Discover some of the best castles in Normandy. The region is full of historical buildings with long history. Some are medieval forts, other are beautiful renaissance buildings with charming gardens. All are different and worth a visit!
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The best castles in Normandy - My top 3
When I started planning the exploration of my home-region I was surprised by the high number of castles. I had no idea. A lot of them are dedicated to weddings and receptions. But there are some outstanding ones open to visitors.
Reducing the list is very difficult, because they are all so different. Below is my selection based on my own experiences.
Your list of things to do in Normandy should include a few castles!
#1 - Saint-Germain-de-Livet Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Château de Saint-Germain-de-Livet - Construction -
Half-timbered manor from the 15th century and stone and brick building from the 16th century - Location -
In the town of Saint-Germain-de-Livet, Calvados
10min South of Lisieux - Why I included it -
This castle has really made an impression on me. It is not the oldest, it is not the biggest (it is actually quite small) but it is certainly the most unique. The half-timbered manor part still has old frescoes on the wall because they had been protected by plaster. And the stone and brick section has some green elements in the outside decor which is very rare. - Official website
#2 - Carrouges castle
- Name of the Castle -
Château de Carrouges - Construction -
14th and 17th centuries - Location -
Town of Carrouges, Orne
30min drive West from Alençon - Why I included it -
I love the various shapes in the structure of the castle, the impressive front gate and road leading to it as well as the red color. It was a social place which has welcomed Louis XI and Catherine de Medicis. Inside you can see rooms with very different styles. I prefer the older ones like the one in the picture below with the sculpted wooden beams. And pay special attention to the staircases.
I loved that there was quite a lot to see but not too much. In some castles (like Versailles), rooms feel very repetitive after a while. Not here. - Official website
#3 - Pirou Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Château de Pirou - Construction -
Originally built in the 12th century - modifications in the 18th. - Location -
Manche West coast
1h South of Cherbourg - Why I included it -
This is quite a small castle. But this is one of the visits that stuck in my head the most. It was so much fun and different. I am sure kids will love it.
First of all, the series of trees around the moat when you first enter is magnificent. Just that, in my opinion is worth the visit, but I love trees...
Then the visit is like and exploration. You end up on the rampart. But contrary to most rampart you can visit at other castles, here they are very narrow and right next to the roof. I really enjoyed that. - Official website
All the castles listed in this article are included (with many other amazing locations) in my eBook to help you plan your road trip around Normandy:
Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!
Plan your perfect trip around Normandy with:
- 8 easy-to-plan Maps
- 160+ pre-selected scenic locations
- Planning tips to make the most of your time
- 315+ large photos to decide where to go
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
Best visit experiences in Normandy castles
Now let's look at some of the castles for which I thought the visit was a special experience: because of the architecture or because of the pieces on display.
Martainville Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Château de Martainville - Construction -
From the 15h and 16th centuries - Location -
At the limit between Seine-Maritime and Eure
25min from Rouen - Why I included it -
This is a very symmetrical castle with towers at each of the four corners. The visit is on each levels with a central corridor. You access the large rooms at each corner and their small attached rooms in the towers.
The interior is a museum with lots of pieces about life in the region. It is very interesting to explore.
Don't miss the wild gardens behind the castle for different views. - Official website
Crèvecoeur Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Château de Crèvecoeur-en-Auge (note that other Crèvecoeur castles exist in Europe) - Construction -
Fortification and chapel from the 12th century, half-timbered buildings from the 15h and 16th centuries - Location -
In Mézidon Vallée d'Auge, Calvados
25min drive from Lisieux - Why I included it -
I love half-timbered houses and this castle has some really fine examples with the dovecote, the barn and the manor house. And this one combines them with medieval fortifications. It reaches a good balance and I enjoyed the visit. - Official website
Gratot Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Châtau de Gratot - Construction -
Medieval castle first built in the 14th century and modified by many generations (same family until the end of the 18th century) - Location -
La Manche, West coast
1h drive South of Cherbourg - Why I included it -
This is not the most famous castle in Normandy. But it was really a fun discovery. It has 3 different towers from different periods. And you can climb to discover the views and the structure. The Fairy tower from the 15th century is especially strange with the little square room at the top.
The visit was really intriguing and a unique experience. - Official website
Best outside views of Norman castles
Now, let's have a look at castles that are great to look at from the outside. The views are accessible at any time.
Gaillard Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Château Gaillard - Construction -
12th century, built by Richard the Lionheart - Location -
Above Les Andelys, Eure, along the Seine River
25min North of Vernon - Why I included it -
This is one of the most magnificent landscapes in Normandy. From the carpark, you can see the promontory with the medieval fort. Plus, it overlooks a bend in the Seine River with the town of Les Andelys. I could have spent hours just admiring the view (and painters do sit up here for several hours). - Official website I think
Gacé Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Château de Gacé - Construction -
Between the 12th and the 15th centuries - Location -
Town of Gacé, Orne
35min North of Alençon - Why I included it -
This is a quick stop in the middle of the town as the castle is used as town hall and museum.
I can't tell you why but I thought it was a very photogenic castle and really enjoyed the 2 very different facades.
Dieppe Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Château de Dieppe - Construction -
First built and destroyed in the 12th century, it was restored in the 15th century - Location -
Overlooking the town of Dieppe, Seine-Maritime
1h drive from Rouen - Why I included it -
I love this view from the top of the cliffs. This is one of the rare castles on the sea front in Normandy. You can see the whole town of Dieppe under it and the sea-front with the pebble beach. - Official website
"William the Conqueror" Castle in Falaise
- Name of the Castle -
Castle "William the Conqueror" - Construction -
Medieval castle from the 12the century - Location -
Town of Falaise, Calvados
40min drive from Caen - Why I included it -
If you drive on Voie Panoramique, you can enjoy some nice views of this fortress perched on a rocky mount. This is one of the most austere-looking castles in Normandy. And if you visit it, you can enjoy beautiful views over the town. - Official website
Best castle's parks
Sometimes the castle is interesting, but sometimes the best part is the park surrounding the property. Some have forest patches for hunting, but others offer a different experience, complementary to the castle. Below are my top 3.
Harcourt Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Domaine d'Harcourt - Construction -
From the 12th and 14th centuries, and modified in the 17th century - Location -
Town of Harcourt, Eure
40min drive from Evreux - Why I included it -
The medieval castle of Harcourt is surrounded by 2 arboretums : a museum-collection of trees and tree-specific areas for studies into tree replanting. You will be able to see some impressive specimen such as Twisted beech trees, Giant Thuyan, Cypress, Giant Sequoias... - Official website
Ravalet Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Château des Ravalet - Construction -
Renaissance castle restored at the end of the 19th century - Location -
Just East of Cherbourg, Manche
10min drive from downtown - Why I included it -
This is a wonderful surprise. The castle's park is managed by the town and free to access. The park offers a variety of environments: French gardens, forested areas, water features and a greenhouse. - website
Vascoeuil Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Château de Vascoeuil - Construction -
From the 15h and 16th centuries - Location -
Vascoeuil in Eure, at the border with Seine-Maritime
30min drive from Rouen - Why I included it -
This is a different type of park. The castle is not the most impressive, but the exploration of the whole site is really enjoyable. Art pieces are placed all around the park and mixing with nature. There is a small river and a waterfall has been built near the café. A pleasant place for a stroll. - Official website
Best gardens around castles
And for the last category, I have selected a few castles where the most impressive feature is the garden: either a typical castle French garden or a wilder experiment.
Champ de Bataille Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Château du Champ de Bataille - Construction -
From the 17th century and heavily restored recently - Location -
Sainte opportune du Bosc, Eure
35min from Evreux - Why I included it -
This is considered the 'Versailles of Normandy'. The landscapers are having a blast. I won't spoil too much but plan a couple of hours to explore the gardens and discover the shapes imagined by them with the hedgerows. - Official website
Sassy Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Château de Sassy - Construction -
From the 18th century - Location -
Boischampré, Orne
30min from Alençon - Why I included it -
The garden has terraces. Therefore, the views are great in both directions: from the castle overlooking the gardens and from the gardens with the castle at the top. It does not cover a big area, but the effect is successful. - Official website
Vauville Castle
- Name of the Castle -
Jardin Botanique de Vauville - Construction -
Castle from the 12th century, modified in the 17th century - Location -
La Hague, Manche
30min drive West of Cherbourg - Why I included it -
This is a very different type of garden. Not the typical French style garden. It was started in 1948, and today you can see over 1000 species of plants from the Southern hemisphere. A wonderful exploration with an exotic vibe. - Official website
Need help planning your road trip around Normandy? Below is my guide that simplifies the organization with a preselection of the best places (including the castles):
Be overwhelmed by the beauty, not the planning!
Plan your perfect trip around Normandy with:
- 8 easy-to-plan Maps
- 160+ pre-selected scenic locations
- Planning tips to make the most of your time
- 315+ large photos to decide where to go
- GPS coordinates direct to the carparks
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