France is a land of history, heritage, and gastronomy. Our country is also a land of castles, and although no one knows exactly how many there are in the country, it is estimated that there are 11,000 listed monuments and 45,000 in total, i.e. more than one per commune.
In this respect has drawn up a classification of the most beautiful castles in the country. These are obviously found in all regions (even if some are better known than others): the Loire, Alsace, and Occitania.
The Loire castles are at the top of the list
The agency that offers guided tours and excursions across the country and around the world, offers you a tour of France of you should not miss. The first of them is undoubtedly one of the greatest, and also one of the best known: the Château de Chambord. The work of François I, and many artists, such as Leonardo da Vinci, have contributed to its success today. We recommend the flats of Louis XIV, the royal chapel, and the gardens. Don't miss the central spiral staircase.
IN PICTURES The most beautiful castles in France
For the next part of the tour, why not go a few kilometers away, to the castle of Chenonceau? We all have in mind the image of the arches over the Cher or its gardens, but the ballrooms inside are worth a visit as well as the gallery above the Cher. Still, not far away, the castle of Angers will seduce you. A medieval monument where you will find in particular the Tapestry of the Apocalypse, a remarkable set of medieval tapestries.
The 10 most beautiful castles in France
1- Chambord Castle
2- Chenonceau Castle
3- Angers Castle
4- Castle of the Dukes of Brittany
5- Azay-le-Rideau Castle
6- Vincennes Castle
7- Pierrefonds Castle
8- The Castle of Carcassonne
9- The Castle of Salses
10- Haut-Koenigsbourg castle
Then, you will have to go a little further west to Nantes to visit the castle of the Dukes of Brittany. Advises you to visit the permanent collection of the Nantes History Museum. Then back to the Loire with Azay-le-Rideau, a Renaissance castle on the water. It was described by Balzac as "a faceted diamond set by the Indre".
The end of this trip suggests you explore other lands such as the Ile-de-France with the castle of Vincennes, one of the largest medieval castles in Europe, then Pierrefonds in the Hauts-de-France where Napoleon Bonaparte resided. How could we not go to Carcassonne, the fortified city, and discover the château comtal, built in the 12th century by the Trencavels, viscounts of Carcassonne?
Finally, the castle of Salses, also in Occitania, was the object of discord for years between France and Spain. We end this trip in Alsace with the Haut-Koenigsbourg castle between Strasbourg and Colmar. It overlooks the region and gives a breathtaking view of the Black Forest.
THEMES ASSOCIATED WITH THE ARTICLE
Tourism
France