Construction of the castle fin XIIe siècle (≈ 1295)
Fortress erected by the Counts of Ferrette.
1324
Transition to Habsburg
Transition to Habsburg 1324 (≈ 1324)
Heritage after extinction of the Counts of Ferrette.
fin XIVe siècle
Fire destruction
Fire destruction fin XIVe siècle (≈ 1495)
Fired by Enguerrand de Coucy in 1375.
1977
Beginning of archaeological excavations
Beginning of archaeological excavations 1977 (≈ 1977)
Major military and religious discoveries.
4 juillet 1996
Registration historical monument
Registration historical monument 4 juillet 1996 (≈ 1996)
Official site protection.
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui
Aujourd'hui Aujourd'hui (≈ 2025)
Position de référence.
Key figures
Comtes de Ferrette - Initial Lords and Builders
Owners until 1324.
Habsbourg - Heirs of the castle
Acquisition by inheritance in 1324.
Enguerrand de Coucy - Castle destroyer
Head of fire in 1375.
Origin and history
The Château de Rougemont, erected at the end of the 12th century in the south of the Vosges massif, was a defensive fortress designed to protect a Roman road linking Langres to Alsace. It symbolized the power of the Counts of Ferrette, local lords, and monitored the southern door of Alsace. Its strategic location on a hill at 736 m altitude allowed it to control access to Burgundy and Alsace.
At the end of the lineage of the Counts of Ferrette in 1324, the castle passed by inheritance to Habsburg. It was burned and destroyed at the end of the 14th century, probably during the English invasion of 1375, by Enguerrand de Coucy. Archaeological excavations carried out from 1977 onwards revealed a rich military, civil and religious material, including more than eight hundred tiles of arbaletes and appeal tubes, now preserved at the Belfort Museum.
The site now consists of the remains of a seigneurial house and a circular dungeon, replacing the first quadrangular dungeon of the 12th century. Ranked a historic monument since 1996, the castle offers a free visit but difficult access. Its restoration has made it possible to highlight its historic role in protecting regional communication channels.
The castle illustrates medieval military architecture, designed to withstand attacks thanks to its high position and its suitable defences. Archaeological discoveries attest to its strategic importance and occupation by a garrison equipped for war, reflecting the conflicts and alliances of the time between local lords and regional powers such as the Habsburgs.
