Overview

On the occasion of the European Heritage Days, enjoy a visit to the castle of Mâlain, which dominates the village with its imposing ruins. This castle (12th-17th centuries), has been rebuilt by the Archaeological Group of Mesmontois since the 1980s. Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September 2025 from 10:00 to 12:30 and from 14:00 to 18:30. Guided tours are offered on Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 September, without reservation. On the program, Saturday, September 20:

• 10:15: 'Attack and defense of a fortified castle' (30 to 45 min);
• 11h: "The work carried out by the GaM" (1h to 1h30);
• 11h45: "Short general history of the castle" (30 to 45 min);
• 14h: «The work carried out by the GaM» (1h to 1h30) ;
• 14h45: "Short general history of the castle" (30 to 45 min);
• 15h30: "Attack and defense of a castle" (30 to 45 min);
• 16h15: «Under the castle, the rock! Little geological story in Mâlain» (30 to 45 min);
• 17h: "The work carried out by the GaM" (1h to 1h30);
• 17h45: «Edmé de Mâlain and the Skinners, the castle in the 16th century» (30 to 45 min). Sunday, September 21:
• 10:15: 'Attack and defense of a fortified castle' (30 to 45 min);
• 11h: "The work carried out by the GaM" (1h to 1h30);
• 11h45: "Short general history of the castle" (30 to 45 min);
• 14h: «The work carried out by the GaM» (1h to 1h30) ;
• 14h45: "Short general history of the castle" (30 to 45 min);
• 15h30: "Attack and defense of a castle" (30 to 45 min);
• 16h15: «Under the castle, the rock! Little geological story at Mâlain» (30 to 45 min);
• 17h: «Edmé de Mâlain and the flays, the castle in the 16th century» (30 to 45 min);
• 17h45: «Short general history of the castle» (30 to 45 min). The different themes addressed. «Attack and defense of a castle» The castle of Mâlain is a 13th century fortress designed to be impregnable. Far from the cliché of the castle surrounded by moats and high towers, let’s discover the attack and defense techniques of the Middle Ages: how to attack this castle perched on its rock? "The work carried out by the GaM" The association Groupe archéologique du Mesmontois, founded by the excavators of the Gallo-Roman town of Mediolanum, became owner of part of the castle of Mâlain in the 1980s. These enthusiasts then launch the crazy challenge of rebuilding this fortress forgotten by all and invaded by vegetation. It is the beginning of a human adventure that will last more than 40 years, and that Guy Delorme, current president of the GaM, will be pleased to tell you! « Under the castle, the rock! A little geological story about Mâlain » The castle is installed on a mirror of a fault created 35 million years ago during the formation of the Alps. This visit allows us to address the following questions: what is a fault mirror? What are the geological phenomena that led to the creation of the current landscape? Why are there shells in the castle stones? What did France look like 350 million years ago? "Edmé de Mâlain and the Debarkers, the Castle in the 16th century" At the time of the Wars of Religion, Edme de Mâlain was the lord of the castle. He was a terrible mercenary who permanently placed his paw on the fortress. Far from being an isolated case, it is the heir of a long tradition of brigandage organized during the wars of the Middle Ages. Come discover the story of the skinners and Edmé de Mâlain, lord-brigand! A self-guided tour is also offered the rest of the time with a paper guide.

Informations Free visit: 5 € | Guided tour from 1h to 1h30: 8 € | Guided tour from 30 to 45 min: 6 € | Children from 6 to 18 years old: 2 € | Free for children under 6 | Attention, the site is difficult to access for people with reduced mobility.

Address
Rue du Four 21410 Mâlain, Côte-d'Or, Bourgogne-Franche-Comté, France