There are approximately 40,000 castles, manors, stately homes and palaces in France. It's not everyday one has to select the 10 best of something among an array of 40,000. Yet that's what I am asking you here. Based on your knowledge and experience, what French châteaux would you choose if you had to make a top 10 of the most handsome ones ? If you can't think of 10, or can think or many more, feel free to suggest any number you like. I will compile a poll once I have enough suggestions.
Out top of my head, the most beautiful châteaux would include some of these (alphabetically) :
Azay-le Rideau
Blois
Chambord
Chantilly
Chaumont
Chenonceau
Cheverny
Dampierre
Fontainebleau
Fougères
Hautefort
Haut-Koenigsbourg
Meillant
Pierrefonds
Ussé
Valençay
Vaux-le-Vicomte
Vitré Castle
That's 18. It's quite hard to decide which eight I should get rid of. It depends on the criteria used to determine beauty. Should it be solely the external architecture, or should we also take the gardens and the interior into account ? What about the natural setting ? Many medieval castles have dramatic settings on top of rocky outcrops or overlooking a river. I wouldn't count that in the beauty of the castle itself though.
Additionally, I only counted here castles that are open to the public. There are plenty of sumptuous castles that are in private hands and completely off-limits. Many others were converted in hotels or are used by wine makers, although I don't think many of them would qualify to make the top 10.
Versailles is truly a palace rather than a castle or château. It is hors catégorie (outside the classification) as one would say in French. The Louvre and Compiègne are also palaces. Perhaps Fontainebleau should also be listed as a palace and removed from the ranking.
I rule out Carcassonne as castle it is a fortified city.
Out top of my head, the most beautiful châteaux would include some of these (alphabetically) :
Azay-le Rideau
Blois
Chambord
Chantilly
Chaumont
Chenonceau
Cheverny
Dampierre
Fontainebleau
Fougères
Hautefort
Haut-Koenigsbourg
Meillant
Pierrefonds
Ussé
Valençay
Vaux-le-Vicomte
Vitré Castle
That's 18. It's quite hard to decide which eight I should get rid of. It depends on the criteria used to determine beauty. Should it be solely the external architecture, or should we also take the gardens and the interior into account ? What about the natural setting ? Many medieval castles have dramatic settings on top of rocky outcrops or overlooking a river. I wouldn't count that in the beauty of the castle itself though.
Additionally, I only counted here castles that are open to the public. There are plenty of sumptuous castles that are in private hands and completely off-limits. Many others were converted in hotels or are used by wine makers, although I don't think many of them would qualify to make the top 10.
Versailles is truly a palace rather than a castle or château. It is hors catégorie (outside the classification) as one would say in French. The Louvre and Compiègne are also palaces. Perhaps Fontainebleau should also be listed as a palace and removed from the ranking.
I rule out Carcassonne as castle it is a fortified city.
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