Fortress of Sedan

Set in the Ardennes, Sedan is classed as a “Town of Art and History”, for its rich historical and architectural heritage, the legacy of a long military past, and the beauty of its landscapes. Over the centuries, Sedan developed around the fortified castle, majestically overlooking the town, on the banks of the River Meuse at the very heart of the Ardennes. Dating from the 15th century, Sedan’s fortified castle is the largest in Europe (35,000 sq m). With its strategic position on the frontier of eastern France, the castle was continually added to, strengthened and modernised by the powerful La Marck family, Dukes of Bouillon and Sovereign Princes of Sedan.

Today a listed building, it unveils its history, taking visitors back to the Middle Ages and the time when Sedan was a Principality. It recounts the lives of both the Princes of Sedan and their soldiers and servants, through an animated tour with detailed reconstructions of scenes from everyday life.
Sedan Tourist Office – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 27 73 73 – www.sedan-bouillon.com (in French only)

Fortress of Charlemont

From high up on its limestone spur, the fortress of Charlemont overlooks the town of Givet. It was to defend this section of the River Meuse that, in 1555, Charles Quint had the fort built by a workforce of 3 000 – protected by 20 000 foot soldiers and 3 000 horsemen! Louis XIV seized it in 1678 and from 1680, Vauban undertook fortifications to enlarge the area by adding ramparts. The two original bastions and ramparts can be visited. The blockhouses, powder magazine, prison and imposing gallery of the outer walls are characteristic of military architecture of the period. The views from the top of the fort are exceptional, with the River Meuse and Givet at one’s feet, and from the tip of the eastern bastion a glimpse of Dinant, a little enclave of the Ardennes in the Belgian province of Namur, just 20 km away.
Fortress of Charlemont – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 24 42 06 84 - www.valdardennetourisme.com (in French only)

Château of Montmort

Rebuilt on the foundations and ruins of an ancient fortress, the château of Montmort is said to be an architectural feat which has also retained its feudal appearance. Atop this imposing brick structure, four slate-covered towers rise up from a 14-metre-high flat roof, on the edge of a rock face overlooking the River Surmelin. Access is gained from the yard – on horseback! – via a helical inner ramp around a spiral staircase – a rarity not to be missed. Set in 30 hectares of grounds full of trees and flowers, it still belongs to the descendants of Pierre de Rémond, who acquired it in 1704.
Château of Montmort Lucy – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 26 52 76 51 – www.montmort.com (in French only)

Château of Cirey-sur-blaise

Enraptured by the beautiful Émilie du Châtelet, the philosopher Voltaire quickly succumbed to the charms of the yet unfinished manor. Together, they planned, transformed and improved the house. Voltaire had a new wing built, decorated with a monumental door whose carvings evoke the Arts, the Sciences and nautical life.

Voltaire spent 15 years at Cirey, writing without let-up (works including La mort de César, Alsire, Zaïre Mahomet and Mérope). His comedies and tragedies were acted out by his friends on the stage of the little theatre he set up under the eaves, still beautifully preserved today. From this haven of fine art, Voltaire kept in touch with the whole of Europe through his countless letters. In 1749, the sudden death of the Marquise du Châtelet separated Voltaire forever from his earthly paradise. A visit to the chateau is a chance to immerse oneself in the everyday life of these two key figures from the Age of the Enlightenment. Open from May to September. (See also “Great Men” - Voltaire)
Château of Cirey-sur-Blaise – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 55 43 04 – www.visitvoltaire.com

Château of Bligny

While the lords of Bligny – the sires de Chacenay – go as far back as the 12 th century, it was the Marquis of Dampierre who had the château built in the 17 th century, not far from the sources of the River Landion, on a hillside particularly well suited to vine- growing. Still inhabited today, the property can nevertheless be visited, starting with the salons, which house a collection of 1,000 fine-crystal flutes! The majestic cellars house an ecomuseum with a collection of tools and machinery used at the turn of the last century to work the champagne vineyards. A film illustrates the subject presenting both the vineyards and the techniques used in the production of champagne… whose quality you may judge for yourself with a free tasting at the end of your visit.
Château de Bligny – Tel: 00 33 (0)3 25 27 40 11 – www.champagnechateaudebligny.com

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