Sander Louis, Author at Castles and Gardens of Europe

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 /

Lucy Worsley in 2019 (image: LiteraryCritic1, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons)

People

Lucy Worsley, Hostess of History (with a hairclip)

Small in stature, sharp in wit, armed with irony and...a hairclip. Lucy Worsley is Britain’s most personable custodian of the past. / READ MORE /

Stéphane Bern winner of the Golden Europa Nostra Award (CC BY-NC-SA 2.0, photo: ©Fabien MALOT)

People

Stéphane Bern, Monsieur Patrimoine

In France, where revolutions literally brought an end to the old world of aristocracy, one passionate man single-handedly succeeds in raising national interest in castles and palaces to unprecedented heights. He is dubbed Monsieur Patrimoine and was recently even crowned as the Pope of Heritage. Who is he? / READ MORE /

The magnificent Blenheim Palace (photo by Dreilly95, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons)

News

Hidden Signatures: Blenheim Palace discovers secret scribbles during renovation

High above the Great Hall of Blenheim Palace, where echoes of the past still linger, a team of conservators has stumbled upon a something rather remarkable. What began as a routine inspection during a multimillion-pound restoration has uncovered more than a dozen graffiti inscriptions: names, dates, and cryptic notes from the past. These scribbles offer... / READ MORE /

Giessen Castle, Germany (photo: Giacomo1970, CC BY-SA, via Wikimedia Commons)

People

Werner bought a castle and renovated it himself

Many people dream of owning a real castle, but only a few are fortunate enough to turn that dream into reality. Ninety-year-old Werner is one of them. He bought the medieval ruin of Castle Gießen in Kressbronn on Lake Constance, Germany, and transformed it—entirely with his own hands—into the castle of his dreams, German broadcaster SWR reports. / READ MORE /

Hohenzollern Castle, the seat of the former royal family of Germany (photo: Jonathan Sautter via Pixabay)

News

Hohenzollern Castle under sole ownership

Beginning next year, Prince Georg Friedrich of Prussia will become the sole owner of Hohenzollern Castle, the ancestral seat of the House of Hohenzollern. The news was made public through the official Instagram account of the House of Hohenzollern. Effective December 31, 2025, Prince Karl Friedrich of Hohenzollern-Sigmaringen has transferred his one-third ownership share of the castle to his cousin. / READ MORE /

Johannisberg Castle and vineyard (photo: Pixabay)

News

Schloss Johannisberg awarded Europe’s Best Vineyard in 2025

Schloss Johannisberg, the historic estate in Germany’s Rheingau region, has been named the number one vineyard in Europe and second in the world in the prestigious The World’s 50 Best Vineyards 2025. This recognition highlights its exceptional Riesling wines and the unique combination of heritage, landscape and visitor experiences. / READ MORE /

Prague Castle (image: Julius Silver via Pixabay)

Events & Programs, News, Places, Travel

12 best Christmas destinations at European Castles and Palaces in 2025

Every December, many of Europe's great castles and palaces become enchanting hubs of Christmas magic that attract thousands of visitors eager to experience traditional fairs, exhibitions, and winter wonderlands. Here's our guide to just a handful of many Christmas events at Europe's great castles and palaces in 2025! / READ MORE /

The magnificent Prague Castle from where you have a wonderful view of the old city (image: Pexels)

News

Prague Castle Europe’s most beautiful castle according to TUI

Travel giant TUI has published a striking new ranking in November 2025: the 1,000 most popular and highest-rated castles, palaces and fortresses in Europe. The list is based entirely on public Google data and was compiled in collaboration with German marketing agency Peak Ace. / READ MORE /

Mozart's Magic Flute in the QuarrySt.Margarethen (photo: ©Andreas Tischler)

Events & Programs, News

Puccini’s Tosca in a monumental setting

From 15 July to 22 August 2026, the St. Margarethen Quarry in Austria will once again become the stage for a world-class opera experience. Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca — a masterpiece of verismo — will return in a spectacular new production, marking the 30th anniversary of 'Oper im Steinbruch'. / READ MORE /

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