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Fortifications, Castles & Palaces in France

France is known for the many forts and fortresses, castles and châteaux, palais and palaces. From the Palace of Versailles to the extravagant royal castles of the Loire Valley, the ruined castle forts of the Cathars to the many picturesque fortified Medieval towns such as Carcassonne in the south and Vitré in the north. Millions of visitors travel to France each year to see this hugely diverse and fascinating architectural heritage. Such is the interest in these buildings that a multidisciplinary team came together in the 1990s to construct a castle fort in a forest in Burgundy.

Castles & Palaces in & Near Paris

While Paris is known for its museums and art galleries, the Eiffel Tower and other iconic landmarks, there are also a number of castles and palaces in and around the French capital. If châteaux are your thing and you have exhausted those within the city itself, there are a number of castles not far from the city centre that are only an hour or so by car, train, or metro. Some of these castles house nationally important collections. As they are further out and in many cases not as well known as other attractions in Paris, visiting them is often a great way to escape the crowds and enjoy a day out of Paris.

Châteaux of the Loire Valley

The castles of the Loire Valley are a major tourist attraction in France. The earliest date to the 10th century and are typical fortified residences. French kings were drawn to the area in the 15th century, and were soon followed by nobles wanting to be close to royal courts. As a result there are some 300 castles in the region. Some of these castles are amongst the finest examples of French Renaissance architecture. A number of these Châteaux belong to the state and are open to the public, others are in private hands – some of which are now museums or have been converted into hotels and B&Bs.

Cathar Castles

In the 12th century a new religion spread from the east throughout Europe. But it was in the Languedoc that Catharism flourished, becoming the primary religion in some places. From 1208 the Catholic Church lead a twenty year campaign against the Cathars, known as the Albigensian Crusade. With local support the Cathars held out in the castles and fortified towns on hilltops in the foothills of the Pyrenees. The local lords and Cathars were defeated and the area came under French rule. Visitors to the Occitanie region of France greatly enjoy visiting Cathar Castles.

Castles of the Neustria Marches

The Marches of Neustria consist of two marches: the Breton March and the Norman March. They were created in 861 AD by the Carolingians to defend the western lands of the Kingdom of Franks, Neustria, against Bretons and Norsemen. In 911, following peace treaties, the two marches were united. Many of the towns and cities along this frontier developed as a result of the fortresses constructed as part of the marches. Very little remains of these fortresses today. Owing to the strategic importance of the locations, the fortresses were substantially developed into fortified towns.

Explore Fortifications, Castles & Palaces in France by Region

France is known for the many forts and fortresses, castles and châteaux, palais and palaces. From the Palace of Versailles to the extravagant royal castles of the Loire Valley, the ruined castle forts of the Cathars to the many picturesque fortified Medieval towns such as Carcassonne in the south and Vitré in the north. Millions of visitors travel to France each year to see this hugely diverse and fascinating architectural heritage. Such is the interest in these buildings that a multidisciplinary team came together in the 1990s to construct a castle fort in a forest in Burgundy.

Must-See Palaces in France

Palais des Papes

For most of the 14th century Avignon was the seat of Western Christianity. The Palais des Papes is in fact two conjoining Papal palaces: the Palais Vieux and Palais Neuf. Together they make up the largest Gothic building in Europe, and one of the most important. The Episcopal complex, the 12th century bridge and the historic centre of Avignon were added to the UNESCO list of World Heritage Sites in 1995.

Tiqets Tiqets: Palais des Papes & Glanum

Palace of Fontainebleau

What started as a medieval castle developed into one of the largest royal and imperial palaces in France. This is where French monarchs from Louis VII to Napoleon III lived. In the early 12th century fortified castle was a favourite royal hunting lodge, given the game in the surrounding forest. In the early 16th century the Renaissance palace was built for Francis I, and succeeding kings and emperors each made their own mark. The palace is only 55km from Paris and is easy to get to on public transport, making this a very popular day trip from Paris.

Must-See Castles in France

Château d'Angers

A Neolithic tomb is the earliest evidence for human occupation of what is today the site of a spectacular medieval fortress. It is the 13th century 17 towers placed at intervals in the 500 metre-long ramparts that catch your attention. During the 14th and 15th centuries the Dukes of Anjou held court here, and built the elaborate castle, gardens and a chapel. A highlight is the 14th century Apocalypse Tapestry, originally 140 m, 100 m of which is on display. Just one in what is the world’s largest collection of medieval tapestries.

Château de Beynac

Said to be the best preserved castle in the Perigord region, Château de Beynac is certainly one of the more picturesque. Hence why it has been used as a location for a number of films, including Luc Besson’s 1999 Jeanne d’Arc. Visitors get an excellent audio guide that follows an interesting route through the various architectural and historical features of the castle, including 15th century frescoes and the crenellated Romanesque terrace. During the 100 Year’s War the castle was on the side of the French.

Château de Montsoreau

Chateau de Montsoreau is one of the earlier castles in the Loire Valley, marking the transition from a strategic military fort to an opulent residence. The existing castle, built in the 1450s, was built on the ruins of an earlier fort and has featured prominently in the arts, from a novel by Alexander Dumas to a watercolour by William Turner. Besides an exhibition on the castle’s history, the castle is a museum of contemporary art, with Philippe Méaille’s collection of conceptual art.

Château Gaillard

A ruined medieval fortress, or château-fort, located high above the town of Le Andelys and overlooking the Seine River. The castle was built for Richard the Lionheart, who was then both King of England and the feudal Duke of Normandy. Construction began in 1196 and was completed within two years. Advanced features common in many later castles were used here. Gaillard, for example, has one of the earliest uses concentric fortifications and one of the first uses of machicolations in the defensive walls

Must-See Medieval Walled Towns & Cities in France

Aigues-Mortes

This part of the swampy Camargue has been exploited for the salt since Neolithic times. Charlemagne was the first to have a tower erected, in 791 AD to help the fishermen and salt workers. Later in the 13th century Louis IX developed the town’s defences so that France was not dependent on Italy for her involvement in the Crusades. Twice, for the 7th and 8th Crusades, Louis IX left for the Levant from here. But it was not until the very beginning of the 14th century, after some 30 years after Louis’s death that the walls completely encircled the city.

Mont Saint-Michel

Mont Saint Michel is one of the most popular attractions outside of Paris. Many think it is a castle. Mont Saint Michel is not a castle. Rather, it is tidal island on which one of the most spectacular medieval abbeys was built on a conical rock, hence why is its called <em>La Merveille</em> (the wonder). A village developed around the abbey and as the island has immense strategic importance it was heavily fortified in the 14th century against attack from the English during the 100 Years War. The substantial ramparts held off English assaults.