There are many impressive castles in France to visit! It’s difficult to visit the country without stopping to seeing at least one of them.
Castles have an undeniably attractive, yet peculiar charm that most people find hard to resist. They seem like a gateway to the long-forgotten ancient times and allow coming to know their secrets. If you are interested in taking a journey back in time, you can plan a trip to the south of France, as this is the place where you can see some of the most excellent examples of medieval architecture of this type.
One of the top places to visit is Palais des Papes (Palace of the Popes) in Avignon. It is a remarkable Gothic building, which will immediately grab your attention with its impressive size and imposing architecture. You can spend several hours wandering around the many premises in this vast complex and use the opportunity to learn many interesting facts about France’s history and the papacy in particular.
Chateau Tarascon is beautifully located on the banks of the River Rhone and therefore offers some delightful views over both the river and the village. Please keep in mind that there are a lot of stairs to climb in the castle, which might not be suitable for older adults or small children. The castle’s rooms are not richly furnished, but still, the place deserves a visit due to its unique atmosphere and splendid views.
One of the most spectacular and impressive places that you can visit in the south of France is Chateau Peyrepertuse. Do not expect anything lavish, as the castle is a ruin, but this is precisely the main reason to visit it. You will need to walk a steep path from the car park beneath the site to get to it (the castle is situated on the top of a limestone ridge in the French Pyrénées), but the view from high above is definitely worth the effort. The eerie yet romantic look of the castle will easily make you feel as if you have gone several hundred years back.
If you want to visit one of the last fortified castles built before their era began to fade away, organize a trip to Chateau Bonaguil, situated near the town of Fumel. Some parts of the castle are in ruins, but it can be considered to be well preserved. It is recommended to visit it at the end of July when a spectacular fireworks show takes place.
While you are in the Dordogne area, you can also take a trip to Chateau de Castelnaud. It has been actively restored in recent years and remains one of the well-maintained castles in France. One of its best features is the museum of medieval warfare, where you can see excellent examples of weaponry such as siege engines and trebuchets. Close to this castle is another excellently preserved one - Château de Beynac, which is impressively situated on the top of a limestone cliff. As you can easily guess, the views over the Dordogne valley and river are delightful, but it is also recommended to explore the dungeons on the lower level.
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