Our top 10 most beautiful castles in France

The Cathar castle of Peyrepertuse

Although the castle of Peyrepertuse is now in ruins, it remains one of the most spectacular castles in France. This immense fortress stretches for almost 300 metres, culminating at an altitude of 800 metres above the village of Duilhac. Nicknamed"the Carcassonne in the sky", the castle of Peyrepertuse would have been one of the last refuges of the Cathars.

The castle of Ussé

You probably know the castle of Ussé, without even having visited it! This 11th century castle inspired Charles Perrault to imagine the castle of Sleeping Beauty. And it is true that this magical castle overlooking the Indre and the Loire has all the makings of a legendary castle. Unlike the other castles in this selection, Ussé is a private estate, owned by the 7th Duke of Blacas. Fortunately, however, it is open to visitors.

The castle of Castelnau-Bretenoux

The seat of the Barons of Castelnau, Castelnau-Bretenoux is a model of a fortified castle. This medieval fortress of red stone was built between the 11th and 17th centuries in the commune of Prudhomat. Ravaged by fire in 1851, the site owes its rebirth to the generosity of the Opéra comique tenor Jean Mouliérat, who worked on its restoration.

The castle of Chenonceau

It is impossible to talk about the châteaux of the Loire without mentioning the sumptuous château of Chenonceau, a marvel of French architectural heritage that we owe to Philibert Delorme. Chenonceau is nicknamed the "Ladies' Castle" because of the many women who worked on its construction, protection and restoration: Diane de Poitiers of course, but also Catherine de Médicis and later Louise de Lorraine and Louise Dupin.

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The castle of Chantilly

Head to the Oise to discover the Chantilly castle. The domain is well known to horse lovers who flock there to watch the races at the racecourse or to discover its beautiful horse museum and its Grandes Écuries. Chantilly is also home to the beautiful Condé Museum, whose collection of ancient paintings is one of the most important in France.

The Palace of Versailles

Official residence of the French kings Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI, the Château de Versailles is one of the jewels of world heritage. Its spectacular garden, a masterpiece of André Le Nôtre, its richly decorated flats, its paintings and furniture attract several hundred thousand visitors every year. Versailles is unique!

The Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle

The Haut-Kœnigsbourg castle, the first historical tourist site in Alsace, has had an eventful history. The 12th-century fortress was remodelled in the 15th century and then restored again before the First World War. It offers visitors a real journey through time and an unforgettable dive into the heart of the Middle Ages. Its location on top of a mountain makes it one of the most spectacular castles in the country.

Chambord Castle

The Chambord castle is the wonder of wonders and is breathtakingly beautiful. The largest of the Loire castles, it is also located in the largest enclosed forest park in Europe. Although a fortified castle was already present on the site in the 10th century, it was under the reign of François I that Chambord became the masterpiece that we know today. A jewel of the French Renaissance, considered to be one of the most beautiful castles in the world, Chambord, with its 426 rooms, 77 staircases and 282 fireplaces, never ceases to fascinate. For the writer Alfred de Vigny, it was even a"magical" castle.