Our selection of must-sees for your stay in the Ardennes
Take a stroll through our beautiful Ardennes region and discover its richly diverse heritage. Just 20 minutes to 1 hour’s drive from our campsite near Reims will enable you to discover the region’s most important historic sites.
Explore the Ardennes
The Ardennes offer holidaymakers a unique setting of dense forests and picturesque valleys. Lovers of nature and history will appreciate the many hiking trails, medieval castles, fascinating museums and authentic villages.
Don’t miss the Musée du Cheval Ardennais, a site entirely dedicated to this noble breed of horse, which has become a symbol of the region. Discover local traditions and enjoy breathtaking scenery. An ideal tourist destination for a rejuvenating and enriching vacation!
Discover the rich historical heritage of the Ardennes
Immerse yourself in the past during a stay in the Ardennes! Explore renowned medieval castles such as Sedan, the largest in Europe. Visit the fortifications of Charleville-Mézières and its Place Ducale, an architectural gem. Exhibitions and commemorative sites retrace the region’s more recent history.
Don’t miss the Musée Guerre et Paix, a must-see tourist attraction in the Ardennes, which looks back on 3 successive wars and 75 years of history.
Visit Reims, the city of the coronations: between historical and gastronomic treasures
In the heart of the Champagne region, the city of Reims is nicknamed “la cité des sacres” or “the city of kings”. Indeed, it was on the future site of Notre-Dame de Reims that Clovis was baptized by Saint Remi, and that numerous kings of France were crowned over more than ten centuries, from Louis the Pious in 816 to Charles X in 1825.
In addition to the cathedral, Reims has a rich cultural and historical heritage. It includes numerous historic monuments and Art Deco facades. What’s more, thanks to its many cultural events, Reims has been designated a Ville d’Art et d’Histoire (City of Art and History). In fact, the city boasts no fewer than three UNESCO World Heritage sites.
In terms of gastronomic heritage, Dom Pérignon is responsible for champagne, one of the historic pillars of the Reims economy. The Benedictine monk invented the famous beverage in the 17th century at the monastery of Hautvillers, near Épernay. Although the town has few vineyards, it is home to a number of Champagne houses with vineyards in the surrounding area, which are open to visitors to show them how champagne is made.
Along with champagne, the pink cookie is one of the gastronomic emblems of Reims. It was created in 1691 when a Reims baker had the idea of baking his dough twice. It is flavored with vanilla; its pink color comes from the carmine used to mask the vanilla beans. Traditionally, it is dipped in a glass of champagne. Reims Tourist Office
6 rue Rockefeller
51100 Reims
Tel.
+33(0)3 26 77 45 00
Discover Verdun, a land of remembrance and the birthplace of dragée
The city of Verdun is located in the historic and cultural region of Lorraine.
Its historic heart lies on a promontory on the left bank of a Meuse meander. The commune then developed further downstream, on the other bank of the river.
Well-known for the two battles fought here during the First World War, Verdun is also a town rich in ancient and medieval heritage.
Verdun is a symbol, because it is a city of history, but also and above all a city of remembrance.
Yellow, green, pink, purple or blue, the dragée de Verdun is as colorful as a rainbow.
World-renowned and a true emblem of the Cité, this delicacy, an integral part of France’s gastronomic heritage, was created in 1220. In Verdun, you can discover the secrets behind the making of this emblematic sweet.
Official website of the Greater Verdun urban community
Verdun Tourist Office
Place de la Nation
55100 Verdun
Tel.
+33(0)3 29 86 14 18
Email : contact@tourisme-verdun.fr
A day in Charleville-Mézières, meandering along the Meuse and its treasures
Over several decades, Charleville-Mézières brought together adjacent communes to become the commune it is today. Originally, Charleville (XVIIᵉ s.) and Mézières (Xᵉ s.) were the mother towns of the conurbation.
The town lies on three successive meanders of the Meuse, which deepens and collides here with the Ardennes massif, a low mountain range considered to be the cradle of the “Ardenne” natural region.
The river marks the city’s topography and history: it was once used as a defensive barrier against invaders. Although the Meuse separates the city’s neighborhoods and makes it necessary to cross bridges, it very quickly became a favored means of communication for trade and commerce.
An antique mill from the XVIIᵉ century, camped on an arm of the Meuse, today houses the Rimbaud Museum. Today, the site is totally devoted to Arthur Rimbaud, the XIXᵉ poet who spent his entire youth in Charleville-Mézières. The museum features numerous photographs and manuscripts retracing the artist’s life and poetic work.
Visitors have access to a number of testimonials and objects that accompanied the Charleville native on his African journey: suitcases, pieces of fabric, technical books, first editions and personal souvenirs.
The official website of the city of Charleville-Mézières
Charleville-Mézières Tourist Office
4 Place Ducale,
08102 Charleville-Mézières
Tel.
+33(0)3 24 55 69 90
And to round off all these visits and discover our beautiful region in a whole new way, we’ve put together a fine selection of things to do in the Ardennes!
