🏰 The château de Valençay, in the Indre region: elegance and diplomacy
château de Valençay / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: depositphotos
On the border between Touraine and Berry, Valençay castle stands out for its architecture blending Renaissance and classical styles. The former home of Prince de Talleyrand, Napoleon's minister and master of diplomacy, it also served as a diplomatic residence when the Spanish royal family was detained in the 19th century. The château is remarkably furnishedand its underground kitchens and state rooms alike immerse visitors in the daily life of a 19th-century grand seigneur. His immense landscaped parkand Italian-style theater make this a visit as cultural as it is bucolic.
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Address : 2 Rue de Blois, 36600 Valençay
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Nearest train station : Valençay train station (1 km away)
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From Paris : 250 km - about 2h45 by car
The château de Valençay is also superb from the gardens/ Photo chosen by monsieurdefrance.com: Jérôme Prod'homme (c)
🏰 Le château de Suscinio, in Brittany: residence of the Dukes of Brittany
Facing the ocean, on the Rhuys peninsula, the Château de Suscinio is a masterpiece of the Middle Ages. Built for the Dukes of Brittany, it offers an imposing silhouette with its towers, water moat and crenellated ramparts. The interiors now host modern exhibitions on Breton history, and in summer, historical re-enactments and medieval shows bring the place to life. People come here for the history, but also for the wild beauty of its surroundings, between marshes and beaches.
Suscinio is truly a magnificent château / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: Xantana via depositphoto.
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Address: Route du Duc Jean V, 56370 Sarzeau
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Nearest train station : Vannes (27 km away)
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From Paris : 470 km - about 5h10 by car
The 10 most beautiful French châteaux are here
🏰 Château de Bussy-Rabutin, Burgundy: the home of a satirist
In a Burgundian green setting, the Château de Bussy-Rabutinis the former home of Count Roger, cousin of Madame de Sévigné, a writer famous for his biting words. Exiled by Louis XIV because of his sharp pen, Bussy-Rabutin took revenge by adorning the walls of his château with portraits commented on with delicious irony. In addition to this unique gallery, there are tidy gardens, shady groves and an elegantly quaint atmosphere. It's a place at once literary, intimate and surprising.
The driveway at Château de Bussy Rabutin / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: By Arnaud 25 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=27683906
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Address: Château de Bussy-Rabutin, 21150 Bussy-le-Grand
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Nearest train station: Gare de Montbard (13 km away)
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From Paris: 250 km - about 2h45 by car
🏰 The Château de Grignan, in the Drôme: letters, lavender and the Renaissance
The Renaissance château of Grignan atop its promontory / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: Shutterstock.
Perched atop a rocky promontory, the Château de Grignan dominates a typically Provencal landscape of lavender fields and hills. This magnificent Renaissance edifice was made famous by Madame de Sévigné, who came here to find her daughter and wrote some of her most famous letters.The château, superbly restored and furnished, offers exhibitions, classical concerts and summer readings in its courtyard of honor. Visitors appreciate the rich heritage as much as the breathtaking views over the Drôme provençale.
The magnificent Renaissance façade of the Château de Grignan / Photo chosen by monsieur de France: Shutterstock.
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Address : Place du Château, 26230 Grignan
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Nearest train station : Gare de Montélimar (29 km away)
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From Paris : 670 km - about 6h45 by car
🏰 The Château de Hautefort, in Périgord: fairy tale and elegance.
In the heart of Périgord, the Château de Hautefort / Photo chosen by Monsieur de France: depositphotos
Built on a mound overlooking the valley, the Château de Hautefort combines medieval power with classical grace. Built in the 17th century on the site of an ancient fortress, today it's famous for its balanced architecture and carefully tended formal gardens. The richly decorated salons tell the story of the Marquis d'Hautefort's life, while the park's paths invite you to take a stroll. This château has been used as a set for numerous films, so evocative is it of the splendor of a romantic past. An excellent starting point for visiting the magnificent Périgord.
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Address : 1 Place du Maréchal Lannes, 24390 Hautefort
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Nearest train station : Thenon train station (20 km away)
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From Paris : 520 km - about 5h40 by car
