Discover the Best Castles in France. The Most Beautiful French Castles, the top French Castles & Châteaux to Visit await you.

The kings of France’s descendants wait patiently for the day when they can return to the throne. Meanwhile, what better activity to undertake than going on a voyage of discovery of the most beautiful castles of France.

There are hundreds of castles in France, some classed as the most beautiful castles in Europe.

And you, what is your favourite french castle? Once you have decided, book your flights and accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in France and visit the Most Incredible French Castles, Fortresses and Palaces.

Need more inspiration? Discover the Best Castles in Scotland, Best Castles in Germany, Best Castles in England, Most Incredible Castles in Spain, Best Castles in Turkey as well as the Most Stunning Castles in Greece and Austria.

1. The Palace of Versailles

Versailles

During your stay in Paris you simply must not miss a visit the most famous castles in France, the Palace of Versailles.

Book your ticket with audio-guide and transfer from your hotel or a guided tour of Versailles by bike and discover this exceptional palace, its famous park, its Hall of Mirrors and take a walk in the footsteps of the greatest kings of France, Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI.

 How to get there: Book your flights to Paris and your accommodation at the best price  as well as your best activities in Paris, such as a full day Versailles & Paris sightseeing tour with lunch. 

 Where to stay: "Waldorf Astoria Versailles - Trianon Palace" located opposite the Chateau de Versailles.

2. Castle of Val 

Lanobre - Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Region

This is not the most famous castle in France, nor is it the most visited and yet it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful castles in France.

Built on a rock in the thirteenth century and surrounded by a gigantic park today covered by an artificial lake, the Castle of Val Auvergne is reminiscent of Eilean Donan Castle in Scotland.

Opening hours: The castle is open to the public every day of the week, from 10am to 6pm.

 How to get there: Book your flights to Clermont Ferrand Auvergne airport (1h20 min by car) as well as your accommodation at the best price and your tours and activities in Auvergne and visit one of the Most Beautiful French Castles.

 Where to stay: "Chateau De Val" is located in Lanobre and offers a restaurant. 

3. Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle

Centre Val de Loire Region

Located just 40 minutes from the airport "Tours-Val de Loire", Chaumont-sur-Loire Castle is one of the Most Beautiful Castles in France.

Founded in the 10th century by Odo I, Count of Blois, it has had a turbulent history.

King Louis XI burned the castle after a quarrel with the owners of the time, the Amboise family.

A few years later, the king's anger having abated, the family was able to rebuild the castle. It now belongs to the French State and is open to the public every day of the week from 10h to 18h.

Discover one of the Most Incredible French Castles by reserving your flights and your accommodation at the best price as well as your tours and activities in Loire Region, such as a "Fabulous day in the Loire Valley visiting its gorgeous castles".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Tours (40 min by car).  

 Where to stay: "Maison d'hote La Jacquière" located just a 10-minute walk from "Château de Chaumont". 

4. Castle Comtal of Carcassonne

Carcassonne - Languedoc Region

The castle of Carcassonne is one of the Most Famous French Castles and Most Beautiful French Castles. .

A 1-hour drive from Toulouse airport and 50 minutes from Perpignan airport, Carcassonne is a must-see destination for travellers wishing to discover the most beautiful medieval towns in Europe and the most beautiful castles in France 

It is often described as "the Castle of Carcassonne", but its real name is "Castle Comtal of Carcassonne" (Count’s Castle).  

 How to get there: Book your flights to Perpignan (1h by car) or Toulouse (1h) and your accommodation at the best price as well as your "Skip-the-line ticket for the Castle of Carcassonne". 

 Where to stay:  Pamper yourself like a star by booking your room at the "Hotel de la Cité & Spa". You will sleep in a medieval style castle inside the ramparts of Carcassonne.

5. Chambord Castle

Chambord - Centre Val de Loire

Chambord Castle is one of the Most Visited French Castles. Hundreds of thousands of travellers come to discover the architectural secrets and the history of one of the most beautiful castles in France.

It is a traditional castle yet modern as it still hosts major events and celebrities such as DJ Carl Cox for special evenings.

Located 20 minutes from the beautiful city of Blois and 2 hours from Paris, Chambord Castle can be visited during your stay in Paris. Many tour operators offer guided tours with transport from Paris.

Book your accommodation at the best price in Paris or close to the Château de Chambord and your tours and activities in France, such as a "Small-group Loire Valley Castles full-day tour from Paris". 

Opening hours: The Château de Chambord is open every day of the week from 9am to 5pm. 

 How to get there: Book your flights to Paris (2h by car).   

 Where to stay: "Relais de Chambord" situated a 5-minute walk from Château de Chambord.

6. Castle des Milandes 

Castelnaud-la-Chapelle - Dordogne

You have selected this Château as one of the most beautiful castles in France. The Château des Milandes belonged to one of the best American singers who lived in France, the famous Josephine Baker.

An hour's drive from Bergerac Dordogne Perigord Airport, the Chateau des Milandes is located in the town of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle in the Dordogne department.

Josephine Baker was the first to open her castle to visitors as she wanted it to be a welcoming place, for the public to enjoy. She adopted 12 children all of different nationality and they grew up here. 

Opening hours: It is open to visitors every day of the week from 9h to 18h.  

 How to get there:  Book your flights to Bergerac Airport (1h by car). 

 Where to stay: Book your accommodation at the best price near the castle. Travellers especially appreciate the exceptional setting of the hotel "La Tour de Cause" with a restaurant and an outdoor swimming pool.  

7. Chenonceau Castle

Chenonceaux - Centre Val-de-Loire Region

The Château de Chenonceau is located in the Centre Val-de-Loire region which houses the Most Famous Castles in France. 

Only a 40 minutes’ drive from Tours - Loire Valley airport, this castle is visited every year by hundreds of thousands of travellers from all over the world.

It is part of the famous "Castles of the Loire" but its particuliarity is that it was built, decorated and renovated by women.

From Katherine Briçonnet in the sixteenth century to Madame Pelouze after the French Revolution, the castle has gone through different styles.

The famous Catherine de Medicis also gave her personal touch to this castle. Discover all the secrets of one of the Most Incredible French Castles by booking your flights and your accommodation at the best price. 

Opening hours: It is open every day of the week from 9h to 18h30.  

 How to get there:  Book your flights to Tours Airport (40 min by car). 

 Where to stay: Book your room at the "Château de Paradis", classified as a historical monument and enjoy a breakfast of delicious regional products. 

8. Castle of the Dukes of Brittany

Nantes - Normandy

The castle of the Dukes of Brittany is one of the Best Castles to Visit in France.

Built in the late Middle Ages by Duke Francis II and his daughter, Anne of Brittany, it is located in the heart of the city of Nantes.

Make sure you also visit the inner courtyard of the castle (it's free). The entrance ticket to the castle will give you access to the museum dedicated to the history of the city.

 How to get there:  Book your flights to Nantes and your accommodation at the best price in Nantes and your activities & tours in Nantes  such as your "Nantes City Card Pass". 

 Where to stay: If you want to sleep closer to the castle, book at the best price at "Okko Hotels Nantes Château".

9. Azay le Rideau Castle

Centre Val de Loire Region

The Centre-Val de Loire region is a very beautiful region of France famous for the Châteaux of the Loire Valley.

The Château d'Azay-le-Rideau was built on an island in the Indre River under the patronage of King Francis the First.

You must go there to understand the history of this castle which passed into the hands of many families before being bought by the French State in 1905.

Discover one of the Best Castles in France, described by the writer Balzac as a “multi-faceted diamond" by reserving your accommodation at the best price. 

Opening hours: The castle is open from 9:30 to 18h every day of the week.

 How to get there: Book your flights for Paris (3h by car) or Tours Airport (30min).  

 Where to stay: "Hôtel Grand Monarque" is a former coaching inn just 150 metres from the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau.  

10. Castle Josselin

Josselin - Morbihan

Just 30 minutes by car from Vannes airport and 1 hour from Rennes airport, Josselin castle, located in the town of Josselin in Brittany, is one of the most beautiful castles in France.

Built in the fifteenth century, it almost disappeared in the seventeenth century by order of Richelieu who wanted to remove all the castles that did not belong to the royal family.

Opening hours: This imposing medieval castle is open from 11h to 18h every day of the week.

 How to get there:  Bok your flights to Vannes (30 min) or Rennes (1h) 

 Where to stay: 10 kilometres from the castle of Josselin, treat yourself to a relaxing weekend in beautiful surroundings by booking your room at the "Le Domaine de la Ferrière". 

11. Castle of Ussé

La Chapelle sur Loire - Central Loire Valley Region

This is one of the Most Famous Castles in France. Also known as "Sleeping Beauty Castle", this is one of the most prestigious "Châteaux de la Loire". It is located just 30 kilometres from the Tours airport.   

Book your activities and tours in the Loire Region such as a "Small-group Loire Valley Castles Full-day Tour from Paris".

 How to get there: Book your flights to Tours Airport (30 min by car).  

 Where to stay:  "Hôtel Grand Monarque" is a former coaching inn just 13 km from the Castle of Ussé. 

12. Sully-sur-Loire Castle

Sully-sur-Loire - Centre Val de Loire Region

The region "Centre Val-de-Loire" is the region to visit for castle lovers.

Only 30 minutes by car from the Loiret airport and 2 hours from Paris, the Château de Sully-sur-Loire is one of the Best Chateaux in France.

It is not the most visited but it is nevertheless one of the most beautiful. Book your flights for Tours Val-de-Loire airport and your accommodation at the best price guaranteed. Also book your tours & activities in Loire region, such  as a "Loire Valley Castles and Wines day trip from Paris". 

Opening hours: The castle is open every day of the week except Mondays.  

 How to get there: Book your flights for Loire Airport (30 min by car) or Paris (2h). 

 Where to stay: The "Hotel La Closeraie" offers a garden and a terrace and is located just 500 metres from the Château de Sully-sur-Loire.