Travel journals
Travel ideas, themed itineraries and our favourite discoveries for exploring France and Europe through their castles.
Heritage, culture and the art of living, through Europe’s most beautiful castles.
Selection of Valais castles linked to the rivalry between the House of Savoy and the Bishops of Sion, to visit in autumn ·
From Sion to Saillon and Beauregard, five fortresses in Valais recount two centuries of rivalry between the Counts of Savoy and the Bishops of Sion. To be visited this autumn, before Tourbillon’s winter closure on 15 November.
A two-day itinerary through the châteaux of Beaujolais for the release of Beaujolais nouveau 2026 ·
For the release of Beaujolais nouveau on 19 November 2026, a two-day itinerary from Bagnols to Jullié: châteaux of golden stone, hilltop fortresses, a mansion attributed to Mansart, and estates where tastings end in the cellar.
A 1914–1918 remembrance itinerary through the Aisne’s châteaux for Remembrance Day ·
From the fortress at Guise to the ruins of Coucy, the Anne Morgan Museum in Blérancourt to the Côte 204 in Château-Thierry: a two-day itinerary through the Aisne department linking châteaux and the memory of 1914–1918, ahead of Remembrance Day.
History of Coucy Castle, from the House of Coucy to its destruction in 1917 ·
Built by Enguerrand III in the 13th century, Coucy Castle boasted a 54-metre keep, destroyed by German forces using explosives in 1917. The story of a vanished giant.
Two-day driving itinerary in the north of the Lot, from the fortress of Castelnau-Bretenoux to the Renaissance châteaux of Montal and Assier ·
Two days in the north of the Lot to journey from an unbesieged red fortress to the sculptures of Montal and the warrior friezes of Assier, with a detour on foot to the château des Anglais at Autoire.
Two-day weekend by car in northern Paris, in the Oise department, between a princely estate, the cradle of the Capetian dynasty and a neo-medieval fortress ·
A two-day trip in the Oise department to explore the princely estate of Chantilly, the ruins of the royal château of Senlis where Hugh Capet was elected, and the fortress of Pierrefonds reimagined by Viollet-le-Duc.
Loir-et-Cher County Council’s 'A Day at the Châteaux 2026': discounted entry for locals at Chambord ·
Until 18 October 2026, residents of Loir-et-Cher can visit Chambord for just £4 instead of £7: conditions, proof of residency, booking details, and other participating sites.
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Autumn and winter 2026 calendar at the Royal Château of Amboise: candlelit walks, literary evening, Christmas ·
Literary evening on 15 October, candlelit night walks on 17, 24 and 31 October, followed by Christmas in the Land of Châteaux: the Royal Château of Amboise’s autumn and winter 2026 calendar until January.
Exhibition « Marie-Antoinette and Louis XVI at Fontainebleau. Splendour and sweetness of life » at the Château de Fontainebleau ·
From 11 October 2026 to 25 January 2027, Fontainebleau retraces the seven stays of the royal couple between 1774 and 1786, with over 120 works and refurbished apartments to discover.
