Castles of France
map viewFrance's castles range from Loire Valley châteaux to medieval fortresses, and these six show the variety. In the Loire Valley, Chambord is the largest château, and Chenonceau spans the River Cher on its arches. Mont-Saint-Michel crowns a tidal island in Normandy, and the Cité de Carcassonne is a walled medieval city with 52 towers. In Avignon, the Palais des Papes was the seat of the popes in the 14th century, and Vauban's Citadel of Besançon guards a loop of the River Doubs. May–June and September–October are the most pleasant months to visit.
Mont-Saint-Michel, France
It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of France’s most visited tourist destinations.
Château de Chambord, France
It is one of the most famous and impressive castles in France, located in the Loire Valley
Palais des Papes, Avignon, France
Palais des Papes is a historical palace located in Avignon, in the south of France.
Cité de Carcassonne castle, France
It is a medieval fortified city located in the Aude department of southern France, in the region of Occitanie.
Château de Chenonceau castle, France
It is one of the most elegant and renowned castles in France, located in the Loire Valley near the town of Chenonceaux
Citadel of Besançon, France
The Citadel of Besançon is a large fortress built above the old city of Besançon
Castles in France on the map
Numbers match the ranking above. Click a pin to open the place.
Best time to visit castles in France
When sightseeing is most pleasant: comfortable 18–26 °C daytime temperatures and more dry days. Averaged over 6 places.
ERA5 climate data 2015–2024 (Open-Meteo, CC BY 4.0), averaged for 6 places on this page.
Tickets: what it costs to visit castles in France
Adult entrance prices, cheapest first. What the ticket includes and what you can see for free.
| Place | Region | Adult ticket | Ticket includes | Free without a ticket | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Palais des Papes | Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur | €12 | Palace | — | |
| Mont-Saint-Michel | Normandy | from €13 | Abbey | — | |
| Citadel of Besançon | Bourgogne-Franche-Comté | €13.50 | Citadel | — | High season (Apr–Oct) |
| Château de Chenonceau castle | Centre-Val de Loire | €18 | Château | — | |
| Château de Chambord | Centre-Val de Loire | €19 | Château | — | |
| Cité de Carcassonne castle | Occitania | €19 | Castle and ramparts | — |
Prices checked in Settembre 2026. Always check the official website before you go.
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