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From the Loire Valley to the Languedoc, rural France is full of castles or castles , many of which have been converted into heritage hotels. The term castle can be misleading, although it is the literal translation of “castle”, it can also refer to a country mansion or an aristocratic home. Here, we have chosen to focus on castles with traditional castle elements such as towers, turrets, drawbridges, and moats. Many also have a long and interesting history, as they were hosts to French royalty. Designed to suit all tastes and budgets, our selections range from 10th century boutiques to luxurious rooms within the walls of the UNESCO World Heritage site.
Best Overall: Chateau de la Treyne
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For a castle straight from the pages of a French fairy tale, look no further than the impressive Chateau de la Treyne. Built in 1342, the castle’s pale stone walls and turreted towers stagger into a cliff overlooking the Dordogne River. To the east is a sprawling park complete with a formal French garden and a rare forest of trees. Each of the 17 rooms and suites is individually decorated, with features ranging from period furniture and four-poster beds to exposed beams and parquet floors.
All rooms combine old-world charm with modern amenities, such as free Wi-Fi, televisions, and luxury toiletries. Spend your days relaxing by the heated pool or practicing your serve on the tennis court. The Dordogne itself is a wonderful place for fishing, canoeing and kayaking. In the evening, the Michelin-starred Salon Louis XIII restaurant tempts with the best local cuisine, including freshly caught blue lobster from the river. Sparkling chandeliers and a stately wood-paneled ceiling add to the sense of romance.
Best budget: Chateau de Vallagon
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Set in a 10-acre green park, the 16th-century Chateau de Vallagon is a perfect castle with towers, towers, and balconies. Its location near Bourré makes it an ideal base for exploring the castles and vineyards of the central Loire Valley; while its affordable rates make life at the castle possible for those on a budget. There are 12 rooms and suites, all of which are charmingly rustic. Standard rooms are the cheapest; Expect hardwood floors, sloping ceilings, and white linens.
You can cool off in the seasonal pool in summer and children will enjoy the playground. Breakfast is available for a minimal fee and comprises a generous buffet of fresh pastries, fruits, local cheeses, and cold cuts. In the afternoon, taste the castle wine on the terrace. Unfortunately, the castle does not serve lunch or dinner and there are no restaurants within walking distance, making this option the best for those with their own vehicle.
Best for families: Domaine de la Tortinière
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Would-be princes and princesses will adore the family-owned Domaine de la Tortinière, with its graceful towers and idyllic tree-lined park. Located just south of Tours, the castle was built in the mid-19th century and has hosted notable guests, including former French presidents, Gérard Depardieu and Juliette Binoche. Families can make memories in the heated outdoor swimming pool or on the tennis courts, or use the chateau’s rental bikes and boats to explore the Loire Valley. Billiards and ping pong tables come to the rescue on rainy days.
There are 26 rooms and six suites, all with free Wi-Fi, a flat-screen TV, and air conditioning. Family Suites sleep three to four (depending on your choice) and have a separate living room with a sofa bed. At lunchtime, kids rejoice at the restaurant’s dedicated children’s menu, while mom and dad feast on regional produce such as truffles, aged cheeses, and Racan pigeon. Babysitting services are available for adults to enjoy a non-stop massage or spend time in the sauna.
Best for romance: Chateau d’Etoges
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Listed historic monument Chateau d’Etoges stands out as a romantic destination, thanks to its location in the heart of the Champagne wine region. It also has an exotic past, serving as a resting point for seventeenth-century French kings on their travels east of Paris. When you’re not visiting the surrounding vineyards or sipping champagne in the castle’s cellar, stroll hand-in-hand through the pools and fountains in the 45-acre park. The spa has a special treatment room for couples, as well as a sauna, hammam and jacuzzi.
Opt for a Privilege Room and set the stage for romance with period fabrics and furniture, tall windows, and four-poster beds. Mornings begin with a sumptuous breakfast buffet accompanied by castle champagne and homemade strawberry nectar. In the evening, toast your loved one under the chandeliers of the Orangerie restaurant with its gourmet à la carte and tasting menus.
Best for luxury: Chateau de Bagnols
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Situated just outside the medieval village of Bagnols and surrounded by picturesque Beaujolais vineyards, the five-star Chateau de Bagnols is another designated historical monument. Work began on its imposing stone façade in 1217, after which a full list of castle credentials was added, including fortifications, a drawbridge, and a moat. Today, guests can discover formal gardens, cherry orchards, and a fabulous circular Roman pool on a tour of the extensive grounds. Inside, the spa is a tranquil destination for a day of pampering with an indoor pool and steam room.
The nature-inspired Garden Suites and contemporary Cellar Suites are exquisite, but to experience the castle in all its original grandeur, book a Chateau Suite with antique furnishings, 12th-18th murals, four-poster beds, and decorative fireplaces. Restaurant 1217 is a sweet tooth’s delight, with a Michelin star and a menu featuring perfectly prepared regional cuisine. Enjoy your meal in front of the monumental fireplace in the dining room, on the patio or on the terrace with a panoramic rural backdrop.
Mejor Boutique: L’Abbaye-Chateau de Camon
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L’Abbaye-Chateau de Camon is actually a monastery built in the 10th century by Benedictine monks. Yet with its high defensive walls and imposing square tower, it fulfills castle fantasies while providing a fabulous base from which to explore the Cathar fortifications of the Pyrenees. It’s a boutique pick with just five rooms, each with unique features. One has a built-in sleeping niche, another has an exquisitely painted ceiling, and a third has a four-poster four-poster bed.
Outside, you will find terraced gardens and a swimming pool to cool off in summer. Inside, there is a ping-pong room, a library, and a lounge with molded ceilings, chandeliers, and murals. In the evening, sit down to a five-course tasting menu prepared with the best local ingredients. If the weather is on your side, ask for dinner in the quiet cloisters of the castle.
Best for self-catering: Chateau Les Carrasses
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Located in the Languedoc region of southern France, Chateau Les Carrasses is a 19th-century wine cellar surrounded by sun-drenched vineyards. Its luxurious suites, apartments, and self-catering villas offer you the freedom to cook and dine according to your own tastes and schedules, with the added benefit of the estate’s extensive facilities. All rooms have full kitchen and living room, TV and Bose sound base. Many have their own garden or terrace, while a few have their own private pool.
You can also grill in the communal barbecue area or combine Languedoc wines with Mediterranean cuisine in the château’s quiet dining room. Between meals, explore extensive gardens, vineyards, and forest walking trails, either on foot or with the free rental bikes. There is also a clay tennis court and a sparkling infinity pool complete with massage jets and a submerged beach area. In July and August, families can sign up for Kids’ Club activities; Reliable babysitters are also available throughout the year.
Best B&B: Chateau de Maraval
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The original Maraval Castle was built during the 15th century, but was largely destroyed by fire in the early 19th century. The honey-colored two-tower castle that stands today once housed a community of Trappist nuns and is now one of the best B & Bs in the Dordogne. The interior exudes contemporary luxury with marble floors, white painted walls, and bold furnishings in bold colors. In the living room, this aesthetic contrasts with a collection of 16th century frescoes depicting the life of Moses.
Choose from four rooms, including the Klimt Room with gold accents and the Ethnic Room with zebra print motifs. The baths at the Chateau de Maraval are works of art in their own right; Expect jaw-dropping mosaic tiles, deep soaking tubs, and themed sink stands. Breakfast is served until noon and includes a feast of homemade cakes and jams, regional cheeses and eggs cooked to order. Spend the rest of your time lounging in the heated outdoor pool or relaxing in the luxurious spa. The nearby town of Capestang has several dining options.
Best location: Hotel de la Cite Carcassonne
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Although “best location” is certainly a subjective category, the five-star Hotel de la Cite deserves a special mention for its position within the walls of the fortified medieval citadel of Carcassonne. As one of only two hotels located within the UNESCO-recognized city, it allows you to explore the labyrinthine streets in peace after the daily crowds have left. The hotel also offers stunning views over the ramparts, while ivy-covered walls, leaded windows, and a grand wooden staircase add to the feeling of stepping back in time.
Amenities include an outdoor pool and Cinq Mondes Spa (complete with a scrub room, steam room, and sensory shower). In the evening, sample canapes and cocktails by the fireplace at The Library Bar before sitting down to enjoy Michelin-starred cuisine at La Barbacane restaurant. Some rooms and suites are decorated in a classic vintage style, while others are more modern. All include a marble bathroom, a Nespresso coffee machine and an iPod docking station, and some even have views of the wall from a private balcony or terrace.
