It was the birthplace of two Marshals of France, an Admiral of the Fleet and a Grand Slam tennis champion (Yan nick Noah). Its football team, CSC Sedan-Ardennes, are two-times winners of the French Cup and until recently played in the top French League. It boasts what is reputed to be the largest fortified castle in Europe... Sedan town centre today Yet with a population of little more than 20,000 Sedan is a surprisingly small town, set against the dramatic backdrop of the mighty Ardennes and only a stone's throw from the Belgian frontier. The historic centre is situated on a prominent bend of the Meuse; the river was to play an important part in the town's economic development as it became an important centre of cloth manufacturing in the Middle Ages.  Sedan was an important crossing point over the Meuse; according to the guide book I acquired at the castle, a ferry is first mentioned in 1258 and there is mention of a bridge across the river in 1437. At this time, Sedan was an independent principality and did not become part of France until 1642. The Chateau-Fortress dominates the town Its strategic position also ensured that Sedan was destined to be the scene of military conflict through the ages; the town was at the centre of heavy fighting in World War 1 & 2. It was here that German Panzer Divisions broke through the Allied lines in 1940, bypassing the Maginot Line en route to the channel. It was, however, in 1870 that Sedan witnessed arguably its most monumental event. On 1st September, a 120-000 strong French Army commanded by MacMahon and Emperor Louis-Napoleon III met a larger Prussian force under Von Moltke, with King Wilhelm I and Bis marck looking on. During a series of skirmishes in the villages and countryside around Sedan, the French were out-manouvered and encircled. Under siege, with MacMahon wounded and his troops depleted by Prussian cannon fire, Napoleon surrendered the following day. 1870-1 War Memorial at the communal cemetery, Floing Defeat at Sedan was to have major repercussions, not just for France but for Europe as a whole. News of the capitulation sent shock waves through Paris, where a 'bloodless revolution' took place; in his absence, the Emperor was deposed and a new Republic proclaimed. In the turmoil that followed, red factions among the Paris National Guard attempted to sieze power - a forerunner of events to follow in St Petersburg and Berlin! The stability of the old European order, established at Vienna in 1815, was finally shattered; the loss of Alsace and Lorraine following France's military defeat would be a major cause of World War 1. The countryside around Sedan still bears witness to the dramatic events of September 1870. There are a number of memorials, cemeteries and buildings associated with the battle. Plans are underway to develop a 'Circuit de Souvenir' around the main battlefield sites which will include: Last Cartridge House, Bazeilles
 Last Cartridge House is one of the most symbolic locations of the Franco-Prussian War. This former inn, now a small museum, is situated on the edge of Bazeilles where about 60 French infantry under Commandant Lambert were surrounded by troops of the 15th Bavarian Regiment. Unwilling to surrender, the French fought to the last remaining cartridge.
Last Cartridge House The museum displays a good collection of artefacts collected from the surrounded battlefields; just down the road within the grounds of the communal cemetery is a large ossuary with the remains of 3,000 French and German troops.
 A dramatic painting of battle raging around 'Last Cartridge House' displayed within the museum La Marfée, Noyers Pont-Maugis
A strategic observation point offering panoramic views across the battlefields of 1870, 1914 and 1940 and the site of German burials spanning three conflicts. A French military cemetery also stands on the hillside.
MacMahon Cross, Balan
A cross commemorating the spot where the French commander Patrice MacMahon was wounded on 1 September 1870. MacMahon recovered from his injuries and went on to become the First President of the Third Republic. Confession: despite driving around the village several times I never did find this!
La Maison du Tisserand, Donchery
It was here on 2 September 1870 that Louis-Napoleon III met with Bismark following his capitulation - afterwards, the last French Monarch went into exile in England where he spent the rest of his days.  Even on his deathbed, Napoleon was still haunted by his defeat at Sedan. The house, by the way, is nothing like the grand mansion you might expect from the famous painting but a modest family abode not open to the public.
The Maison de Tisserand where Louis Napoleon III met with Bismarck following the Battle of Sedan French Military Cemetery, Floing
The Franco-Prussian French Military  Cemetery at Floing is the last resting place of men of the Lancers Regiment who were wiped out here on 1 September 1870. In May 1940, the cemetery became a battleground as German Panzers smashed through the cemetery walls, overwhelming the French defenders. The communal cemetery at Floing also has a monument to the fallen of the 1870-71 conflict.
Monument to 'the Braves', Floing
A monument to African troops of the 'Margueritte' Division whose heroic cavalry charges caused the Prussian King, Wilhelm I, to remark: "Ah, what brave people they are!". Another monument stands in memory of General Margueritte, who was killed leading the first of three futile charges. Nearby, Le Chêne Brisé (Broken Oak) remembers 3,000 troops buried in a mass grave.
Wayside Cross - Illy
This small memorial cross (so small it i s easy to miss) marks the scene of a terrible battle in an attempt to secure the plateau overlooking Sedan, one of the key positions on the battlefield. After over three hours of heavy fighting, the French were forced to abandon the position.
Wayside Cross overlooking the battlefield at Illy The Chateau-Fortress No visit to Sedan would be complete without taking in the spectacle of the chateau-fortress, situated on a high ridge overlooking the town. It is likely some kind of keep or watch-tower stood on the site in the 13th century, but the present-day castle originated around 1450.  Thereafter, it was extended and fortified in successive stages into a mighty bastion to rival any in Europe. Primarily used as a palatial home until 1642, it was then garrisoned by French troops following Sedan's loss of independence and became a military barracks. It remained under the control of the French Army until 1962, when it was handed over to the town council. Since then, it has been the subject of an ongoing programme of restoration. Despite being on the edge of town, the castle is in quite a built up area and is partially obscured by the buildings around it. It is well-signposted though and there is plenty of free parking. Once up close, you can't help but be impressed by the sheer scale  of the fortifications. There is a self-guided audio tour available in several languages which takes about an hour as only part of the castle is open to the public. The chateau's rather gloomy exterior There are great views from the ramparts and an interesting museum with a room devoted to paintings and artefacts of the Franco-Prussian War. Finally, there is a well-stocked gift shop with a very large array of souvenirs. The castle is very much a hub of town life; on the day of my visit there was a lively outdoor market in the courtyard. Each May, a Medieval festival is held, attracting thousands of visitors to the town.
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