Let's not forget that the country of
France has been around for a couple of centuries now. It's one of the oldest nations on the planet, filled with castles, churches, palaces, and even relics that have stood the test of time. On one hand, they're grand historic sites worth checking out. And on the other? Well, there's a good chance that they're haunted! Some are beautiful like Mont Saint-Michel, the Palaces of Versailles, and Château du Chateaubriant. They'll take your breath away in more ways than one! And there are places like Abbaye de Mortemer and Gréoux-les-Bains which are, for lack of a better term, downright scary!
Paris Catacombs
Let's start this list with Paris, the capital city of France. In this beloved, beautiful city like a labyrinth lined with human remains underneath. Sounds too far-fetched to be true? Well, it is! The Paris Catacombs are some of the
most famous haunted spots in Paris. No one knows exactly how big it is or how long this macabre maze truly is but what is known is that it holds the remains of approximately six million people. With that alone, there's no doubt that this place is haunted!
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Palaces of Versailles
Also in
Paris, or rather near the French capital, are the Palaces of Versailles. Most of the world fawns over its gilded opulence and and fascinating history, but not a lot know that the place is reportedly haunted too. It's really no surprise if it is, considering that those who once walked these halls are long gone. Not only that but a lot of them were infamously executed. Arguably the most famous was Marie Antoinette, the last and most infamous queen in French history. There have been claims of apparition in Le Petit Trianon in the Versailles estate.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Mont Saint-Michel
Even from a mile away, you can already tell that Mont Saint-Michel is probably haunted. It's a beautiful island, sure, one that has even inspired the castles in various
Disney films. But the fact that it has been around since 708 only provides more evidence of its eerie reputation. Most famously, Captain Louis d’Estouteville led a fierce battle on the shores of the island during the Hundred Years' War, resulting in the slaughter of around 2,000 Englishmen. And as you'd expect, it's said that the souls of those fallen soldiers haunt the island today.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Château du Chateaubriant
Out of the many
châteaus in France, Château du Chateaubriant is perhaps the most popular for its 'horrific' reputation. The place itself is as grand as you'd expect, but of course, things go bump in the night here too. The legend surrounding this chateau is that when the clock strikes midnight every October 16th, a ghostly procession of monks, knights, and even notable French royalty like King Francis I takes place on the estate. They slowly climb up the grand staircase inside the château before disappearing into thin air. Sounds spooky, doesn't it?
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Creib
Château de Commarque
Like Mont Saint-Michel, Château de Commarque is another haunted spot in France that was part of the Hundred Years' War. The grand structure served as a strategic location for the war, eventually becoming the site of one of the most brutal battles in France's history. Uniquely, however, this scary tale has a bit of romance sprinkled in. It's said that the Earl of Commarque’s daughter's young lover was beheaded in the battle here, and now, people have reported seeing the ghost of the young knight's horse wandering the area.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ JGS25
Château de Brissac
In the beautiful Loire Valley, you'll find Château de Brissac, the highest castle in all of France. Beyond its striking facade and classic architecture, it's also widely known for its haunted reputation. The château has its fair share of apparitions at night, accompanied by loud wailing, noisy steps, and more. Who might be haunting this beautiful manor, you ask? Many point the finger to Charlotte Brézé, wife of the chateau's former owner, Jacques Brézé. It's said that Jacques caught Charlotte and her lover in the act one night and killed them on the spot. How's that for a haunting romance?
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ W. Bulach
Basilique du Bois-Chenu Domremy
When you discover whose ghost is said to haunt Basilique du Bois-Chenu Domremy, you might not find it all that scary after all. Domremy is the hometown of Joan of Arc, France's most famous saint. This church was built in her honor and now stands as proof of historic achievement and legacy in the country's history. And while the building itself is undeniably beguiling, many have reported to have seen Joan of Arc's ghost roam its stone walls.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ OT ouest Vosges
Abbaye de Mortemer
Here's one that doesn't just have a legend, but also photographic evidence (at least, allegedly!). Abbaye de Mortemer is a former Cistercian monastery that still stands in France's Eure department. During the day, it's a beautiful structure that you can easily picture as a set for a Hollywood period film. At night, however, the “White Lady” is said to appear and haunt the relics of the former abbey. The ghost purportedly belongs to Mathilde l’Emperesse, daughter of Abbaye de Mortemer founder. There's even a photograph taken back in 1999 that's said to feature her spirit.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Pline
Gréoux-les-Bains
Never in a million years would you've ever guessed that the
French Riviera would be part of this list. And yet, it is. Don't worry! You won't find the famous seaside towns on this list. Instead, there's the lesser-known Gréoux-les-Bains, a mountaintop village in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence. The town, as well as its 13th-century fortress, was said to have taken part in almost all the major conflicts in the country's history. So it's no surprise that the place is filled with bodiless voices and eerie wailing at night.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Em Dee
Fôret de Brocéliande
This list has castles, palaces, chateaus, fortresses, churches, and full-blown towns. What's next? Why, a forest, of course! In the beautiful Brittany Region, the legend of King Arthur is alive and well in Fôret de Brocéliande. Many people believe that this is a forest where the evil sorceress, Morgan Le Fay, resides, luring troubled youths and bringing them to her lair to do God-knows-what. Though the legend itself is widely accepted as a fairy tale, the forest still has a lot of weird noises and ghostly figures that remain unexplained.
Source: Wikimedia Commons/ Raphodon
France is such an old and historic country that there are bound to be a couple of haunted places out there. They may look beautiful from the outside, but the stories these sites have to tell will send chills down your spine!
