Château Saint-Sixte, Castle in Freistroff, France

Château Saint-Sixte is a castle with an unusual oval layout and four polygonal towers at each corner, connected by buildings that form an enclosed courtyard. The entire structure is surrounded by its original moat system.

Wirich de Valcourt built the castle in the 12th century on a plain between Freistroff and Rémelfang, and it served as the seat of a vouerie to which six others answered. It was altered in the 16th century and turned into a residence in the 18th. The Gehl family bought it in 1986; Philippe Gehl took sole ownership in 2007 and has led restoration work since, and it was listed as a monument historique in November 1991.

The castle's name comes from Saint Sixtus, and the site was the seat of a vouerie to which six other estates answered. Today the grounds host themed events each year, including an Easter egg hunt, Heritage Days and the Rommelbootzen, a local beet-harvest tradition. Since 2018 a family leisure park, Le Domaine Irrésixtible, has operated on the estate from July to the end of September.

The castle is open to visitors every afternoon from April to October, with guided tours at weekends. Organised groups can visit throughout the year. The site can also be hired for private events such as weddings or corporate seminars.

The castle retained its original moat system, which still visibly frames the medieval fortification today. This rare combination of oval design and functioning water defenses makes it an example of practical medieval architecture that is uncommon in this region.