France is home to some of the most beautiful castles in the world. Whether you’re just visiting or making a trip across the country, there are plenty of places to explore, especially if you are travelling around France on a rented car. Here are some of our favorite châteaus that you can see in France:
Château de Chantilly
Château de Chantilly is a French château situated in Chantilly, Oise, France. You can drive there on a rented car from Paris by taking the A16 toward Chantilly until you reach exit number 5 (Chantilly-Versailles). The site was first fortified during the 11th century by Prince Guillaume Le Conquérant, who built a motte-and-bailey castle on an outcrop overlooking the Seine River. In the 13th century, Hervé de Portzmoguer founded a new town near this stronghold and named it “Port Royal”, which eventually became known simply as Chantilly.
In 1475, King Louis XI of France (1423-1483) established his court at Chantilly; he would spend much of his time there until his death in 1483. During this time period he commissioned Pierre de Ronsard (1505-1580) to write sonnets celebrating various aspects of nature; these were later collected into a book titled Les Amours De Cassandre Et De Panthée (1559).
Château de Fontainebleau
If you’re looking for an elegant and beautiful castle, look no further than Château de Fontainebleau. In addition to being one of France’s most famous palaces and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, it’s also home to an extensive collection of artworks by Leonardo da Vinci and other masters.
Located 55 kilometers south-southeast of the centre of Paris, Fontainebleau is one of France’s largest towns and most visited tourist sites thanks to its many museums (including the Musée national du Moyen Age) as well as its proximity to forests and parks such as Forêt de Marly.
Mont Saint Michel
Mont Saint Michel is a commune in Normandy, France. It’s located on an island in the English Channel and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1979.
The abbey was founded in 708 by Aubert of Avranches, who built it on the site of an existing chapel dedicated to Saint Michael the Archangel. Mont Saint Michel became one of the great centers of Christianity during its heyday from the 9th through 11th centuries, gaining wealth from pilgrims who came there to see its relics or hear Masses said by monks who lived there full-time (those were called “hermits”).
Château d’Amboise
Château d’Amboise is a town in the Indre-et-Loire department in central France. It’s on the banks of the Loire River and has a population of about 5,000 people.
Château d’Amboise is part of two World Heritage Sites: The Châteaux of the Loire Valley and Villes et Pays d’Art et d’Histoire (Cultural Landscapes).
Château de Chenonceau
The Château de Chenonceau is a UNESCO world heritage site, built in 1515 for Catherine de Medici. The castle sits on the River Cher and has 365 windows.
Château de Chambord
The Château de Chambord, also known as the Château Royal de Chambord or simply Le château de Chambord, is a French Renaissance castle located in the Loire Valley. It was built as a hunting lodge for King Francis I and several of his successors. The original design was by Pierre Nepveu and Philibert Delorme, but it was altered considerably during its construction so that little of their original plans remain intact today.
The castle has been listed as an official historical monument since 1840 by the French Ministry of Culture and is owned by the nation’s government; however, it remains privately owned by Anne d’Ornano-Fountaine since 1980 who has opened it for public viewing every year from April through October since then (except for 2017).
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg
Château du Haut-Koenigsbourg: This medieval castle in the commune of Orschwiller in the Bas-Rhin département of France was built by Conrad III, Duke of Swabia, who later became King Conrad III and Holy Roman Emperor. He began construction on it in 1140 and continued to expand it until his death in 1152. The castle was later expanded by his son Frederick I Barbarossa, who would become a Holy Roman Emperor himself.
Château d’Annecy
Château d’Annecy is a castle in the town of Annecy in France. It was built as a fortress in the 11th century and has been listed as a French historical monument since 1925. The castle stands on an island in Lake Geneva, which was originally connected to shore by two bridges that have since been destroyed or removed.
The castle has hosted several important figures over its history: King Louis XI stayed there for six weeks during his childhood; Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor visited three times between 1368 and 1370; Pope John XXII died there after fleeing from Avignon during the Avignon Papacy; Francis I stayed there twice (in 1536 and 1541).
See beautiful castles in France
France is a great place to see beautiful castles. In fact, there are so many different kinds that you can explore them in the countryside or city, and even visit some of them that are still in use.
- You’ll find plenty of castles that have been converted into museums or hotels (or both).
- There are also many castles open to the public where you can go inside and take photos–even if they don’t have any exhibits on display at the time!
France has some of the most beautiful castles in the world, and these are just a few examples. If you’re looking for more places to explore, check out our list of the best 10 castles in France and start planning your trip today!