The 10 most beautiful castles in Loire-Atlantique
10 châteaux
Chosen among 229 recorded castles
What to see in Loire-Atlantique 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 Clisson (Clisson Castle)
Clisson
In Clisson, Loire-Atlantique, the remains of a 13th-century fortress stand on a rocky spur above the Sèvre Nantaise river. Damaged during the Revolution and partly restored afterwards, the site still reads as a fortified stronghold, now open to visitors as ruins. It is listed as a historic monument.
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No. 2
Château des Tourelles (Tourelles Castle)
Pornichet
In Pornichet, the château des Tourelles was built in 1868 and has since been turned into a hotel combined with a thalassotherapy centre. The building has kept the look of a 19th-century seaside residence, though it now welcomes guests staying for a break rather than casual sightseers.
No. 3
Domaine de la Garenne-Lemot (également sur communes de Clisson, dans la Loire-Atlantique, et Cugand, en Vendée)
Gétigné
The Garenne-Lemot estate spans the communes of Gétigné and Clisson, in Loire-Atlantique, and extends into Cugand in the Vendée. This landscaped park was designed in the early 19th century by the sculptor François-Frédéric Lemot, who scattered follies and structures inspired by antiquity across the rolling grounds.
No. 4
Château d'Oudon (Oudon Castle)
Oudon
In Oudon, a polygonal keep over thirty metres high overlooks the confluence of the Loire and the Hâvre, the main surviving part of a stronghold begun in 1392 by the lord of Malestroit.
Adult €6.90Hours, prices and access
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No. 5
Manoir de Procé
Nantes
The manor of Procé stands at the heart of an 11-hectare park in western Nantes, between the Hauts-Pavés-Saint-Félix and Dervallières-Zola districts.
No. 6
Château du Plessis-Tison (Plessis-Tison Castle)
Nantes
Château du Plessis-Tison, in Nantes (Loire-Atlantique), France. Location, access and practical information.
No. 7
Château d'Ancenis (Ancenis Castle)
Ancenis-Saint-Géréon
The château d'Ancenis stands above the Loire on a mound raised in the late 10th century on the initiative of Aremberge, wife of the Breton duke Guérech.
No. 8
Château de la Gournerie (Gournerie Castle)
Saint-Herblain
The château de la Gournerie stands in Saint-Herblain, on the edge of Nantes, within a 70-hectare wooded park. Built in 1623 and later altered over the following centuries, it was transferred to the town in 1973 and now operates as a restaurant and event venue.
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No. 9
Château de la Gaudinière (Gaudinière Castle)
Nantes
Château de la Gaudinière, in Nantes (Loire-Atlantique), France. Location, access and practical information.
No. 10
Château du Plessis (Plessis Castle)
Sainte-Luce-sur-Loire
The Château du Plessis, in Sainte-Luce-sur-Loire, is a manor house whose history dates back to the 18th century, shaped by several Nantes merchant and aristocratic families.
Every castle in Loire-Atlantique (229)Which ones open this weekend?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the most beautiful castle in Loire-Atlantique?
- The most visited in Loire-Atlantique is Château de Clisson, 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 229 castles recorded in Loire-Atlantique, we keep those open to the public with a photo, then rank by number of Google reviews. No castle pays to appear.