8 essential castles to visit in France this summer 2025

1. Castelnaud castle in Périgord: Live the art of medieval war

Armed with his camera, Jean-Claude, 75, who came from Côte-d’Or, retains his breath, like the public who arrived in number for this open day of March 22, 2025, marking the start of the season at the castle of Castelnaud (Dordogne). In a few moments, he will attend a Trébuchet shot, a sort of gigantic medieval sling. “It’s impressive! he exclaims. How can we imagine that a thousand years ago, people were able to conceive such a powerful machine? »»

This artillery machine, carried out according to the techniques of the Middle Ages, is the fruit of a meeting between a historian, an expert carpenter in ancient engineering, and Kléber Rossillon, the owner of the premises which is to make it, for forty years, a reference in terms of historical reconstruction focused on the art of war.

“We cannot understand the construction of this 13th century strong place without explaining how it is attacked and, above all, how it is defended,” says the one who gave his name to a society that manages cultural places. Thus, in addition to a museum rich in a collection of 300 weapons, the place offers theatrical visits, reconstructions of fighting to the sword and exchanges with craftsmen (blacksmiths, armor drummers).

Result: Castelnaud is the most visited castle in the southwest, with more than 7 million visitors since its opening to the public in 1985.

2. The castle of Abbadia in the Basque Country: between astronomy and neo -Gothic architecture

On the heights of Hendaye (Pyrénées-Atlantiques), opposite the ocean, stand the crenellated facades of an extraordinary building of neo-Gothic style. Welcome to the Château Observatoire Abbadia, straight out of the abundant imagination of the architect Eugène Viollet-le-Duc, between 1864 and 1884, at the request of Antoine d’Abbadie.

This fervent Christian and a great traveler keen on eastern and African cultures was also an extraordinary scientist. His home houses an astronomy observatory that worked until 1975 and a collection of instruments including a unique model of meridian telescope.

Bened up with the Academy of Sciences, the site receives the Popular Astronomy Society of the Basque Coast which offers workshops during the school holidays for the 7 to 12 year olds. For the general public, it will be necessary to wait until August 16 to attend the “meetings with the stars”.

3. Azay-le-Rideau en Val-de-Loire: a castle to visit with family with historical show

The Château d’Indre-et-Loire celebrates its 500th anniversary, and it is a whole territory that is an actor of this event. More than 150 volunteers from the town and its surroundings are wanted to play in The Conjuration of Azay, whose intrigue is inspired by a real fact: the visit of Louis XIII, June 27, 1619.

From July 16 to August 23, from Wednesday to Saturday, visitors will be able to wander over eight sketches. Between the preparation of the reception and the arrival of the monarch … what adventures!

4. Discover the Royal Fortresses of Languedoc, ideal for hiking

In the aftermath of the Crusade against the Albigensians (1209-1229), the Kingdom of France has erected, from Aude to Pyrenean Piedmont, an impressive defense system. Eight of the fortresses that compose it currently apply for UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The Cathare GR 367 trail runs five of them: Aguilar, Quéribus, Peyrepertse, Puilaurens and Montségur. The other three (Carcassonne, Terms and Lastours) are accessible by other paths.

5. In Yonne, visit Guédelon, a castle under construction as in the 13th century

Masons, stone tailors, blacksmiths, carpenters … Seventeen trades are at work in the Yonne to build a strong castle with the 12th century materials and methods. While he begins his 28th season, this extraordinary project invites tourists to exchange directly with the workers and offers discovery workshops. “It is necessary to plan up to five hours of visit,” warns Delphine Bourselot, the educational director of the site.

6. In Baux-de-Provence, live a medieval adventure at the castle with an outdoor escape game

Discover the tumultuous past of the lords of the Baux, thanks to an outdoor “escape game”. Participants, by group of 2 to 6, are invited to follow the steps of Alix, the last princess of the dynasty, in a treasure hunt dotted with challenges to be met. Another way to explore this 13th century stone vessel for two hours, hoisted on the last buttress of the Alpilles massif. From 7 years old.

7. Kerjean in Finistère: a Breton castle to visit at night in summer

Building on the success of last summer, the 16th century castle renewed from July 9, 2025 “The Nights of Kerjean”, this time preceded by a visit to the premises and a musical entertainment. A sound and light on the facade, to discover, at nightfall, the history of this high place of the Finistère heritage.

8. In Touraine, visit exceptional gardens at the Château de Villandry this summer 2025

It is the last of the large constructions of the 16th century on the banks of the Loire. To distinguish yourself from Chambord, Chenonceau or Azay-le-Rideau, Villandry (Indre-et-Loire) has built its reputation on its seven hectares of gardens, open all year round.

Renaissance or French landscaped park: so many styles which the Spanish patron had seized, at the beginning of the 20th century Joachim Carvallo, owner of the premises, to enhance this heritage. Not to be missed: “The Nights of the Thousand Lights”, on August 1 and 2, 2025 with the illuminations in the candle of the garden.