The initial construction of the Brest Fortress/Castle started in the 3rd century.It is still one of the biggest fortresses in France, it’s still used by the French Navy and it’s the National Navy Museum… it’s definitely worth a visit.

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).

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.

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 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.

Chateau Palmer, named after a British owner, is another one of the famous Margaux wines. The castle can be visited.

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.

The Saint-Clair Castle at Les Sables-d’Olonne is small but does its job; protecting the harbour entrance. Now it’s a museum.

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 Bretteville Castle at Bretteville-Saint-Laurent in Normandy, France is a little jewel and it can be visited.

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.

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 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 […]

In a small town in Upper Normandy called Ermenouville you will find this quite spectacular castle. Ermenouville is a very small village, just some 150 inhabitants, but still they have this very beautiful castle dating back to the 17th century. The gardens of the castle are well known and respected. They have the largest collection […]

Although this castle can not be visited on the inside, you can walk in the gardens and look around the castle on the outside. The castle is located close to one of Dinard‘s beaches. The city had ordered the chateau to be built for the Royal couple, Napoleon III and his beautiful wife, Eugenie. They […]

Bayonne, located in the South West of France, is particularly known for its ham and its chocolates (and its rugby club). Apart from that, the city is a medieval city that has been reasonably well conserved over the centuries. The inner part of the city centre is old but well maintained. Bayonne is divided by […]

If ever there was a castle that merits a detour to view, it’s this one. The Suscinio castle is a fortress, including a real moat, built for the Duke of Brittany in the 13th century.   The castle was built as a hunting lodge for the Duke who was a passionate hunter. The castle, including […]

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 can see it from all angles, and up […]

Driving around the Brittany coastline you might just see some signs for the Guildo Castle. You’ll need to take a few country roads to get there, but once there you’ll see something pretty amazing. Located some 500 meters from the town and bridge are the ruins of a fortress/castle. The first castle was built here […]

In the beach town of Concarneau, alongside the city centre and harbors, you will find this amazing fortress. It was voted as the favorite place in Brittany by the Bretons. On the outskirts of Concarneau are several spas and thalasso hotels, but if you keep driving away from these hotels alongside the coastline, you’ll head […]

In the peaceful and quiet village of Gueures in Normandy, you will find a splendid castle located alongside the Saane river. Built around the 18th century on the grounds of a previous fortress, the chateau now is in private hands. And yes, you do see a large windmill in the background of the castle, but […]

Deep in the rich and wealthy city of Sainte-Adresse, next to the city of Le Havre, there are a few luxurious “villas” from yesteryear. Many of these mansions date back to the days that wealthy people came here for their holidays, people like the famous impressionist painter Claude Monet and the then famous French actress, […]

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 to the city of Lisieux in 1957. It is now a museum and a landscaped garden. […]