The largest fortified castle in Europeto know the fortified castle of Sedan (Ardennes) was elected this Wednesday “French favorite monument 2023”, during the show of the same name, presented by Stéphane Bern . This castle located in the Grand-Est was elected among 14 monuments from different regions of France. He is ahead Cluny Abbey in Saône-et-Loire and the Chaalis estate in the Ermenonville forest.
He succeeds thethe transatlantic ferry terminal of Cherbourg-en-Cotentin and the Redoutable which won the public votes in 2022. This fortress built in the 15th century has expanded over time.
Six centuries of history
If the Sedan fortified castle is also monumental, it is because its construction was not done in one piece. It all began in 1424, when Evrard III de La Marck undertook the construction of the castle and its priory. It will gradually expand to ultimately become the largest fortified castle in Europe, with an area of 35,000 square meters spread over seven levels. It’s a real summary of military architecture from the 15th to the 19th centurywith walls that are more than 25 meters thick.
After obtaining recognition of Sovereignty, the last prince of Sedan, to save his head, donated it to King Louis XIII in 1642. Purchased by the municipality in 1962, it is classified as a historic monument since 1965.
An emblematic place in the Ardennes
The fortress recently welcomed its 100,000ᵉ visitor of the year. Bringing in a growing audience was one of the ambitions of the Alfran group, the mixed economy company which took over the operational management in 2020. In particular, it modernized the tour circuit, set up dramatized guided tours and educational workshops. There is even an escape game and of course numerous events throughout the year.
Between the bastions, the gallery of princes where the marriage of Charlotte de La Marck with Henri de la Tour d’Auvergne took place in 1591, and the column room, the castle offers numerous spaces to visit. Thanks to its strategic location on a hill, it also offers an exceptional view of the city of Sedan.
Alexandre Blanc
New tour route “The Princely Wedding”