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Château de Chenonceau -

One of the most picturesque of France's numerous châteaux, Chenonceau spans the Cher river near the small village of Chenonceaux in the Loire Valley.

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Château de Sully-sur-Loire -

Located in the commune of Sully-sur-Loire, Loiret, the château was once the seat of the Duke de Sully, Henri IV's minister Maximilien de Béthune (1560–1641), and the later dukes of Sully.

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Château de Villandry -

The last of the great chateaux of the Loire region built during the Renaissance, Château de Villandry is especially noted for its beautiful gardens.

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Château de Chambord -

One of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its distinctive French Renaissance architecture, Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley. It dates back to 1547.

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Château de Brissac -

A grand property set in Maine-et-Loire in France's Pays de la Loire region, Château de Brissac is owned by the Cossé-Brissac family, whose head bears the French noble title of Duke of Brissac.

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Château de Vizille -

Set in the town of Vizille near Grenoble, Château de Vizille is one of the most prestigious and significant buildings of the Dauphiné Region. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Château d'If -

Famous for being one of the settings of Alexandre Dumas' adventure novel 'The Count of Monte Cristo,' Château d'If sits offshore in the Bay of Marseille in southeastern France.

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Château des ducs de Savoie -

Located in Chambéry and founded in the 11th century, this impressive property was once home to the counts and dukes of Savoy.

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Château de Versailles -

Better known as the Palace of Versailles, this is one of Europe's noblest and most historic buildings. The principal royal residence of France from 1682, under Louis XIV, until the start of the French Revolution in 1789, under Louis XVI, the palace is located 20 km (12 mi) southwest of Paris.

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Château de Pierrefonds -

One of France's most imposing châteaux, this castle-like structure dates back to the early 15th century. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-NC 2.0)

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Château de Balleroy -

Completed in 1636, Château de Balleroy's visitors include French novelist, critic, and essayist Marcel Proust (1871–1922). It's located in Normandy.

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Château de la Roche Courbon -

Château de la Roche Courbon in the commune of Saint-Porchaire between Saintes and Rochefort features grounds listed by the French Ministry of Culture as one of the Notable Gardens of France. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Château de la Treyne -

Château de la Treyne stands spectacularly on limestone cliffs above the Dordogne river near Lacave. It's been converted to an upscale boutique property.

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Château de Fontainebleau -

Usually referred to as the Palace of Fontainebleau, this is one of the largest French royal châteaux and served as a residence for French monarchs, from Louis VII to Napoleon III. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 2.5)

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Château de Duingt -

This delightfully scenic château is located on a small island connected by a causeway to the mainland in France's Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Château de Keriolet -

This modest but ornate 19th-century manor house is set in grounds outside Concarneau, in Brittany.

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Château d’Artigny -

The Château d’Artigny at Montbazon was originally built as a fortress during the Hundred Years' War (1337–1453). Today it's an upmarket hotel.

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Château de Montrésor -

Medieval and Renaissance architectural flourishes characterize this château set near the village of Montrésor.

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Château de Creully -

During the Second World War, from June 7, 1944, the day after D-Day, until July 21, the château's square tower (left) housed the BBC war correspondents and their radio studio, from where the first news of the Battle of Normandy was transmitted.

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Château de Foix -

Dominating the town of Foix in the country's département of Ariège, Château de Foix stands as the center of the Cathars, a Christian movement active between the 12th and 14th centuries. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Château de Chantilly -

Located in the town of Chantilly in Oise, Château de Chantilly is known for its art gallery, the Musée Condé, which houses one of the finest collections of paintings in France.

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Château de Grignan -

A landmark feature of Grignan in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of the country, the château was built as a castle in the 12th century. The area is noted for its lavender, truffles, and sunflowers.

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Château de Chalmazel -

With its austere and imposing architecture, Château de Chalmazel, in Chalmazel, is a reminder of the medieval stronghold it once was. Visitors can still admire the murder-holes: the holes in the ceiling where defenders could throw or pour harmful substances or objects, such as rocks, arrows, scalding water, tar, or boiling oil, down on attackers.

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Château de Valençay -

Valençay is situated in the Loire Valley on a hillside overlooking the Nahon river, where this 18th-century manor is situated, once described by French novelist Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin (better known by her pen name George Sand) as "one of the most beautiful on earth." (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY 3.0)

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Château d’Ussé -

Situated in France's Indre-et-Loire département, Château d'Ussé's pleasing fairy-tale aspect inspired Walt Disney in the creation of several Disney Castles.

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Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte -

This Baroque French château located in Maincy, near Melun, is constructed entirely on a moated platform and is reached via two bridges. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 2.5)

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Château d'Angers -

The enormous and sturdy Château d'Angers in the city of Angers is no less a castle originally built in the 9th century but expanded in the 13th century. It's home to the stunning medieval Apocalypse Tapestry. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 4.0)

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Château de Prye -

Dating back to the 17th century, Château de Prye used to belong to a Polish queen. It's now a splendid hotel property—one of the best known in the Bourgogne!

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Château d'Hattonchâtel -

Sited in the commune of Vigneulles-lès-Hattonchâtel in the Meuse département of France, Château d'Hattonchâtel sits on a rocky promontory overlooking the Woëvre landscape. These days it's run as a popular hotel.

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Château d'Azay-le-Rideau -

One of the great examples of early French Renaissance architecture, Château d'Azay-le-Rideau dates back to 1527 and occupies the site of a former feudal castle. (Photo: Wikimedia/CC BY-SA 3.0)

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Château de Chantore -

This regal 18th-century property is set within expansive grounds at Bacilly in Normandy and serves as a discerning hotel retreat. (Photo: Flickr/CC BY-SA 3.0)

See also: Europe's most picturesque small towns and villages.

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