As part of my mission to "show hubby Abroad" I'm camping planning.
He *loves* castles. Not stately home "chateaux", proper medieval castles. We've done most of the UK now.
So where are good ones? Preferably good clusters of them.
Love the Dordogne ones. Will take him to Carcassonne at some point (which obviously not the right period, but y'know, it's got to be done)
Can look at France, Germany, not really wanting to drive much further.
Also, it's very quiet on here these days....has everyone retired from camping abroad? What's going on. Or did you all just sell up and move to France?
Post last edited on 26/10/2025 08:52:45
------------- Amanda
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Can't help about 'castles'; however, it is normal for this message board to be quieter in the colder months when peeps are less likely to go out and about camping.
DK
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Take him to Guedelon in NW Burgundy where for the past 20 or so years they have been builing a medieval castle using methods from those days. All the materials are sourced locally and you can wander round watching all the work that is involved. It is fascinating, and a really enjoyable day out.
Lots in the Loire region. Chinon. Chenonceau. Amboise all good. Plenty of others. I can recommend campings at Montrichard sur Cher which is opposite a castle or Chinon or Amboise.
There are reviews in the excellent campsite search section of this site.
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Hmm, interesting. I spent two *very* soggy summers in the Loire with the kids aeons ago and swore never to return 😂 so it's been off radar. But it's a far more amenable drive..... I do wonder about temperatures for camping in September, but will pop on the list to explore further :-)
Mont-Saint-Michel. Maybe not a Castle as such, but a fortified Monastery which has history by the bucketload. Being more than just a Monastery, there is a whole community on the slopes leading up to the actual monastery. If a downside, VERY touristy! Positive side, it's just over the channel and easy to get to.
Château de Falaise is a proper castle. William the Conqueror was born in an earlier version of the castle. AFAIR lots of high tech video displays cramming a lot of history/info into a relatively small space, and in English too.
Whilst not a castle, I would recommend seeing the Bayeux Tapestry. It's NOT actually a tapestry but is an embroidered cloth nearly 70 metres (230 feet) long and 50 centimetres (20 inches) tall, it's scale alone impresses! NOTE. It is returning to England for the first time in 900 years, for display at the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027, so don't go looking for it in France then!
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Whilst not a castle, I would recommend seeing the Bayeux Tapestry. It's NOT actually a tapestry but is an embroidered cloth nearly 70 metres (230 feet) long and 50 centimetres (20 inches) tall, it's scale alone impresses! NOTE. It is returning to England for the first time in 900 years, for display at the British Museum from September 2026 to July 2027, so don't go looking for it in France then!
Yarp, seen that one. Friend of mine has, for the last forever, been making a full scale replica of it which she displays intermittently if you are in the East Anglia bit of the country. Think she's about nine years in now! Mia's Bayeux Tapestry Story, if you're interested. She's been on TV etc etc.
Castlenaud at the confluence of the Dordogne and Ceou about 10km SW of Sarlat. Magnificent views over the Dordogne valley. Has exhibitions dedicated to medieval warfare.
He didn’t build a castle but Mr Cheval, a rural postman, built what he called his Ideal Palace. It’s at Hautrives, and if you just look at the photos on line I think it might tempt you to go and see it.
Hi,
We’ve also been to Hautrives, to Postman Chevals Palace. Different & well worth the trip. Decent campsite very close. Going around Carcassonne, there’s all the cathar castles such as Montsegur, good walks & lots of amazing scenery as well. Castle at Gruissan, south of Narbonne, is worth a visit as well.
And yes, it is a lot quieter on here than it used to be!
Fiona
Don't forget to leave a review of the French and other European campsites you have visited!
Quote: Originally posted by Netherton on 26/10/2025
He didn’t build a castle but Mr Cheval, a rural postman, built what he called his Ideal Palace. It’s at Hautrives, and if you just look at the photos on line I think it might tempt you to go and see it.
How funny. Have never heard of it, but must have driven past the rough area many times over the years on the autoroute.
And absolutely now want to visit. Thank you!
If you google Caylus village and then search nearby for castles you will find quite a few to take in within a shortish distance. Camping la Bonnette is at Caylus village and is one we have returned to twice now.
Josselin in Brittany is an absolute favourite. You can do a short tour, but the gardens are nice on their own and you can get really close to it from the road/village which itself is full of medieval buildings.
We liked the look of Fort la Latte (near Dinard) but couldn't park in July. Suscinio in southern Brittany also looks amazing.
To the west of the Loire big names we also liked Saumur for its breathtaking views, and Azay le Rideau which is a real dolls house of a chateau with its own miroir d'eau. If you wanted to do a night time visit for illuminations visit this is the one I'd recommend - they had a 'fantastic beasts' theme when we went and it was magical.
Another lesser known one is Montreuil Bellay - great rampart walks and dungeons, stunning views and gardens and a nice town.
All these places have campsites nearby - I think you can overnight in a motorhome at Suscinio itself.
As for Loire weather in September I would think it would be pretty warm. We had a couple of nights near Le Mans in late September 2021 and despite a big thunderstorm it was pretty pleasant.
We've been in July and it was 34deg, too hot for us.
A day of all things motorhome and campervan. The show is held both in the main indoor arena and across the grounds. Catering, hot drinks and food options are available. Easy access to the site and free parking included. Win one of five pairs of day tickets
Topic: Good castles!
via mobile 26/10/2025 at 8:37am
