The Stone Giants: Ranking of the largest estates in France

Built in the heart of the largest enclosed forest park in Europe (approximately 50 km² surrounded by a 32 km long wall), it is the largest of the Loire Valley châteaux. It boasts a formal garden and a hunting park, both listed as historical monuments. Chambord is the only royal estate that remains intact since its creation.

The Château de Fontainebleau: A Home for Centuries Nicknamed by Napoleon "the true home of kings, the house of centuries," Fontainebleau is the only château inhabited by all French sovereigns from the 12th to the 19th centuries. This sprawling palace is an open-air architectural book, where the refinement of the Renaissance—exemplified by the famous François I Gallery and its Italianate frescoes—coexists with the majesty of the Empire. Its horseshoe-shaped staircase has become the global emblem of this UNESCO World Heritage site. But Fontainebleau is not just a static museum; it is an exceptional playground for the seventh art. Its paved courtyards and sandstone forest have hosted numerous film shoots, including swashbuckling epics where Jean-Paul Belmondo displayed his full panache. The spirit of "Bébel" is palpable in this blend of historical prestige and raw energy, particularly in the action scenes that exploit the verticality of its facades. Between the Gardens of Diana, the Grand Canal, and the Emperor's apartments, a visit to Fontainebleau is a complete immersion into the inner workings of power and the magic of cinema.

The Château de Valençay is located in the commune of Valençay in the Indre department. Its architecture is reminiscent of the Château de Chambord. The estate, along with its formal French gardens and English landscape park, is listed as a historical monument. Blending Renaissance and Classical styles, Valençay embodies elegance with its precious collections, paintings, objets d'art, and majestic furnishings. A unique place that will enchant visitors.

Home to the Dukes of Brissac, the tallest château in France rises with its monumental façades from its vast landscaped park. With seven stories and 204 rooms, this monument truly deserves its nickname, "Giant of the Loire Valley." Acquired in 1502 by René de Cossé, the first Lord of Brissac, it is now the residence of the 13th Duke of Brissac. It remains open to visitors, offering so much to admire: its 16th-century chapel and Belle Époque theater, its dazzling décor featuring gilded ceilings, tapestries, and precious furnishings. Its park offers beautiful viewpoints shaded by centuries-old trees.

The Palace of Compiègne is a former royal and imperial residence located in Compiègne, Oise (Hauts-de-France region, France). It has been listed as a historical monument since October 24, 1994. Built by Louis XV and Louis XVI, and remodeled under Napoleon I and then Napoleon III, the Château de Compiègne was a central center of court life and the exercise of power. The originality and beauty of this, the largest French neoclassical château, along with the quality of its interior decoration and furnishings, constitute a unique ensemble, a historic site which, alongside Versailles and Fontainebleau, is one of the three most important French royal and imperial residences.