Normandy is a pretty coastal region with a rich historic past. It boasts some of France's most famed sights including the Bayeaux Tapestry, the D-Day landing beaches, and the iconic island monastery, Mont St-Michel. There are also dramatic coastlines, pleasant rolling hills and a distinct (and delicious) cuisine to be explored. For that classical French stay, it doesn't get much better than booking a room in one of the region's châteaux. Whether you want grand and traditional or something a little more chic and contemporary, there is plenty to choose from. Our hotel experts have compiled a collection of the best Château hotels in Normandy with something for everyone, whether you are on a romantic escape or a family break. So why not browse through our collection to start planning your trip?
For a traditional château
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Château de Canisy is a grand building set on a 700-acre estate. It’s been beautifully preserved, both inside and out, and there are numerous reception rooms filled with elegant antiques, and featuring roaring fires. Rooms and suites are just as beautiful and historic; beds are hung with heavy drapes and the walls are adorned with traditional French patterned wallpaper and oil paintings. A fairytale stay.
- Built for the Marquis d’Ourville in 1765, the Château de Pont Rilly has that classic château grandeur. Steeped in history, this charming property has just four rooms, all with beautiful marble fireplaces and parquet flooring, topped off with period-appropriate antiques. There are also three self-catering cottages in the grounds, which sleep four, six and eight.
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Chateau de Miromesnil offers history and charm in spades with elegant wood panelling, stone fireplaces, and classic French touches. Sleep where Maupassant was born, explore a 16th-century chapel, and admire grand Louis XIII architecture. All set in beautifully manicured gardens.
- Also benefitting from a tranquil spot, Château la Ferriere is a stunning 18th-century pile just outside Bayeux, with just five traditionally dressed rooms and suites. If you want parquet and toile du jouy, chandeliers and drapes, antiques and busts, then you should be extremely happy here; ditto if you’re looking for an intimate and luxurious base, which really feels like a château.
For a rural hideaway
- The Château de Chantore is a stunning red-brick château just back from the coast by Mont Saint Michel, hidden amongst rolling parkland so that it feels a million miles from anywhere. There are just five rooms, all of them resplendent with patterned or embroidered fabrics and period wallpapers. This is traditional maximalism at its best in an idyllic rural location.
- Elegant and romantic, it’s the Château Hotel de Belmesnil’s position, in a tranquil, secluded spot outside Rouen, that is the real lure. From the outside, it looks every inch the perfect château while on the inside, it has been beautifully refurbished to the standards of modern luxury, in warm, natural colours. There are 10 rooms, and public spaces where you can play table football, or table tennis, French boules or badminton.
- Very close to the Parc Natural Regional Normandie-Maine, the Château de Sarceaux is an idyllic countryside escape. Originally built as a hunting lodge, then converted into more of a doll’s house style château in the 18th-century, this is a historic property with four individually styled rooms, each with its own fireplace and rustic wood floors, and one suite, similarly, but more grandly decorated.
- The Château de Bouceel is another picture-perfect property. Built in the 18th-century, this five-bedroom property has a wonderful collection of antiques, including Louis XVI-style panelling and lovely parquet floors. Some of the bedrooms are quite grand. The garden is large, and there’s a pool too.
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Chateau de Blavou is a picture-perfect castle set in the picturesque Normandy-Perche regional country park. Interiors are suitably grand and filled with antiques. Enormous rooms boast four-poster beds and equally large (and indulgent) bathrooms. With numerous activities on its doorstep, this is the perfect rural escape.
- Set on a beautiful country estate in the charming region of Barbeville, Chateau des Monts is an authentic rural retreat. The rooms feature antiques, original wall reliefs and marble fireplaces, plus there are 25 acres of glorious gardens to explore.
For a romantic escape
- Classically beautiful, with the kind of huge elegant windows and ornate iron and stonework that châteaux are known for, the Château d'Audrieu was built in a beautiful spot in the 18th-century. These days there’s a pool and tennis courts too. Inside, the 29 rooms vary in opulence but all have original features and antiques. The restaurant is gourmet, and you’re not far from the coast. A perfect escape for two.
- The Château la Cheneviere offers all the romance and luxury of a traditional French château but having undergone a full renovation interiors now feature modern luxuries with all the mod-cons including a cocktail bar, heated pool, and tennis courts. The restaurant serves classical French cuisine and is ideal for a romantic dinner.
For families
- Romantic and family-friendly, the Château de saint Paterne is a 15th-century château with charming hosts in an idyllic spot outside Alencon. There are nine rooms and two suites — one of which is in a treehouse in the woods (which kids will love). With early supper time for children and endless activities including swimming, tennis, badminton, croquet or table tennis, plus fantastic table d’hote dinners, this is a real crowd pleaser.
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Chateau Saint Gilles is an 18th-century château located close to Bayeux. Inside, guestrooms and apartments are bright and contemporary, while tall windows and heritage fireplaces attest to the property's heritage. Spacious family suites are ideal for those travelling with young kids. A well priced option close to some of Normandy's most famed sights.
For a B&B
- The Château de Bonnemare is in a beautiful and remote spot. The property's sprawling grounds house a chapel, farm, and cider press. Inside the decor is no less than regal in some of the rooms, others are simpler, though, and very good value. A charming hideaway.
For great value
- Elegant yet unfussy, the Château Les Cedres lies close to Caen and looks like a fine manor on the outside but feels more like a grand family home on the inside. If this is more to your taste then you might also appreciate that there are just three rooms here and they’re all simply and freshly styled with white walls that make the most of the elegant original doors, floors and fireplaces.
Still not sure which to book?
