Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France

© StockPhotoAstur/Shutterstoc

Standing strong. Château de Sully-sur-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire, France

If you're a lover of history with a dash of drama, the Château de Sully-sur-Loire, in the centre of northern France, has you covered. This fortress has seen it all—battles, power shifts and royal connections. Originally built in the 14th century, the medieval castle was designed to guard the Loire River and control access to the region. Over time, it evolved into a residence for nobility, most notably serving as the home of Maximilien de Béthune, Duke of Sully, who was a trusted minister of King Henry IV. Today, after multiple restorations, the castle welcomes visitors eager to uncover its history. It also stands as an example of French Renaissance architecture.

Many of the so-called forts in India are castles or fortresses. However, when the British administration catalogued them between the 17th and 19th centuries, they universally referred to all fortified structures—whether European or Indian—as 'forts,' a term commonly used in Britain at the time.