The Château de Helfenstein is a ruined castle in the commune of Philippsbourg in the Moselle département of France.
The castle is located 100 m from another castle, the Château du Falkenstein. The castle was mentioned in the 14th century as the property of the Dukes of Lorraine. It passed as a fief to the Wasselonne family and was destroyed around 1435. In 1437, the Bishop of Strasbourg settled a difference between Guillaume de Falkenstein and Frédéric de Thann concerning the demolished fortress, zerbrochene Feste, of Helfenstein.[1]
Following its destruction, the castle effectively disappeared from view and was virtually unknown until 1928 when Ad. Malye discovered and excavated it following research in documents and on the ground.[2]
Today, the site makes an agreeable sporting promenade. The site exhibits very little in the way of remains - among other finds, a well was discovered in 1928.[3] The ruins are state property.