The most beautiful castles and chateaus in France
Tucked between gentle hills, tall mountain ranges and endless sandy beaches are numerous well-maintained castles, fortresses, fairytale-like chateaus and grand estates with manicured gardens. Anyone who wants to feel like a prince or princess is sure to find a regal property in France. Owning a castle gives you an incredible feeling of affluence and luxury. France's most famous chateau, the Palace of Versailles near Paris, is a popular point of interest. Each day, thousands of tourists wait in line in order to admire the lodging of Louis XIV, the Sun King. What some people don't even know: many of the wonderful old chateaus have been painstakingly restored and are up for purchase. The old walls often open up to reveal luxurious palaces that offer a contemporary living ambience. Away from the beaten tourist track, you will come across these rarities. They are often situated somewhat hidden away.
Chateaux of the Loire Valley
The delightful river landscape surrounding the Loire, with its magnificent royal castles, is just as enticing a place for tourists as it is for the locals. Here you can find nature and culture in harmonic coexistence. Over 400 chateau grounds exist in three French regions: Pays de la Loire, Centre-Val de Loire and Burgundy. On a boat trip down the Loire, you can see many an impressive manor house passing by. Romantic little alleys and squares make this river idyll into a little spot of earth in which you're happy to linger. These chateaux are considered particularly well worth visiting:
- Chateau de Chambord
- Chateau d'Amboise
- Chateau de Chenonceau
Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau
Built directly by the water, the Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau is a real feast for the eyes among the picturesque landscape, and is a wonderful example for a building from the early Renaissance. In addition, the chateau stands out thanks to its sumptuous interior and appealing furnishings.
Chateaux in Normandy
Normandy offers an inexhaustible source of old manor houses as well as castle and chateau ruins. A holiday in the Seine valley is a great occasion to visit some of the old ruins. The Chateau Gaillon, as the first edifice constructed during the French Renaissance, is considered particularly well worth a visit. And the Chateau de Bizy, with its extensive garden grounds, is very interesting. You should also check out these castles and chateaux if you are nearby:
- Chateau des Ravalet
- Chateau Ducal
- Chateau of Carrouges
- Chateau Fort de Pirou
Private chateaux - purchasing and renting?
Is it your dream to wake up in a real castle one day? If you are toying with the thought of buying a chateau, you are sure to get lucky quickly in France. People who buy chateaux hail from the USA as well as from Europe. As a guest in a castle hotel or if you can afford to rent one of the stately dream properties, you will find out whether the regal life suits you. Since the furnishing is often very particular here, chateaux are usually handed over together with the furniture. It's all about a harmonious overall image in a chateau.
