When asked where we were off to, several people thought we were going to Sudan and one French man we met couldn't understand why we would bother to go to 'Sedan' in north eastern France.
Originally, the only reason was to stay at Hôtel le Château Fort, a hotel built into a small part of the vast Château Fort de Sedan, one of Europes largest medieval castles. That in itself was well worth the trip.
The hotel, although situated right in the centre of the town of Sedan, is approached along a track which follows the line of what must have originally been a moat or other defensive works. Driving through an impressive medieval gatehouse, parking is situated in the inner courtyard. The reception, restaurant and accommodation is housed in a five storey building which is an integral part of the defences.
The hotel is obviously a conversion of the original castle but the metamorphosis has been carried out sypathetically with bare stone walls adding to the 'authenticity' of the place. The delighful, and quiet when we visited in April, town is a short walk away down an atmospheric tunnel through the walls.
We ate in town one night and in the hotel restaurant on the second. The hotel restaurant turned out to be the best choice we made. The food was excellent. The service was attentive.
The hotel officially has a three star rating but the quality of the build, the service and the excellent restaurant all deserve a much higher rating.
The only regret we had was not being able to try Restaurant Jad as they were closed on the days we were there. Oh well, there's always next time.
The area is close to Champagne country and not too far from the Maginot line forts, one of the many 'Carcassonnes of the North' at Rodemack and the champagne country around Reims and Epernay.
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