Dating from the 12th century, Ferrette Castle is one of the oldest castles in Alsace. It was a prized stronghold of the Counts of Ferrette, the dynasty that resulted from the division of land by the Lorraine Counts of Bar and Mousson. There was a succession of seven counts until, after the death of the last count, the county passed to the House of Austria as a result of the marriage of Jeanne de Ferrette to Duke Albert II of Habsburg in 1324.
The entire complex consists of two parts:
- The older upper castle, a multi-story tower carved out of the limestone rock (one of the first of its kind in Alsace). Here you can enjoy a beautiful view over the Vosges, the Black Forest and the Jura.
- The lower castle, including several round shell towers that were once equipped with cannons.