The 10 most beautiful castles in Rhône
10 châteaux
Chosen among 229 recorded castles
What to see in Rhône 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 renown: how often their name is searched on Google each month, and how many reviews visitors have left. “Beautiful” is your word; what we measure is what visitors choose.
No. 1
Château de Pizay (Pizay Castle)
Belleville-en-Beaujolais
The château de Pizay stands in Belleville-en-Beaujolais, within the former commune of Saint-Jean-d'Ardières, amid the Beaujolais vineyards. Its original structure, a fortified house dating back to the late 14th century, sits alongside a Renaissance-era residence, giving the site two distinct architectural faces.
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No. 2
Château de Joux (Joux Castle)
Joux
Château de Joux, in Joux (Rhône), France. Location, access and practical information.
No. 3
Château de Saint-Priest (Saint-Priest Castle)
Saint-Priest
Located in Saint-Priest, within the Lyon metropolitan area, this château began as a modest fortified house in the 14th century before being expanded over the centuries by two prominent families, the Richards and later the Guignards.
No. 4
Château de la Ferrière (Ferrière Castle)
Charbonnières-les-Bains
The château de la Ferrière stands at Charbonnières-les-Bains, in the Lyon metropolitan area. This 18th-century residence is privately owned, which limits any possibility of visiting. It is currently being converted into a high-end residential property.
No. 5
Château de Bagnols (Bagnols Castle)
Bagnols
On a hillside above Bagnols, in the golden stone country, stands a former fortified castle whose origins go back to the 13th century, substantially altered in later periods. Built on a pentagonal plan, it retains its surrounding wall, round towers, moat with its bridges, and a terraced garden with loggias and a pool.
No. 6
Château du Vivier (Vivier Castle)
Écully
The château du Vivier stands in the commune of Écully, within the Lyon metropolitan area, in the Rhône department. The name is shared by several French buildings, so some caution is needed when reading about it online.
No. 7
Château de La Chaize (Chaize Castle)
Odenas
Set among the Brouilly vineyards, this late 17th-century château combines classical architecture with Italian-inspired touches and a working wine estate.
No. 8
Château de Montmelas (Montmelas Castle)
Montmelas-Saint-Sorlin
Perched on a rocky spur in the Beaujolais region, Montmelas castle overlooks the Rhône valley from a site held by the Sires de Beaujeu in the Middle Ages.
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No. 9
Château de Janzé (Janzé Castle)
Marcilly-d'Azergues
In the commune of Marcilly-d'Azergues, northwest of Lyon, the château de Janzé stands on the slope of a small valley overlooking the Azergues valley.
No. 10
Château de Jarnioux (Jarnioux Castle)
Porte des Pierres Dorées
Standing on a ridge above the Morgon valley, Jarnioux castle still looks every bit the medieval stronghold despite alterations carried out between the 15th and 17th centuries.
Adult €8Hours, prices and access
Every castle in Rhône (229)Which ones open this weekend?
Frequently asked questions
- What is the most beautiful castle in Rhône?
- The most visited in Rhône is Château de Pizay, 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 Rhône, we keep those open to the public with a photo, then rank by number of Google reviews. No castle pays to appear.