French Castles (Chateaus)

One of the most quintessential things to check off of your list when traveling to France is to visit a chateau. These are stunning manor houses where upper-class or royal families lived, and many are still used today in wine making regions. In fact, Bordeaux has more than 6,000 chateaus within its region! Some of the most famous chateaus in France include the Château de Fougères, with its stone walls and conical towers; the Château de Blois, which perfectly combines Renaissance and Gothic elements; the Château d’Azay-le-Rideau with its beautiful lakeside retreat; and the most famous chateau of all, the Palace of Versailles.

Chateaus can be visited on their own or on a group tour, such as a bus tour, cruise shore excursion, or organized day trip.