Porte des Princes
08 200 Sedan
Tél 33 (0)3 24 26 11 00
Fax 33 (0)3 24 27 19 00
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Even though the name of Sedan was mentioned in a legal document in 997, the history of Sedan doesn’t really begin until the 15th century when the first stone of the fortified castle, whose construction spanned more than a century, was laid.
It was in 1424 that Evrard d’Arenberg, Count of La Marck, started the construction of an important castle. This castle, made up of many towers and buildings built over many centuries, was part of the Principality of Sedan where, for over half a century, several Princes of La Marck succeeded each other.
Henri Robert de la Marck and Françoise de Bourbon turned it into a sovereign Principality whose territory covered 22 districts and adjoined the prestigious Duchy of Bouillon. Henri La Tour d’Auvergne and his son Frédéric continued their work. Henri added the lower castle called "Princes’ Palace".
Frédéric, in order to save his head in 1642, had to give up the castle and the Principality to the Kingdom of France.
In 1962, the fortified castle was given over to the town by the French Army.
Château Fort de sedan - 1880 - Copyright : François Willème
Château Fort de Sedan - 1880 - Copyright : François Willème
