Here’s a list of the most sublime and intricate castles in France. Yes, this list consists of the most famous ones, but their notoriety is well deserved.

All of our picks are rich in history, but everyone has their own idea of beauty: Some of the most stricking buildings were the sites of notorious sieges, while others have always been plush escapes for royalty and aristocrats.  It’s inevitable that many should be in the Loire Valley, known as “the garden of France” where all the renaissance châteaux are inscribed as one World Heritage site.

Let’s have a look at the most beautiful castles in France…

1. Château de Chambord

Kicking off the list is the most beautiful and prestigious château in the Loire, which is saying something for this part of France.

Built in the 1500s for King Francis I, it is instantly recognized by that emblematic crowd of cupolas and turrets on the roof.

Pictures don’t do justice to the size of the building, until you realize that the tiny specks on the main facade’s terraces are people! Leonardo da Vinci is rumored to have had a hand in the most acclaimed interior feature; a central double-helix staircase that twists gracefully up three floors and is lit from above by a skylight.

Did you know Moliere​ gave the first performance of his famous Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme in front of Louis XIV in Chambord ?

2. Chateau de Chenonceau

Walt Disney drew inspiration for Cinderella’s Castle at Disney World from several castles in Europe, including the chateau de Chenonceau, the crown jewel of France’s Loire Valley. Situated on the river Cher in the small village of Chenonceau, the chateau is one of the most visited private historical monuments in France. With its magical five arches and four corner turrets, it’s a lasting relic of medieval Gothic architecture with a touch of ornate Renaissance detailing. Such an enchanting palace is fit for Cinderella and Prince Charming, especially the moat filled with swans and richly decorate rooms with paintings by Rubens, Le Tintoret, and other great masters. Like a page out of a fairy tale, Chenonceau is a treasured castle of the Loire Valley and a testament to the passion and influence of the French Renaissance.
When King Henry II offered the chateau to his mistress Diana de Poitiers, she commissioned the bridge to be built, connecting the chateau to the opposite bank. When Henry II died and his wife Catherine de Medici took over the place, she added another three stories atop the bridge.

Did you know that this beautiful bridge is also the reason that the chateau was not destroyed during the French Revolution? The owners were able to convince the Revolutionary Guard that the bridge is essential for commerce and travel, being the only bridge for miles, so the place was spared.

 3. Mont Saint-Michel

This surreal island commune in Normandy, in the northwestern part of France is technically an abbey (abbaye) but it has been fortified since the 8th century.
While it used to be connected to the mainland through a land bridge that appears during low tide, that land bridge is gone now due to the buildup of silt, causing Mont Saint-Michel to become a part of the mainland. But efforts are being done by the French government to make it go back to being an island once again.

 That’s because the design of the city Minas Tirith in the film Lord of the Rings: Return of the King, was based on Mont Saint-Michel.This island commune also inspired the works of several writers and musicians including French composer Claude Debussy.

4. Cité de Carcassonne

This 12th century fortified city in Aude in the Languedoc-Rousillon region can be considered a proper medieval citadel with its 52 towers and and three kilometers of long double walls that surround it.
In its 2,500 years of colorful history, the town has witnessed the comings and goings of various military groups such as Romans, Visigoths, Saracens, and the Crusaders.

Did you know that In the 17th century, when France had annexed the area, Carcassonne no longer needed to serve its previous military purposes ? By the mid-19th century, the entire fortified city was totally neglected and scheduled to be demolished by the government.
Thankfully, through the efforts of the mayor, the restoration of the town was pushed through, with the lengthy restoration undertaken by the famous Viollet-le-Duc.

5. Palais des Papes

The Avignon Papacy was controversial. Within the mighty walls of the Palais, cabals, corruption, excess and spiritual compromise reigned.
Here is the historical Pope’s Palace in Avignon. As the seat of Western Christianity in the 14th century, this papal residence held 6 papal conclaves in its walls. Today, it is mostly a tourist attraction and also houses a convention center, a research center, and hosts various shows like the annual Festival d’Avignon and its own light show every year, the Luminessences d’Avignon which like the famous la fêtes des lumières, is a light show that tells a story. Some of the Popes were virtuous men, of course.
Did you know the Great Chapeland Library, with its 2,000 books, the largest in Europe at the time, attracted brilliant musicians and scholars ?

6. Chateau d’Amboise

Built for strategic purpose in the 11th century, it was not until the later part of the 15th century that Amboise, under the watchful eye of Charles VIII, was refurbished and dressed in the same marvelous Renaissance garment that continues to dazzle the curious today. The tall king, who was born and received his royal grooming in the castle, will also die in Amboise after hitting a rock lintel !
Following the passion for Italian masters of his defunct cousin Charles, Francis I will host Leonardo da Vinci and Mona Lisa at Amboise where the painter will complete his masterpiece.

Did you know that after his death, the Italian master was granted eternal rest at the Chapelle st. Hubert in the castle ?
In 1840, Amboise joined the proud list of World Heritage monuments.

7. Versailles

Versailles was built to impress. “The most important message Louis XIV sent through the architecture of Versailles was his ultimate power. Together with its gardens, the Château de Versailles is one of the most famous monuments of world heritage.  Louis XIV, when he installed the Court and government there in 1682 . A succession of kings continued to embellish the Palace up until the French Revolution.

The opera required 3,000 candles to be burned for opening night and was rarely used due to its cost and the poor shape of France’s finances.

Did you know Benjamin Franklin, acting on behalf of a newly independent United States, negotiated a treaty with Louis XVI, which led to America getting critical support from the French military. Louis XVI would have one of his inventions, a “Franklin chimney,” installed that produced less smoke than an ordinary fireplace.

8. Villandry

Villandry is one of the last of the great Renaissance chateaux built in the Loire Valley and today attracts more than 350,000 visitors per year who come here to admire the beautiful, diverse and harmonious estate’s fine setting. In 1189, Henri II of England acknowledged his defeat to Philip Augustus of France in Villandry yielding a copious region that increased the size of France by 1/3 !
The gardens of the castle are exceptional and designed separately as a succession of courtyards arranged one next to the other. A perfect geometric masterpiece arranged in three tiers of terraced gardens comprised of 9 square sections divided into beds of plants which shows a variety of colors from hundreds of flowers and vegetables.

Did you know the tradition of kitchen gardens dates back to the Middle Ages when monks cultivated them in geometric shapes to provide food for the occupants of the abbey ?  The pleasure garden is an ornamental flower garden set where the first box edges are used to evoke the allegories of love. Next to it are the music and water gardens. A fascinating experience just to stroll through the intricacies of the gardens.

9. Vaux Le Vicomte

A 17th century masterpiece, Vaux-le-Vicomte was the backdrop to many major historical events and witnessed the tragic eviction of its creator, Nicolas Fouquet, following an extraordinary trial.

Majestically laid out along a four kilometer axis, the château of Vaux-le-Vicomte surges from a series of planes like a theatre set.  

The outbuildings in its forecourt guide the eye past tall gates (an innovation for the period) to the façade, as if at the center of a “mise-en-scène.” The gardens are recognized as the most beautiful ones of France, designed by the genious gardener of King Louis XIV: Andre Le Notre.
Did you know that the King’s gardener was also an ice cream and cake maker? No wonder his son created the tastiest chocolate and pastries in the world for the next 300 years !

10. Les Baux de Provence

Les Baux-de-Provence is a historic medieval village considered by many a magic site first, built as a dungeon in the XIII century perched on top of a rock is recognized as one of the most fascinating naturally fortified castle/village in France. Legend tells that on his way to Bethleem, Balthazar, one of the Three Kings, stopped at the site and founded the village. Traces of human habitat dating back to 6000 BC were also found at the site.

The castle underwent the most draconian transformation at the start of the Renaissance when elegant hotels and residences were built.  But in the XVII century, in the heart of the wars of religions, the villagers decide to offer refuge to all local protesters in discord with the king.  A displeased Richelieu cardinal will besiege Les Baux and dismantle the fortress in 1633.

Did you know that throughout the XIII century, 3000 villagers lived in Les Baux ?  But at the beginning of the XX century, 400 were left.