Sedan, Ardennes facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Sedan
Subprefecture and commune
Sedan in mid-September 2007
Coat of arms
Sedan Location in France Show map of France Sedan Location in Grand Est Show map of Grand Est
Country	France
Region	Grand Est
Department	Ardennes
Arrondissement	Sedan
Canton	Sedan-1, 2 and 3
Intercommunality	CA Ardenne Métropole
Area 1	16.28 km2 (6.29 sq mi)
Population  (2021)	16,608
• Density	1,020.1/km2 (2,642.2/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+01:00 (CET)
• Summer (DST)	UTC+02:00 (CEST)
INSEE/Postal code	08409 /08200
Elevation	149–301 m (489–988 ft) (avg. 157 m or 515 ft)
1 French Land Register data, which excludes lakes, ponds, glaciers > 1 km2 (0.386 sq mi or 247 acres) and river estuaries.

Sedan is a town in the Ardennes area of north-eastern France. It is located in the Grand Est region. Sedan is also the main administrative center for its local area.

This town is famous for two big battles between France and Germany. Both times, Germany won. The First Battle of Sedan in 1870 was a huge defeat for France. It helped create the German Empire. Because of this, Germany celebrated "Sedan Day" every year. The Second Battle of Sedan in 1940 was also a key moment. German forces broke through French defenses during World War II. This led to France losing the Battle of France.

Where is Sedan located?

Sedan is about 200 kilometers (124 miles) from Paris. It is 85 kilometers (53 miles) north-east of Reims. The town is also only 10 kilometers (6 miles) south of the border with Belgium. The oldest part of Sedan sits on a piece of land shaped like a hook. This land is formed by a bend in the Meuse river. You can reach Sedan by train from places like Charleville-Mézières and Reims. There is also a main highway, the A34 autoroute, that connects Sedan to these cities.

A brief history of Sedan

Sedan was founded a long time ago, in 1424. In the 1500s, it became a safe place for Protestant refugees. These people were escaping religious wars in France.

For many years, until 1651, Sedan was its own small country. It was called the Principality of Sedan. The powerful La Tour d'Auvergne family ruled it. A famous general, Marshal Turenne, was born in Sedan in 1611. The Principality of Sedan even defeated France in a battle called La Marfée. But soon after, France surrounded Sedan. Its prince, Frédéric Maurice de La Tour d'Auvergne, duc de Bouillon, gave up to France. Sedan then became part of France. This happened to save the prince's life after he was involved in a plot against France.

Another important person born in Sedan was Jacques MacDonald. He became a general during the wars led by Napoleon. In the 1840s, a young American musician named Louis Moreau Gottschalk started his career in Europe with a successful concert in Sedan.

Sedan and the Franco-Prussian War

During the Franco-Prussian War in 1870, a major event happened in Sedan. On September 2, French emperor Napoleon III and 100,000 of his soldiers were captured. This was during the First Battle of Sedan. This victory was very important for Germany. It helped bring the different German states together to form one country. Because of this, September 2 was called Sedan Day (Sedantag). It became a national holiday in Germany from 1871 until 1919.

Sedan in the World Wars

Sedan was occupied by German forces for four years during World War I. On November 13, 1917, the German Crown Prince even held a parade there.

During World War II, from May 12 to 15, 1940, German troops moved through neutral Belgium. They crossed the Meuse river in what was called the Second Battle of Sedan. This battle was a big win for Germany. It allowed them to get around the Maginot Line. The Maginot Line was a strong French defense system. By getting past it, the Germans trapped the Allied forces. This helped Germany win the Battle of France.

Places to visit in Sedan

Sedan Castle

Today, Sedan is well-known for its amazing castle. Many people say it is the largest fortified medieval castle in Europe. It covers a huge area of 30,000 square meters (about 7.4 acres) and has seven levels! Building the castle started in 1424. Its defenses were made stronger over many years. This castle is the only part left of the very large old fortifications that once protected the town.

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  Sedan Castle

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  Central courtyard of the castle

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  War memorial at the castle's Turenne gate

Other interesting spots

• The Jardin botanique de Sedan is a lovely botanical garden.
• The Festival médiéval de Sedan is a medieval festival held in May.

Population changes

Economy and industry

For a long time, Sedan was a major center for making cloth. This industry was supported by an important leader named Cardinal Mazarin. It helped the town's economy until the late 1800s.

Sports in Sedan

Stade Louis Dugauguez

The town is home to a football club called CS Sedan Ardennes.

Famous people from Sedan

Many notable people were born in Sedan, including:

• Charles Baudin (1792–1854), an admiral.
• Frédéric Brillant (born 1985), a professional football player.
• Élise Bussaglia (born 1985), a professional football player.
• Pierre Cartier (born 1932), a mathematician.
• Jean de Collas (1678–1753), an architect.
• Yves Congar (1904–1995), a French theologian and cardinal.
• Robert Debré (1882–1978), a physician.
• Frederick V (1596-1632), a king and elector.
• René Guyon (1876–1963), a jurist.
• Marie-Jeanne Larrivée Lemière (1733 - 1786), a dramatic soprano singer.
• Étienne-Jacques-Joseph-Alexandre MacDonald (1765–1840), a Marshal of France.
• Yannick Noah (born 1960), a former professional tennis player.
• Vicomte de Turenne (1611–1675), a Marshal of France.

Sister cities

Sedan has special connections with other towns around the world. These are called "twin towns" or "sister cities":

• Eisenach, Germany, since 1991
• Sedan, Kansas

See also

In Spanish: Sedán (Ardenas) para niños