Fortifications, Castles & Palaces in France

Castles & Palaces in & Near Paris

Châteaux of the Loire Valley

Cathar Castles

Castles of the Neustria Marches
Explore Fortifications, Castles & Palaces in France by Region
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.

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.

