The 10 most beautiful castles in Charente-Maritime
10 châteaux
Chosen among 105 recorded castles
What to see in Charente-Maritime when you only have a weekend: the 10 most visited castles according to their visitors’ reviews, among those open to the public whose visiting conditions we checked on the official website. For each: what you see, the entry price, the link to the full entry.
Ranked by attendance, from the number of Google reviews. “Beautiful” is your word; what we measure is what visitors choose.
No. 1
Château de la Roche Courbon
Saint-Porchaire
In Saint-Porchaire, in the Charente-Maritime department, the château de la Roche-Courbon stands with its 15th-century buildings above moats and terraced grounds. A visit combines the old architecture with well-regarded gardens, whose layout and vistas reward a leisurely pace.
No. 2
Château de Jonzac (Jonzac Castle)
Jonzac
Jonzac castle stands at the centre of the town that bears its name, in the Charente-Maritime department. Its medieval towers, fortified gatehouse and 16th-century entrance building trace a history going back to the 11th century, and the site today houses the town hall and the sub-prefecture.
No. 3
Château de Panloy (Panloy Castle)
Port-d'Envaux
Standing on the banks of the Charente river at Port-d'Envaux, Panloy castle has stayed in the hands of a single family since it was built in the 17th century, which explains why the rooms open to visitors still hold their original furniture and objects.
Adult €11Hours, prices and access
No. 4
Château de Surgères (Surgères Castle)
Surgères
In Surgères, on the banks of the Gères river, a large castle complex brings together centuries of construction behind a medieval enclosure shaped like an ellipse, some 600 metres long.
No. 5
Château de Dampierre-sur-Boutonne (Dampierre-sur-Boutonne Castle)
Dampierre-sur-Boutonne
Built on two islands of the Boutonne river and reached by a bridge, the château de Dampierre-sur-Boutonne is known for its Renaissance gallery with two superimposed levels, decorated with carved coffered ceilings full of emblematic and alchemical imagery.
Adult €10Hours, prices and access
No. 6
Château de Beaulon (Beaulon Castle)
Saint-Dizant-du-Gua
In Saint-Dizant-du-Gua, in the Charente-Maritime region, the château de Beaulon combines late Gothic lines from the end of the 15th century with Renaissance additions made some thirty years later.
No. 7
Château d'Aulnay (Aulnay Castle)
Aulnay
Of the fortified castle of Aulnay, built by the local viscounts and fought over during the Hundred Years' War and later the Wars of Religion, only a keep tower still stands on its mound. Most of the stronghold was quarried for building stone after the Revolution, and the last ruins were leveled in the 19th century.
No. 8
Château de Montguyon (Montguyon Castle)
Montguyon
At Montguyon, the ruins of a medieval stronghold still stand on a rocky spur that once carried a drawbridge.
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No. 9
Chateau de Mirambeau
Mirambeau
Château de Mirambeau stands on a hillside in northern Charente-Maritime, between Bordeaux and Cognac. An 11th-century fortified building once occupied the site, changing hands repeatedly before the present north wing was raised in 1570 in a neo-gothic style.
No. 10
Château de Mornay (Mornay Castle)
Saint-Pierre-de-l'Isle
Château de Mornay, in Saint-Pierre-de-l'Isle (Charente-Maritime), France. Location, access and practical information.
Every castle in Charente-Maritime (105)Which ones open this weekend?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the most beautiful castle in Charente-Maritime?
- The most visited in Charente-Maritime is Château de la Roche Courbon, first in this selection according to its visitors’ reviews. All 10 castles listed are open to visitors with checked hours.
- How much does a visit cost?
- The adult entry price is shown under each castle when the official website publishes it; 0 of these castles are free.
- How is this selection made?
- Among the 105 castles recorded in Charente-Maritime, we keep those open to the public with a photo, then rank by number of Google reviews. No castle pays to appear.