The kingdom of France, whose date of creation is often associated with the accession of Clovis to the throne in 487, disappeared during the French Revolution in 1792, before being reborn briefly from 1814 to 1848. During this period, kings, courtiers , nobles and lords had more or less sumptuous residences built throughout the country, many of which have survived to the present day and can be visited.
Here is our selection of the most beautiful castles in France, to see or see again.
Read alsoWhich castles of the Loire should you absolutely visit?
The castle of Ussé, the castle of Sleeping Beauty
The Château d'Ussé, the castle of fairy tales in the Loire Valley.
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This magical-looking castle inspired Charles Perrault for his tale of Sleeping Beauty.
It is today, the Duke of Blacas and his family, owners of the castle for more than two centuries, who welcome visitors.
The little ones come to discover castle life and the scenes from this fairy tale that come to life before their eyes.
The greats follow in the footsteps of Vauban, Perrault, Chateaubriand and Le Nôtre in this unmissable but little-known castle in the Loire Valley.
Website
Opening hours: February 13 to March 31: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., April 1 to September 30: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., October 1 to November 13: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Last ticket issued one hour before closing.
Prices: Adult (+ 16 years): 14 €.
Child from 8 to 16 years old: 5 €, (- 8 years old: free).
Audio guide: €3
Read alsoGetaway in Touraine Angevine, the Loire Valley off the beaten track
The Château de Chenonceau, the "Château des Dames"
Chenonceau Castle, located in Touraine.
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Property of the Menier family, the Château de Chenonceau is today the most visited private château in the country with more than 800,000 visitors per year.
It is Laure Menier, grand-niece of Antoine, the purchaser, who manages the estate.
She perpetuates the history of the castle marked by an almost uninterrupted succession of women who built, embellished, protected, restored, saved, among which the most famous is certainly Diane de Poitiers.
She had Pacello da Mercoliano lay out the garden that bears her name.
Website
Opening hours: May 30 - July 8: 9 a.m. - 6 p.m.
July 9 - August 28: 9 a.m. - 7 p.m.
August 29 - September 30: 9 a.m. - 6:30 p.m.
October 1 - November 1: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.
Prices: Adult, with brochure €15.00, with audio guide €19.00.
Children from 7 to 18 years old, with brochure €12.00, – 7 years old free.
Mandatory reservation.
The Palace of Versailles, home of the Sun King
The Palace of Versailles holds the record for the largest castle in the world.
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The origins of the Palace of Versailles, located in the Yvelines, date back to the 17th century.
Initially a simple hunting lodge, it became a place of splendor and power of the French monarchy and, from the 19th century, a museum.
With its park and gardens, including the Trianon, it extends over 800 hectares and 63,154 m2, divided into 2,300 rooms.
It was the residence of Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI.
Website
Opening hours: The Château and the estate of Trianon are open every day except Monday.
The castle opens at 9 a.m., the Trianon estate opens at 12 p.m.
Closing: 6:30 p.m.
Prices: Adult: €19.50.
Access to the castle and the Trianon estate is free for children under 18.
Mandatory reservation.
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The Château de Fontainebleau, 800 years of history
The Château de Fontainebleau to discover with its gardens.
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Property of the kings of France transmitted from generation to generation, from the Middle Ages to the 19th century, this castle was not used as their permanent residence.
It was François I, a hunting enthusiast, who, in 1528, had the medieval castle rebuilt, drawing inspiration from Italian palaces.
The successors of François I will continue his work until Louis XVI and Marie-Antoinette.
It became an imperial palace after the Revolution.
Napoleon I will abdicate there before his departure for exile on the island of Elba.
Website
Opening hours: The Château de Fontainebleau is open every day, except Tuesday, from April to September from 9:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. (last admission at 5:15 p.m.).
Prices: Adult €13.00, children: €11.00, under 18s: free.
To read alsoFontainebleau, Malmaison, Chantilly... These castles to discover at the gates of Paris
Saumur castle, residence of the Dukes of Anjou
Saumur castle houses a horse museum.
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Overlooking the historic heart of the town of the same name, the Château de Saumur offers a superb panorama over the Loire and its valley.
This stronghold has had a turbulent history, narrowly escaping demolition.
Louis I of Anjou transforms the castle into a palace.
His son Louis II gave him, in the 15th century, his current silhouette.
Under Louis XIV, the castle, place of garrison and prison, deteriorated sharply.
His assignment to a state prison by Napoleon I saved him from ruin.
In 1906, the castle was bought by the town of Saumur, which undertook its restoration.
It now houses the municipal museum.
Website
Opening hours: The castle is open every day from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. in season.
Prices: Adult: €8.
From 7 to 16 years old: €6.
– 7 years free.
The royal castle of Amboise
The Château d'Amboise, palace of the kings of France during the Renaissance.
Civitatis
Jewel of the Renaissance, burial place of Leonardo da Vinci, the royal castle of Amboise, was during the 15th and 16th centuries, the seat of the court of France.
The castle is a superb example of luxury and the French way of life that can be discovered during daytime and evening guided tours, shows and mystery games.
Website
Opening hours: The castle is open all year except January 1 and December 25 from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Prices: Adults: €13.50, children: €9.20.
Free for children under 7 years old.
The Château de Chantilly and its princely stables
Discover the Château de Chantilly, the Condé museum, the park, the Great Stables and the Horse Museum.
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Inseparable from Henri d'Orléans, Duke of Aumale, son of Louis-Philippe, last king of France, the Château de Chantilly will be the setting for the precious works and manuscripts collected by this great collector.
Chantilly is also famous for its Great Stables, an architectural masterpiece of the 18th century.
They house the Horse Museum and offer equestrian shows.
Website
Opening hours: From Saturday March 26 to Friday October 21, 2022. Château and Grandes Écuries open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Park open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
Last access 1 hour before the ticket office closes.
Weekly closing on Tuesday.
Prices: Adult: (+ 17 years old) €17.
Child from 7 to 17 years old: €13.50
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Château de Peyrepertuse, jewel of the Cathar castles
Peyrepertuse castle dominates the charming village of Duilhac.
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Perched 800 meters away, at the top of a limestone cliff enjoying a magnificent view, the castle of Peyrepertuse (in Occitan: Castèl de Pèirapertusa), is an old fortified castle, now in ruins.
Strategically placed, it allows both to see far into the various valleys that surround it, to control the passes and to communicate by signals with the other castles.
It is part of the "Five Sons of Carcassonne" with the castles of Quéribus, Puilaurens, Termes and Aguilar, all located at the top of "impregnable" rocky peaks.
Website
Opening hours: The castle is open all year round.
Hours vary according to the season.
July-August: 9 a.m. to 8 p.m.
September: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Prices: Adult: €8.
Child from 6 to 12 years old: 4.50 €
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Château de Castelnaud, Périgord fortress
The castle of Castelnaud, an impregnable medieval fortress.
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In the heart of the Périgord Noir, the medieval castle of Castelnaud was founded in the 12th century.
It now houses a museum of medieval warfare in the halls of the stately home.
You can see 250 pieces of arms from all over Europe: swords, halberds, armor, crossbows, artillery pieces, the reconstruction of a bombard and siege engines.
Website
Opening hours: Open all year, from 9 am to 8 pm in July August, 7 pm in September.
Prices: Adult: €10.90, child (10 to 17 years old): €5.50, free for children under 10 years old.
To read also Trip in the golden triangle of Périgord between castles, villages and extraordinary gardens
Castle of the Dukes of Brittany
The castle of the Dukes of Brittany, the flagship monument of the urban heritage of Nantes.
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In the heart of the city of Nantes, built at the end of the 15th century by François II and his daughter Anne de Bretagne, the castle of the Dukes of Brittany now houses an impressive museum.
The visit reveals remarkable architectural elements and reviews the key events in the history of the castle and the city: the Atlantic slave trade and slavery, the world wars, industrialization (LU, BN), the development of harbor etc.
An original visit, on reservation, offers for the more adventurous, to go beyond the usual authorized limits.
This route in the castle gives access to places that are not open to free visit.
The opportunity to climb to the top of the Golden Crown tower among others.
Website
Opening hours: The castle, its museum and its exhibitions are open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., closed on Mondays.
From July 1 to August 31: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., 7 days a week.
Prices: Adult: €8, children under 18: free, 18-25: €5.