The Top 10 Scariest Places in France

By Megan Millisky

France is full of glamour and beauty…but there are also spooky places you may not know about. This Halloween, learn about 10 of the scariest spots in the country. From cemeteries to churches to an abandoned nuclear site, these terrifying places are only for the bravest of souls. Even famous places like Notre Dame have eerie histories! Here are the 10 scariest places in France.

1. The Gardens and Palace of Versailles

Visitors and residents alike head to Versailles each Halloween season in the hopes of seeing a ghost. It’s rumored that Marie Antoinette’s ghost lurks around the gardens and palace! Guests have reported seeing glowing orbs, photographs moving, and unexplained noises.

Address: Place d'Armes, 78000 Versailles, France

2. Jardin des Tuileries

Learn about the legend of the Red Man at the Jardin des Tuileries. The mysterious legend says that after a hitman named John the Skinner was wrongfully killed, his restless spirit haunts the grounds. People have reported seeing devils, red demons, or a red man who appears just before something terrible is about to happen in the Jardin.

Address: Place de la Concorde, 75001 Paris, France

3. Château des Fougeret

This is a seriously haunted locale. People who stay overnight say they see ghosts, and many hear voices telling them to leave. The Château has been featured on French television shows by curious ghost hunters. It’s considered one of the most haunted places in France!

Address: Château de Fougeret, Fougeret, 86150 Queaux, France

4. Père Lachaise Cemetery

This is an overwhelmingly spooky experience. Père Lachaise has a long-standing reputation for giving visitors the creeps. People report feeling watched, seeing ghostly figures, and hearing voices. Notable individuals like Oscar Wilde, Jim Morrison, Marcel Proust, and Edith Piaf are all buried at the grounds.

Address: 8 Boulevard de Ménilmontant, 75020 Paris, France

5. Basilique du Bois-Chenu Domremy

This church has an incredible history. It is dedicated to Joan of Arc, a French heroine who bravely fought in the Hundred Years’ War. She was burned at the stake, and many people claim they say her ghost drifting through the Basilique.

Address: 88630 Domrémy-la-Pucelle, France

6. Château de Puymartin

Visit this tower to learn the haunting tale of the White Lady. Legend says that she was caught with her lover after her husband suddenly returned from war. She was held captive for 15 years in the Château’s North Tower. Her ghostly presence still wanders the castle at night.

Address: 24620 Marquay, France

7. The Paris Catacombs

Discover France’s catacombs for a truly unforgettable experience. It’s one of the largest graves in the world, with millions of human bones arranged into the tunnel walls. Creepy things have happened in the catacombs as well, such as a man who vanished inside the tunnels for nine years! If you're brave enough, tours of the catacombs take place year-round.

Address: 1 Avenue du Colonel Henri Rol-Tanguy, 75014 Paris, France

8. Monts d’Arree Nuclear Reactor

The Gates of Hell in Monts d’Arree is a place of legendary status in France. According to an old legend, a child was sacrificed by devil worshippers at the Gate. The ghost girl and a demon dog sometimes appear to those who visit the area.

Address: 29530 Loqueffret, France

9. Notre Dame Cathedral

One of the most famous sights in Paris is Notre Dame, the Catholic cathedral built in 1163. People have reported seeing ghosts amongst the cathedral’s gargoyles. This important landmark was unfortunately damaged in a 2019 fire and is closed until further notice.

Address: 6 Parvis Notre-Dame - Pl. Jean-Paul II, 75004 Paris, France

10. Château de Brissac

Beware the Green Lady of Château de Brissac! She has gaping holes instead of eyes, and many guests have reported being scared by her. The current residents report frequent sightings. The ghost walks the halls and you can hear her moans echo in the castle halls.

Address: Rue Louis Moron, 49320 Brissac-Quincé, France

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