The Best French Castles for a Romantic, Countryside Escape

With a Michelin-starred restaurant and Malbec winery on-site, this 13th-century château stay is the optimal choice for epicures. Book their Icône Suite; the architecture feels delightfully medieval, and you’ll have a private patio and separate living room. Visit the astounding seventh-century chapel on the hotel grounds, followed by a peek into the castle's winery and cellar.

Live like royalty in this traditional luxury château with renaissance decor and 15th-century architectural wonders. In Saint-Etienne-de-Chigny, on the way to the Loire Valley, Château de Beauvois has a restaurant gourmands will love, a luxe Riad Cigar Lounge, and a 5,000-bottle strong wine cellar. Each morning, enjoy breakfast in the Royal Lounge and luxuriate by the heated outdoor pool.

Set on the banks of the Dordogne River, this luminous 17th-century French castle is the ultimate romantic retreat. The property offers panoramic views of the Dordogne Valley and has been an esteemed member of the Relais & Châteaux family since 1992. Stay in one of their master suites—La Favorite, La Dordogne, or La Prison Dorée, all of which feature river views.

This regal hotel allows you to book entire five- to six-bedroom apartments on the castle grounds, making it a unique destination for a trip with friends or family. Take strolls through the medieval garden and wooded park that surround the castle or simply enjoy the privacy of a spacious and luxurious suite.  The property dates back to the 11th century and the Château de la Flocelliere has a private, heated swimming pool.

This turreted castle is an exhibition of sublime French architectural and interior craftsmanship. Each room combines modern sophistication and old-world charm, making it a design lover's fever dream. The Loire Valley castle has an inviting pool and family suites that can host up to four guests. Don’t forget to dine on the terrace of their Orangerie restaurant overlooking the Indre Valley.

Appreciate the staggering ruins just behind this stunning castle before treating yourself in the Hana Spa. Château de Fère Hôtel & Spa is home to a luxurious bathhouse experience: a fusion of beauty rituals from both Europe and Asia. With only 29 rooms and suites, this makes for a perfect romantic getaway from Paris—it’s less than an hour and a half drive from the city. Make reservations for a lavish dinner in their dining room, which is decorated with 17th-century furnishings and boasts a 250-bottle wine list.

This 4-star hotel's modern interior design affords your castle stay all the luxury comforts of the 21st-century. Dark walls, white furnishings, and mod lighting fixtures contrast beautifully with the castle's regal 19th-century exterior. During your stay at Art Hotel Tours, you’re encouraged to get outside and explore the Loire Valley—the hotel offers bikes to each guest. But the comforts of the château will inevitably beckon; you’ll want to return to the lavish Bar Lounge for a nightcap.

The expansive driveway of this elegant château sets the scene for any special event. Teeming with wildlife, the grounds of this 17th-century castle are worth leaving your luxe suite to explore. But when you’re not exploring the Bourgogne region or the charming, historic town of Sainte Sabine, retreat to your two-level suite, which can sleep up to five people over two expansive bedrooms.

American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts partner Château Hotel de la Messardiere is a Saint-Tropez castle with 25 acres of luxe gardens. From the pool overlooking the coveted Saint-Tropez scene to the gourmet dining at L’Acacia and treatments at The Valmont Spa, this restored 19th-century palace is the pinnacle of French luxury. Book the Riviera Suite, which has an expansive private terrace looking out over the Bay of Pampelonne.

A phenomenal 18th-century castle, Arielles, La Bastide de Gordes, another American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts partner, is a five-star getaway in the Luberon Valley. Book treatments at The Sisley Spa, and venture into the town of Gordes to explore their charmante antique shops and local boutiques. In terms of dining options, guests need not leave the property to find exquisite Italian, Mediterranean, and even pan-Asian cuisine.

This south of France château offers a stunning view of the Mediterranean Sea. Château de La Chèvre d’Or, an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts partner, is the epitome of Riviera chic, with 43 rooms and suites, an infinity-edge pool, and that coveted Cap Ferrat style. Dine on property at La Chevre d’Or, Le Stagioni, or Les Remparts, or have a late afternoon drink amidst the property’s manicured gardens before retreating to your suite’s private terrace to enjoy the sunset.

One of the finest Cote d’Azur destinations is the jagged Cap d’Antibes coastline. Hotel du Cap-Eden-Roc, Oetker Collection, an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts partner, has upheld the gold-standard of hospitality on the French Riviera since 1870. The 118 guestrooms are tastefully decorated with 18th-century accents, and the restaurants are helmed by executive chefs poached from the best Michelin-starred restaurants in Paris.

Turns out, you don’t need to holiday in the Loire Valley to stay in a French castle. Saint James Paris, an American Express Fine Hotels & Resorts partner, is a château in the heart of Paris on the right bank of the Seine. The magnificent 19th-century estate is just a quick walk from the Champs-Élysées. Within the château, guests will find 49 beautifully appointed rooms and suites and high-brow cocktails at The Library Bar.