Since the mid-18th century, the Bitche Citadel has been regarded as one of the most powerful fortresses in France. Rebuilt by Cormontaigne on the foundations of a former fortification built by Vauban, Louis XIV's famous architect, it has never been taken by force of arms. The Museum, installed in the chapel and in the former baker's shop, delves into the history of both the Citadel and the Bitche area, from the origins till 1870. The displays include prehistoric tools, pottery, coins, boundary stones decorated with the landowners' coats of arms, swords and knives, firearms, breast-plates, a wealth of illustrations, models… Undoubtedly the center-piece of the Museum is the 3 D-plan (1797). More valuable than a thousand words, this faithful replica of the site emphasizes the strategic importance of the Citadel which barred enemy troops from entering Alsace-Lorraine. The Museum tour has been incorporated into the full visit of the Citadel during which various “authentic” smells are released. Self-guided tours by audio-sets in French, German or English.
https://www.tourisme-alsace.com/en/269000007-Citadelle-de-Bitche.html

Citadelle de Bitche

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Château Hochberg, originally named Château Teutsch after the family that had it built, is located on the site of the former Hochberg glassworks, which closed down in 1868. The last owners of the works, Victor and Edouard Teutsch, commissioned the building of this magnificent residence between 1863 and 1866. In keeping with the Second Empire style from the epoch of Napoleon III, Château Hochberg features imposing façades decorated with bands of pink sandstone, large-scale windows and handsome wrought iron balconies. For a number of years, the Hochberg glassworks was the centre of the Teutsch family’s professional commitments but also of their daily life, particularly that of Edouard Teutsch. He was fervent in his opposition to the annexation of Alsace and Lorraine by Germany. Nevertheless, he got himself elected as a member of the German parliament, the Reichstag, for the Saverne constituency. In 1874, he made a blistering speech of protest criticising the cession of territory.After that, he returned to France. Appointed to the position of Paymaster General by the French Republic, he left Wingen-sur-Moder and served in Auch, Mâcon, Epinal and finally Nancy where he took his retirement. From that time onwards, the Teutsch family stayed at the Château only during the summer. Following the death of Edouard Teutsch in 1908, the Château was sold. It passed through the hands of various owners and was classified as a historic building in 1996. In 2014, it was bought by Silvio Denz, Chairman and CEO of Lalique.
… AND NOW
This manor house, which is closely linked with the traditions and savoir-faire of glassmaking, which are at the origins of Maison Lalique, is undergoing a renaissance. It opened on 12 August 2016 as a 4* hotel, complemented by an elegant modern bistro with a high quality creative cuisine that is reasonably priced.
A new chapter in the story of Château Hochberg is opening to provide locals and visitors alike with a convivial destination and a complementary offer close to Villa René Lalique, the ultra-sophisticated hotel and gourmet restaurant awarded with two Michelin stars. Even before entering through the high and imposing black gates of the property, visitors are captivated by the sight of the majestic building glimpsed at the end of the central tree-lined avenue. Climbing the steps to the main entrance, visitors are clearly aware that they are entering a place charged with history and that the spirit and soul of the building has been preserved.The restoration and decoration of the Château are the fruit of a close collaboration between Lalique Interior Design Studio, directed by Adeline Lunati, and Christine and Nicola Borella, founders of the Borella Art Design agency. The Studio offers architects and designers an exclusive range of high-end projects integrating crystal elements in spatial concepts. The agency is renowned for its expertise in developing concepts and realising customised projects in the luxury hotel and high-end gastronomy sector. Lalique Interior Design Studio developed and realised a unique concept for Château Hochberg. The world of Lalique is brought to life with great finesse and a contemporary feel through the play of light created by panels in glass and crystal and Lalique mirrors placed in the rooms and communal areas of the establishment. Borella Art Design has given elegant expression to the concept, integrating crystal in an environment that is consistent with the world of Lalique.
http://www.chateauhochberg.com


Château Teutsch

Built by the powerful Lichtenberg family at the beginning of the 13th century, the castle was embellished and transformed in the 16th century by the architect, Daniel Specklin. Hanau-Lichtenberg castle was taken by the troops of Louis XIV in 1678 and began its new life as a stronghold. During the war of 1870 between the troops of Napoleon III and the Prussians, the site was bombarded and left in ruins. Even so, it was never abandoned by the village's inhabitants who took care of its upkeep and used it as a picturesque theatre setting. To continue its history and assert its cultural identity, it now incorporates contemporary forms. Rich in turbulent history, the site is also currently used for exhibitions, meetings, artistic experimentation and theatrical productions.
Thanks to this dynamic, it recently obtained endorsement as a Heritage Interpretation Centre.
A new trail in three languages punctuates the tour of the castle to discover all of its secrets.
As you go back through the centuries and at each information point, you can wander through its many rooms, which were rearranged to suit the needs of their various occupants. Listen with rapt attention to the tales of its successive residents, countess, soldier or villagers taking refuge there, which will take you to another world at a touch of your fingertip and in the freedom of your imagination. All of the castle's secrets will be finally revealed…
To get your bearings, Gaspard the Lizard will be your guide on the map handed out at reception and will introduce you to each room in the castle.
http://www.chateaudelichtenberg.com

Château de Lichtenberg

The Château de la Petite-Pierre, Burg Lützelstein is a castle in the commune of La Petite-Pierre in the Bas-Rhin département of France, in Alsace. All the names of the place are related to "small stone", and come from Old Franconian Lítzelstäin, with the French name as a translation.
It is the headquarters of the Parc naturel régional des Vosges du Nord. It has been listed as monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture since April 1922.
History
Originally there was a stronghold in the place, built by the family of Hugues IV of Nordgau (fr), Count of Egisheim.
Built at the end of the 12th century, the Château de la Petite-Pierre is recorded from 1212. Count Hugo, either the son or grandson of the powerful Count of Blieskastel (fr), is held as the constructor. The fief was recognised as the "County of Lützelstein", within the German Holy Roman Empire, approximately at the same time.
The counts have used the title Graf von Lützelstein, later also Comte de Petite-Pierre, meaning basically the same, also Comte de Lunéville (in Lorraine), which might be due to a confusion of transferral of power at some point.
A probable, incomplete, order of the early counts of Lützelstein, as precise documentation is not at hand:
Hugo I of Blieskastel (d.a. 1220), Count of Lützelstein or Lunéville (or both), second son of Folmar I (d.a. 1179), Count of Blieskastel with Clementia of Metz. His brother Folmar II, Count of Blieskastel was married to Jutta, daughter of Simon I, Count of Saarbrücken. Hugo married Kunigunde, daughter of Konrad, Count of Kyrburg and Mathilde of Bar, and had Hugo II.
Hugo II of Blieskastel, Count of Lützelstein (1208? - a. 1246). Married Judith (Joathe) of Lorraine, daughter of Philippe, son of Frederick I, Duke of Lorraine ("Ferry").
Hugo III, Count of Lützelstein (Perhaps also Lunéville) (d.a. 1280/99), married Elisabeth (d.a. 1271), daughter of Simon III, Count of Saarbrücken. Probably also Elisabeth of Vinstingen, a grandniece of Simon.
In 1223, due to a conflict with the Bishop of Strasbourg, the counts of Parva Petra were forced to yield it as a fief to the bishop as an episcopal stronghold, under the bishop's reign.
In 1403, Friedrich of Lutzelstein died as the last was the last male heir of the castle. His uncle Bourcard/Burkhard II of Lutzelstein, Bishop of Strasbourg (in office 1393 - 1394), was one of the claimants, as well as Friedrich's sister, married to Johann of Leiningen. Burkhard (of Friedrich?) divided the property letting Palatine count Robert III, Holy Roman Emperor a fourth and the rest to his daughters. Sons of Burkhard and of the Leiningen family ruled for some time in Lützelstein. However the Palatine count Frederick I (1425 - 1476) seized it all in 1452/62 as the new holders died without legitimate heirs. In 1566, it became the residence of George John I, Count Palatine of Veldenz, who carried out major works. The French Army occupied the castle in 1677; in 1681 the county was joined with in France. Vauban was charged with improving the fortifications. In 1870 that the fortifications were removed.
Since 1977, the building has housed the administrative services of the Parc naturel régional (Natural Regional Park) of Vosges du Nord. In the multi-media exhibition there, a room is specifically devoted to the history of the castle with, in particular, a superb model of Staedtel, the fortified old town, according to plans of 1771, and an impressive sight of the castle's ancient cistern.
The fortified town,with the Saint-Louis chapel, the 15th-century church choir and the bastion tower protecting the cisterns, is closely linked to the castle.
Architecture
The castle is located at the end of a crest, separated from the old town by an artificial ditch dating from the beginning of the 13th century. The pentagonal keep was destroyed in the 19th century. The residence has been greatly altered but in its cellar the filtering cistern dates from the 14th century. On the southern façade are Romanesque windows. The well with Renaissance decoration, the main door with pilasters and the staircase turret date from the 16th century.
The polygonal construction exhibits Gothic ornamentation, in particular hooked capitals.

Château de La Petite-Pierre

Château de Fleckenstein is a ruined castle in the commune of Lembach, in the Bas-Rhin département of France. This fortress, built in the shape of 52 m long boat, has a long history. The castle was built on a sandstone summit in the Middle Ages. An ingenious system for collecting rainwater fed a cistern and a hoist allowed water and other loads to be moved to the upper floors.
History
A castle is known to have existed on the site in 1165. It is named after the Fleckenstein family, owners until 1720 when it passed to the Vitzthum d'Egersberg family. The family had had a lordship that consisted of four separate small territories in the Bas-Rhin département. In 1807, it passed to J.-L. Apffel and in 1812 to General Harty, baron of Pierrebourg (the French for Fleckenstein: stone town). In 1919, it became the property of the French state.
The rock and the castle have been modified and modernised many times. Of the Romanesque castle, remains include steps cut into the length of the rock, troglodyte rooms and a cistern. The lower part of the well tower dates from the 13th or 14th century, the rest from the 15th and 16th. The inner door in the lower courtyard carries the faded inscription 1407 (or 1423); the outer door 1429 (or 1428). The stairwell tower is decorated with the arms of Friedrich von Fleckenstein (died 1559) and those of his second wife, Catherine von Cronberg (married 1537).
The 16th-century castle, modernised between 1541 and 1570, was shared between the two branches of the Fleckenstein family. Documents from the 16th century describe the castle and a watercolour copy of a 1562 tapestry shows its appearance in this period. Towards the end of the 17th-century Fleckenstein was captured twice by French troops. In 1674 the capture was achieved by forces under Marshall Vauban, who encountered no resistance from the defenders. The castle was nevertheless completely destroyed in 1689 by General Melac. Major restoration work was carried out after 1870, around 1908 and again since 1958.
Location
The castle is located between Lembach to the south and Hirschtal to the north, only about 200 meters to the southeast of the present French frontier with Germany, at a height of about 370 meters above mean sea level. The nearest more substantial town is Wissembourg, approximately 20 km / 12 miles to the east. The castle, is accessible by road or via (well established) hiking trails.
Recognition
Château de Fleckenstein has been listed as a monument historique by the French Ministry of Culture since 1898.