What remains of the Chaumont castle today?

Only the keep, known as the Hautefeuille tower, survives from the former castle of the Counts of Champagne.

Why is the Chaumont keep known for having been a prison?

It served as a prison in the 19th century, and its interior walls still bear graffiti carved by inmates.

Can visitors climb to the top of the Chaumont keep?

Yes, the top of the tower is accessible and offers a view over the Suize valley.

Donjon des Comtes de Champagne

Chaumont

Access

No visits on recordNo opening hours or ticketing found

Where: Chaumont

To make a day of it

Open within 20 km

Sleep nearby

Château d'Arc-en-Barrois (Arc-en-Barrois Castle)Accommodation on site21 km

Château de Chaumont stands in Chaumont (Haute-Marne), in the Grand Est region of France. The building is registered as a historic monument. No visits are on record for this building.

The keep of Chaumont, also known as the Hautefeuille tower, is the only surviving remnant of the castle built by the Counts of Champagne in the 12th century on a rocky spur overlooking the Suize valley. Standing 19 metres high, with rusticated walls more than two metres thick at the base, the tower served as a prison in the 19th century, a period recalled by graffiti carved into the interior walls by inmates. At its foot, the lower rooms of the former castle house the town's art and history museum, and the top of the keep offers a wide view over the valley.

Written from Château de Chaumont (Haute-Marne)

What to know

Only the keep remains of the former castle, the rest of the buildings have disappeared.
Visiting involves climbing a staircase to the top of the tower to enjoy the view.
The art and history museum, housed in the lower rooms, can be visited alongside the keep.
The keep has been a listed historic monument since 1926.
The interior walls bear graffiti carved by 19th century prisoners, worth looking out for during the visit.

Where this château is

Chaumont · Haute-Marne · Grand Est

Map of the area around Château de Chaumont

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This châteauChâteaux within 40 km

Address

Chaumont, Haute-Marne

Directions open from wherever you are, by car or public transport.

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Heritage status: Registered historic monument (inscrit); Mérimée record PA00079009

In pictures

Frequently asked

What remains of the Chaumont castle today?: Only the keep, known as the Hautefeuille tower, survives from the former castle of the Counts of Champagne.
Why is the Chaumont keep known for having been a prison?: It served as a prison in the 19th century, and its interior walls still bear graffiti carved by inmates.
Can visitors climb to the top of the Chaumont keep?: Yes, the top of the tower is accessible and offers a view over the Suize valley.
Is there a museum at the Chaumont castle site?: The lower rooms of the former castle house the town's art and history museum.