179 Iconic Buildings to Explore in France

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 15th century beautifully fortified house which was located in the Ploëzal commune. owned and managed by the Council of the department of the Côtes-d'Armor who restored the castle in 1968. It also has a public park and there are so many exhibitions inside the castle and it is also a venue for concerts and other public events.

Château de La Rochepot is a 12th-century feudal castle of neo-Gothic-Burgundian style, rebuilt in the 15th century. In the 19th century, it was completely restored and covered with glazed burgundy tiles. It is located in the commune of La Rochepot in the Côte-d'Or department, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France. The castle was built in 1180 on the ruins of a castle burnt down in the 11th century. It belonged to seigneur de Montagu Alexander of Burgundy. Nowadays, these ruins are located in the nea

One of the beautiful castle which is in the center of a busy street. A powerful building with its drawbridge and its towers with their machicolations. Château of Langeais and its park Rebuilt in the 15th century by Louis XI, the castle of Langeais is one of the oldest Loire Valley chateaux. Its architecture illustrates the transition between two styles. One of the beautifully constructed building and has a lot of historical importance.

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 chateau which was associated with Madame de Pompadour situated on the bank of the Loire at Menars. One of the notable architectures in this area and is renowned for its history. It also has a beautiful garden which surrounds this building and is the main tourist attraction in this area.

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 castle de Monbazillac is a unique and original architectural blend of medieval defensive fortifications and Renaissance exuberance. Set in the heart of the prestigious vineyard of the same name. It is an attractive wooded setting with far-reaching views across the region. The castle contains some finely decorated rooms and apartments.

One of the majestic castle which was located in the Loire Valley which was richly furnished and open for a free narrated visit. The Veneur museum has 25 rooms dedicated to art, hunting, and horses, and a newly restored kitchen and also a forest walk with its interactive terminals allow visitors to discover the fauna and flora of our woodlands are the main features of this area. Originally a medieval fortress, the castle was altered by the lords of Prie and Buzançais. The postern was constructed

The Château de Montrésor is a beautiful medieval castle with a Renaissance mansion built in the grounds which was located in the French village of Montrésor. They had a fine residence built within the fortress walls and also founded the collegiate church. It became a charming peacetime residence surrounded by the original feudal defense system. The park of the Château de Montrésor and let yourself be charmed by the softness and beauty of this place overlooking the valley of the Indrois.

The Château de Montségur is probably the best known of all Cathar Castles. It is famous as the last Cathar stronghold, which fell after a 10-month siege in 1244. A field below the hilltop castle is reputed to be the site where over 200 Cathars were burned alive, having refused to renounce their faith. The present ruin is open to the public, as is a museum in the nearby modern village of Montségur. There is an entrance fee for both.

The castle of Peyrepertuse is a so- called "Cathar" castle located in the department of Aude in the Occitanie region. It sits on a limestone ridge at an altitude of nearly 800 m, at the top of a hill that separates Duilhac from the village of Rouffiac-des-Corbières, overlooking garrigue and vineyards. The strategic position which allows you to see far into the various valleys which surround it, to control the passes or to communicate signals to the castle of Quéribus a little further south.

The castle of Quéribus is a so-called "Cathar" castle located in the town of Cucugnan in the department of Aude. This fortress, perched on a rocky peak at an altitude of 728 meters, dominates the village of Cucugnan and is located on the border of the department of Aude and the Pyrénées-Orientales. Quéribus is high and isolated. It stands on top of the highest peak for miles around. In 1951 restoration work on the turret began, and between 1998-2002 a complete restoration of the castle was under

The Château de Saché is a writer's house museum located in a home built from the converted remains of a feudal castle which was Located in Saché. it is where French writer Honoré de Balzac wrote many of his novels in the series La Comédie Humaine in which he attempted to reflect every aspect of French society at that time. Since 1951, the château has been open as an evocative museum dedicated to Balzac.

The castle of Grand-Ribeaupierre, known under the name of the castle of Saint-Ulrich, is one of the three castles which dominate the commune of Ribeauvillé, in the Haut -Rhin. It is located at an altitude of 528 m. It has been classified as a historical monument since October 1841and February 1930. The currently visible remains date from several eras. The castle is a very fine example of the military architecture of Alsace in the Middle Ages. It is the largest and best-preserved of the three cas

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.

Built-in 1340 for the Duke of Eudes, the château was dismantled in 1478 following the invasion of Burgundy by Louis XI in his conflict with Marie of Burgundy. Restored and decorated in the early 17th century by the Bouhier family, in 1689 the château became the property of the Migieu family. One of the main attractions in this area and also a notable architecture.