If you’re lucky enough to be planning a trip to France, you need to plan some visits to some castles. The grand, beautiful, and often ancient chateaus are some of the most important monuments to French history, and will certainly get you thinking about France’s long and fascinating past. Here are three of the most interesting and magical castles to be found in France to visit.
Mont St-Michel, Normandy
Looking like something out of a fairy tale, Mont St-Michel is located on an island that is accessible via a causeway when the tide is low. Although the structure on top is technically an abbey rather than a castle, there’s still plenty of fascinating history to be found at this site. The abbey was used as a prison by French forces during the Hundred Years War and has also functioned as a stately home, a place of refuge, and a religious sanctuary. Nowadays, tourists flock to it to experience some of those impressive vistas and to learn about French culture and history.
Chateau de la Roche, la Loire
Similar to Mont St-Michel, this castle is situated on an island. However, this chateau has perhaps not fared as well from its waterside location. During its long history, it has been flooded several times, eventually being abandoned in the nineteenth century. Over the past twenty years, it has been restored and is now accessible to tourists interested in experiencing the interior of a medieval castle.
Carcassonne, Occitanie
This famous and impressive castle has inspired a board game named after the town in which it is found. With views from the battlements stretching out to the Pyrenees in the north and Provence to the south, visiting this castle is a truly immersive experience. Once you’ve had your fill of history, you can enjoy dining in one of the many restaurants situated inside the castle’s fortifications.