Castles and Gardens of Europe

Castle in Europe with historic architecture.

Bentheim Castle closed due to safety concerns

German Castle Bentheim is closed to visitors. For at least another year, no guided tours, museum visits, or photo shoots will be possible. The fortress, which attracts around 150,000 visitors annually — mostly from the Netherlands — was closed at the beginning of January due to serious structural damage. / READ MORE /

Gardens, News, Places

Château de Versailles thanks sponsors for major sculpture conservation

Château de Versailles has announced a new phase in its long-term programme to conserve the more than 320 sculptures scattered throughout its gardens. Thanks to support from private patrons, the palace is restoring original statues, creating accurate replicas for outdoor display. / READ MORE /

Versailles Palace (Photo by Kirandeep Singh Walia via Pexels)

Events & Programs, News, Travel

Royal Holidays! New family programme at the Château de Versailles

Beginning in February 2026, the Château de Versailles is launching Vacances royales!, an engaging new family programme offering themed activities and educational experiences throughout the school holiday period. / READ MORE /

Penzlin Castle in the Mecklenburg region, Germany (photo: Alma, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

Places, Travel

Penzlin Castle’s legacy of witch persecution

An unassuming medieval fortress in the heart of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern hides one of the most chilling chapters of early modern European history, according to German news outlet Bild. Penzlin Castle, now a cultural heritage site and museum, was once a centre of fear, torture and the deadly witch hunts that ravaged this region centuries ago. / READ MORE /

Chateau de Chantilly (photo: Loyloy Thal via Pixabay)

News

Record year for Château de Chantilly

The Château de Chantilly closed out 2025 with a truly historic year, welcoming a no less than 658,164 visitors. The surge solidifies the estate’s position as one of France’s most captivating heritage destinations. The record-breaking year may be boosted by its election as Monument préféré des Français 2025. / READ MORE /

Tulips at Het Loo Palace (photo: © Castles & Gardens of Europe / Sander Louis)

Events & Programs, Exhibitions, Gardens, Places, Travel

20 Best spring destinations for castle lovers

Spring is when Europe’s castles and palaces are at their most elegant. Here are 20 exceptional castles and palaces, each selected for its historical importance, visual beauty. / READ MORE /

Alice Loxton at Woolsthorpe Manor (Photo: © Acre14 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0, slightly edited)

People

History Alice, history education in the age of Social Media

Over the past few years, a new and powerful voice has been bringing historic places to life for a new generation. With her lively, spontaneous presence, she engages millions of people with history, castles and country houses. / READ MORE /

News

Tourists from outside the EU face higher entrance fees at French châteaux

PARIS, France — Visitors from countries outside the European Union and the European Economic Area will now pay higher entrance fees at several of France’s most visited cultural sites. The new pricing policy, which comes into force this week, marks a significant shift in how national museums and monuments are funded. Higher prices at the... / READ MORE /