Something about France just exudes elegance, richness, and class. No matter where you travel within this beautiful country, you are never far away from historical sites and endless culture. And if there’s one thing France has a lot of (aside from globally recognized restaurants and architectural marvels), it’s castles. The country is home to some of Europe’s most astounding châteaus, and while most are viewable as museums, there are some that have been converted into luxurious hotels. This list of the best chateau hotels in France isn’t an exhaustive list, but it’s our best of the best when it comes to architecture, history, relaxation, and gastronomy.
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Castles To Stay In France
Château de Mercuès
Location: Cahors
The Château de Mercuès is a picturesque castle located near Cahors, in the Lot Valley. It is a beautiful 13th-century medieval castle sitting high on a rocky ledge and looks out onto the valley, the Lot River, and the region’s many vineyards. The interior has maintained many of its original stone walls and exposed wood.
The hotel offers rooms and suites for up to four guests, each one decorated beautifully and with original design elements from the earliest structure. The hotel offers a restaurant and a bistro. The Cahors region is known for its Malbec grape variety which makes the wine of the same name, and there are winery workshops, wine tastings, and vineyard tours available through the hotel.
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Hôtel de la Cité, Carcassonne
Location: Carcassonne
Possibly the most magical castle hotel to stay at in France is the Hôtel de la Cité in the ancient medieval walled city of Carcassonne in the south of France. The hotel is upscale – great if you’re looking to stay somewhere a little more luxurious. It stands just opposite the St. Nazaire and Celse Basilica and is just a few minutes’ walk from the Château Comtal, a medieval castle museum.
The hotel has a less formal brasserie and restaurant but is also home to the Michelin-starred Barbacane Restaurant. Rooms have incredible views of the city’s ancient stone walls, the rooftops of the city, and the gardens that pepper the streets. The city of Carcassonne is a UNESCO World Heritage site, so what better way to immerse yourself in the city’s history than to stay in its castle?
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Château de Maraval
Location: Cénac-et-Saint-Julien
This small 15th-century castle is located on a 10-acre property two hours north of Toulouse and only a 20-minute drive from the medieval town of Sarlat-la-Canéda. This is an adult-only hotel. The rooms are all designed somewhat differently, and the hotel offers a heated outdoor swimming pool, hot tub, on-site spa, and workout facility.
The region of Dordogne, where the Château de Maraval is located, is full of medieval villages and towns that are perfect for day trips from the hotel. If you’re in the area, don’t miss the towns of Domme and La Roque Gageac, both classified as two of the most beautiful and picturesque villages in all of France.
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Château Les Carrasses
Location: Languedoc
This 19th-century luxury hotel is located an hour west of Montpellier and an hour east of Carcassonne. The castle is surrounded by vineyards and fruit orchards which make it feel like a lavish countryside escape while being close enough to the city scene to take an easy day trip. Guests can book their choice of suites, apartments, or private villas, the latter of which offer terraces or gardens.
The hotel offers a Mediterranean restaurant, an enormous heated outdoor pool with sun loungers, and outdoor tennis courts. The castle is surrounded by parkland and vineyards, in a beautiful region perfect for casual hiking. This is the pinnacle of luxury, feeling very much like your own private club.
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Château de La Lande
Location: Crozon-Sur-Vauvre
This beautiful French castle hotel is located in the Dordogne Region. The chateau dates from the 16th century and overlooks a nearby lake. The chateau is now a beautiful guesthouse with several rooms and suites and is largely self-catered except for included breakfast and a three-course gourmet dinner on Fridays and Saturdays.
The castle is in a richly forested area, with many trails for leisurely walking. Brenne National Park is only an hour and ten minutes drive away from Brenne National Park for more serious hikers. The Chêne du Not, one of the country’s oldest oak trees, is nearby.
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Château d’Audrieu
Location: Caen
The Château d’Audrieu Hotel is a five-star castle hotel located near Caen, in northwestern France. The castle itself dates from the 18th century and is set on a beautiful large estate. The hotel combines the best of past and present, maintaining the castle’s original exterior and important design elements (like antique furniture, stone fireplaces, and exposed wood paneling) while also ensuring that modern comforts are at the guests’ disposal.
The hotel has beautiful, terraced gardens, a Sothys spa, and an in-house restaurant specializing in seasonal regional cuisine. There’s also an outdoor pool (open seasonally), and a kids’ play area which is great if you are traveling with younger children.
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Château de Bagnols
Location: Bagnols
This 15th century stone castle fortress is located in the small village of Bagnols, just a thirty-minute drive from the city of Lyon. The structure overlooks the Beaujolais vineyards, which explains the custom wine cellar inside the castle. Be sure to check out the Gothic fireplace, which bears the date 1217 carved into its stone — the date of the building’s origin.
The hotel offers much in the way of activities, from outdoor adventure courses to museum-like artifacts that can be discovered inside the castle. The castle’s restaurant, aptly named 1217, offers a ‘menu du marché’, with fresh dishes prepared with the day’s farmer-provided ingredients.
The city of Lyon is close at hand, where you can further explore the sights – the Basilique Notre Dame de Fourvière, the Parc de la Tête d’Or, and the old city with its narrow cobbled streets full of bakeries, antique book shops, and brasseries.
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Château de Bourron
Location: Fontainebleau
The Château de Bourron is a beautiful 17th century castle on the outskirts of Bourron-Marlotte. This is a luxury hotel, situated on an estate that totals over 100 acres. In true medieval castle style, it is surrounded by a moat with a small land bridge to access the estate. The sumptuous rooms are furnished with an array of restored antique furniture.
The castle is located only an hour from Paris, close enough to easily access the country’s capital but removed enough to revel in the peace and quiet of the countryside setting. The towns of Fontainebleau and Bourron-Marlotte are just a few moments away, where you can explore the ancient, cobbled streets.
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