Travel diary :
As a couple, Culture & Heritage, Nature
Weekend getaway in the Ardennes
An inspiring land of many surprises, the Ardennes has many facets to reveal to its visitors. Whether medieval and historic, natural and spectacular, it is always surprising. Take a look!
DAY 1 - 10.00 am
Medieval escape to visit Sedan
The fortress
Our journey begins in Sedan. A medieval town par excellence, it is home to the largest fortified castle in Europe: a gigantic fortress, a vestige of French history spanning more than 6 centuries, no less! With a surface area of over 35,000 hectares, the fortress dominates the city, triumphantly standing on its promontory facing the River Meuse; the view is nothing short of breathtaking. The tour begins with an exploration of the castle's foundations, before moving on to the outside of the fortress, where anecdotes and stories are told: techniques, strategic points and weapons handling, putting you in the shoes of a lord preparing for war. Finally, we're taken to the castle's Twin Towers to plunge into the heart of the assault, before heading off to a fabulous medieval banquet - a spectacular experience!
The town centre
We continue our medieval escapade in the historic centre of Sedan, which has been designated a Town of Art and History. The city's history can be seen in its unique architecture, with factories, town houses and public squares all with their own story! Some facades are built in ochre stone, characteristic of a rich past thanks to the town's factories, which contributed to the town's wealth.
A little extra: Sedan's Heritage Centre
Schedule permitting, we'll stop off at the Maison du Patrimoine, an Architecture and Heritage Interpretation Centre, where you can discover temporary and permanent exhibitions dedicated to the local heritage.
16h00
In the footsteps of Arthur Rimbaud in Charleville-Mézières!
A city and its poet
In the afternoon, we head for Charleville-Mézières, one of the highlights of our stay in the Ardennes and the birthplace of Arthur Rimbaud! Naturally, we'll be taking the Arthur Rimbaud Trail, which takes us on a tour of the town in the footsteps of the French poet, passing of course through the places he frequented and from which he drew his inspiration. The tour also includes the Arthur Rimbaud Museum and the House of Elsewhere, emblematic places that retrace the poet's life through objects, stories and photographs. You'll also discover the house where he was born, the secondary school he attended, the former Rossat Institute, and the station square that inspired his poem "À la musique". A fun and inspiring visit.
Place Ducale
In Charleville-Mézières, it's impossible not to visit the Place Ducale! This architectural treasure, the brainchild of Charles de Gonzague, is a listed historic monument. A royal square par excellence, symmetry and harmony reign here! Its majestic ochre facades are even more striking in the sunlight, so you can sit on a terrace and enjoy a delicious Ardennes dish. And to make the pleasure last, opt for accommodation in the heart of the Place Ducale. You'll fall asleep remembering the many details of this architecture, which you'll enjoy contemplating, before drifting off into the arms of Morpheus...
DAY 2 - 10h00
A breath of fresh air in Monthermé
We're continuing our Ardennes escapade with nature as the theme of this second day. We're heading for Monthermé, a town with a legendary landscape. With the River Meuse running through it, its location offers a wide choice of activities to get you into nature mode! Put on your best walking shoes, warm up your thighs and calves, and you're all set for the Roche à Sept Heures hike! It's a 2.5 hour walk with no major difficulties: a ridge path leads us to an unparalleled panorama.
Once we reached our destination, there was no need for any fancy tricks: nature was on show, with lush green valleys, the Meuse glistening and Monthermé triumphant. It's a picture-postcard landscape where you can see the famous Monthermé loop! The descent begins along the banks of the Meuse, which you can see up close this time: so peaceful, you automatically activate the relaxation mode.
14h00
Picnic and gentle sensations at the Lac des Vieilles Forges
Walking is hard work! So we head to a small local grocery shop to pick up some of the region's specialities for our picnic: dry-cured ham, pâté en croûte, white pudding, the Ardennes charcuterie will delight our taste buds. You can enjoy it on the banks of the magnificent Lac des Vieilles Forges, close to the Meuse valley. The 150-hectare lake has plenty of adventure in store. From water activities, climbing wall and zip line to horse riding, tennis and mountain biking, at Lac des Vieilles Forges you're spoilt for choice!
No matter what activity you choose, you'll always find something to do with nature: in the Ardennes massif, you'll find a wealth of plant species spread over more than 1,000 hectares of forest. In the mood for some fresh air? Put on your swimming costume and plunge into the clear waters of a supervised beach for a relaxing and refreshing swim - a winning combination. On foot, mountain bike or electric scooter, choose your mode of transport to begin the tour of the lake: 12 km of paths between forest, lake and rolling countryside, enough to discover the site from every angle!
19h00
A royal night in Rocroi
When we visit the Ardennes, we fall in love with this little star-shaped town, guardian of the Kingdom of France and winner of the Petite cités de caractère and Village étape labels! When you arrive in Rocroi, you discover a town that, like Palmanova, is the only one in Europe to have retained its original state as a fortified town, forming a star as seen from the sky. Rocroi, created by the will of François I, is a real earth star: its central square is linked to 10 streets, which were practical at the time for soldiers who had to get to their posts! As the day draws to a close, we choose a charming hotel to soak up the royal atmosphere until the early hours.
Extend your weekend!
With the animals at Parc Argonne Découverte
Between discovery, surprise and cuteness, our afternoon at the Parc Argonne Découverte promises to be full of thrills! Nestling in the woods, the park offers a range of activities to suit all tastes. You can stroll through the forest and observe the wolf packs, raccoons and genets, before watching the wolves eat: a special moment with the park's caretakers, who will tell us more about the habits of these mysterious animals! As for the birds of prey, the stars of the park, they'll be headlining the show! Want to test your agility? Head to the outdoor play area to try your hand at the bouncy hammocks, before taking a thrill ride on the zip line and racing down the slides.
