The Best Castles & Fortresses in France

Alsace and the north

Haut-Kœnigsbourg was rebuilt in the early 1900s and stands at 757 metres above the Alsace plain. Sedan Castle on the Meuse has massive ramparts and holds horse shows in its courtyard. Pierrefonds, on the edge of the Compiègne Forest, was rebuilt in the 19th century.

Brittany

Château de Fougères has towers and ramparts around a large courtyard and shows trebuchet and crossbow demonstrations. Château de Suscinio is a moated castle among marshes near the Gulf of Morbihan.

Dordogne and the south

Beynac stands on a limestone cliff above the Dordogne, and Castelnaud across the valley holds armour and war machines. Bonaguil has rock-cut moats and underground galleries. Quéribus is a ruined keep on a spur in the Corbières with views to the Pyrenees.