Fans of dark tourism or just curious thrill-seekers, France offers a wide range of haunted places to visit. Between haunted castles, mystical forests, demonic abysses, and catacombs, you can find haunted locations all over France that have witnessed inexplicable phenomena. So, if you want to visit the most haunted places in France, dive into our list of the 6 most haunted places in France that you can visit and even spend the night at:
- Le Château de Puymartin or the Château de la Dame Blanche (Dordogne)
- Le Château de Fougeret the most haunted castle in France (Nouvelle-Aquitaine)
- Le Château de Brissac (Maine et Loire)
- Le Gouffre de Padirac, also known as the Devil's Abyss (Dordogne)
- Les Catacombes de Paris, witnesses to a frightening past (Paris)
- La Forêt de Brocéliande(Bretagne)
3 Haunted Castles Where You Can Spend a Terrifying Evening in France
France is one of the countries with a huge number of haunted places alongside England with some of them evening opening their doors to curious dark tourists who come to see if they can make contact with entities. If you're ready to not sleep soundly, it's possible to sleep in one of the most haunted hotels in France from the following list:
1. Château de Puymartin
The Château de Puymartin is one of the most haunted places in France and is known as the castle of the White Lady. Built in the 13th century during the Hundred Years' War, this haunted castle witnessed many significant events during that very deadly period of our history. Later in the 19th century, a more gruesome story would mark the walls of this castle, which is still perceptible to visitors today.
hérèse, the owner's wife, was reportedly caught with her lover by her husband. Outraged, her husband had her lover executed and imprisoned her in a tower of the castle, where he bricked her up, letting her die slowly. This dreadful event left its mark on the building and the Puymartin region. A legend emerged after this story, recounting sightings of a white lady around midnight.
Several mediums, ghost hunters, energy workers, and paranormal enthusiasts have witnessed several abnormal phenomena. Recently, several YouTubers specialized in paranormal investigations stayed at the Château de Puymartin. Some of them were able to witness and record inexplicable phenomena using their equipment (Spirit Voice and a K2). We particularly think of the French YouTubers:
- Jordan Perrigaud: during his investigation at the haunted castle of the White Lady with Denyzee
- Le Grand JD: in a chilling paranormal investigation at Puymartin
Can you sleep in the haunted Château de Puymartin in France?
It is possible to sleep in the Château de Puymartin if you rent the castle for a night. To do so, you must contact the owners directly to arrange to sleep in this haunted place in France. For those who prefer not to spend the night on-site but still want to explore this mystical place, the castle organizes visits and events on the theme of the White Lady legend.
Where is Château de Puymartin in France?
Château de Puymartin is located in the southwest of France, about a 2.5-hour drive from Bordeaux.
Le Château de Fougeret
The Château de Fougeret is considered the most haunted castle in France. This haunted castle is a gateway to a world still not fully understood and often feared by ordinary mortals. In the heart of this haunted place, it's not just one story that has marked the stone of this castle but many. In Fougeret, entities coexist and sometimes appear to those who have stronger clairvoyance or clairaudience abilities than others.
These entities with tragic destinies are known in the world of the paranormal, and many forums and articles testify to encounters with some of them. Those who most often try to make contact with visitors are:
- Felix: the former owner of the castle, whose body was found one night in a room of the castle. The cause of his death is still unexplained today.
- L'huissier: who came to deal with the debts of a former owner, was murdered in a room of the castle..
- Alice: a young girl named Alice still appears in her room where she died from a violent and deadly infection while pregnant.
Time has stopped at the Château de Fougeret, and the decoration remains as it was in the last century, creating a mystical atmosphere that you will feel when you step into this haunted castle. The owner, Véronique Geffroy, wanted to honor the memory of each of these entities by preserving these places with the utmost respect.
Fougeret is one of the most popular places when it comes to paranormal tourism. Numerous documentaries have been filmed inside this castle, during which events that can be linked to supernatural acts have been observed. If you cannot visit this haunted castle in France, we recommend watching the following documentaries:
- Jordan Perrigaud: during his investigation at the haunted castle of Fougeret, Jordan witnessed inexplicable events..
- Silent Jill: Reportage by Silent Jill: alongside Gaelle Garcia Diaz, she shares her experience at the Château de Fougeret.
Can you sleep at Fougeret in the most haunted castle in France?
The owner of the Château de Fougeret, Véronique, allows people who want to challenge their beliefs and enjoy the experience and immersion to spend an evening in the most haunted castle in France. However, she points out that events that can be attributed to the supernatural do not occur regularly and are unpredictable. Therefore, it is best to arrive without expectations to be surprised.
The Allan Kardec package allows you to spend a night at the Château de Fougeret (including breakfast and dinner) and includes a workshop to help you better understand the entities present in the castle.
Where is the most haunted castle in France located?
The Château de Fougeret, renowned as the most haunted castle in France, is located in the Vienne department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, about 50 minutes by car from Poitiers. It was purchased in 2009 by Véronique Geffroy and is privately owned. To visit or stay in the castle, it is necessary to contact the owner.
Le Château de Brissac
The Château de Brissac is one of the Loire castles and is the tallest of its kind in France. Its architecture and history make it a must-see during your visit to the Loire Valley. If you are a lover of legends and ghost stories, you will not be disappointed since the Château de Brissac is one of the most haunted castles in France.
What makes the Château de Brissac a haunted place?
It all started in the 15th century when the Duke of Brissac, Jacques de Brézé, came home unexpectedly and found his wife, Charlotte de Brézé, in the arms of another man. The husband was so furious that he killed both his wife and her lover on the spot.
Since that tragic event, the ghost of Charlotte, known as the 'Green Lady' due to her green dress, has been said to haunt the castle. Visitors and staff have reported hearing her footsteps and sometimes even seeing her apparition. To make things even more eerie, the Château de Brissac organizes night tours and paranormal investigations for those who want to experience the haunted atmosphere firsthand. These tours take you through the castle's dark and mysterious corridors, where you might encounter the Green Lady or other supernatural phenomena.
Can you spend the night at the Château de Brissac?
Yes, you can spend the night at the Château de Brissac. The castle offers guest rooms for overnight stays, and you can choose to stay in the room where the murder of Charlotte de Brézé and her lover took place, known as the 'Green Lady's Room.' This room is said to be the most haunted in the castle.
Where is the Château de Brissac located?
The Château de Brissac is located in the town of Brissac-Quincé in the Maine-et-Loire department of the Pays de la Loire region in western France.
The Allan Kardec Package allows you to spend a night at Château de Fougeret (including breakfast and dinner) with a workshop to help you better understand the entities present in the castle.
Where is the most haunted castle in France located?
Château de Fougeret, renowned as the most haunted castle in France, is situated in the Vienne department in Nouvelle-Aquitaine, approximately 50 minutes by car from Poitiers. It was purchased in 2009 by Véronique Geffroy and is privately owned. To visit or stay in the castle, it is necessary to contact the owner.
Château de Brissac: Become a Witness to Paranormal Phenomena
Château de Brissac is one of the Loire castles and is known to be the tallest castle in France, with its 7 floors. It is also famous for the legend of the Green Lady.
A paranormal myth emerged from a bloody story involving a husband and his wife, who was alleged to have cheated on him with a lover. Upon discovering this betrayal, the husband is said to have murdered both lovers in a fit of rage and then left the castle. Since that tragic event, the spirit of Charlotte (the murdered wife) is said to haunt the premises. The nickname "Green Lady" comes from the color of the dress she would wear as an entity.
She is mainly said to manifest in the chapel tower. The appearance of this entity is also very unsettling according to witnesses, as her face is supposed to be devoid of eyes and a nose. Several visitors and castle staff have reported hearing her cries, especially in the early hours of the morning, adding to the mysterious and sometimes eerie atmosphere of the place. This supernatural presence in the heart of this haunted place has frightened many guests over the years.
Can you spend the night at Brissac in the most haunted castle in France?
It is possible to stay in the guest rooms at Château de Brissac, which is a family-owned castle, by contacting them directly through their website.
The family also organizes tours of this incredible architectural site, retracing its incredible history.
Good to know: during the tours, the emphasis is on the historical and architectural aspects of the building, as paranormal tourism is not a priority for the hosts of this haunted castle.
Where is Château de Brissac located in France?
Château de Brissac is located approximately 25 minutes from the city center of Angers when heading towards Poitiers. It is also close to many Loire castles if you wish to add it to your travel itinerary.
3 of the Most Haunted Places in France to Visit
Castles are not the only haunted places in France that you can visit if you are a fan of unexplained phenomena. If you want to discover more eerie places in nature or underground, here are 3 haunted places in France to visit without fail!
Gouffre de Padirac, also known as the Devil's Abyss
Located in the Lot region, Gouffre de Padirac is an exceptional natural site surrounded by mystery and surprising legends. This impressive chasm, also known as the Devil's Span, has a depth of over 100 meters and a diameter of 33 meters.
At the heart of the Gouffre de Padirac lies an underground river spanning approximately 20 km. Visitors who come to explore this exceptional and mystical site can navigate this river by boat and sail on the clear and deep waters of the Lake of Rain. The dark and silent depths of the chasm, coupled with its history and legends, make it a place where imagination can easily wander towards inexplicable phenomena.
Legend has it that the devil wanted to take the souls of the villagers with him through the Gouffre de Padirac. Belief has it that he crossed paths with Saint Martin, who saved the souls from damnation. In a fit of rage, the devil was said to have been engulfed by the chasm.
Another legend related to the chasm tells of the son of the King of England who, along with his soldiers, hid a treasure in the heart of the chasm at the end of the Hundred Years' War. Villagers attempted numerous times to find this treasure, but in vain. Their souls are said to haunt the place, making the Gouffre de Padirac one of the most haunted places in France.
Can You Visit the Gouffre de Padirac?
It is possible to visit the Gouffre de Padirac during the daytime and also in the evening during Explorer Nights, which recreate the adventures of the early cave explorers.
- Day Ticket: €22.50 per adult
- Explorer Night Ticket: €150 per adult
- Where: 1 hour and 30 minutes from Montauban in Dordogne
The Catacombs of Paris and Its Chilling Cemetery
The forbidden catacombs of Paris are one of the most mysterious and unexplored haunted places in France. This vast ossuary network houses the remains of over six million people, creating a strange and eerie atmosphere that fuels many legends and myths.
The history of the Paris Catacombs began in the late 18th century when a health crisis struck the capital. Parisian cemeteries were overcrowded, and it was crucial to find a solution to avoid the risk of an epidemic. The Parisian authorities decided to transfer the bones from the cemeteries to make room for new bodies and placed them in the city's old underground limestone quarries. This macabre transfer took place at night to avoid frightening the population and lasted for 12 years.
Several frightening legends have developed around the Catacombs. Among them is the tale of a porter from the Val-de-Grâce hospital who got lost in the Catacombs, and his body was only found 11 years later. It is said that his ghost haunts the labyrinthine passages of the Catacombs.
Another legend involves a video discovered in the 1990s. The camera contained footage of a man lost in the Catacombs, going insane. The story does not reveal whether he managed to escape. Other accounts tell of mysterious voices heard after midnight, attempting to persuade visitors to venture deeper into the Catacombs until they become lost, adding a supernatural touch to this haunted place in France.
How to Visit the Catacombs of Paris?
Part of the Catacombs is now open to the public and can be visited. However, the forbidden Catacombs are strictly off-limits to the public and are subject to fines.
If you wish to visit the haunted Catacombs of Paris open to the public, here is some important information:
- Catacombs Paris Tickets: private guided tour on Activitygift
- Where: near Metro Line 6 Saint-Jacques station
Brocéliande Forest: One of Europe's Most Haunted Forests
Brocéliande Forest in Brittany is a place imbued with magic that has inspired some of the greatest legends. From the Fountain of Youth and the Lady of the Lake to the tomb of Merlin the Enchanter, this forest is primarily associated with the legends of King Arthur.
This forest is one of the most haunted places in France and also one of the most haunted forests in Europe. Many paranormal investigations have been conducted in the heart of this forest by mediums and ghost hunters, both French and international.
Numerous visitors and locals report having had strange experiences in the forest, such as sensations of invisible presences, unexplained noises, or sudden changes in temperature. Among these legends is the Wild Hunt of Arthur. Arthur's own ghost roamed the Brocéliande Forest. Witnessing this apparition is said to foretell great misfortune for those who see it.
If you are too frightened to visit the forest yourself, we recommend exploring the paranormal investigations of Jordan Perrigaud, who braved this forest and slept in this haunted place in France.
How to Visit Brocéliande Forest?
Brocéliande Forest is open to the public year-round, but access is regulated. Several activities are organized by the tourist office if you want to learn more about this haunted forest that inspired the legend of King Arthur and the Holy Grail.
- Where to Find Tickets for Activities: Official forest website
- Where Is Brocéliande Forest Located: 2 hours by car from Nantes
France, with its spectacular yet bloody history, boasts numerous places haunted by entities who, during their lives, experienced events that prevented them from completely departing from our world.
If you are fascinated by paranormal phenomena, do not hesitate to check out our other articles on the most haunted places in the world: