Explore Beautiful Castles of France

In France, every castle is a château, however not every château is a castle. This French word can be used to describe many of the thousands of palaces and castles stately homes scattered around the country. Many of the most-loved castles in France are located in the green Loire Valley, but there are great epitomes of fairytale castles and medieval fortresses in every part of the country. Right from the romantic ruins of Château de Loches to the lately restored Cité de Carcassonne, a visit to France is incomplete without exploring the castles in the country. If you are planning a trip to France and have an interest in castles, then don’t miss to visit some of the most beautiful castles of this beautiful country. Enjoy your holiday in France with EaseMyTrip.com.

Cite de Carcassonnecite de carcassonne

The Cité de Carcassonne is more of a fortified town rather than a castle. In fact it is known to be one of the oldest and most striking fortifications of the country. Due to its strategic position on the historical routes across southern France, this location has been occupied for over 5,000 years. Various sections of the walls of the citadel dates back to the heyday of the Roman Empire, on the other hand, Visigoths occupied the structure during the 5th century. This castle’s successive rulers went on to improve the fortress until the 17th century when it began to fall into decay. A 19th-century renovation project of the Cité turned Carcassonne into a famous tourist destination.

Palais des Papespalais des papes

Situated in Avignon in Southern France region, Palais des Papes (also known as the Palace of the Popes) is considered as one of the most significant medieval structures in Europe. Construction of a convent started on the site in the year 1252 and in the year 1309, it became the seat of the Papacy, when Rome revolted against the election on Pope Clement V. This place remained the center of Western Christianity throughout the 14th century. This fortress is the biggest Gothic architecture in Europe as well as one of the top ten tourist attractions of France attracting around 650,000 visitors per year.

Chateau de Locheschateau de loches

Constructed around 500 meters (1,600 feet) from the banks of the River Indre in the Loire Valley, it is as popular for its mammoth square-shaped central keep as it is for its relations to French and English royalty. Built in the 11th century, the castle was held by Henry II and Richard the Lionheart in the 12th century. Later, the castle became a beloved residence of Charles VII of France. The older sections of the château now lie in ruins but the 16th-century royal lodgings have been fully restored.

Château du Haut-Koenigsbourgchateau haut koenigsbourg

The château du Haut-Kœnigsbourg is situated at a strategic location on a high hill that overlooks the Alsatian plain in the Vosges Mountains in France. This castle was used by succeeding powers from the Middle Ages till the Thirty Years’ War, when it was burned and looted by Swedish troops after a 52-day blockade. After this incident, it was left unused for a few hundred years and became thick by forest. However, in 1899 it was given to the German emperor Wilhelm II and re-constructed as it was on the eve of the Thirty Years’ War. At present, it is one of the most famous castles in France that attracts more than 500,000 visitors every year.

Some of the other famous castles of France are Chateau de Vincennes, Chateau Gaillard, Chateau d’Angers, Chateau de Fougeres and Chateau de Vitre.

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