Castles and forts in France

Visit the impressive Château de Versailles, built by the French Sun King Louis XIV. The absolute highlight of the glamorous palace is the impressive Hall of Mirrors. The park is also huge and beautifully landscaped. To the right of the main building stands the famous Neptune Fountain, in the middle of the palace park runs the Grand Canal, and in the park you can also see the two smaller mansions, the Grand Trianon and the Petit Trianon. It is possible to take the little train that passes by the sights of the garden.

Just outside Colmar, Château Hohlandsbourg is built on a hilltop with a unique panoramic view of Alsace and the Vosges Mountains. In good weather, it's possible to see the spire of the cathedral and the Swiss Alps from the castle, which dates back to the 13th century when it was home to the Habsburg dynasty, part of the largest princely house in Europe. The castle has been restored and is now a centre for cultural development. The castle is open to visitors, making for an exciting castle experience with stunning views for the whole family.

Take a family road trip in Europe and visit Alsace in France. Visit the fascinating medieval castle of Koenigsbourg. The castle is a great experience and you can either follow a guide or walk around on your own. It's a stunning building which, after falling into serious disrepair, was rebuilt by William II. From here you can enjoy the view over the Rhine Valley all the way to the Black Forest on the German side. Find cheap car holidays to France at Risskov and enjoy a glorious family holiday at your own pace.

Château de la Petite-Pierre was built in the 13th century, and kept in good repair until 1684 when it was renovated and modernised by Vauban. The castle was strategically placed to control the passage between Alsace and Lorraine. Today it is the headquarters of the northern part of the Vosges Regional Nature Park. The castle also has a permanent exhibition that tells the fascinating history of the castle but also of the fauna and flora that grows in the beautiful park. Parking is easy to find and the castle is located just on the edge of the forest and the small village, close to the famous hiking trail 'Grand Randonnée'.

Visit the Schoenenbourg Fort which was the most important fortress, which in turn was part of the Maginot Line that protected Alsace. The fort consists of 8 blocks with room for 650 men.

It is possible to visit the barracks, the kitchen and the command centre as well as see the various gun positions, ammunition dumps and life at the fort as part of the famous Maginot Line is documented continuously during the visit. Explore Alsace, France on a self-drive holiday. Find the cheapest hotels at Risskov.

Château Dietrich, also known as the Reichshoffen Castle, is a fantastic castle with a lot of interesting history attached to it. The lovely grounds are also surrounded by a beautiful park. The castle was originally founded and built for the Duke of Lorraine in 1232, but after wear and decay the beautiful pink sandstone castle was rebuilt and today belongs to the wealthy Jean de Dietrich family.

Fort de Mutzig, also known as 'Fort Kaiser Wilhelm II', is located near the town of Mutzig in the Bas-Rhin region of France. The fortress was built by the Germans towards the end of the 19th century and the purpose of Fort de Mutzig was to defend Strasbourg. Interestingly, it was the first new fortification to be built in German territory, following the invention of high explosives, which rendered many types of masonry fortifications obsolete at the stroke of a pen.

The beautiful scenery is also an experience in itself, so make sure you bring your camera along for the ride.

Located between Caen and the Allied landing beaches, Château de Fontaine-Henry is a stunning Renaissance estate that has belonged to the same family for the last 800 years. The tour of the castle starts in the ground floor salons and then continues up to the upper floors, which house very fine furniture and paintings. There is also an interesting 13th century chapel on the castle grounds.

A little northeast of Orléans you will find the medieval "perfume castle", Château de Chamerolles, built at the beginning of the Renaissance. In fact ruins until a few decades ago, when a major restoration restoration of the building. Today the castle houses an interesting museum of the region's perfume production from 1500 to 1900, as well as a historical distillery and an interactive exhibition where you can smell the perfumes. The castle is also surrounded by a beautiful Renaissance garden, which a prime example of French garden design.

Overlooking the rooftops of Gréoux-les-Bains, the Templar Castle is a striking reminder of the village’s medieval heritage. Built in the 12th century, the fortress once belonged to the Knights Templar and today invites visitors to wander its ancient stone walls, climb its towers, and enjoy sweeping views of the surrounding landscape. The site often hosts cultural events, open-air concerts, and exhibitions, adding life to its historic setting.