Malbrouck Castle is located in the Grand Est region (Lorraine), in the commune of Manderin in northeastern France, just a few kilometers from the borders with Luxembourg and Germany. The castle was built between 1419 and 1434 by Knight Arnold VI von Sirk. It was originally called Meinsberg and served as a fortified residence controlling trade routes. He received his current name, Malbrook, thanks to the British commander John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough. In 1705, during the War of the Spanish Succession, the Duke set up his headquarters in the castle for two weeks. The French peasants changed his last name from "Marlborough" to "Malbrook" in their own way. Although the commander did not stay here long and did not give a decisive battle, his name was firmly attached to the castle. Moreover, it was this castle that inspired the famous French folk song "Marlbrough s'en va-t-en guerre", which became popular throughout Europe. Malbrook Castle is a classic example of a fortified castle from the late Middle Ages on the verge of the Renaissance. It is made of local sandstone and is distinguished by its harsh but harmonious beauty.: - Powerful walls: The walls are up to 5 meters thick in some places. - Four towers: Each has its own poetic name: The Tower of the Lantern, the Tower of Noble Ladies, the Tower of Witches and the Tower of the Warm Rock. - Courtyard and well: In the center there is a deep well cut into the rock, about 50 meters deep. Interestingly, by the time Malbrook was built, it was already considered an architectural anachronism — it was more a symbol of the owner's status than a really necessary fortification. By the 20th century, the castle had fallen into complete disrepair and was a picturesque ruin. In 1975, it was bought by the Moselle Department and underwent a large-scale, almost complete restoration (from 1991 to 1998), restoring its historical appearance.

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