Sedan

Friday 22 and Saturday 23 July 2016.

Sedan is quite a fun place to spend a couple of days.

Sedan - our mooring was the white blob just east of the bridge left of the 'Radio 8' marker.

Founded in the 10th Century, the city is dominated by its massive fortress, claimed to be the largest fortified medieval castle in Europe with a total area of 30,000 square metres (36,000 sq yd) and built on seven levels.

Chateau fort de Sedan

Its other medieval claim to fame was as a refuge for Protestants during the French Wars of Religion or Huguenot Wars. It has over time been a principality, a French city, a German city, a French city, a German (occupied) city and is now a French city again. During World War II the German troops first invaded neutral Belgium and crossed the Meuse River by winning the Second Battle of Sedan that lasted from 12 to 15 May 1940. This battle allowed them to win the whole Battle of France as they not only bypassed the French fortification system, the Maginot Line, but it also enabled them to entrap the Allied Forces that were advancing east into Belgium.

The port is very conveniently situated between the old and newer parts of town with plenty of shops and restaurants a short ride away. So we went exploring…

First it was a visit to the fortress which is truly enormous

Castle courtyard with remains of original church in foreground

with a warren of dimly lit passageways interspersed with rooms complete with life sized wax models depicting various scenes of daily life of the princes, soldiers and household in the Principality.

This chap really startled Lynn!

From time to time one exits into the bright sunlight at another level of the fortifications with great views over the city.

We hired two audioguides (only one of which worked) and the route around the edifice is well marked and synchronised with the recording. An excellent outing!

At the entrance to the fortress was a placard proclaiming “Tournoi de Chevalerie, Château-fort de Sedan. 02 Juillet - 24 Août à 15h00, tour le jours sauf Jeudi” (Knights Tournament, Sedan Fortress, 2 July - 24 August at 15h00 every day except Thursdays) so, not knowing how long we would be staying in Sedan, we decided to return to the fortress that afternoon to watch the show. Although mainly aimed at interactivity with children with its Good Knight/Bad Knight/Princess theme (with a fire breathing dragon thrown in), the show was a lot of fun with some really good horsemanship and swordsmanship on display.

The next day we headed north past the huge recreation area and turned east, crossing the Canal de l’Est into what seemed like a less affluent part of town

but which had a lovely 19thC Gothic style Eglise St Leger.

Then it was back into the city proper where a huge indoor/outdoor market was being held.

The outdoor part of the market

Unfortunately, much of the commercial center where most of the restaurants and boutiques hold sway, was being dug up to replace water pipes so not very attractive but it will look lovely when finished.

Roadworks in the center of town.

Eventually after a ‘drop-shopping’ experience at the market which included consuming some tasty regional snacks

and a visit to the L'eglise Saint Charles,

it was back to “Elle” - and who do we see moored on the opposite bank? None other that the Murrel’s ex-barge Friesland on which we had done our skippers courses in 2013!