The destination Ardennes, close to you !
At 1h30 by TGV from Paris, the Ardennes is your destination for a stay "au vert". In love with nature, discover many walks: tourist route of the legends Meuse and Semoy, visit the Ducale of Charleville-Mézières, the birthplace of the famous poet Arthur Rimbaud and puppet capital of the world, discover the medieval castle of Sedan, the biggest castle in Europe, or the star-shaped city of Rocroi. For sports enthusiasts, "La Voie Verte Trans-Ardennes" is waiting for you! From Givet, on the Belgian border, to Remilly-Aillicourt via Charleville-Mézières and Sedan, this 120 km route is set up on the old towpath along the Meuse. Walking, cycling, roller-skating or even pedal-powered cars, the Voie Verte is accessible to everyone.
Local specialties
Boudin Blanc de Rethel - The white pudding of Rethel is one of the emblematic specialties of the south of the Ardennes. A simple recipe based on fresh products which obtained in 2001, a PGI (Protected Geographical Indication) "Boudin Blanc de Rethel".
Jambon sec des Ardennes - All the flavors of the Ardennes awaken in your mouth when you taste this authentic product. The dry ham of the Ardennes also obtained its PGI in 2015 to guarantee its authenticity and origin.
Cocasse à cul nu - This traditional dish of Ardennes gastronomy was the "dish of the poor". It is based on potatoes and onions and says to "naked ass" because at its origin the casserole was just rubbed with bacon to perfume the dish. It is now known as the cacasse that it is "dressed" or "culotte" because the meat has made its appearance there.
Bacon salad - If there is a dish not to be missed in the Ardennes, it is the traditional salad with bacon. You will not find an identical recipe because each Ardennais prepares it in its own way, but the basis remains the same : dandelion or salad, potatoes and bacon.
Galette à succ - It is round, golden, crisp and it divinely accompanies coffee ... The galette is a pure concentrate of Ardennes flavors and is tasted in all conviviality, with or without coffee ...
Beers and ciders of the Ardennes - To savor all these delicious dishes, there is a multitude of local drinks. Among other things, beer and cider will delight your taste buds. These products are handcrafted on the territory.
Major events and venues
PRINCIPAL EVENTS :
Festival of the brotherhoods 13-14 May in Charleville-Mézières
From the conjunction of gluttony, party and good humor was born the Festival of the Brotherhoods in the Ardennes. About forty brotherhoods are expected for these two festive days punctuated by the traditional parade and demonstrations of the know-how of French and Belgian craftsmen. Terroir, tradition and gastronomy will be the watchwords of this great gathering unique in France which received the Aurum 2016 prize awarded by the European Council of Wine and Food Brokers (CEUCO). www.festivaldesconfreries.com
Medieval Festival May 20-21 in Sedan
In the largest castle in Europe, visitors will stroll around the campsite, shows, children's play areas or stalls in the medieval market. More than twenty troops will constantly animate the castle and its surroundings, from musicians to street animations to demonstrations of fighting and fire-breathing ... Tournois of chivalry at the castle of Sedan in July and August. www.chateau-fort-sedan.fr
Sound and light show - Fridays and Saturdays from 22 July to 19 August (except 18/08) in La Cassine
The sound and light show The blue bicycle adapted from the work of Régine Deforges will mobilize a hundred volunteer actors with games of light and pyrotechnics within the grandiose vestiges of the castle of Cassine. www.la-cassine.com
Festival du Cabaret Vert August 24th to 27th in Charleville-Mézières
Precursor and always faithful to its values, Cabaret Vert ventures off the beaten track by combining ecological awareness and eclectic programming. The Ardennes festival is now the event of the North-East of France before the beginning of the classes. www.cabaretvert.com
World Festival of Puppet Theaters from 16 to 24 September in Charleville-Mézières
This is the must-see event for the puppeteers of the world. In a festive and friendly atmosphere, hundreds of puppeteers and thousands of spectators seize the city and transform it into a giant castelet : traditional puppets intersect and dialogue with the most daring puppet forms ! With the presence of the International Institute of Puppetry and its school, the National Superior School of Puppetry Arts (ESNAM), but also presentations of student works, shows, an international conference ... www.festival-marionnette.com
PLACES TO VISIT :
Sedan with the largest medieval castle in Europe (35,000 m²) and the sites of memory tourism of 1870, 1914-1918 and 1939-1945.
Charleville-Mézières with Place Ducale, "little sister" Ardennes of the Place des Vosges in Paris. It is an architectural jewel of the seventeenth century wanted by an Italian prince, Charles de Gonzague (founder of the city of Charleville). Also worth seeing are the Musée de l'Ardenne, the Arthur Rimbaud Museum, the Maison des Ailleurs and the tomb of Arthur Rimbaud.
Rocroi, a star-walled city whose Battle Museum traces the Grand Conde's victory over the Spaniards on May 16, 1643.
Domaine de Vendrese : old blast furnace of the 18th century with a sound and light tracing the birth of a casting in the blast furnace: "THE MAGIC OF THE FIRE", then a playful exhibition on water, workshops with Manipulations and a gallery of aquariums in the charcoal hall "THE MAGIC OF WATER".
Parc Argonne Discovery : Wolves, vultures, great dukes, storks, raccoons, eagles ... At Olizy-Primat (10 min from Vouziers), the Parc Argonne Découverte is an animal paradise in the heart of the Argonne forest.
Eglise Saint-Didier d'Asfeld is a curved challenge to common sense, whose shape evokes a viola da gamba. The most beautiful church in the Ardennes - the most amazing in any case
The acrobatic routes in height : The forest is omnipresent in the Ardennes. Move to the heart of it by going through the three acrobatic high trails that are "naturally" open to you. On the spot, you will find other astonishing sights such as huts, a giant zipline or neighbors elves ...
Cruises on the Meuse, discover the hills of the Ardenne from one of the boats walks in the Ardennes : Le Roc in Montherme or the Charlemagne and the Naiades in Givet.
Givet, another fortified town, dominated by the Fort of Charlemont. With its historical and commercial center it is a surprising city to discover.
