Chateau countryLoire Valley
More than 300 chateaux along one river, built by kings and courtiers. This is the heartland of the French Renaissance.
Wine chateauxBordeaux
In Bordeaux a chateau is usually a wine estate. Here is how the region works and what is worth knowing before you visit.
Castles and cavesDordogne and Périgord
Cliff-top castles above a river, prehistoric caves and one of France's richest food traditions.
Wine and heritageBurgundy
A region of vineyards, abbeys and Renaissance chateaux, with a UNESCO-listed wine landscape.
Sparkling wineChampagne
About 160 km east of Paris, the only place that can call its sparkling wine champagne.
Coast and castlesNormandy
A region of castles, abbeys and coast with a thousand years of history behind it.Choosing a region
For the greatest concentration of famous chateaux, start in the Loire Valley. For wine estates, see Bordeaux, Burgundy and Champagne. For castles on cliffs and prehistoric caves, the Dordogne. For coast and history, Normandy. Then see when to go, how to get there, and what a chateau hotel is.
Sources
Facts on this site come from gov.uk, Atout France, regional tourism boards, UNESCO and the operators named, each listed at the foot of the page. Check dates, prices and entry rules with the provider before you book.