famous of them.

Castles of the Loire

Loire castles is a general name for a number of architectural structures located in the valley of the Loire River, which flows through the entire country and, in the past, was of great transport importance.

Let's start the story with one of the most popular and visited castles - Chenonceau Castle, located next to the village of the same name.

King Francis I presented another beautiful example of architecture - the Chateau de Chambord. By the way, Leonardo da Vinci and Domenico da Corton took part in its creation.

And this is the Castle of Amboise, classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Located in the city of the same name, Amboise, named after a family that had enormous influence on the politics and economy of the region.

A distinctive feature of the castle of Lavout-Polignac is that it is entirely built of gray volcanic stone. In the past, it had an important defensive value.

Smaller than its brothers, but with the original appearance- La Bussiere castle.

Photos of the interior of the castle

Using the same La Bussiere castle as an example, let's look at the interior decoration.

The servants, of course, had lunch and dinner in simpler rooms.

Photos of castles and palaces in other regions of France

Marseille has the beautiful Longchamp Palace, built in the mid-19th century. It is unanimously called a masterpiece of architecture of this era.

The Fort Boyard fortress became famous throughout the world thanks to the TV show of the same name, which was shown in many countries around the world. After the appearance of long-range guns, the fort lost its original meaning and in its building a prison was organized and criminals were kept.

And this is the famous Versailles, whose beauty cannot be contained in one photograph. In the absolutely huge palace complex, the atmosphere of the golden era of Louis XIV, nicknamed the “Sun King,” reigns everywhere.

Initially, the Château d'If was built as a defensive structure to protect against attacks from the sea. However, no attempt was ever made to attack it, and it subsequently became a state prison. This place became very popular thanks to the book “The Count of Monte Cristo”.