Discover some of the most beautiful castles in Normandy.
The area is full of historic buildings with a long history. Some are medieval forts, others are beautiful Renaissance buildings with charming gardens.
All are different and worth a visit!
The best castles in Normandy – Our top 3
When we started planning to explore our home region, we were surprised by the high number of castles.
Many of them are dedicated to weddings and receptions. But there are others, exceptional, that are open to visitors – good ideas for visits in Normandy.
It is very difficult to narrow down the list, as they are all very different. Here is our selection based on our own experiences.
#1 – Saint-Germain-de-Livet Castle
- Name of the castle –
Castle of Saint-Germain-de-Livet - Construction –
15th century half-timbered manor house and 16th century stone and brick building - Location –
In the city of Saint-Germain-de-Livet, Calvados
10min south of Lisieux
See accommodations in Lisieux - Why –
This castle really impressed us. It’s not the oldest, it’s not the largest (it’s actually quite small) but it’s certainly the most unique. The half-timbered part of the manor house still has old frescoes on the wall because they had been protected by plaster. And the stone and brick part has some green elements in the exterior decor, which is very rare. - Official website
#2 – Carrouges Castle
- Name of the castle –
Castle of Carrouges - Construction –
14th and 17th centuries - Location –
City of Carrouges, Orne
30min drive west of Alençon - Why –
We like the different shapes of the castle structure, the impressive entrance gate and the road leading to it as well as the red color. It was a place of conviviality that welcomed Louis XI and Catherine de Medici. Inside, you can see pieces of very different styles. I prefer the older ones like the one in the photo below with the carved wooden beams. And pay special attention to the stairs.
We liked that there was a lot to see but not too much. In some castles (like Versailles), the rooms seem very repetitive after a while. Not here. - Official website
#3 – Pirou Castle
- Name of the castle –
Castle of Pirou - Construction –
Originally built in the 12th century – modifications in the 18th. - Location –
In the Manche, West Coast
1 hour south of Cherbourg - Why –
It is a very small castle. But this is one of the visits that stayed in our minds the most. It was so much fun and different. We are sure the kids will love it.
First of all, the series of trees that surround the moat when you first enter it is magnificent. That alone, in my opinion, is worth the visit, but I love trees…
Then, the visit is like an exploration. We finish on the rampart. Unlike most of the ramparts you can visit in other castles, here they are very narrow and right next to the roof. We really appreciated that. - Official website
OUR ADVICE FOR RENTING A CAR IN Normandy
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars – one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a car that is comfortable enough (distances can be long) but compact (some parking lots and villages are narrow).
- Think of thecomplete insurance (some roads are tortuous and narrow).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Normandy Castles – 7 best visits
Let’s look at some of the castles that we thought were a special experience to visit: because of the architecture or the exhibits.
#4 – Martainville Castle
- Name of the castle –
Castle of Martainville - Construction –
From the 15th and 16th century - Location –
On the border between the Seine-Maritime and the Eure
25min from Rouen
See accommodations in Rouen - Why I included it –
It is a very symmetrical castle with towers at each of the four corners. The visit is done on each level with a central corridor. You have access to the large rooms at each corner and their smaller adjoining rooms in the towers.
The interior is a museum with many pieces about the life in the region. It is very interesting to explore.
Don’t miss the wild gardens behind the castle for different views. - Official website
#5 – Crèvecoeur Castle
- Name of the castle –
Castle of Crèvecoeur-en-Auge (note that other castles of Crèvecoeur exist in Europe) - Construction –
12th century fortification and chapel, 15th and 16th century half-timbered buildings - Location –
In Mézidon Auge Valley, Calvados – the region of Pays d’Auge
25min from Lisieux - Why I included it –
We love half-timbered houses and this castle has some very nice examples with the dovecote, the barn and the manor. And this one combines them with medieval fortifications. It achieves a good balance and we enjoyed the visit. - Official website
#6 – Gratot Castle
- Name of the castle –
Castle of Gratot - Construction –
Medieval castle built in the 16th century and modified by several generations (same family until the end of the 18th century) - Location –
La Manche, west coast
1 hour drive south of Cherbourg - Why I included it –
It 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 15th century Fairy Tower is particularly strange with the small square room at the top.
The visit was really intriguing and a unique experience. - Official website
PLAN YOUR TRIP TO Normandy
Inspiration destinations
- Deciding where to go in Normandy – the best destinations
- Our weekend ideas: best-of, romantic, unusual, seaside, luxury, family
- 16 seaside hotels in Normandy
- The most beautiful charming hotels in Normandy
Best of
Practice
- Where to stay in Normandy – best places and hotels
- See our tips for renting a car at CDG airport, Orly airport, Beauvais airport, Caen, Rouen, Bayeux…
The best views of Normandy with castle
Now let’s see the castles that are nice to admire from the outside. The views are accessible at any time of the day.
#7 – Château Gaillard
- Name of the castle –
Château Gaillard - Construction –
12th century, built by Richard the Lionheart - Location –
Above Les Andelys, in the Eure, along the Seine
25min north of Vernon
See the accommodations in Andelys - Why I included it –
It is one of the most beautiful landscapes in Normandy. From the parking lot you can see the promontory with the medieval fort. Moreover, it overhangs a bend of the Seine with the city of Andelys. I could have spent hours admiring the view (and painters sit here for hours). - Official website I think
#8 – Gacé Castle
- Name of the castle –
Castle of Gacé - Construction –
Between the 12th and 15th centuries - Location –
City of Gacé, Orne
35min north of Alençon - Why I included it –
It is a quick stop in the middle of the city as the castle serves as a city hall and museum.
We can’t tell you why, but we think it was a very photogenic castle and we really enjoyed the 2 very different facades.
#9 – Dieppe Castle
- Name of the castle –
Dieppe Castle - Construction –
Built and destroyed in the 12th century, it was restored in the 15th century - Location –
Overlooking the city of Dieppe, Seine-Maritime
1 hour drive from Rouen
See the accommodations in Dieppe - Why I included it –
We love this view from the top of the cliffs. It is one of the rare castles in front of the sea in Normandy. You can see the whole city of Dieppe below and the waterfront with the pebble beach. - Official website
#10 – Castle William the Conqueror in Falaise
- Name of the castle –
Castle “William the Conqueror - Construction –
Medieval castle from the 12th century - Location –
City of Falaise, Calvados
40min from Caen
See accommodations in Falaise - Why I included it –
If you drive along the Panoramic Way, you will enjoy beautiful views of this fortress perched on a rocky mountain. It is one of the most austere castles in Normandy. And if you visit it, you can enjoy beautiful views of the city. - Official website
USE OUR GUIDE TO PLAN A
DREAM TRIP TO Normandy
All the information you need for your trip:
- 8 maps that make planning easier
- 160+ pre-selected locations
- Practical advice
- 300+ photos to help you choose
The 3 best parks around castles
Sometimes the castle is interesting, but sometimes the best part is the park that surrounds the property. Some have forest plots for hunting, but others offer a different experience, complementary to the castle. Below you will find our selection of the 3 best.
#11 – Domaine d’Harcourt
- Name of the castle –
Domaine d’Harcourt - Construction –
From the 12th and 14th centuries, and modified in the 17th century - Location –
City of Harcourt, Eure
40min from Evreux - Why I included it –
The medieval castle of Harcourt is surrounded by two arboretums: a tree collection-museum and tree-specific areas for tree replanting studies. You will be able to see impressive specimens such as beech trees, giant cedars, cypresses, giant redwoods… - Official website
#12 – Château des Ravalet
- 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
See the accommodations in Cherbourg - Why I included it –
This is a wonderful surprise. The park of the castle is managed by the city and its access is free. The park offers a variety of environments: formal gardens, wooded areas, water features and a greenhouse. - Website
#13 – Castle of Vascoeuil
- Name of the castle –
Castle of Vascoeuil - Construction –
From the 15th and 16th century - Location –
Vascoeuil in the Eure, on the border with the Seine-Maritime
30min from Rouen - Why I included it –
This is a different type of park. The castle is not the most impressive, but exploring the whole site is really enjoyable. Artwork is placed all around the park and blends with nature. There is a small river and a waterfall has been built near the café. A nice place for a walk. - Official website
FOR ADVICE ON
QUALITY Support us
Do you appreciate all the free content you find on our blog?
Our independence, the only guarantee of qualitytips, is partly based on your generosity!
We offer you to give us a coffee (or several) in the hope of sharing it with you one day in person!
The 3 best castle gardens
And for the last category, we have selected some castles whose most impressive feature is the garden: either a typical French castle garden or a wilder experience.
#14 – Battlefield Castle
- Name of the castle –
Castle of the Battlefield - Construction –
From the 17th century and recently heavily restored - Location –
Sainte opportune du Bosc, Eure
35min from Evreux - Why I included it –
It is considered the “Versailles of Normandy”. Landscapers are having a field day. I won’t spoil too much of the discovery for you, but plan on spending a few hours exploring the gardens and discovering the shapes they have imagined with the hedges. - Official website
#15 – Sassy Castle
- Name of the castle –
Sassy Castle - Construction –
From the 18th century - Location –
Boischampré, Orne
30min from Alençon - Why I included it –
The garden has terraces. The view is therefore magnificent in both directions: from the castle overlooking the gardens and from the gardens with the castle on top. It does not cover a large area, but the effect is successful. - Official website
#16 – Botanical Garden of Vauville
- Name of the castle –
Botanical Garden of Vauville - Construction –
12th century castle, 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. This is not the typical French style garden. It was created in 1948, and today it is possible to see more than 1000 species of plants from the southern hemisphere. A wonderful exploration with an exotic atmosphere. - Official website
The “castle” of Mont-Saint-Michel
Many consider the fortified village of Mont-Saint-Michel as a castle.
Not really. It is in fact an abbey, a village and ramparts. But I understand…
It is a must in Normandy. A rather magical place.
See all our tips for visiting it.
A MAGICAL EXPERIENCE AT Mont-Saint-Michel
Step 1: Plan and get there
Step 2: Decide on your program
Step 3: decide where to sleep
Map of the most beautiful castles in Normandy
And to help you find your way, here is a map with our 10 favorite castles:
