Castle of Sedan (c) Laetis

Sedan Castle

Sedan Castle

On the edge of the Ardennes Forest, the imposing silhouette of Sedan Castle dominates the surrounding town and countryside. It has been the largest fortress in Europe for centuries. Now you can follow in the footsteps of the many famous historical figures who have lived and visited here.

 

Covering an area of 35,000 square metres, over 7 floors and with walls an average of 7 metres thick, and accommodation for a garrison of 4,000, Sedan is the largest castle in Europe. Its location, on a rocky outcrop within a bend of the River Meuse, was originally the site of an eleventh-century abbey, which was converted into a fortified manor house by Evrard II de la Marck, Lord of Sedan, in 1424. Evrard’s son Jean and grandson Robert II continued building and extending the building, until, by 1572 it boasted two rings of walls and four bastions. In 1642, the Prince of Sedan was imprisoned for plotting against King Louis XIII, and his lands were absorbed into France. Sedan Castle became an important French garrison, guarding the North-Eastern frontier. In 1699, King Louis XIV’s great military architect Vauban inspected the castle’s defences and designed the new Prince’s Gate.

Animations at Sedan Castle (c) Laetis

The largest medieval castle in Europe

Sedan Castle was the headquarters of Emperor Napoleon III during the Franco-Prussian War, and the nearby Battle of Sedan in 1870 was a crushing defeat for the French: the emperor ordered the white flag to be hoisted over the castle to signal the French surrender, after which he was taken to Germany as a prisoner: shortly afterwards, as the Germans advanced on Paris and besieged it, the Second Empire was replaced by the Third Republic.

In the First World War, the castle was used as a prison for members of the Resistance sentenced to hard labour.  The last garrison troops left the castle in 1962 and it was passed to the town council. Some restoration work was done and a museum with waxworks and a panorama of the 1870 battle were installed in the castle buildings.  

Chivalry Tournament at Sedan Castle (c) Laetis
The interior of the castle (c) Laetis
Sedan Castle (c) Laetis

Visit and stay…

In the 1990s, more renovations were done and part of the castle was converted into a four-star hotel and the Atique Gallery, a space for receptions and events. Guided tours by guides in period costumes were also introduced. Each summer the castle hosts a mediaeval festival and jousting tournament, an enchanting mix of history, emotion and legends!

Sedan Castle by night (c) Laetis / Johan Barrot
Sedan Castle (c) Laetis
Turenne Café / Sedan Castle (c) Laetis

More informations

Cours Clos du Château F-08200 Sedan
Tel.: +33 (0)3 24 29 98 80
www.ardennes.com
www.chateau-fort-sedan.fr