Sedan

Town on the River Meuse, in Ardennes département, northeast France; population (1990) 22,400. Industries include textiles and dyestuffs, metal works, medical appliances, chemicals, and food processing; the town's prosperity dates from the 16th-17th centuries, when it was a Huguenot centre. In 1870 Sedan was the scene of Napoleon III's surrender to Prussia during the Franco-Prussian War. It was the focal point of the German advance into France in May 1940.

History Sedan lay behind the German lines for the whole of World War I. During World War II a crucial breakthough was achieved here by the German general Heinz Guderian in May 1940, allowing the German armoured divisions to cross the River Meuse. The town suffered severe damage in the fighting.

The town possesses one of the largest fortresses in France, built in the 15th century. Despite the fact that it has never been breached, it has nevertheless witnessed three surrenders of the town to an invader.