{"id":10960,"date":"2021-11-21T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2021-11-21T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.eurotriptips.com\/?p=10960"},"modified":"2023-01-30T22:01:01","modified_gmt":"2023-01-31T03:01:01","slug":"best-castles-in-france","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/best-castles-in-france\/","title":{"rendered":"7 French castles to make you feel like royalty"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>After living in France for several years, it\u2019s fair to say I\u2019ve had my fair share of ch\u00e2teaux. From the lavish properties of the Loire Valley to the ruins of the French Riviera, and pretty much everything in between, France doesn\u2019t disappoint in terms of castles. The fact that there are so many \u2013 <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/List_of_castles_in_France\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">over 45 000!<\/a> \u2013 can be somewhat challenging when planning a trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Where to start?<br>Which ones are worth it?<br>Which one will make you want to dress up and hold court?<\/p>\n\n\n<style>#kt-layout-id_32b1e7-da > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(#kt-layout-id_32b1e7-da > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}#kt-layout-id_32b1e7-da > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var( --global-kb-row-default-top, 25px );padding-bottom:var( --global-kb-row-default-bottom, 25px );padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}#kt-layout-id_32b1e7-da > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){#kt-layout-id_32b1e7-da > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){#kt-layout-id_32b1e7-da > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-rowlayout alignnone\"><div id=\"kt-layout-id_32b1e7-da\" class=\"kt-row-layout-inner kt-row-has-bg kt-layout-id_32b1e7-da has-theme-palette-8-background-color\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-gutter-default kt-v-gutter-default kt-row-valign-top kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-m-colapse-left-to-right kt-mobile-layout-row\"><style>.kadence-column_acad7c-ae > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_acad7c-ae > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_acad7c-ae > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_acad7c-ae > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_acad7c-ae > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_acad7c-ae > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_acad7c-ae > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_acad7c-ae{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_acad7c-ae > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_acad7c-ae > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-1 kadence-column_acad7c-ae\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h6 class=\"has-text-align-right wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.4\"><br>+<br>france travel tips<\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column_2bfc70-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_2bfc70-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_2bfc70-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_2bfc70-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_2bfc70-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_2bfc70-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_2bfc70-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_2bfc70-4b{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_2bfc70-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_2bfc70-4b > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-2 kadence-column_2bfc70-4b\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/alsace-roadtrip-itinerary\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Alsace road trip: a 7-day itinerary full of castles, villages and wine<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord, Loire Valley<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6.jpg\" alt=\"best castles in france\" class=\"wp-image-21670\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6-875x583.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/06\/Loire-Valley-Castles-6-800x533.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The biggest, most magnificent one of all! <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chambord.org\/en\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chambord<\/a> is not just another staple of the Loire Valley \u2013 <i>la cr\u00e8me de la cr\u00e8me<\/i>. Its double-circular stairway was designed by Da Vinci himself, and the terraces on the uniquely ornate roof are worth the trip alone, especially for the views over the massive domain &#8211; which is technically bigger than all of Paris.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ch\u00e2teau d\u2019If, French Riviera<\/h2>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/11\/Chateau-If-France-castles.jpeg\" alt=\"Chateau If - France castles\" class=\"wp-image-27356\" width=\"800\" height=\"520\"\/><figcaption class=\"wp-element-caption\">Courtesy of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.myprovence.fr\/ca-s-agite-dans-le-local\/sous-toutes-les-coutumes\/reportage\/bouches-du-rhone\/le-chateau-dif-entre-mythe-et-realite\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">MyProvence<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.marseilletourisme.fr\/en\/places-see\/heritage-culture\/monuments\/chateau-if\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The castle<\/a> itself isn\u2019t anything special when compared to other lavish ones within the country. But the fact that it\u2019s on a tiny island out in the sea \u2013 hello, cruise on the Mediterranean! &#8211;\u00a0 and consequently the amazing views it offers of Marseilles and the harbour is simply too divine to overlook. It\u2019s also where Alexandre Dumas got his inspiration for \u201cThe Count of Monte Cristo\u201d. Rumour has it that\u2019s also where the Man in the Iron Mask was detained, although reports on this topic vary greatly.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Palais de Versailles, Paris<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"583\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Versailles-Palace-day-trips-from-Paris-875x583.jpg\" alt=\"Versailles Palace - day trips from Paris\" class=\"wp-image-26214\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Versailles-Palace-day-trips-from-Paris-875x583.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Versailles-Palace-day-trips-from-Paris-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Versailles-Palace-day-trips-from-Paris-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Versailles-Palace-day-trips-from-Paris-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Versailles-Palace-day-trips-from-Paris-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Versailles-Palace-day-trips-from-Paris.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 875px) 100vw, 875px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>That\u2019s a given. Say hello to the ghosts of Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI, and admire the decadent architectural details that made Versailles so famous and one of the best castles in France. While it would undoubtedly be even more enjoyable without the massive and suffocating crowds, a visit to <a href=\"https:\/\/en.chateauversailles.fr\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Versailles<\/a> is simply not optional, and definitely, the kind of place that must be seen once in a lifetime.<\/p>\n\n\n<style>#kt-layout-id_f1a4cd-17 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(#kt-layout-id_f1a4cd-17 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}#kt-layout-id_f1a4cd-17 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var( --global-kb-row-default-top, 25px );padding-bottom:var( --global-kb-row-default-bottom, 25px );padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}#kt-layout-id_f1a4cd-17 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){#kt-layout-id_f1a4cd-17 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){#kt-layout-id_f1a4cd-17 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-rowlayout alignnone\"><div id=\"kt-layout-id_f1a4cd-17\" class=\"kt-row-layout-inner kt-row-has-bg kt-layout-id_f1a4cd-17 has-theme-palette-8-background-color\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-gutter-default kt-v-gutter-default kt-row-valign-top kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-m-colapse-left-to-right kt-mobile-layout-row\"><style>.kadence-column_386ee3-88 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_386ee3-88 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_386ee3-88 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_386ee3-88 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_386ee3-88 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_386ee3-88 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_386ee3-88 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_386ee3-88{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_386ee3-88 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_386ee3-88 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-1 kadence-column_386ee3-88\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h6 class=\"has-text-align-right wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.4\"><br>+<br>france travel tips<\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column_f27452-07 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_f27452-07 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_f27452-07 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_f27452-07 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_f27452-07 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_f27452-07 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_f27452-07 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_f27452-07{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_f27452-07 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_f27452-07 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-2 kadence-column_f27452-07\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/day-trips-from-paris\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">7 day trips from Paris you should consider for your next trip<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ch\u00e2teau d\u2019Azay-Le-Rideau, Loire Valley<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Loire-valley-castles-875x656.jpg\" alt=\"Azay-le-Rideau Loire valley castles\" class=\"wp-image-26183\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Loire-valley-castles-875x656.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Loire-valley-castles-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Loire-valley-castles-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Loire-valley-castles-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Azay-le-Rideau-Loire-valley-castles.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 875px) 100vw, 875px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Touring the castles of France and not stopping in the Loire Valley would be like going to New York City and not have a cosmopolitan \u2013 unthinkable, and regrettable. The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.loirevalley-france.co.uk\/\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Loire Valley<\/a> has the highest concentration of Renaissance castles in the world, and is a hugely popular tourist attraction in France, with reason. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.loirevalley-france.co.uk\/loire-valley-chateaux\/chateau-azay-le-rideau\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Azay-le-Rideau<\/a> is mostly famous for its perfect reflection on its surrounding lake, hence why it is nicknamed The Enchanted Castle.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ch\u00e2teau de Chenonceau, Loire Valley<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"875\" height=\"656\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Chenonceau-Castle-Loire-Valley-Castles-875x656.jpg\" alt=\"Chenonceau Castle - Loire Valley Castles\" class=\"wp-image-26282\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Chenonceau-Castle-Loire-Valley-Castles-875x656.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Chenonceau-Castle-Loire-Valley-Castles-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Chenonceau-Castle-Loire-Valley-Castles-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Chenonceau-Castle-Loire-Valley-Castles-1536x1152.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/01\/Chenonceau-Castle-Loire-Valley-Castles.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 875px) 100vw, 875px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>The small, romantic and feminine castle of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.chenonceau.com\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Chenonceau<\/a> is often cited as a favourite amongst both locals and travellers. It does not disappoint! The presence of its then inhabitants is still palpable today throughout the different rooms \u2013 did you know its long halls were transformed into an infirmary during World War II?<\/p>\n\n\n<style>#kt-layout-id_22f392-98 > .kt-row-column-wrap{align-content:start;}:where(#kt-layout-id_22f392-98 > .kt-row-column-wrap) > .wp-block-kadence-column{justify-content:start;}#kt-layout-id_22f392-98 > .kt-row-column-wrap{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);row-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-md, 2rem);padding-top:var( --global-kb-row-default-top, 25px );padding-bottom:var( --global-kb-row-default-bottom, 25px );padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}#kt-layout-id_22f392-98 > .kt-row-layout-overlay{opacity:0.30;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){#kt-layout-id_22f392-98 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr) minmax(0, 2fr);}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){#kt-layout-id_22f392-98 > .kt-row-column-wrap{grid-template-columns:minmax(0, 1fr);}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-rowlayout alignnone\"><div id=\"kt-layout-id_22f392-98\" class=\"kt-row-layout-inner kt-row-has-bg kt-layout-id_22f392-98 has-theme-palette-8-background-color\"><div class=\"kt-row-column-wrap kt-has-2-columns kt-gutter-default kt-v-gutter-default kt-row-valign-top kt-row-layout-right-golden kt-tab-layout-inherit kt-m-colapse-left-to-right kt-mobile-layout-row\"><style>.kadence-column_23e6d1-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_23e6d1-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_23e6d1-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_23e6d1-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_23e6d1-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_23e6d1-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_23e6d1-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_23e6d1-58{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_23e6d1-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_23e6d1-58 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-1 kadence-column_23e6d1-58\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h6 class=\"has-text-align-right wp-block-heading\" style=\"font-size:16px;line-height:1.4\"><br>+<br>france travel tips<\/h6>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n<style>.kadence-column_939203-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{border-top-width:0px;border-right-width:0px;border-bottom-width:0px;border-left-width:0px;}.kadence-column_939203-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col,.kadence-column_939203-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{border-top-left-radius:0px;border-top-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-right-radius:0px;border-bottom-left-radius:0px;}.kadence-column_939203-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{column-gap:var(--global-kb-gap-sm, 1rem);}.kadence-column_939203-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}.kadence-column_939203-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col > .aligncenter{width:100%;}.kadence-column_939203-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col:before{opacity:0.3;}.kadence-column_939203-c6{position:relative;}@media all and (max-width: 1024px){.kadence-column_939203-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}@media all and (max-width: 767px){.kadence-column_939203-c6 > .kt-inside-inner-col{flex-direction:column;}}<\/style>\n<div class=\"wp-block-kadence-column inner-column-2 kadence-column_939203-c6\"><div class=\"kt-inside-inner-col\">\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/loire-valley-castles\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">The Loire valley castles \u2013 where to go &amp; what you should know<\/a><\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Cit\u00e9 de Carcassonne, Languedoc<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"800\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-2.jpg\" alt=\"best castles in france\" class=\"wp-image-21678\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-2.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-2-450x300.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-2-875x583.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-2-180x120.jpg 180w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-2-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-2-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-2-800x533.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p>Truly one of the best castles in France! While largely reconstructed, the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.tourisme-carcassonne.fr\/en\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Cit\u00e9 de Carcassonne<\/a> is a grandiose set of fortifications of over 3 kilometres of walls and 52 towers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The foundations go all the way back to the 5<sup>th<\/sup> century Visigoth. Its full glory wasn\u2019t reached until the crusades of the early 13<sup>th<\/sup> century\u00a0when Carcassone became a border town from the kingdom of Aragon in Spain. Few castles in the world can boast having such allure and atmosphere!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Ch\u00e2teau de Menton-Saint-Bernard, Savoie<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1200\" height=\"900\" src=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-3.jpg\" alt=\"best castles in france\" class=\"wp-image-21677\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-3.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-3-400x300.jpg 400w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-3-875x656.jpg 875w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-3-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-3-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-3-450x338.jpg 450w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-3-1067x800.jpg 1067w, https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/11\/best-castles-in-france-3-800x600.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1200px) 100vw, 1200px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chateau-de-menthon.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Eastern France\u2019s most beautiful castle<\/a>\u00a0makes for an ideal day trip from bustling Lyon\u00a0and is well worth the detour.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Standing on a 200-metre\u00a0tall rock, the 13th-century castle looms over the turquoise and pristine waters Lake Annecy. It offers an unobstructed panorama of the beautiful Roc de Ch\u00e8re mountain range. The steep climb up to the castle will make up for the cheese-fondue induced calories.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>After living in France for several years, it\u2019s fair to say I\u2019ve had my fair share of ch\u00e2teaux. From the&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":21678,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[23],"class_list":["post-10960","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-france","tag-france"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>7 most beautiful castles in France | To Europe and Beyond<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A handful of the most interesting castles in France, from the lavish 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is a native Montrealer trying to balance a deep love for her hometown and an unquenchable thirst for travel and discovery. She has been to more than 36 countries, lived abroad in both France and the U.K., and is always on the lookout for authentic experiences wherever she travels -- especially if it involves wine.","sameAs":["http:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com","https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/ToEuropeAndBeyond","https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/mevallieres\/","https:\/\/www.pinterest.ca\/marievallieres\/boards\/"]}]}},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10960","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=10960"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/10960\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/21678"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=10960"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=10960"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.toeuropeandbeyond.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=10960"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}