Margaux-Cantenac – Chateau Palmer
Chateau Palmer, named after a British owner, is another one of the famous Margaux wines. The castle can be visited.
Castles
Some of the many castles (chateau) that are to be seen in France, though many are private.
Marseille – Chateau d’If
The Chateau d’If, a French equivalent of Alcatraz, is a prison island close to Marseilles and the setting of the famous book The Count of Monte Cristo. A visit to marseilles is never complete without a visit to this island.
Marseille – Introduction
Marseille is France’s 2nd largest city in population (over 800,000 inhabitants in the city), and France’s biggest harbour. It is also one of the oldest dwellings in France, with cave painting found dating back 30,000 years BC. It doesn’t get any older than that. NOTE: Below you’ll find an impression of Marseille, but it’s far …
Mont Saint-Michel – Introduction
The Mont St. Michel is France’s second most visited monument, second only after the Eiffel Tower in Paris. With over 3 million visitors each year, it is no wonder United Nation’s UNESCO put it on their World Heritage Sites. And there are several good reasons for this. Mont St. Michel has not been changed over …
Mont Saint-Michel – Tips
Transport Getting There By car, the A84/E3 motorway (autoroute) comes about 10 kilometres away and it’s well sign posted. TIP: If you reserve a hotel (or restaurant) make sure you get the access code for the barriers into the area. If not you will be forced to park in the parking areas (paid) and walk …
Montbard Castle
Built: 10th centuryStatus: PublicVisitable?: Yes (grounds for free, the castle including a tour guide for a fee)Notable: –Web: – Montbard is a small city of some 5500 inhabitants, a river and a big canal flowing through it and an incredible abbey close-by. It also has a castle perched high on the hill overlooking the city. The small …
Montlucon – Introduction
Montlucon is located almost at the exact centre of France. It has traditionally been associated to the royal Bourbon family. The city itself, dominated by the Bourbon family castle is very medieval looking & feeling with many narrow streets and old buildings. The core part of the city, the centre, is for pedestrians only; no …
Montlucon Castle – Dukes of Bourbon Castle
Built: 1070Status: MuseumVisitable?: YesNotable: Unrestricted view over the city of MontluconWeb: – In the city of Montlucon in Auvergne lies an imposing fortress with a beautiful chateau on top. The fortress and chateau belonged to the Dukes of Bourbon, a noble family that would later become King of France (and later on Spain). Perched high on …
Nantes – Introduction
Nantes is France’s 6th largest city with some 300,000 inhabitants and 950,000 in the metropolitan area, and it was once the capital of Brittany (that was in the 15th century). Although over the centuries it was part of the Brittany region, nowadays it is no longer considered as such, much to the displeasure of its …
Nantes – The Castle
The Duke of Brittany’s castle is located in Nantes and can be visited, partially for free, partially wby paying a fee.
Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile – Chateau de Noirmoutier
The Chateau de Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile, on the Noirmoutier island, is quite amazing for such a small village. Today, it’s a museum
Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile – Introduction
Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile is a small village on the island of Noirmoutier in the region of “Pays de la Loire”. Located below Brittany the island is a popular summer holiday destination for the French. The village, with its 4800 inhabitants, lies on the Northern part of the Noirmoutier island. The island itself is located in the Atlantic …
Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile – Tips
Noirmoutier-en-l’Ile is a popular summer holiday destination for the French. The island is littered with salt marshes and bird sanctuaries. A massive castle can be found in the village centre. Here’s how to get there, what to see and where to sleep/eat.
Oherville Castle – Auffay Manor
Built: 15th centuryStatus: PrivateVisitable?: SometimesNotable: At times, in the attic, there’s a children theatreWeb: – The Renaissance-style Manor of Auffay is located in the small village of Oherville (Upper Normandy), on top of the Durdent valley. Built in the 15th century and updated regularly with new additions, the Manor is currently in private hands. There is …
Paluel Castle – Chateau de Janville
The beautiful Janville castle in Paluel, Normandy is located right next to a WWII R&R camp and airport (and a kilometer away from a nuclear reactor).
Perros-Guirec – Introduction
Although Perros-Guirec is a real beachside resort, many people go there for the incredible and wild nature hikes alongside the picturesque seaside (English Channel). The town is cute but not exactly tourist worthy; you don’t go there to visit the town itself. The earliest recording in history of the town can be found in the …
Pleumeur-Bodou Castle – Chateau de Kerduel
Built: 12th centuryStatus: PrivateVisitable?: Sometimes, usually only the gardensNotable: –Web: – The castle located close to the city of Lannion in Brittany, the Chateau de Kerduel, is in the Pleumeur-Bodou area. The oldest part of the castle was built in the 12th century. Legend has it that King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table …
Plevenon Castle – Fort-La-Latte Fortress
Built: 1340Status: MuseumVisitable?: YesNotable: Used in many moviesWeb: Fort La Latte If the Fort-La-Latte castle looks familiar, it is. This fortress has been used in many historical movies (like The Vikings with Kirk Douglas). The Fort was built to protect the Brittany (Bretagne) coastline, including St. Malo and Dinard. The fortress is located on a …
Ploubezre Castle – Chateau Kergrist
Built: 1400Status: PrivateVisitable?: Yes, castle and gardensNotable: –Web: Chateau Kergrist Sometimes taking a wrong turn on the country roads brings you deep inland, and to some very surprising scenery. One of them, after having taken a wrong turn in Brittany was this amazing castle; the Chateau Kergrist. Hidden away from big roads, this is a …
Pornic – Castle
Built: 12th centuryStatus: PrivateVisitable?: Yes (sometimes)Notable: –Web: – The castle at the seatown of Pornic in Pays de Loire is the most visible item in the scenic landscape. It dominates the town. The castle is located partially on the sea promenade, partially on the public beach. So although the castle is in private hands, you …
Port-Louis – Citadel/Fortress
The Port-Louis Citadel/Fortress in Brittany is in a very good state, and is now a museum. Built by the Spaniards and improved by the French (and Germans during WWII), it’s quite a spectacle.
Reignac sur Indre Castle – Chateau de Reignac
Built: 15th centuryStatus: WineryVisitable?: Yes, as a guestNotable: The castle is a modified fortress, now a luxury hotel (this is no longer a hotel but a winery). The castle used to belong to the Marquis la Fayette (the French general who helped the USA gain its independence from the UK)Web: Chateau de Reignac This absolutely beautiful …
Saint-Aubin-sur-Mer Castle
Built: 17th centuryStatus: PrivateVisitable?: NoNotable: –Web: – Located in a small beach town resort between Veules-les-Roses and Dieppe, slightly away from the coast, you will see this beautiful castle alongside the winding road. You can’t miss it if ever you are driving along that part of the Normandy coast. The castle is totally private and can …
Saint-Germain-de-Livet Castle
Built: 15th centuryStatus: Public/MuseumVisitable?: Yes (1st Sunday of the month is free)Notable: xxxxWeb: Chateau de Saint-Germain-de-Livet In a small 800 person village close to Lisieux is a castle that looks like a fairytale castle, the kind kids would draw. The village is called Saint-Germain-de -Livet, and the castle dates back to the 15th century. The castle was donated …