179 Iconic Buildings to Explore in France

A beautiful medieval castle which was built in the 13th century and it belongs to the Tournemine family at the heart of the forest in Côtes-d'Armor. Now the castle has been restored by the state and is now open for visitors. There are so many things to see in and around this castle and there is a 3D film to help you understand this fortress' history. It has been classified as a Historic Monument since 1922.

The Château de Biron is a castle in the valley of the Lède in France. Chateau de Biron occupies a strategic position on the borders of Périgord and Agenais not far from the fortified town of Monpazier. Today the castle belongs to the département of the Dordogne and is listed among the Major Sites of Aquitaine and as a Historical Monument. The present château bears additions over the centuries that make it a picturesque ensemble.

A ruined castle in the commune of Lembach. This fortress, built in the shape of a 52 m long boat, has a long history. The castle was built on a sandstone summit in the Middle Ages. An ingenious system for collecting rainwater fed a cistern and a hoist allowed water and other loads to be moved to the upper floors. It was built in the first half or mid-12th century by the Fleckenstein family, who were ministerials of the Hohenstaufen dynasty. Now it is one of the main attractions in this area.

The castle of Saint-Brisson is a castle French located in Saint-Brisson-sur-Loire in the department of Loiret in the region Center-Val de Loire. The borders of Berry and the gates of Orleans, overlooking the bank left the main bed of the Loire, dried up at the opening of the side channel to the Loire at the end of xix th century in the neighboring town of St. Firmin-sur-Loire. The Château de Saint-Brisson is the Loire château located furthest upstream on the river.

The Castle of Saint-Fargeau is a monument in the municipality of Saint-Fargeau. It is an attraction for holidaymakers staying in the region.The château was originally a hunting residence in 10th century. The château was designated as a monument historique in 1945 and has been open to the public since.

A majestic castle which was located in Sedan, France. It is a grand fortress of medieval European stock, covering an area of 35,000 m2 in its seven floors. The castle was given by the French Army to the city of Sedan in 1962 and was subjected to a number of restorations. There is also a beautiful museum inside this castle which was dedicated to the Franco-Prussian War and It has rich collections of things that have been used at that time.

The Chateau Azay le Ferron is a typical example of beautiful French rich architecture features a garden à la française and a French landscape garden dating to the 17th century in 123 acres in total. it is owned by the city of Tours and is open to the public. Visitors can take a tour of the 18 furnished rooms featuring sumptuous collections of furniture, tapestry, paintings, and objets d'art.

Le Mans Cathedral is known for its architecture and its rich collection of stained glass and the striking bifurcating flying buttresses. Its construction was completed in the 14th century. The cathedral is dedicated to the first bishop of the town, Saint Julian of Le Mans, who founded Christianity around the beginning of the 4th century in the city.

Château d'Abbadie is a beautiful majestic castle which was located in Hendaye, Pyrénées-Atlantiques. It is a neo-gothic style castle which was one of the famous sites in this area. huge scientific library and observatory, equipped with a unique meridian telescope to study the position of the stars and also this castle holds apartments for d’Abbadie and his wife and a chapel for the noble couple and the farmers of the land.

Château d'Ainay-le-Vieil is a 14th-century castle built on the grounds of an earlier 12th-century castle in Ainay-le-Vieil, France. The castle has been listed as a Monument Historique since 1968 by the French Ministry of Culture. The castle, now part of Jacques Cœur's tourist route, has been nicknamed "the little Carcassonne" because of its circular shape. It is now one of the best-preserved fortresses of the 14th century.

Château d'Ancy-le-Franc is a Renaissance-style château of the 16th century located in the town of Ancy-le-Franc in the department of Yonne, in France. The site was originally occupied by a 12th-century fort, which survived until the end of the sixteenth century. The château is currently owned by a private company, Société Paris Investir SAS, which undertook its restoration, and recognition as a national historical monument.

A majestic castle which was A jewel of French Renaissance architecture built by Philippe l'Orme in 1548. There is a sign of every renowned architects of that time. it underwent considerable and magnificent enlargement in the future and It is now one of the notable architecture in this area. The château is especially noted for its exterior, notably the Fountain of Diana is also the main attraction here.

Château d'Angers is a castle converted into a museum that houses the world's oldest and largest collection of medieval tapestries. This beautiful historical monument is located in the city of Angers. It houses the world-famous collection of Tapestries of the Apocalypse.

A beautiful castle which was built in the Loire valley is one of the loveliest and most visited chateaus of the Loire Valley. It was built on an island in the river Indre. One of the gorgeous building in this area which is surrounded by beautiful gardens and also The interior of the castle is truly wonderful. It is one of the must-visit places in this area.

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.

Built-in the twelfth century, halfway up a wooded hill. The original castle was built by Jean de Saillenay in 1180, on the site of a Roman outpost guarding the road between Autun and the administrative center of Gallia Lugdunensis, now Sens. Today it is private property, and classified as a listed Historic building.

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.

A 12th-century majestic castle which was one of the most authentic and well-conserved in the region. It offers a magnificent view over the valley of five castles. It was built on a plateau with a sheer cliff to one side on the banks of the Dordogne River. Surrounding the chateau is the lovely village of Beynac-et-Cazenac, one of Frances Les plus beaux villages de France or designated Beautiful Villages.

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.