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A listed monument
A feudal castle, then a fortress
buffeted by cannon fire, the Château de Ham was
also a famous prison from which the future Napoleon
III escaped disguised as a builder.
Following the world wars, the ruins of the Fort de Ham
fell into neglect and even became the site of a rubbish
dump. In 1977, the "Friends of the Castle"
association saved the ruins from oblivion. For over
20 years, the young volunteers in the association have
been clearing up and restoring the remains of this castle.
It is interesting to visit the salvage work going on
in the underground rooms, the entrance tower and some
interesting defensive structures.
A lot of work is also being done to promote the site
(tours, exhibitions, shows…).
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History of the building
As early as the Xth century, there has been a record of
a castle in Ham. It was under Odon IV, Lord of Ham (1214)
that the castle took its final shape. The domain of Ham
passed successively into the houses of Coucy, Bar, Orléans
(1400), Luxembourg (1418) and Bourbon-Vendôme (1548).
In the reign of Henri IV, the town of Ham and its castle
were finally incorporated into the crown and kingdom of
France. Under Louis XIV, the Vauban fortifications were
completed. As a result, the castle was used as a state
prison. It housed some famous prisoners, including the
pirate Cassard, Mirabeau and prince Louis Napoléon
Bonaparte (the future Napoléon III) who stayed
there for six years.
In 1870, the second largest army in the north encircled
the town of Ham, then occupied by the Prussians, and forced
them to sign a capitulation. Occupied from the beginning
of the First World War, the town of Ham was a fallback
position for the German army who abandoned it in 1917
after destroying its main buildings (castle, bridges,
Town Hall, belfry, church and abbey). A second occupation
due to the moving of the front ended with the town being
burned. More than 80% of it was destroyed. During the
Second World War, Ham was the scene of an important battle
aimed at containing the advancing German troops, in May
and June 1940.
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Practical info
Opening times
Guided tour upon request :
From Tuesday to Friday, 10 am-12 pm and 3 pm-5 pm (6 pm in
July/August)
On Saturdays, 10 am-12 pm and 2 pm-5 pm.
Prices
Adults: 3.50 €
Children (under 12): 2 €
Tourist Office
Rue André Audinot
80400 HAM
Tel : +33 (0)3 23 81 30 00
Fax : +33 (0)3 23 81 12 24
E-mail : info@ot-payshamois.com
Website : www.ot-payshamois.com
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