Introduction

The Ardennes is a region of dense forests, mountains and deep valleys that covers the north-eastern part of Belgium but also extends into France lending its name to the Ardennes department. Situated in the Champagne-Ardennes region, part way between Champagne and Lorraine, the Ardennes is an easy drive from Paris and an ideal base from which to explore the Northern part of France.

History

The Ardennes has a rich heritage dating back to the Middle Ages when the department was riddled with castles and fortresses that were the base for kings and princes of France. Many of these spectacular buildings were destroyed in the Hundred Years war but nevertheless there remains a large collection of castles and ruins still standing in the department today. During the world wars the Germans used the department as a passageway to attack from the north and three times the Ardennes was the site for major battles, a history that is commemorated through the department's interesting museums.

Main Towns

• Antigny
• Buzancy
• Carignan
• Charleville Mezieres
• Chateau Porcien
• Chaumont Porcien
• Furnay
• Juniville
• Norvion Porcien
• Rocroi
• Sedan
• Vouziers

Weather

The weather in the Ardennes department is fairly typical of British weather, with temperatures averaging up to 75 F during the summer months whilst being cold and very wet in the winter. With its long wet winters and cool summers, the department is significantly colder than the wine regions further to the south of France and the climate only just falls within the conditions necessary for its vineyards to thrive.

Tourist Sites

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The department's capital is Charleville-Meziers, a large town thriving with history and culture. The town continues to be dominated by its traditional Dairy Farming trade, but in recent years it has also risen to fame as the puppet capital of the world, marked by the International Puppet Festival that is held in the town every September.

The ancient town of Rocroi lies just four miles from the Belgium boarder. The bastions surrounding the small town are still in tact in the form of a pentagon and stand as good examples of 16th century architecture. Also popular with tourists is Sedan, an attractive woodland town situated on the arc of the river Meuse. The town has a turbulent history that is marked by its 7 storey castle a majestic building that was began as a fortress in the 15th century and has been used in battle several times over the centuries.

The small town of Vouziers is situated in the Argonne forest, the natural barrier that divides the departments of the Champagne region. Set on the river Aisne, Vouziers is surrounded by natural beauty and the influence of the woodland is marked by carpentry, basket making and other traditional crafts that still used in the town today.

Museums, Galleries and Culture

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The department has an interesting history and a rich culture that is celebrated by a wealth of museums, galleries and chateaus. The Museum of Arthur Rimbaud is a popular museum situated in Charleville-Meziers, Rimbaud's childhood home. The museum is a testimony to the life and work of the poet and has an extensive collection of documentation, photographs and copies of his writing. On a similar theme is the museum of Paul Verlaine, a space dedicated to the French Impressionist poet and situated in the small town of Juniville.

In commemoration of the three wars that took place on Ardennes soil at the beginning of the twentieth century, the museum of war and peace is a fascinating illustration of the departments past conflicts, housed in the town of Novien Porcien. For more general local history, the Musee de l'Ardenne houses religious and archaeological relics as well as more contemporary examples of art and culture.

Family Entertainment

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For family entertainment, the Vendress Park is an ideal day out offering a multitude of activities for all ages. Situated 20 minutes outside of the town of Sedan, the park has an Iron Ore museum where visitors can learn about the traditional Ardennes technique of Iron casting. In addition, there are water games for children, lakes, an aquarium and a restaurant.

Food and Drink

In addition to its abundance of world-renowned Champagne the department has an excellent supply of good restaurants serving traditional local delicacies such as white pudding, tripe sausages and the creamy Langres cheese that is matured with Champagne. The Ardennes is particularly famous for its game and most of its restaurants serve a healthy selection of smoked hams and pates.

Wine Tasting

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The Ardennes is part of the Champagne-Ardennes department, and true to its name the department is rich in various champagnes. The vineyards of the Cote des Blanc's, Montagne de Reims and Valle de la Marne run through the region and visitors can sample the bubbly of the famous and less well- known Champagne producers in most of the department's main towns.

Walking

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With its hilly landscape, deep valleys, dense woodland and winding rivers, the department is ideal for the keen walker and with the department being known as France's 'best kept secret' there is an air of the unexplored throughout its countryside. There are six marked tracks throughout its forests, each based on a different theme, details of which can be found in tourist offices in any of the department's main towns.

Golf

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With its wide expanse of woodland, the Ardennes is an ideal site for golf and there are plenty of good courses to choose from across the department. The Golf de l'Abbaye des Sept Fontaines is a beautiful 9 hole course situated just north of Champagne-Meziers in between a valley and a forest and the Golf de Ardennes is an excellent 18 hole course situated in Villers-Le-Tielleul.

Other Sports

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With its varied terrain and rivers, the Ardennes is suited not just to walking but also to canoeing, rowing and particularly to cycling. Cycling through the department offers an ideal opportunity to witness the various fortifications marking the conflicts that have scarred the land historically, as well as the majestic forests and beautiful scenery that characterises the department. As a mark of its commitment to cycling, Champagne-Meziers is host to the 'Critérium international de cyclisme,' an important cycling event held every year that has resulted in the town being awarded the most sporting city in France.

Ease of Access

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Situated in close proximity to Paris the department is easily accessible by road or by train and there are a variety of easy ways to get to the Ardennes from Britain. Paris' Charles de Gaul and d'Orly airports are both served by a range of airlines flying from Britain's major airports and the ferry and Eurostar are also viable options for travelling to the Ardennes. Calais, Dunkirk or Dieppe are conveniently situated to the department and France's efficient TGV network means that the Ardennes can be reached by train within just two hours.

Value for Money

The Ardennes department is relatively unexplored and little-known and as a result it is excellent value for money, with house prices and the cost of living being well below the national average.

Summary

The Ardennes is a little-known department that exists in the heart of unspoilt France. Its diverse scenery and interesting historic towns make it a delightful place to live and its northern location means it is ideal for visiting Belgium and Luxembourg as well as for experiencing the peaceful countryside of Northern France.