Fleckenstein

Visit Fleckenstein, Alsace

Situated 10 kilometres from Lembach, Fleckenstein is in the Bas-Rhin department of the Alsace region. It is visited for the Chateau de Fleckenstein, which is on the 'Route des Chateaux' in Alsace.

Chateau Fleckenstein forms one of about 20 ruined castles in the region - many of them perched high on inaccessible rocky needles.

Explore Fleckenstein castle

The chateau, dating from the 12th century, was built by one of the rich families in the region at that time although its original form was substantially altered during the following centuries. The castle position combined with its heavily fortifies walls made it practically impossible to successfully attack.

Chateau Fleckenstein was substantially taken apart by the French in 1689, under General Melac  under the orders of Louis XIV. He was an enthusiast for destroying the landscape of a country rather than engaging in battles and it is suggested that Melac was the original source of the long standing differences between the French and Germans which lasted until the middle of the 20th century. Not much of an achievement to be proud of!

Despite the largescale damage to the castle the ruins continue to be an impressive and evocative reminder of the history of the region. Due to its use of the rock on which it is constructed as part of the building itself Fleckenstein is known as a 'troglodyte castle' - some of the castle rooms are troglodyte rooms built into the cliff itself.

After entering the lower courtyard at the castle the two large towers against the rock are the most important remains to be seen. One of these is for the staircase and the other for the well. On the top of the rock you can see the foundations of the castle keep and a part of the living accommodation. Other notable features include the guard tower on the rock to one end of the castle and the moat that was crossed by a drawbridge.

From the ruins of Fleckenstein Castle you get excellent views over the surrounding woods and hills and in the magnificent pine woods around the castle there are lots of trails that start from the parking area of the chateau. There is also a restaurant and picnic area at the castle.

Because of the proximity of the German border there are numerous ruined castles in the area north of Lembach and westwards towards Bitche. The Chateau de Fleckenstein is one of the best to visit.

Photos of Fleckenstein (click any picture to start the gallery)

Suggested places to visit near Fleckenstein, France

Distances shown are direct, driving distances will be greater.

More suggestions: Bitche 25km; Neuwiller-les-Saverne 37km; Saverne 45km; Marmoutier 49km; Wasselonne 51km; Strasbourg 51km; Molsheim 59km;

See these places and more on a map at places near Fleckenstein

Fleckenstein tourism: sights and attractions nearby

Jardin de la ferme bleue - remarkable garden (19km) : Drusenheim - ville fleurie 4* (34km) : Jardin de l'Escalier - remarkable garden (35km) : Vosges-du-Nord - regional natural parc (39km) : Jardin botanique du col de Saverne - remarkable garden (45km) : Bischheim - ville fleurie 4* (48km) : Jardin botanique de l'université de Strasbourg - remarkable garden (51km) : Sarreguemines - ville fleurie 4* (52km) :

French version: see Fleckenstein (Francais)