68 Notable Architectures to Explore in France

Château d'If is a famous castle in southern France. It was built by Francis I in 1524, the castle was used for several centuries as a state prison. The island is uninhabited except of the fortress.

One of the most surprising castles in the Loire valley. originally built as a stronghold in the Middle Ages but developed over time to become a jewel of French architecture. The current chateau was constructed in the 15th and 16th centuries and later modified in the 17th century to give the elegant castle which is now the home of the Duke of Blacas and his family who lovingly preside over this enchanting place. It was classified as a monument historique in 1931 by the French Ministry of Culture.

A beautiful castle that was built in the late 15th century but this has given way to the current structure which was built by Jean du Thiers secretary of state to King Henry II. The castle is renowned for its Gallery of portraits decorated in the 17th century with 327 portraits of famous people. The castle was surrounded by a beautiful garden and is a nice place to spend some nice time and also it is an example of a FIne architecture.

An elegant, 18th-century Italian-style residence is reminiscent of the Petit Trianon at the Palace of Versailles. It was located in the village of Bouges-le-Château in the heart of the Berry. The 80-hectare garden, lake, and cutting flower garden increase the beautify of this \chetau. The castle is listed in monument historique and the gardens are listed by the Ministry of Culture as among the Notable Gardens of France. The château and gardens are open to the public.

Classified as a historical monument and located in Bréz in France, the "Château de Brézé" is a beautiful castle built between the 16th and 19th centuries. The galleries running under the castle are especially unique, creating a true underground fortress that can be visited. This collection of troglodytes is home to wine cellars, wine presses, a restaurant, a silkworm farm, etc.

Home of Duke of Brissac, Château de Brissac is the tallest castle located in historic valley Loire, France. The original castle was built in the 11th century. The Duke of Brissac later took ownership of the original medieval castle and decided to demolish the building and replace it with a new castle in the 15th century. The chateau is also open for visits and the annual Val de Loire festival is celebrated in its lavish gilded theatre.

A Majestic fortress which was built around the year 1000 to keep watch over the border between the counties of Blois and Anjou. It was owned by the Amboise family for a good 500 years. It was one of France's largest, most impressive historical sites. Located in the center of the Loire Valley, home to several medieval castles and it is famous for its architecture too. One of the most t visited locations in this area and is protected as a Monument Historique since 1840, the château was given into

The castle of La Bussière is a French castle located in the commune of La Bussière and the department of Loiret in the Center-Val de Loire region. Its main buildings were constructed between the end of the xvi th and beginning of the xvii th century under the Tillet. It has been open to the public since 1962 and houses an important collection of objects on freshwater fishing.

The Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers is a castle located in the town of Trois-Moutiers in the north of the Vienne department, in the Nouvelle-Aquitaine region. the castle was rebuilt in the 1870s in the Gothic Revival style. The surroundings are also arranged so that the building is surrounded by water, as at the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau. One of the nice location which attracts a lot of tourists.

The Château de la Napoule is a restored castle and a historical landmark located in Mandelieu-la-Napoule. The castle was built by the Countess of Villeneuve in the fourteenth century. Over the centuries it was rebuilt several times. The present structure was built by American artist Henry Clews in 1919.

A beautiful medieval castle which was constructed in the 9th century. Built some 500 meters above the Indre River. Designed and occupied by Henry II of England and his son, Richard the Lionheart during the 12th century. The building is an example of the military architecture of the Norman period. One of the main examples of French architecture and is also one of the nice tourist locations in this area. In 1985 it was converted into a museum, and has one of the most extensive collections of med

Château de Maintenon is better known as the residence of Madame de Maintenon, Louis XIV's wife. There are a beautiful garden and an aqueduct and also there is a small church, Saint-Nicolas. The castle has been classified as a Monument Historique since 1944 by the French Ministry of Culture. One of the nice examples of the French architecture and also a nice place to hang out.

A majestic episcopal palace and a former castle located in the commune of Meung-sur-Loire, France which has been listed in the monument historique in 1988. It was built and destroyed several times. The oldest still existing parts date from the 12th century and were built by Manassès de Seignelay. It was built in the Neoclassical style, with sculpture by Delaistre.

The château de Montsoreau is s a Renaissance-style castle and a museum entirely dedicated to contemporary art.It located in the Loire valley, a UNESCO world heritage site.Numerous activities are coordinated during the year by the Art museum which includes temporary exhibits, conferences, and symposiums.

Château de Saumur is a castle-palace situated in the Saumur town of France. It was the princely palace of the Dukes of Anjou in the 14th and 15th centuries and the residence of King René. There are collections of decorative and fine arts are displayed in halls located on the first floor of the castle.

A beautiful chateau which was located in the commune of Selles-sur-Cher which was privately owned and is a designated historical monument of France. Here you can enjoy the historical heritage and wine tradition of France and there is a 2-hectare park located surrounding this Chateau. It was now a tourist attraction and you can find out the architectural intelligence of France from here.

Château de Serrant is well known for its architectural beauty. The castle is the private residence of the Prince of Merode. Its interior is luxuriously decorated with antiques and paintings.

The château of Talcy, 25 km from Blois, features sharp, pointed rooftops that rise distinctively from the wheat fields of Beauce which was built in the 16th century and is an example of the unique interior completely built with original furniture from the 18th century, along with its conservatory orchard. This is a place which is most loved by poets and it is now a national public institution, opens to public.

The Château was built by Jean le Breton was the Lord of Villandry and of Villesavin, on the position of an old manor house. The Château was built by the same French and Italian master builders and workmen who built the great Royal Palaces and it has remained for four centuries, almost perfectly untouched. The interior of the manor contains refined furnishings and has a collection of tin objects. The castle also hosts several museums, including a wedding museum presenting an exceptionally rich co

The Château des ducs de Bretagne is a large castle that was the residence of the Dukes of Brittany between the thirteenth and sixteenth centuries. The castle now contains the new Museum of Nantes History, located in 32 of the rooms of the palace. More than 850 items from the collections are exhibited here with the help of multimedia systems.