A castle in the Ardennes

The Château-Fort de Sedan stands at the heart of the town, atop a promontory overlooking the Meuse. This vast fortified structure with seven storeys and a floor area of more than 35 000 m2 was built and modified over the period from the 15th to the 19th century. The most impressive historic monument in the Ardennes, today the castle is home to part of the collections of Sedan’s town museum.

Its history is closely tied to prominent episodes in contemporary conflicts: the site of Napoleon III’s surrender in 1870, it served as an internment camp in the First World War and witnessed the breakthrough of German troops in 1940.

An essential part of Ardennes stone heritage, the castle is today on the local remembrance tourism trail and, in this 150th anniversary year of the Franco-Prussian War (1870-71), offers an insight into the final moments of the Second Empire and the fateful battles it bore witness to.

Find out more:

• View our special page on the 150th anniversary of the Franco-Prussian War
• Watch the episode of the web series on the Siege of Sedan and the charge of General Margueritte’s cavalry on 1 September 1870
• Plan your visit to the Sedan castle museum and access all the information you need