LE CHÂTEAU DE FALKENSTEIN ET LE HELFENSTEIN

The castle of Falkenstein is the most important castle in the Pays de Bitche. It was built in the 12th century by order of the count of Lutzelbourg to protect his possessions in the Haguenau Holy Forest. The last of Falkenstein's lords sold the castle to Philip IV of Hanau Lichtenberg in 1564. A few weeks after the sale, the castle was destroyed by a violent fire caused by lightning. The building burned for 5 days and 5 nights. The few buildings that were hastily rebuilt were finally dismantled by the French in 1680. The access route is signposted from Philippsburg. From the car park set up by the National Forestry Office near the road, it takes twenty minutes to reach the ruin. This ruin crowns a steep rock of pink sandstone, 117m long, 2 to 10m wide and 22m high. After passing through the gate, you will be surprised by the shape of the rock overhanging the entrance to the courtyard: it looks like a hawk's head (Falken=faucon, Stein=rock).

DATAtourisme France