 Sometimes the word "palace" is more appropriate.To give an outstanding example, the Château de Versailles, also called in French « le palais de Versailles » is so called because it was located in the countryside when it was built, but it does not bear any resemblance to a castle, so it is usually known in English as the Palace of Versailles.In French where clarification is needed, the term "château fort" is used to describe a castle, such as Château fort de Roquetaillade.