Discover Stunning French Châteaux with Photos

France is called "the land of the châteaux", and with over 45,000 châteaux scattered across the breath and width of the country it literally is a land filled with stunning châteaux! 

Discover Stunning French Châteaux with Photos

In this beautiful post we discover some stunning French châteaux and there's gorgeous photos, a little history and fun info on each. Use this post to plan your itinerary for your next trip to France, or to simply enjoy some armchair travelling.

Some regions are well known for their immense and stunning châteaux and are popular with visitors, but castles and châteaux are literally dotted all across France. The Loire Valley has some of the most visited châteaux, but the Dordogne and Languedoc also have their fair share of stunning castles and châteaux. Read on for more information about France's stunning castles and be inspired by our stunning French château photos. 

French Châteaux in the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is famous for its most spectacular châteaux with many of them the most recognisable castles in the world. The Loire River, which stretches over 300 miles heading westward to the Atlantic Ocean, was an important feature in the location choice for these renowned castles. 

French Châteaux in the Dordogne

The Dordogne area is dubbed “the land of a thousand and one châteaux,” and has more than 1,500. Many of the châteaux are part of wine estates in the Burgundy region and, as a result, they hold prime sites amid the region’s lush vineyards and wooded areas.

French châteaux in the Languedoc

Languedoc’s châteaux, unlike its northern relatives, are more castle-like and many today are in ruins. Their age and purpose of being defensive strongholds against invasion, rather than costly elegant homes of nobles, is the primary difference in their appearance and location. Usually set high upon cliffs or hilltops, they gave a clear view of invading forces and they protected their inhabitants.

Château et Domaine de Quintin

Château et Domaine de Quintin (Quintin Château) in the ancient town of Quintin has been a family home for the last 800 years. 

Nestled between Pontivy and Guingamp, and halfway between Rennes (110 kilometres) and Quimper (120 kilometres), Quintin is a centrally located town in the Côtes d'Armor department. Only 20 minutes drive from Saint-Brieuc, this vibrant beautiful Breton town holds lots of festivals and is a petite cité de Caractère that happily welcomes tourists.

The complex comprises of buildings dating from long before the 17th century with the château, towers, courtyard, terraced gardens, ancient 'bowling green' and even the town's cathedral being part of the original complex.

A guided tour is the best way to enjoy the various areas of this lovely château and to see the interior and small museum. Find out more about the château and my tour in our full post Chateau et Domaine de Quintin (Quintin Château).

Château Fontainebleau - a stunning French château

Stunningly impressive Château Fontainebleau is one of the largest Medieval royal chateaux in France, and because it's only 55 km, or about 40 minutes, from Paris, it's a perfect château for a day visit from Paris. Originally a royal abode, the State now manages Château de Fontainebleau. The château and gardens were built in the 12th century as a medieval keep and later used as a hunting lodge by Louis XII, also known as Saint Louis.

If you're planning a visit to the Château, and want to know what else there is to do in the area, read our post Fabulous Places to Visit near Château Fontainebleau.

Château d’If off the city of Marseille

The fortress island standing proud in the waters off the city of Marseille is a mixture of legend and history. 

Built at the beginning of the Renaissance, under the reign of François I, the Château d’If stands with its towers and ramparts on an island in the Frioul Archipelago off Marseille. An impregnable fortress and formidable prison, the Château d’If is now one of the most visited tourist monuments in the city of Marseille. Discover a citadel that is part of Marseille’s heritage, where history is mixed with legend! - Marseille Tourisme

The island and château are immortalised in literature and film. Edmond Dantès, the vengeful hero of the novel The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas, was imprisoned in the château. The man in the iron mask, the unknown and mysterious prisoner whose identity and secrets could have shaken the throne of Louis XIV, was imprisoned in the fortress in the book of the same name, The Man in the Iron Mask, also written by Alexandre Dumas.

Château d'Angers in the Loire Valley

The Château d’Angers is a castle located in the city of Angers in the Loire Valley, Maine-et-Loire department, France and while it is not as popular as some of the other Loire Valley châteaux it is spectacular and is also home to the amazing Apocalypse Tapestry.

The Château, which occupies a rocky promontory overlooking the River Maine, has been occupied by man since the Neolithic period.  The site was first occupied by the Count of Anjou in the 9th century and then 300 years later a palace was built there. In the 13th Century, the Regent Blanche of Castile built a fortress to mass royal troops.

The Château was self sufficient with animals within the walls, fruit trees in the gardens, herbs and vegetables in the hanging gardens and even beehives and a small vineyard. 

Read more about this Loire Valley château, Angers Château.

Château de Versailles

I’ve now visited Château de Versailles a few times and there is always something special to see and of course the garden beds are always changing in colour. To help you enjoy your visit to Versailles, read about some of my favourite areas of the Château and gardens in my post Château Versailles – A Guide to the Best Things to See. It's a well-loved post shared over 100 times by readers, so do take a look. 

Louis XIV built the largest palace in Europe housing 20,000 people at a time and he moved the centre of the French Court to the Palace and created numerous titles, positions and duties to keep everyone that may cause dissension and pose a threat to his rule under his control by living close by.

The rebuilding of his father’s modest hunting lodge into the current colossal palace was undertaken by Architects Louis Le Van and Jules Hardouin-Mansart. Now Château de Versailles is one of the most visited monuments in the world.

Château de Josselin - An imposing French château in Brittany

Josselin's Château, which has been in the Rohan family on and off for centuries, is still owned by the only remaining branch of the Rohan family and is well known for being one of the most imposing granite castles in France. What also attracts many enthusiasts is the fact that the Château has also two distinctive types of architecture. On one side of the Château facing the Oust River, the Château looks medieval with many medieval architectural features displayed, and on the other side, the Château has the appearance of a pleasure residence with its flamboyant late Gothic decoration.

Josselin is a wonderful town with lots to offer visitors from hiring boats to cruise the Oust River, to exploring the cobbled streets and charming stores, wandering the surrounding parklands and touring the château - it's all just waiting for you. Our full post Josselin - Top 5 Things to See and Do has more information.

Palais du Luxembourg

The Palais du Luxembourg is the seat of the French Senate, but it was initially designed by architect Salomon de Brosse for Queen Marie de Medici in the early 17th century. At that time, the area was rural and sparsely populated, featuring few buildings such as the Enclos des Chartreux, a monastery founded by King Louis IX in 1257.

In 1610, Marie de Medici purchased some of the monastery’s extensive gardens, as well as the nearby Palace of the Duke of Luxembourg. She then commissioned Salomon de Brosse to construct a palace modelled after her childhood home, the Palazzo Pitti in Florence.

Our guide to the Luxembourg garden which surrounds Palais du Luxembourg, one of the most beautiful gardens in Paris, can be read here.

Château de Chenonceau

Chenonceau was created from the Renaissance onwards by a series of aristocratic women. A magnificent avenue bordered by plane trees leads to symmetrical gardens and the peaceful vista that Flaubert famously quoted as "floating on air and water". 

The château stretches across the Cher River with an awe inspiring 60 metre gallery built over a series of arches. The elegant arches reflect in the calm waters and are one of the most well-known images of a French château. The grandiose château has splendidly furnished rooms, airy bedchambers, fine paintings and large tapestries.

Château de Villandry, Loire Valley

Château de Villandry in the Loire Valley has to be included in our French château photos post. It's the last great Renaissance château built in the Loire Valley, and it's a perfect example of 16th century architecture.  The gardens were restored to their Renaissance splendour early in the last century by Dr Joachim Carvallo, whose descendants still continue his work. 

The patchwork of sculpted shrubs and flowers are on three levels with the kitchen garden (jardin potager), the ornamental garden (jardin d'ornement) and the highest level, the water garden (jardin d'eau). 

The château is open February to mid-November and the gardens from March to October.

Château de Menthon in Annecy

Annecy is one of the most charming towns in the Alps, set at the northern tip of Lac d'Annecy and surrounded by snow-capped mountains. It's small medieval quarter is laced with canals, flower covered bridges and arcaded streets.

Château de Menthon is set high on a hill above the town with impressive views of the vieille ville (old town) and the crystal clear lake beyond. It remains one of the rare castles in France to belong to the same family for 23 known generations. 

"During the Renaissance, the austere fortress was transformed into a place of residence. Then, at the end of the 18th century, a facade was built, opening a view of the lake. Then, at the end of the 19th century, under the impetus of the great-grandfather of the current owners, René de Menthon, the castle began its great metamorphosis towards that romantic subtlety which makes its charm and even its mystery... So much so that a certain Walt Disney, on vacation in the region, was inspired by it for the castle of Sleeping Beauty!" - Château de Menthon

My fellow Australian and friend, Catherine Berry, moved her family to Annecy and wrote about life in France in her book 'But You Are in France Madame'. See more of Annecy in our book review post But You Are in France Madame: Book Review. 

Château de Chambord

Château de Chambord is the Loire's largest residence and was the brainchild of François I. The residence was originally a hunting lodge in the Forét de Boulogne (Boulogne Forest) which unfortunately burnt down in 1519. This tragedy however instigated the rebuilding of the lodge into the extravagant creation of Chambord that we can see today.

The building work spanned over 150 years starting with the design process in 1519; the towers, keep and terraces being completed in 1537; and the complex eventually being completed in 1685. During the construction of the château's core - the towers, keep and terraces - over 1,800 men were employed under the guidance of three master masons. Under the instruction of François 1, then his son Henry II who continued his vision, and then Louis XV, the 400-roomed extravagance that we all see today was created.  

French Liqueur Chambord

Have you tried the French Liqueur of Louis XIV created at the Château de Chambord? According to legend, Chambord (the liqueur) was inspired by a luxurious raspberry liqueur produced for King Louis XIV during his visit to Chateau Chambord in the 17th century.  Today, Chambord continues to inspire cocktail and culinary creations around the world. Our post Chambord – The French Liqueur of Louis XIV, shares the history of the liqueur and a recipe for French Martinis, which has Chambord liqueur as its main ingredient.

Château de Canon - A Château in Normandy

Château de Canon has been, and is still privately owned and run by the same French family that built it in the 1700s and the Château is now listed as a historic monument with the surrounding grounds officially classified a Remarkable Garden. The term 'Remarkable Garden' is a label created in 2004 by the French ministry of culture that aims to recognise and promote parks that are well maintained and open to the public.

The gardens are the same age as the Château and feature formal beds, natural groves, period follies, numerous streams, waterfalls and watercourses. What is remarkable is that the gardens have remained unchanged since their creation.

See gorgeous flower filled photos in our post about the château and its remarkable garden Château de Canon Garden - A Beautiful Garden in Normandy

Château de Chantilly - A stunning French château

Château de Chantilly is at the epicentre of French equestrianism and is famous for its magnificent gardens by Le Nôtre.

The château has origins as way back as Gallo-Roman times, with the château we see today originating in 1528. Anne de Montmorency had the old fortress replaced and added the Petit Château. During the time of the Great Prince of Condé (1621-1686), renovation work continued and Le Nôtre created a park and fountains, which it's said even made Louis XIV jealous!

Destroyed in the Revolution, the Grand Château was again rebuilt and its receptions and hunting parties became popular by the fashionable high society during the 1820s to 1830s. Can you believe that again the château was rebuilt, this time in the Renaissance style.

The town of Chantilly has been the horse racing capital of France for centuries with the stunning stables, Grandes Ecuries, (an equestrian palace designed by Jean Aubert in 1719), almost upstaging the two châteaux, lush park and large forest. The equestrian palace could accommodate 240 horses and 500 dogs. This 'palace' is now the home of the museum Musée Vivant du Cheval which showcases various breeds of horses and ponies, and riding displays. 

Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire in the Loire Valley

Château de Chaumont in the Loire Valley is a classic example of how the great châteaux of the Loire Valley gradually evolved from purely defensive structures to decorative palaces. Gradually as warfare changed and in particular the introduction of firearms, castles lost their defensive function and comfort and pleasure became more important. 

Defensive elements like towers, battlements, moats and gatehouses were retained by owners as symbols of rank and ancestry. Renaissance additions, like galleries and dormer windows added elegance and were often incorporated into the original buildings. Chaumont Château is superb because even though it was founded in the 10th century by Odo I, Count of Blois, the Amboise family who rebuilt it in the 15th century (1445-1510) successfully merged the original defensive functions with the new decorative Renaissance style. 

The defensive circular towers, corbelled walkways (used in battle) and gatehouse are now purely decorative but integral to the overall charm of the château. 

Château de Grignan

Built during the 15th and 16th centuries Château de Grignan is one of the finest Renaissance buildings in Provence. Sitting atop a rocky hill and surrounded by purple lavender fields, the charming village and superior château is famous for its connection to Madame de Sévigné who wrote many of her celebrated letters while staying at the Château. 

Madame de Sévigné (who lived at the Hôtel Carnavalet, Paris between 1677 and 1696 and entertained the intelligent and literary persons of the time) is entombed in the Eglise de St-Saveur, which is directly below the château's terrace. From the château's terrace, the panoramic view extends as far as the Vivarais mountains. 

Living up to its reputation as being one of the finest Renaissance buildings in the region, the interiors of the château have vast collections of Louis XII furniture and Aubusson tapestries.

Château de Cheverny

A classical château, Château de Cheverny is seriously beautiful and it's extra special because it's been inhabited by the same family for over six centuries; and it still belongs to a descendant of the original owner. The château holds fast to its traditions, one of which is the daily feeding of the hounds. The present owner has around 70 hounds which are used for stag hunting.

Even though Château de Cheverny is owned and lived in by its family, the château and gardens are open to the public (with no reservation required) every day of the year. You'll even find a permanent exhibition where you'll discover the world of the creator of Tintin, Hergé, through the exhibition Les secrets de Moulinsart. If staying on the grounds of a château appeals to you, then you may be happy to know that the historic outbuildings of the castle have been transformed into high-end accommodation, and are perfectly located for exploring more of the Loire Valley. Château Chambord is only 20 minutes drive away and ZooParc de Beauval is just a further at 35 minutes away.

So, which château is your favourite? I reckon with over 45,000 in France, this may just be the first of a series we write on French châteaux. 

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