🏰 The Most Epic Abandoned Castles in France to Explore in 2025

France is famous for its majestic castles — but behind the postcard images lies another world:
a hidden universe of abandoned castles, forgotten manors, collapsing fortresses and overgrown palaces swallowed by nature.

These places are treasures for explorers.
Broken staircases, ivy-covered towers, silent ballrooms, ruined chapels…
Each site feels like stepping into a frozen chapter of history.

Here are the most epic abandoned castles in France, still standing in 2025.

🏰 1. Château des Singes — A Time Capsule of Forgotten Luxury

One of the most legendary abandoned castles in France.
Known for its famous Monkey Room, red frescoes and sculpted staircases.

• Built: 18th century
• Interiors were still furnished until the 2000s
• Atmosphere: elegant, dusty, cinematic

🌀 2. Manoir Colimaçon — Home of the Iconic Spiral Staircase

This abandoned manor is famous worldwide thanks to its spiral staircase, now a symbol of French urbex.

• Neo-Gothic architecture
• Broken stained-glass windows
• Grand entrance hall
• Staircase twisting into darkness

One of the most photographed manors in Europe.

🌿 3. Château de la Solitude — Where Nature Has Taken Over

Hidden deep in a valley, this castle is almost entirely reclaimed by vegetation.

• Roof partially collapsed
• Ballrooms open to the forest
• Ivy crawling across the windows

A breathtaking blend of ruin and wilderness.

⚔️ 4. Château des Aigles — A Medieval Fortress in Ruins

Perched on a rocky ridge, this castle dominates the landscape.

• Towers crumbling
• Vast courtyard
• Gothic stonework
• Incredible views

A raw, powerful place — perfect for dramatic photography.

🕰️ 5. Domaine de l’Oubli — A Deserted Noble Residence

Once a family estate, abandoned in the 1980s.

• Empty rooms
• A collapsed library
• Dust-covered chapel

A poetic and melancholic exploration.

🌊 6. Forgotten Loire Valley Castles — The “Other” French Royal Valley

Beyond the famous restored châteaux, the Loire hides dozens of abandoned rural castles:

• broken wings
• towers eaten by time
• old salons left untouched

These places represent an incredible, overlooked heritage.

🌲 7. Château des Fougères — A Fairytale in Ruins

Located in the heart of a deep forest, this castle looks like a movie set.

• Medieval towers
• Long stone staircases
• Gardens swallowed by moss

Romantic and ghostly at the same time.

🎓 8. Château Universitaire — A Castle Turned School, Now Abandoned

Used as an educational institution during the 20th century, abandoned later.

• classrooms frozen in time
• neo-classical facade
• empty corridors

A rare mix between academic and aristocratic architecture.

🔥 9. Château de la Verrerie — Scarred by Fire

Partly destroyed by a large fire, this castle is now a dramatic shell.

• charred wooden beams
• burned corridors
• open-sky ballrooms

A spectacular but fragile ruin.

🏛️ 10. Château du Maître Verrier — One of the Most Intact Abandoned Estates

A remarkably preserved castle where some interior elements reportedly remain in place:

• old mosaics
• antique mirrors
• original library
• stained-glass windows

A jewel of forgotten elegance.

🔎 How to Find These Abandoned Castles?

The exact locations of abandoned castles are never posted publicly, because:

• they attract vandalism
• they are private property
• many are dangerous
• they must be preserved

But you can explore real, verified abandoned places safely with the right tools.

✔️ Try the Free Urbex Map

Includes several real abandoned places to start exploring immediately:

🔗 Access the Free Map

✔️ Unlock the Full Collection (5000+ verified places)

Including dozens of abandoned castles, manors and estates across France and Europe:

🔗 Browse all paid maps

🎁 Create an account & get the free map

🗺️ Open the Free Map

⚠️ Safety & Legality

Abandoned castles can be fragile and dangerous.
Always explore:

• without breaking in
• without climbing unstable structures
• without damaging the site
• with full respect for heritage

🎯 Final Thoughts

France has some of the most extraordinary abandoned castles in the world.
They stand as silent monuments to forgotten centuries — elegant, ruined, dramatic and filled with history.

🧭 Discover the abandoned castles still standing today:
Access the Free Urbex Map