St. Sixte Castle

St. Sixte Castle, locally known as Château Saint-Sixte, lies south of the village of Freistroff in the Moselle department in France.

St. Sixte Castle was built in the 12th century by a Lord Wirich de Valcourt. At that time the castle would have had several round corner towers and have been circled by a moat which was fed by the river Nied, flowing next to the castle.

The castle was destroyed before 1536 after which it was rebuilt close to its present layout. During the 18th century it was turned into a more comfortable and modern residence. The stair towers opening up to the courtyard were added.

In 1986 the castle was bought by the Gehl family. By that time the castle, which had been turned into a farm before being abandoned, was in a dilapidated state. They restored it back to its present appearance; several connected buildings from different eras around a somewhat oval courtyard.

At present St. Sixte Castle can be visited for a small fee. Descendants of the Gehl family still live in part of the castle. A nice, friendly castle showing architectural features from different eras.

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