Some of the many castles (chateau) that are to be seen in France, though many are private.
Built: 19th centuryStatus: Hotel/RestaurantVisitable?: Yes, as a customerNotable: Overlooks the beach resort town of Etretat, each room is unique. The restaurant is a 1 Star Michelin rated restaurant.Web: Le Donjon The name is ominous for a hotel, since that is what the castle is. The Donjon means “the dungeon”. Located in the most popular tourist …
Etretat Castle – Domaine St. Clair Donjon Castle and Villa Read More »
The Balleure Castle lies deep in the Burgundy wine region, and there’s a good reason for it.
The hotel/restaurant is owned by one of world’s most recognised wine taste/specialists. The castle has several comfortable and cozy rooms, and the wine menu is to die for. The area is beautiful and very quiet.
Fecamp is a small city that relied on its long distance fishing fleet. It is all the home of the famous Benedictine liqueur.
The castle ruins in Fecamp show that once upon a time, the castle was very impressive.
The benedictine liqueur is famous all over the world, and it’s made here in Fecamp in this incredible palace, which is also a museum.
Built: 1599 centuryStatus: PrivateVisitable?: YesNotable: WWII German V1 Launch padsWeb: – The Filieres Castle, to be found close to the Gommerville village (in Upper Normandy), is very interesting to see. Built in 1599 the Henri IV style castle itself is quite big and the gardens are equally interesting (and not just for the plants and …
The castle of Gueures in Upper Normandy lies in a quiet and peaceful village close to the sea. It’s in private hands, but also is a gite.
Built: unknownStatus: PrivateVisitable?: NoNotable: –Web: – This little gem is located alongside a long and straight country road. After hours of research, I could not find any information about it. So I do not know when it was built and if it’s private (which I’m sure it is). It’s not even in the National Monuments …
Chateau Dauzac in Labarde (Margaux area) is known by specialities as an excellent wine producer. You can visit the castle, cellars and enjoy some of their educational programs (like pairing cheese with wines).
Built: 16th centuryStatus: PrivateVisitable?: Yes, for a fee, gardens and distilleryNotable: Calvados distilleryWeb: Chateau du Breuil Located in the midst of the Calvados region (Normandy) you will find a pretty castle, the Chateau du Breuil, that has been since 1954 a distillery that transforms apples into Calvados (an apple brandy). Located in a 1000 people village, Le …
Le Breuil-en-Auge – Chateau du Breuil and Calvados Distillery Read More »
Le Havre is a city that has been rebuilt completely after WWII with a particular and special style. It’s so unique that it was put on the United Nation UNESCO World Heritage sites.
The Jardins Suspendu, in English the Hanging Gardens is a vast garden on the heights of Le Havre overlooking the city. The whole garden area is built on an old fort. The building of the Fort de St. Adresse started in 1854. Although not directly involved during the First World War (it eventually became a camp …
Built: 1886Status: PrivateVisitable?: NoNotable: The castle is modelled on the Arco de Santa Maria castle in Spain, it survived WWII bombingsWeb: – Despite the heavy bombings during WWII, Le Havre still has one of its beautiful castles mostly intact; the Gadelles castle. The “Chateau des Gadelles” is also known as “Porte de Burgos” after the 14th …
Built: 1890Status: PrivateVisitable?: NoNotable: Visible from the beachWeb: – The Le Havre Villa Maritime has a colourful past. Built in 1890 for a wealthy woman, the Villa was sold and taken over several times. The Villa is located alongside the Le Havre Beach, accessible by the beach road and above. During World War II, the …
The name Le Mans is famous amongst motorheads, petrolheads and adrenaline junkies the world over: home of the famous 24 Hours of Le Mans cars (and motorcycles) race. But Le Mans is much more than a mythical car race. It’s a very old city with its history dating back to 50 BC when the Romans took over …
Chateau de Frefosse in Tilleul, Normandy (right next to Etretat) is one of my favourite castles. It’s almost a palace.
Les-Sables-d’Olonne is a nice coastal town in the Atlantic, but it’s mostly known as departure and arrival point of the grueling single handed round-the-world sail race without any stops, the Vendee Globe.
The Saint-Clair Castle at Les Sables-d’Olonne is small but does its job; protecting the harbour entrance. Now it’s a museum.
Built: 17th centuryStatus: PrivateVisitable?: NoNotable: Built in the 17th century, buy extensively modified in the 19th centuryWeb: – The castle in the very small village of Malleville-les-Gres in Upper Normandy is in private hands and can not be visited. The castle itself was built in the 17th century, though most of the updates and modifications were …
Chateau Cantenac Brown at Margaux-Cantenac is not only a beautiful castle, but also a top class wine producer.
Chateau Desmirail in Margaux-Cantenac is one of those important and recognised wines from the Bordeaux area. The castle and winery can be visited when you reserve well in advance.
The Chateau Durfort-Vivens is not much as a castle, but as wines go, it’s top class. It’s part of the margaux area of topclass wines.
Chateau Margaux is not only a beautiful castle that can be visited, it is also one of the most famous and prestigious wines in the world. You can visit it, and even taste their wines.
Chateau-Marojallia at the Margaux-Cantenac commune in the Bordeaux region is considered a “garage wine” producer. The castle and its cellars can be visited if you book in advance.
