Top 10 Most Beautiful Castles of France © French Moments
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Top 10 Most Beautiful Medieval Castles of France

Last Updated: 19 August 2023

Are you planning a ‘Tour of France’ and want to know which medieval castles are worth a visit? We have selected our top 10 most beautiful medieval castles of France. From Alsace to Aquitaine and Provence to Burgundy, there are so many great castles to discover… and as always, it makes it tricky to rank them!

Watch a short video presentation of the castles of France:

 

 

The Medieval Castles of France

Castle of Annecy, Place du Château © French Moments
Castle of Annecy, Place du Château © French Moments

Along with Germany and Italy, France is one of these great European countries where you’ll find thousands of medieval castles. Mostly in ruins, the old fortresses are testimonies of the troubled Middle Ages period.

From the 9th to the 15th centuries, the regions that makeup France today were in constant friction with each other.

Think about Alsace, Lorraine and Franche-Comté, who were part of the Holy Roman Empire.

For many years the West of France was occupied by the English.

The Cathars’ or Albigensians’ movement was cruelly repressed in the vast county of Toulouse.

 

The end of the castles of France

With the evolution of weaponry and the birth of the Renaissance in the 15th and 16th centuries, the medieval defensive castles lost their strategic positions. A new era began with the construction of beautiful residences in the countryside. These new châteaux are found in significant numbers in the Loire Valley and the Ile de France region.

Chambord Castle © Arnaud_Scherer - licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Chambord Castle © Arnaud_Scherer – licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons

 

What’s the difference between a castle and a chateau?

I felt I should clarify with you what I mean by ‘castle‘… as English also uses the French word ‘chateau‘!

Well, the word ‘castle’ finds its origins in Late Old English. From the Anglo-Norman French and Old Northern French word castel. As does château which derives from Old French chastel.

Castel in turn, comes from Latin castellum (small camp, fort), a diminutive of castrum ‘fort, camp, citadel, stronghold’.

You’ll probably find this interesting as ‘castle‘ and ‘chateau‘ in English do not always share the same meaning. Let me explain first by opening the pages of our [online] dictionary! 🙂

 

The definition of ‘castle’ in English

The online dictionary gives the following definition of the word ‘castle’ used in the English language:

noun [ kas-uhl, kah-suhl ]

  1. a fortified, usually walled residence, as of a prince or noble in feudal times.
  2. the chief and strongest part of the fortifications of a medieval city.

 

The definition of ‘chateau’ in English

In turn, here’s what the dictionary says about the use of the word ‘chateau’ in the English language:

noun, plural châ·teaux [sha-tohz; French shah-toh] /ʃæˈtoʊz; French ʃɑˈtoʊ/, châ·teaus.

  1. (in France) a castle or fortress.
  2. a stately residence imitating a distinctively French castle.
  3. a country estate, especially a fine one, in France or elsewhere on the Continent.
  4. (often an initial capital letter) a winegrower’s estate, especially in the Bordeaux region of France: often used as part of the name of a wine.

 

Castle vs. Château?

So you may ask, what is the difference between a castle and a château?

A castle refers to a large fortified Middle-Ages building with many defences. A nobleman or king often inhabited the fortress.

In French, a castle is translated as ‘un château‘ (notice the circumflex accent!). I know this sounds confusing!

Therefore the French ‘château’ has a broader meaning than to the British.

It can refer to:

If the French need to clarify what they have in mind (that is, a medieval fortress – our English ‘castle’), they tend to specify ‘un château-fort‘. For example: le château-fort de Pierrefonds, le château-fort de Beynac…).

 

Castle of France: what about Versailles and the Louvre?

Palace Courtyard © French Moments - Versailles 9
The Palace of Versailles © French Moments

To add to the confusion, the Palace of Versailles is not considered a ‘palais‘ in French. It is a ‘château‘!!

The title of the palace is used to designate the building of a seat of power located within a city.

Despite its allure, the Château de Versailles is ‘a castle‘ because, at the time of its construction under the reign of King Louis XIV, it was situated in the countryside.

However, in Paris, the medieval castle of the Louvre became a palais in the 14th century under Charles V. Situated in the city of Paris, the kings of France used it as their main Paris residence.

The Louvre © French Moments
The Louvre at Sunset © French Moments

 

Castles of France: to make things simple!

  • 🇫🇷 un château = a building (medieval or not) always rural!
  • 🇫🇷 un palais = a grand official residence by royalty, always urban!

 

  • 🇬🇧 a castle = a fortified building built in the Middle Ages located anywhere!
  • 🇬🇧 a palace = a grand official residence by royalty or bishops, urban or rural!

 

1. Cité de Carcassonne (Occitania)

Carcassonne, castles of France © French Moments
The fortified town of Carcassonne © French Moments

With more than 4 million visitors annually, Carcassonne is among France’s most prestigious tourist destinations, on par with Mont-Saint-Michel and Paris’ Notre-Dame. A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1997, Carcassonne is a dramatic representation of medieval architecture perched on a rocky spur that towers above the River Aude, southeast of the new town.

castles of France : Carcassonne © French Moments
Porte d’Aude (Aude Gate) © French Moments
castles of France: The remparts of Carcassonne © French Moments
The ramparts of Carcassonne © French Moments

castles of France: The Cité from above © Chensiyuan - licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons
The Cité from above © Chensiyuan – licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons
► Read more about the Cité de Carcassonne.

>> Get your entrance ticket to the Castle of Carcassonne <<

Instant ticket delivery + Skip the line + Smartphone tickets accepted

 

2. Haut-Kœnigsbourg (Alsace)

Haut-Kœnigsbourg, castles of France © French Moments
The Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle seen from above © French Moments

At 757 metres high, the Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle dominates the Plain of Alsace. The fortress stands out with its imposing pink sandstone structure.

Ideally situated in the heart of the Alsace Wine Route, the fortified castle offers its visitors a panoramic view over the plain, the Black Forest in Germany and, on a fine day, the Swiss Alps.

castles of France: The castle of Haut-Kœnigsbourg © French Moments
The castle of Haut-Kœnigsbourg © French Moments
castles of France: The Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle and the view to the plain of Alsace © French Moments
The Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle and the view to the plain of Alsace © French Moments
castles of France: The Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle seen from the vineyard © French Moments
The Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle seen from the vineyard © French Moments

► Read more about the Haut-Kœnigsbourg Castle.

 

3. Castelnaud-la-Chapelle (Périgord)

Castelnaud, castles of France © French Moments
The castle of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle © French Moments

The most visited castle in the South of France dominates the picturesque village of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle on the left bank of the Dordogne River.

During the Middle Ages, this mighty English fortress commanded the strategic position at the confluence of the Dordogne and Céou Rivers, opposite the rival French castle of Beynac.

Périgord © French Moments - Castelnaud 292
The castle of Castelnaud-la-Chapelle © French Moments
Marqueyssac © French Moments - Gardens 76
The castle of Castelnaud seen from the gardens of Marqueyssac © French Moments
Castelnaud Castle © French Moments
Castle of Castelnaud, Périgord © French Moments

► Read more about Castelnaud-la-Chapelle.

 

4. Bonaguil (Périgord)

Bonaguil © D Delavierre - licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons
The Castle of Bonaguil © D Delavierre – licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons
The military fortress of Bonaguil is located on a rocky spur between the valleys of the Thèze and Lémance Rivers to the far south of the Dordogne départment.

Bonaguil was the last of the fortified castles built in France. It was entirely refurbished between 1480 and 1510 to incorporate the latest defensive systems of the late Middle Ages. For this reason, it was never attacked and was only ever used as a residence by its owners.

 

5. Peyrepertuse (Occitania)

Peyrepertuse Castle © Montagnac Pascal - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
The perched castle of Peyrepertuse Castle © Montagnac Pascal – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Peyrepertuse is one of the famous Cathar castles, located in the Corbières region of the Aude département.

Perched on a crest at 800m high, its strategic position made it an essential and coveted fortress along the former French/Spanish border.

 

6. Pierrefonds (Picardy)

Pierrefonds Castle © Elisa11 - licence [CC BY-SA 3
Pierrefonds Castle © Elisa11 – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
The imposing castle of Pierrefonds, located 80 km northeast of Paris, sits enchantingly around a bend in the road beside the Compiègne Forest.

Constructed in the 12th century, the castle was destroyed in the 17th century and then completely restored by the architect Viollet-le-Duc under the direction of Napoleon III.

This unusual reconstruction, often criticised, resulted in a grandiose architectural ensemble, making Pierrefonds a medieval and modern 19th-century castle. For this, Pierrefonds is known as “the romantic folly of the Emperor”.

Pierrefonds © Photo: Patrick Giraud, licence [CC BY-SA 1.0], from Wikimedia Commons.
Pierrefonds © Photo: Patrick Giraud, licence [CC BY-SA 1.0], from Wikimedia Commons.
Pierrefonds © Photo: Jean-François Cauche, licence [CC BY-SA 2
Pierrefonds © Photo: Jean-François Cauche, licence [CC BY-SA 2.0], from Wikimedia Commons.

The castle of Pierrefonds © 2004 Idarvol de Wikipédia
The castle of Pierrefonds © 2004 Idarvol de Wikipédia

► Read more about Pierrefonds Castle.

>> Get your entrance ticket to the Castle of Pierrefonds <<

Instant ticket delivery + Skip the line + Smartphone tickets accepted

 

7. Loches (Loire Valley)

Castles of France: Loches Castle © Lieven Smits - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Loches Castle from above © Lieven Smits – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
The castle of Loches in the Loire Valley was built at the beginning of the 11th century on a hill above the town.

Fulk III, Count of Anjou, ordered the construction of a high keep. The square tower is 36 metres high. Construction started in 987 and ended in 1040. The castle was one of King Charles VII’s residences who gave it to his mistress, Agnès Sorel.

>> Get your entrance ticket to the Castle of Loches <<

Instant ticket delivery + Skip the line + Smartphone tickets accepted

 

8. Fougères (Brittany)

Castles of France: Fougères Castle © Daniel Jolivet - licence [CC BY 2.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Fougères Castle in Brittany © Daniel Jolivet – licence [CC BY 2.0] from Wikimedia Commons
The castle of Fougères in Brittany is one of France’s most imposing castles. Its grounds cover two hectares surrounded by three well-preserved walls flanked by 13 towers. The castle has been built on a naturally protected site away from the surrounding swamp.

 

9. Les Baux-de-Provence (Provence)

Castles of France: Les Baux-de-Provence © French Moments
The medieval Castle of Les Baux-de-Provence © French Moments

Above Les Baux-de-Provence sits the “Citadelle des Baux”, the ruined castle of the village. The fortress is hardly distinguishable from the plateau’s edge on which it was built.

It still features remnants of its turbulent past: the dominating keep, the Saracen Tower (taking its name from the Saracen raiders who came from the South), and the Paravelle Tower (used as a lookout). A difficult stairway gives access to the keep. The view from its top is one of the most impressive in all of Provence.

castles of France: Les Baux-de-Provence © French Moments
Les Baux-de-Provence © French Moments
Castles of France: Les Baux-de-Provence © French Moments
The Saracen Tower © French Moments
Castles of France: Les Baux-de-Provence © French Moments
The fantastic view from the Saracen Tower © French Moments

► Read more about the castle of Les Baux.

 

10. Guédelon (Burgundy)

Castles of France: Guédélon Castle © Espirat - licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Guédélon Castle © Espirat – licence [CC BY-SA 4.0] from Wikimedia Commons
In the heart of Burgundy, Guédelon is not a historic castle as such, for it is more like an open history book.

When construction started in 1997, the long-term goal was to build a fortified castle using techniques and materials from the Middle Ages.

The project has proved a success, as it has created 55 jobs and welcomed more than 300,000 visitors each year. Guédelon should be completed in 2022 and will then look like a 13th-century medieval castle.

 

More castles of France to discover!

To be honest, a list of only ten castles of France does not pay tribute to all the beautiful fortresses found in the country. Here is a list of other castles worth exploring on your visit to France. If you know some great French castles and fortresses to see and/or visit that are not listed in the article, please share their names by commenting below!

  • Angers Castle (Loire)
  • Annecy Castle (Savoie)
  • Beaucaire Castle (Provence)
  • Citadel of Belfort (Alsace)
  • Citadel of Besançon (Franche-Comté)
  • Beynac Castle (Périgord)
  • Biron Castle (Périgord)
  • Caen Castle (Normandy)
  • Castle of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois (Burgundy)
  • Château-Gaillard (Normandy)
  • Chinon Castle (Loire)
  • Clermont Castle (Savoie)
  • Fort of L’Ecluse (Jura)
  • Castle of If (Marseille)
  • Fleckenstein (Vosges)
  • Gisors (Normandy)
  • Castle of Malbrouck (Lorraine)
  • Castle of Menthon-Saint-Bernard (Savoie)
  • Montpoupon Castle (Loire)
  • Castle of Montreuil-Bellay (Loire)
  • Popes’ Palace (Avignon)
  • 3 castles of Ribeauvillé (Alsace)
  • Castle of Ripaille (Savoie)
  • La Rochepot (Bourgogne)
  • Fort of Sedan (Ardennes)
  • Tarascon Castle (Provence)
  • Vitré Castle (Brittany)

 

Savoie

Little Venice of Annecy © French Moments
Palais de l’Île and the canals of Annecy old town © French Moments
Quai Napoléon III and Annecy Castle © French Moments
Quai Napoléon III and Annecy Castle © French Moments
Duingt in Autumn © French Moments
Castle of Duingt, Lake Annecy © French Moments
La Roche-sur-Foron © French Moments
Château de l’Échelle, La Roche-sur-Foron © French Moments

 

Provence

The Popes' Palace in Avignon © French Moments
The Popes’ Palace in Avignon © French Moments

 

Massif-Central / Centre of France

Rochebaron Castle by Torsade de Pointes [Public Domain]
Rochebaron Castle by Torsade de Pointes [Public Domain]
Castle of La Roche in the Gorges of the Loire © Michael Boudoux - licence [CC BY 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Castle of La Roche in the Gorges of the Loire © Michael Boudoux – licence [CC BY 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
 

Burgundy

romantic destinations in France: La Rochepot © French Moments
The castle of La Rochepot from the D33 road © French Moments
Castle of Couches © French Moments
The Castle of Couches © French Moments
Châteauneuf-en-Auxois © French Moments
General view of Châteauneuf-en-Auxois © French Moments

 

Atlantic Coast

La Rochelle 30 © French Moments
The Harbour of La Rochelle © French Moments
Explore Dinan © French Moments
Dinan Castle © French Moments
Brittany Unveiled: Saint-Malo © French Moments
The ramparts of Saint-Malo © French Moments

 

Périgord

La Roque-Gageac © French Moments
The Malartrie castle © French Moments
Les Milandes © French Moments
The castle of Les Milandes © French Moments
Beynac Castle © French Moments
Castle of Beynac, Périgord © French Moments
Périgord © French Moments - Beynac 49
The castle of Beynac in Périgord Noir © French Moments

 

Ile de France

Provins Ville Haute 02 © French Moments
Provins, the ‘Tour César’ © French Moments
Blandy-les-Tours © French Moments
Blandy-les-Tours © French Moments

 

Normandy

Château Gaillard © Michel Chéron - licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Château Gaillard © Michel Chéron – licence [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons

Alsace-Lorraine

Metz French Moments 83
The Germans’ Gate, Metz © French Moments
Malbrouck Castle © Cornischong - license [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Malbrouck Castle © Cornischong – license [CC BY-SA 3.0] from Wikimedia Commons
Photos of Spring in Alsace - Kaysersberg © French Moments
The castle of Kaysersberg © French Moments

 

Castles of France: Find out more!

The castle of Menthon, castles of France © French Moments
The castle of Menthon near Annecy (French Alps) © French Moments

(f) for féminin, (m) for masculin, (adj) for adjective and (v) for verbs

  • to attack = attaquer (v)
  • Brittany = Bretagne (f)
  • Burgundy = Bourgogne (f)
  • castle = château (m)
  • to destroy = détruire (v)
  • fortress = forteresse (f)
  • keep = donjon (m)
  • Loire Valley = Vallée de la Loire (f), Val de Loire (m)
  • Middle-Ages = Moyen Âge (m)
  • Picardy = Picardie (f)
  • to restore = restaurer (v)
  • swamp = marécage (m)
  • tower = tour (f)
  • Unesco World Heritage Site = Site du Patrimoine Mondial de l’Unesco
  • village = village (m)
  • wall = rempart (m), mur (m)

 

Useful links

 

Castles of France: Pin it for later

Top 10 Most Beautiful Castles of France

If there are other French castles and fortresses worth seeing that are not listed above, please share their names and locations by commenting below!

Gems of Paris by French Moments
About the author

Pierre is a French/Australian who is passionate about France and its culture. He grew up in France and Germany and has also lived in Australia and England. He has a background teaching French, Economics and Current Affairs, and holds a Master of Translating and Interpreting English-French with the degree of Master of International Relations, and a degree of Economics and Management. Pierre is the author of Discovery Courses and books about France.

Like it? Leave a comment!

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  1. My favorite chateau that I have visited is Chenonceau in the Loire Valley. However, I would really enjoy visiting Carcassonne, Haut Koenigsburg and many others!

{"email":"Email address invalid","url":"Website address invalid","required":"Required field missing"}

Transparency: Some blog posts and pages may contain affiliate or sponsored links. If you are planning a trip, the use of these links helps us to run the site. There is no additional cost to you. All you have to do is click on the link and any booking you make is automatically tracked. Thank you for your support!

Escape to France with every email! Get insider insights, travel guides, cultural gems delivered and exclusive offers to your inbox twice a week. Your journey to Paris and France begins when you sign up!

SUBSCRIBE TO THE NEWSLETTER AND GET THE FREE EBOOK

20 OFFBEAT PLACES IN PARIS

Ebook 20 amazing offbeat places in Paris front cover