Salmchâteau is a small village about 3 km south of Vielsam centre, sitting at the junction of the Salm and the Glain rivers. It takes its name from the Château de Salm, a medieval fortified seat of the Counts of Salm — a dynasty that controlled much of this corner of the Ardennes through the Middle Ages before the area passed through various hands to eventually become part of Belgium. The castle ruins are modest but the site is picturesque, set above the river confluence with good views over the valley.
The village itself is quiet, with a handful of houses and farms. It is worth the short drive or walk from Vielsam for the setting as much as for the ruins. The Counts of Salm gave their name not only to this area but to a number of places across the Rhineland and Alsace — the family was once more powerful than the scale of the remains here might suggest. A small information board near the ruins explains the history.