The Forêt d’Ardenne
The Forêt d’Ardenne – a unique forest
Apart from Ardennes, very few regions of France have as many borders with other countries. A natural crossroads between Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany, it is a region of historic importance and natural inspiration. The iconic Ardenne Forest is an amazing place. Julius Caesar himself recognised its majesty in his account of the Gallic Wars and we are sure you’ll agree as you walk through the huge Forêt de Saint-Hubert where it is not unusual to see stags, which along with wild boar are the central characters of your forest experience. It has to be said that between the wooded countryside of Thiérache, the Plateau de Rocroi and the Meuse Valley, the Forêt d’Ardenne is an area of astonishing biodiversity. It is a great place for all the family to enjoy, to make youngsters aware of the importance of protecting the environment and to make the most of the great outdoors. A nature destination par excellence, the forest reveals its secrets and legends to visitors at sites like Dames de Meuse at Laifour and Quatre Fils Aymon at Château-Regnault.
Explore the Forêt Ardennaise from top to bottom
The edge of the Ardenne Forest marks the entrance to an outdoor adventure playground ! The numerous leisure activities are an endless source of fun and memorable holiday experiences and also a great way to explore the forest. Start with a walk through this leafy paradise along some of the numerous paths and trails which include the Transardennaise, a seven-part trail from La Roche-en-Ardenne to Bouillon.
At Renwez, plunge into the woods to the Muséé de la Forêt, a museum built on stilts with fun activities to discover trades and crafts related to wood. A little more to the north, spend an afternoon at the Chêne Perché treetop adventure park at Signy-l’Abbaye, a friendly attraction where sport and fun come together with zip wires and treetop trails for children and grown-ups.
Not far from the forest lie the charming towns of Charleville-Mézières and Sedan, both well worth a visit. In Sedan, explore the impressive 15th century castle on the hill and in Charleville-Mézières, after paying your respects to the poet Arthur Rimbaud, head for the magnificent Place Ducale for a spot of shopping in its arcades, followed by a family snack at a pavement café in the beautiful square which is very similar to the Place des Vosges in Paris.
Useful information
Access and Transport
To get to Laifour, take A304 towards Belgium and exit at Sainte-Ponce. Go past Charleville-Mézières, take D989 to Monthermé. Laifour is on D1 after Monthermé.
To get to Château-Regnault, take D989 from Charleville-Mézières or D1 which follows the Meuse.
Signy-l’Abbaye is south of Charleville-Mézières. Follow A34 towards Reims, exit n°14 and take D3, then D985 to Signy-l’Abbaye
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