our Tourist Guide to North-West Ardennes
Transcription
our Tourist Guide to North-West Ardennes
T ourist M ap ocated to the north of the Champagne-Ardenne region, North-West Ardennes is 90 minutes from Brussels, 2 hours from Luxembourg, 2½ hours from Paris and 1 hour from Reims by main roads. L uide s G e n n e d r est A W h t r o N ocroi R ▼ e h c a r Thié Pl n n e Va o m r o S ▼ ateau lley Contents ■■ A hint of heritage ■■ A dash of discovery ■■ A nugget of nature ■■ A fullness of fun ■■ Arts & crafts ■■ Local produce ■■ Markets and fairs ■■ Restaurants ■■ Accommodation ■■ Practical information 2 16 19 23 26 26 27 28 29 36 Office de Tourisme de Rocroy et du Nord-Ouest Ardennais (tourist office) he tourist office can provide all the information you need when planning your stay in North-West Ardennes. Get in touch with us! We look forward to seeing you soon in North-West Ardennes! T North-West Ardennes tourist centre 14, place d’Armes - 08230 ROCROI - Tel./Fax. +33 (0) 324 542 006 Email: [email protected] - www.otrocroi.com ◆ Information bureau 2, Place de l’Église - 08380 SIGNY-LE-PETIT - Tel. +33 (0) 324 535 544 Brochure published by the Syndicat Intercommunautaire du Nord-Ouest Ardennais (SINOA) 6, rue de Montmorency - BP 41 - 08230 ROCROI. Director of Publication: Jean-François Thiery, Chairman of SINOA. Project coordination: SINOA. Texts: SINOA. Translation: STT - 66 avenue Pierre Goubet F-55840 Thierville sur Meuse, SINOA. Graphic design: 5pointcom - 127, avenue de Paris - 51000 Châlons-en-Champagne. Photographic credits: Jean-Marie Lecomte - 8, place Hippolyte Noiret - 08390 Louvergny, Danielle Champion, Jean Seris, Maison de la Thiérache, Ardennes Terre d’Aventures, Centre aquatique du Nord-Ouest Ardennais, Office de Tourisme de Rocroi et du Nord-Ouest Ardennais, Fotolia, Phovoir, Goodshoot, Photodisc. Cartography: Jean-François Destrée - 1571, La Croix de Fer - 08230 ROCROI. Printing: Le Réveil de la Marne - 4 Rue Henri Dunant - 51200 Epernay. Information obtained at end of November 2010. Magazine cannot be sold. Despite all the care taken with this publication, errors or omissions are still possible. Changes may also have occurred, for which SINOA cannot be held responsible. Thank you in advance for your understanding. UPDATE 28/2/2013 Tourism office of Rocroy and North-West Ardennes +33(0)324.54.20.06 [email protected] www.otrocroi.com P21 Neuville lez Beaulieu : Poney club (closed) P21 Signy le Petit : Horse Drawn Carriage (closed) P 27 Lonny : Sale of local produces (closed) P 29 Rouvroy/Audry : Le Rimbaud (closed) P29 Rimogne : Le St Jacques replaced by La Pyrite. P29 Renwez : Hôtel des Voyageurs (closed) only restaurant P30 Aubigny les Pothées is not “ Clévacances” P31 Blanchefosse-et-Bay : Gîte owned by Ms Hardy (not Ms Duboys de Lavigerie) P31 Brognon : Gîte n°150 capacity: 14 people P32 Lonny : Gîtes (closed) P32 Logny Bogny: Gîte (closed) P33 Prez: Gîte (closed) P34 Tarzy: Le Gîte (closed) Opening hours : October to March : Tourism office is open every day (not Monday) from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm And 2.00pm to 5.00 pm April to September : Tourism office is open every day from 10.00 am to 12.00 pm and 2.00 pm to 6.00 pm New Rocroi : Hotel & Restaurant, Les Sabots d’Hélène 03 24 37 34 08 Lonny : B & B CV, 2 rooms, Ms Heurion 03 24 59 04 13- 06 71 59 10 46 Lonny : B & B CV, 2 rooms, Ms Miluy 03 24 59 29 07 Rocroi : 1 Gîte 9 people GF 03 24 56 89 65 Maubert Fontaine : 1 Gîte 5 people GF 06 18 09 22 90 Antheny: 1 Gîte 6 people GF 03 24 56 89 65 Liart: 1 Gîte 15 people GF 03 24 56 89 65 Rimogne : Museum of Slate, open from May to September 03 24 35 13 14 Vaux Villaine : Donkey Ride : Un Ane en Ardennes 06 19 09 29 97 Lonny : Gallery and restaurant, Le Chat à 2 têtes 03 24 54 77 99 Discover the Recipe to North-West Ardennes! arpeted with forests, crisscrossed by rivers and broken up by fortifications that are a reminder of an eventful past, North-West Ardennes is a land of great diversity. C Relax in the enchanting natural environment, drink in our beautiful scenery, take a stroll along the many footpaths, learn about the history of our people and buildings, have fun at our many leisure and entertainment venues and savour our mouth-watering specialities. In the pages of this tourist guide, we’ll reveal the recipe for this unspoilt area. The maps in the centre fold will help you get around. Welcome to North-West Ardennes and have a great holiday! 1 ◆ The Fortifications Trail A H int of Heritage ince the days of the Ancient Gauls, North-West Ardennes has occupied a much-coveted position on the borders. In fact, its geographically strategic location created a climate of insecurity and instability that explains the presence of large numbers of fortified heritage buildings here, as you can see from the map of fortifications in the centre of the guide. S ◆ Rocroi, a star-shaped walled town - A3 From above, the town of Rocroi is a stone star nestling in lush green surroundings. Located at the gateway to France, its history is synonymous with the wars that rocked the borders over the centuries and the town’s story is closely linked to that of its fortifications. If Rocroi had not had ramparts, the Great Condé would never have come here to fight Philip IV’s famous Spanish Tercios who were laying siege to it. As the Middle Ages reached a close and Italy began exporting its architects and town planners, François I chose Rocroi, set in the middle of an almost inaccessible marshy plateau, to defend his kingdom. Artillery developed and guns began firing huge cannonballs. The fortifications lost the need for verticality and height. The village became a town under constant attack. Its priority slowly changed from the protection of property and people to the protection of the kingdom. Vauban did not come on the scene until one hundred and fifty years later. He then strengthened the walls and gave them the appearance they have today. He also created a double line of 26 fortresses along the North-Eastern border known as the Pré Carré. Rocroi was part of it. Free access to the town walls - To visit Rocroi and its fortifications, there is a map of the town in the centrefold. The tourist office can organise guided tours with advanced booking. Information: Office de Tourisme de Rocroi et du Nord-Ouest Ardennais 14, Place d’Armes - 08230 ROCROI Tél./Fax. +33(0)324 542 006 Email: [email protected] Website: www.otrocroi.com 2 To see the other fortifications in Ardennes, follow the Fortifications Trail. From the Meuse Valley to the Chiers Valley and across the Rocroi plateau, the fortresses dotted along the route are reminders of an eventful history. They include the Charlemont Fortress built by Charles V in Givet, the largest fortress in Europe in Sedan, the star-shaped walled town of Rocroi and the last fort on the Maginot Line in La Ferté. The destiny of France and Europe was played out on several occasions in the Ardennes: Rocroi (1643) and Sedan (1870-1940). Following this Trail is an unforgettable history lesson. Information: Vitrine Culturelle et Touristique du département des Ardennes Comité Départemental du tourisme des Ardennes 24, place Ducale - 08107 Charleville-Mézières Cedex - Tel. +33(0) 324 560 608 Email: [email protected] – Website: www.ardennes.com ◆ Museum of the Battle of Rocroi and the Thirty Years’ War - A3 On 19th May 1643, in the middle of the devastating Thirty Years’ War, the name of Rocroi entered the history books. It was then that History, with a capital “H”, shattered the quiet anonymity of the village and, for decades, France’s schoolchildren would study what historians consider to be one of the ten greatest military victories in the country’s history. The great philosopher Voltaire described it in glowing terms, “The respect expressed throughout Europe for the Spanish Army changed to respect for the French Army, which had not won such a famous battle for a hundred years… This day was to bring about glory for France and Condé.” The hostility between the kingdoms of France and Spain dated back to 1519, when François I failed in his attempt to become the Emperor of Germany and preference was given to Charles V. After Henri IV’s assassination, the future King Louis XIII married Anne of Austria who was the daughter of King Philip III of Spain. The Defenestration of Prague on 23rd May 1618 was the incident that started the Thirty Years’ War. Soon the whole of Europe was involved and the war resulted in huge loss of life. During this time, France was weakened by the successive deaths of Cardinal Richelieu and Louis XIII. Meanwhile the Spaniards, who already occupied Belgium and the Netherlands, decided to take Rocroi, an essential move if they were to capture the kingdom as a whole. However, standing in their way, was a daring young soldier, the Duke d’Enghien, later to be known as the “Great Condé”. Located on Place du Luxembourg in a 17th-century guardhouse, the Museum of the Battle of Rocroi illustrates the glorious moments in the battle using a 20-minute animated slide show. Numerous dioramas with a total of almost fifteen thousand figurines depict the Thirty Years’ War and a superb relief map explains the history of the fortifications. Musée de la Bataille de Rocroi et de la Guerre de Trente Ans Place du Luxembourg - 08230 ROCROI Information: Office de Tourisme de Rocroi et du Nord-Ouest Ardennais 14, Place d’Armes - 08230 ROCROI Tel./Fax. +33(0) 324 542 006 Email: [email protected] Website: www.otrocroi.com 3 ◆ Montcornet Feudal Castle in Ardennes - C4 Montcornet Castle is one of the largest remaining sections of the mediaeval fortifications in Ardennes. The historian Michelet described it as a “veritable feudal coliseum” and it has been a listed building since 1926. Mont Cornu, or “spur of rock”, was predestined to be topped by a defensive fortress because of its amazing location opposite the Sormonne Valley. At the end of the 10th century, the Archbishops of Reims and Counts of Champagne wanted to ensure the security of the Porcien area from German attack. They appointed Hugues as first Lord of Montcornet. He obtained income from the slate quarries in Rimogne and the toll levied at Deville on boats travelling along the Meuse. The last of the Montcornet dynasty, Jeanne de Rumigny, wife of Miles de Noyers, Constable of France, founded the Chapel of St. Mary Magdalen downhill from the castle in 1303. It has recently been restored. Little remains of the castle that belonged to the Montcornet and Noyers families after the Hundred Years’ War, the factional conflict between Armagnacs and Burgundians and attack by wandering gangs of erstwhile mercenaries in the 16th century (known as “the Flayers”). Purchased in 1446 by Antoine de Croy, the Duke of Burgundy’s chamberlain, a great soldier and wily diplomat, the castle was adapted to withstand artillery fire in general and iron cannonballs in particular. It is these remains that are open to the public today - the barbican protecting the castle entrance, the bastion that provided greater protection for the walls, the encased towers and the slit windows placed to allow for maximum firepower. After the Croys, the castle belonged to Charles de Gonzague, then to the Duke de Mazarin, the famous Cardinal’s nephew. Subsequent owners were the Duke d’Aiguillon, a descendent of Cardinal Richelieu, the Marquis de Châtillon and Father Lussigny, who brought the old fortress back to life after 200 years of neglect. Today, a small museum displays the items found during clearance work - pottery, coins, weapons, pipes, glasses, jewellery etc. Château de Montcornet en Ardenne 08090 MONTCORNET (on the D22 road, 2km from Renwez). Information: Association Les Amis du Château de Montcornet Tel. +33(0) 324 549 348 ◆ Fortified churches and houses in Thiérache In the Thiérache area of Ardennes, lookout towers, corner towers, machicolations, and slit windows are terms usually used in connection with fortresses. However, these terms, with their violent rather than peaceful connotations, are also used in reference to the largest “house” in the village - the church. During the uprisings of the 16th and 17th centuries, villagers in the border region of Thiérache would take refuge in the church, having added elements of fortification copied from mediaeval systems of defence for greater protection. In addition to religious buildings, a number of farms and houses were also fortified. On the map of fortifications in the centre of this guide, you’ll see that many buildings in North-West Ardennes have retained traces of their fortifications, silent witnesses to a tumultuous history. ◆ The Thiérache Fortified Churches Trail From Charleville-Mézières on the edge of Aisne, the signposted Thiérache Fortified Churches Trail forms a 150-kilometre loop that winds its way through a landscape of hills, hedgerows and meadows between the forests of Signy-le-Petit and Signy-l’Abbaye. This is an area of outstandingly rich architectural heritage. In addition to the abbeys, castle and fortified houses, the fifteen fortified churches serve as impressive reminders of the past with their corner towers, keeps, slit windows and lookouts. Information: Vitrine Culturelle et Touristique du département des Ardennes Comité Départemental du tourisme des Ardennes 24, place Ducale - 08107 Charleville-Mézières Cedex Tel. +33(0) 324 560 608 - Email: [email protected] Website: www.ardennes.com ◆ Arts Centre at the fortified church in Servion - C3 This fortified church in Thiérache is no longer used for services; instead, it is a small rural arts centre. Its westwork with casemates, Gallo-Roman memorial, spiral staircase, remains of old doors and windows and countless slit windows attract visitors every year - and they always go away, enthralled. A botany trail (3 kms) completes the visit to Servion (within the boundaries of Rouvroy-sur-Audry). Simply lift up the botany information panels to check the answer to the question asked. Centre Culturel de l’Église Fortifiée de Servion 08150 ROUVROY-SUR-AUDRY Information: Association des Compagnons de Saint-Etienne Email: [email protected] - Website: www.servion.fr 4 5 ◆ Fortified church in Aouste - C2 ◆ St. Martin’s fortified church in Bossus-les-Rumigny - C1 St. Remy’s Church in Aouste is one of the strangest and best-known of the fortified white stone churches of the Ardennes. It is a listed building, having been constructed in the 15th and 17th centuries. A Gothic column kept during a later construction period proves that an older church once stood on this spot. The exterior is robust. The Flamboyant Gothic/Renaissance West door is topped by a bartizan. The square tower, a sort of belfry, is older than the church itself. The walls are one metre thick and are topped by crenelations and arrow slits. A spiral staircase in the cant-walled tower leads up to the top. This is where local people would seek refuge in times of invasion in the 16th and 17th centuries. Since the tower was connected with the top of the vaulting in the nave, people could stay there, store their furniture there and even bring their animals there. On the site of the font, in the bakehouse adjacent to the tower are a well (now walled up) and a vast fireplace, enabling people to isolate themselves here for some considerable time. The interior is elegant in its simplicity - a four-span nave flanked by side aisles closed off by a five-sided chancel containing a marble high altar with six Corinthian columns beneath a canopy. All the stained glass dates from the 19th century. Église Saint-Rémi d’Aouste - 08290 AOUSTE The fortified church in Bossus-lesRumigny seems to date from the 17th century. Built in several stages, the keystone above the altar dates from 1575. It is a rectangular church with a crenelated tower and turrets. The chancel includes a shelter, part of which is on the first floor. Its windows form a system of defence. The village of Bossus-les-Rumigny is typical of the Thiérache area. It includes an octagonal stone dovecote, an old watermill (now restored) and an old wash-house. Église fortifiée Saint-Martin de Bossus-les-Rumigny 08290 BOSSUS-LES-RUMIGNY Information: Association Socioculturelle d’Aouste Tel. +33(0) 324 544 032 ◆ Fortified buildings in Antheny - C2 The village of Antheny en Thiérache in the Ton Valley is unusual because it boasts two significant fortified buildings - a 16th-century fortified church with a 13th-century bell tower and a 17th-century fortified private house in the hamlet of Fontenelle. It is a remarkable village with origins far back in the mists of time. Its houses, however, were razed to the ground in the 17th century, watched by the villagers who had sought refuge in the fortified church. Amazingly, villages were allowed to build fortified houses at that time. This is why, if you look carefully at the housefronts in the village, you will still see traces of fortifications. Église fortifiée d’Antheny 08260 ANTHENY Maison fortifiée Hamlet of Fontenelle 08260 ANTHENY (Private property, not open to the public). ◆ Fortified church in Chilly - C3 According to Albert Meyrac, the fortified church in Chilly dates from the late 15th century. Its chancel and sanctuary are remarkable for the ogival arches and lancets. In days gone by, villagers would take shelter in the tall church tower during a siege, to defend the village. In fact, you can still see traces of crenelations and machicolations. Église fortifiée de Chilly 08260 CHILLY 6 7 ◆ Flaignes-Havys: The fortified churches dedicated to St. Lawrence in Flaignes les Oliviers and St. Géry in Havys - C2 In 1982, the villages of Flaignes les Oliviers and Havys merged to become the village of Flaignes-Havys. The two ancient villages each had its own fortified church. St. Lawrence’s in Flaignes les Oliviers is said to date, at least in part, from the 11th century but most of it was rebuilt in the early 17th century after various exactions imposed by the Burgundians and Spaniards. The first two spans in the nave (there are no side aisles) and the bell tower topping the West Front date from circa 1660. The next three spans date from 1580 and the chancel at the end may be from the same period, if it is true that the crocheted capitals and brackets with palmettes were 13th-century features that were re-used. Two chapels flank the nave and the entrance to the chancel. The chapel on the north side dates from 1480; the one on the south side from 1666. One of them contains some interesting tombstones. The entire eastern side of the church was designed as a system of defence. The walls were built with loopholes and a raised loft provided a place of refuge accessed from a tower on the north side. In Havys, the fortified church dedicated to St. Géry is more modest, although it also has a tower. It is said to date from the 16th century. Église fortifiée Saint-Laurent de Flaignes Flaignes - 08260 FLAIGNES-HAVYS Église fortifiée Saint Géry de Havys Havys- 08260 FLAIGNES-HAVYS ◆ St. Stephen’s fortified church in Laval-Morency - C3 St. Stephen’s Church in Laval Morency was burnt down in 1622. Later, it was rebuilt in the Gothic style. At present, the church has a Cross-shaped layout with a nave but no side aisles. The church has ribbed vaulting except for the rounded chancel which has a ceiling. The loft is reached by a spiral staircase in one of the round towers dotted with loopholes, flanking the south arm of the transept. The loopholes were designed for defensive purposes. On the walls of the arms of the transept are corbels for a bartizan. The fortified church in Laval-Morency has been listed in the Additional Inventory of Historic Monuments. Église fortifiée Saint-Etienne de Laval-Morency 08150 LAVAL-MORENCY ◆ Notre-Dame fortified church in Liart - D2 It is said that, in the 11th century, a statue of the Virgin Mary was found in a wood at the confluence of the Glandu and Deuline rivers. The statue was wrapped in ivy, hence the name of the village of Liart (ivy = lierre in France). The wooden statue, found almost 1,000 years ago, gave Liart a patron saint, Our Lady of Liart, who protected its parishioners in the superb fortified building. Notre-Dame Church was fortified in the 15th century and resembles a castle. Its impressive rectangular westwork looks like a two-storey keep. A bartizan and countless slit windows defended the narrow west door. The two turrets lead to an attic in which people could shelter. The stained-glass window in the chancel is a reminder of the pilgrimage to Our Lady of Joy to pray to its black Virgin Mary. When you come to Liart, you can also visit an orchard-conservatorium set up by Liart Council, and the future Ardennes regional country park. Église Notre-Dame de Liart - 08230 LIART ◆ St. Stephen’s fortified church in Fligny - B1 In common with many others in the region of Thierache, the church in Fligny suffered at the hands of the military, regular army and mercenaries, who scoured this land right through from the Hundred Year’s War to the troubled times of the 16th and 17th centuries. Destroyed in 1340, put to the torch by the imperial army in 1521 and again, by the prince of Orange in 1555, it was rebuilt in 1570 thanks to the generosity of François de Lorraine. The chancel is flanked by a round access tower and has a raised garret for taking refuge, with numerous arrow slits in the walls. Église Saint-Etienne de Fligny 08380 FLIGNY 8 9 ◆ St. Martin’s fortified church in Prez - C2 St. Martin’s fortified church in Prez consists of a nave leading into a chancel with a raised loft designed as a place of refuge and defence. The defensive nature of the building is further accentuated by the presence of a flanked round tower dotted with slit windows on the south side. Two apsidal chapels projecting beyond the line of the building on the outside open onto the entrance of the chancel, forming something like a transept. The entire church was built in the 16th century. The ribs on the vaulting penetrate into the pillars. Église fortifiée Saint-Martin de Prez 08290 PREZ ◆ The fortified church in Remilly-les-Pothées - D3 The fortified church in Remilly-les-Pothées dates from the 14th century. The ogival-styled church is fully vaulted and perfectly preserved; it has undergone no alteration whatsoever. It consists of a nave and side aisles, a transept and an apse. Église fortifiée de Remilly-les-Pothées 08150 REMILLY-LES-POTHEES ◆ St. Nicholas fortified church in Signy-le-Petit - B1/B2 The church in Signy-le-Petit was built in the 17th century after the previous chapel was burnt down in 1636 by the Spaniards. Construction took 6 years to complete between 1680 and 1686, as is evident from the dates engraved in the front of the tower (1680) and on the outside above a machicolation (1686). The church forms a Latin cross 36 metres long, 10.66 metres wide in the nave and 12 metres high up to the vaulting. The spire on the bell tower rises to a height of 30 metres above the ground. The walls, 3 metres thick at the base of the tower, were built of quartzite schist. The westwork, flanked by two watch turrets with pepperpot roofs, leads into the nave which has brick vaulting over ribs built of yellow stone. Église fortifiée de Signy-le-Petit 08380 SIGNY-LE-PETIT 10 ◆ The fortified church in Tarzy - B2 Tarzy, a village typical of Thiérache, has a fortified church dating from the 16th and 17th centuries. Built to a rectangular layout with a defensive tower in the north-east corner and interior vaulting, it has withstood numerous sieges during the various periods of invasion. Its nave has a ceiling and the chancel with its ribbed vaulting dates from 1570. There is a shelter above the chancel, where the roof is higher than in the nave. Countless defensive openings can be seen right round the building. Église fortifiée de Tarzy - 08380 TARZY ◆ Fortified house in Rumigny, la Cour des Prés - C1 This fortified house was built in 1546 for the Provost of Rumigny, Louis Martin, in answer to a call from King François I to fortify the region and provide better protection for the population against invasion by Charles V’s imperial troops. It was in the old castle in Rumigny, in 1643, that the Great Condé decided to fight the famous Battle of Rocroi. Jean-Baptiste Piette, a descendent of Louis Martin, had to demolish the keep and drawbridge during the Reign of Terror. When the Directoire took over government, he restored his house and added a tower on the south side. Edouard Piette, his grandson, was one of the “founding fathers” of the science of prehistory. He brought all the items he uncovered during digs to Rumigny, later bequeathing them to the museum in Saint-Germain-en-Laye. La Cour des Prés, which has often been passed on down the female line, has always remained in the same family and each owner has left something of his/her own period of history. Evening functions with candlelit dinners are held in the Renaissance rooms of the historic Cour des Prés during the summer season. Part of the house has been made into B&B accommodation. La Cour des Prés - 1 rue Louis Martin (Champlin road) - 08290 RUMIGNY Information, guided tours and special events: Tel. +33(0) 324 355 266 - Email: [email protected] 11 ◆ Le Maipas fortified farm - C2 In addition to its fortified houses and churches, North-West Ardennes has much, much more to offer tourists. ◆ Rimogne, the Slate Town - C3 This fortified house set at the end of a vast courtyard is dazzlingly white in the sunshine. Initially, only its roof emerges from the floor of the valley. There are four corner towers flanking the main house, topped by a carved stone cornice. In 1650, Louys de Brodard was Lord of Boulan, La Loge Rosette and Le Maipas, in the community of Antheny, within the barony of Rumigny. The Brodard house was in the Rocroi area after the imperial Spanish troops had passed through and in the days when the metalworking industry was revived on the River Eau Noire. In the second half of the 17th century, in 1657 to be precise, the family’s descendent, Lord de Maipas, was standing in front of the great fireplace, warming himself in the house hidden in the valley. It was the time of the Thirty Years’ War. He did not have to suffer like the villagers in Prez whose houses were set alight by the enemy. Was he saved by his stone house or by its isolated location? Ferme fortifiée du Maipas 08290 PREZ (Private property, not open to the public). The slate-bearing schists of the primary Ardennes were formed during the hercynian folding of the Cambrian uplands. Rimogne was one of the main slate-quarrying locations in addition to those in the Meuse Valley. For centuries, the town gained its income from the slate that has left its mark on the surrounding landscape. Slate quarrying began in 1158 when Pierre de Montcornet granted the monks of Signy the right to search for slate within the boundaries of Rimogne and Le Châtelet and extract what they considered to be a “reasonable” amount. From the 13th century onwards, licences were granted in increasing numbers and slate quarrying reached its peak in the mid 19th century. After the euphoria that followed the First World War came the economic slump. Then, despite a few attempts at modernisation after the Second World War, the slate quarries closed down. Rimogne slate can be blue or green. It is a luxurious building material that owes its reputation to its many properties. It is waterproof, flexible, incombustible, resistant to acid and shockproof. It can also last for more than 150 years. In fact, Rimogne slate has often been used for historic buildings. Although slate quarrying has now ceased, slate is still to be seen in the village of Rimogne. It clads the edge of the St. Quentin well, there are 19th-century slate graves in the cemetery, the stained-glass windows in the church were donated by slate quarriers and the tradition of St. Barbara, patron saint of slate quarriers, is still alive and well. Information: Website on Rimogne‘s past - www.surlesentierdupasse.fr ◆ Fortified house in Wartigny - C3 In the hamlet of Wartigny, which lies within the boundaries of Murtin-Bogny, is another fortified building, once a fortified house and now a farm. It is said to have been Antoine de Croy who had the house in Wartigny fortified to provide protection against the gangs of unemployed soldiers who were ravaging the area in 1450. After the French Revolution, like most aristocratic residences, Wartigny Castle was partially demolished. The only reminder of the past still visible today is a turret with black brick bonding. Maison forte de Wartigny Hameau de Wartigny 08150 MURTIN-BOGNY (Private property, not open to the public). 12 13 ◆ Bonnefontaine Abbey - D1 ◆ Château de l’Echelle - C3 The old Cistercian abbey of Bonnefontaine, in the town of Blanchefosse-et-Bay, is now private property. From Rue du Moulin, you can see the gable on the right arm of the transept in the abbey church, with its rose window. Founded in 1175 by Nicolas III of Rumigny, the abbey flourished despite successive waves of pillaging. Its printworks were famous for many years. Its monks, originally from Signy-l’Abbaye, built a Gothic church in the 13th century. The church was connected to the monastery by a cloister. The abbot’s palace dates from the 17th century. As the monks accumulated wealth, they became lazy and gradually relaxed the rules that they found too arduous. By the time of the French Revolution, there were only eight monks left in Bonnefontaine. The abbey became national property and was sold in 1792. Abbaye de Bonnefontaine 08290 BLANCHEFOSSE-ET-BAY (Private property, not open to the public). Located on the hilltops near "Grant Mont", bounded by the Sormonne Valley to the north and Audry Valley to the south, the village of Echelle is undoubtedly one of the most typical Ardennes villages in the region. The 16th-century castle opposite the church is still an impressive sight. It is laid out as a square, flanked by massive towers. In the village of L’Echelle, you will also find a school museum (musée de l’École d’Hier), church, old wash-house and arboretum. Le Château de l’Echelle - 08150 L’ECHELLE ◆ Church of St. John the Baptist, Hannappes - C1 ◆ The Daudece Tower - C3 The Church of St. John the Baptist in Hannappes deserves to be much better-known than it is. It is a beautiful building of outstanding interest (it is a listed building). Built with ribbed lancet arching and laid out in the form of a Latin Cross, the church has nevertheless retained the squat, solid appearance of Romanesque churches. The crocheted capitals on the entrance were also of Romanesque inspiration. Yet the chancel, transept and chapels are fine examples of Early Gothic with their pointed arches supported by colonnettes (entrance) and ribbed vaulting elsewhere. Although not fortified, the church was often used as a refuge and used to contain a well. Église Saint Jean-Baptiste de Hannappes 08290 HANNAPPES 14 ◆ La Ganguille barrow (Saint-Marcel) - D3 The Ganguille barrow in Giraumont dates from some 2,000 years B.C. It is approximately 5 metres long and consists of three slabs of sandstone weighing up to 10 tonnes covering two chambers and supported by walls of dressed stone. A Gallic grave was randomly added to the side at a later date. Dolmen de la Ganguille Giraumont - 08460 SAINT-MARCEL Nestling in the Sormonne Valley, the village of Le Châtelet-sur-Sormonne is watched over by a tower high above the river. This is the Daudece Tower, a reminder of the old fortified house (extensively altered). It is said to have been erected on a very old site. In 1792, when it was partially demolished, Roman coins were found here. La Tour Daudece - Le Chatelet Bas 08150 LE CHATELET SUR SORMONNE ◆ Blombay Mill - C2/C3 In the village of Blombay, at an altitude of 300 metres, is a fully-restored windmill. Le Moulin de Blombay 08260 BLOMBAY (Private property, not open to the public). 15 ◆ Bienvenue à la Ferme - La Ferme de Girondelle - C2 A Dash of Discovery D iscover farm life ◆ The teaching farm in Liart - D2 In an old farmhouse built in typical style, the Maison de la Thiérache visitors’ centre set up a teaching farm almost 15 years ago. It is the starting point for a range of activities theme afternoons, walks with a pack donkey and "kids’ mornings". Information: Maison de la Thiérache - 08290 LIART Tel. +33(0) 324 544 833 Website: www.fermepedagogiqueliart.fr ◆ In the depths of the countryside - A2 Claudie Boulet-Pierquin has opened a family holiday centre in Regniowez that has been accredited by the Ministry of Youth and Sport. During the school holidays, Claudie, a retired teacher, organises holiday camps for children between the ages of 6 and 11 and offers customised hospitality throughout the year to suit people of all ages. With her husband, Bernard Boulet, a dairy farmer, Claudie and her staff teach people about a dairy farmer’s life and the world of farming in general through tours of the farm, nature rambles, snacks with farm produce and scientific activities on sustainable development adapted for visitors of all ages. Claudie and Bernard’s teaching garden grows the vegetables used to make real “Au Cœur des Champs” soup for adults and children. Evening meals with the farmer are a great opportunity to share and discuss experiences. “Au cœur des Champs” is a member of the national "Accueil Paysan” and “Ecole et Nature” networks. Disabled access. In the village of Girondelle, in the depths of a lush valley in the Thiérache area of Ardennes, Pascal and Pierrette Brosse welcome you to their farm with their "Bienvenue à la ferme" rooms and table d’hôte meals. Enjoy a snack and discover the taste of real farm produce. The snack is made up of local specialities and includes a drink. With advanced booking: Tour of the farm, light meals, farm snack, birthday “tea”. Information and bookings: Mr. and Mrs. Pascal and Pierrette Brosse 4-6, Grand’rue - 08260 GIRONDELLE Tel. +33(0) 324 543 132 - Email: [email protected] Website: girondelle.free.fr ◆ Renwez Forest Museum - C3 Renwez, across the border in Ardennes itself, is famous for its forest museum. The timber reception building on stilts houses 7 electronic museography rooms on various subjects using models, puppets, a cinema, information on the planting of conifer forests, flora and fauna etc. Outside, using an audioguide in 4 languages: museum, walks in the 11 hectares of forest, 35 worksites including wooden figures illustrating the various types of work carried out in the forest. A collection of more than 4,000 tools and machines. Several unmissable events such as the two wood chopping competitions and the mushroom exhibition. Souvenir shop, refreshments. Meals available with advanced booking. Conference or meeting room. Disabled access. A very instructive, cultural and interesting place. Musée de la Forêt “Janine and Henri Vastine” Route de Sécheval - 08150 RENWEZ Information: Tel. +33(0) 324 548 266 Fax: +33(0) 324 548 120 Email: [email protected] Website: www.renwez.fr Information: “Au Cœur des Champs” - 2, La Songière - 08230 Regniowez - Tel. +33(0) 324 294 302 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.aucoeurdeschamps.com 16 17 ◆ School Museum - C3 Housed in the old classroom in the village of L’Echelle is a school museum that recreates the atmosphere of a good old country school with equipment from bygone days to show visitors what schools were like in the last century – blackboard, abaci, teacher’s desk, school desks with their porcelain inkwells, glass-fronted cupboards etc. Visitors can flick through old exercise books, school books etc. In this setting, certain people wanted to relive or discover the atmosphere of the famous "qualifying examination". On several occasions, other visitors nostalgically wrote with dip pens and purple ink on "school" paper. In addition to visits, other initiatives allow visitors to think back to the old days and appreciate the changes made between then and now. Musée de l’École d’Hier 1st floor of the castle - 08150 L’ECHELLE Information: Tel. +33(0) 324 330 299 or +33(0) 324 358 022 Email: [email protected] A Nugget of Nature orth-West Ardennes is a land of contrasts, unusual for the three geomorphological units for which the Ardennes are famous the Pre-Ardennes peaks (Thiérache), the Pre-Ardennes depression (Sormonne Valley) and Ardenne (Rocroi Plateau). N The Rocroi Plateau To the north-east of the area is the vast Rocroi Plateau carpeted with woodland and dotted with clearings large and small in which villages and hamlets have been built. It covers an area stretching from the Belgian border to a line between Signy-le-Petit and Renwez. The average altitude is approximately 350 metres but is much lower to the south and west. The geological nature of the subsoil makes crop growing difficult. The Rocroi Plateau has various ecological locations including the “rièzes”, peat bogs with particularly interesting flora and fauna. Thiérache Ardennaise ◆ Priory workshops - A2 A small museum illustrating the life and work of Father Bonaventure Fieuillien. Exhibition of the Father’s work. Les Ateliers du Prieuré 24, rue de l’Europe - 08230 REGNIOWEZ Information: Tel. +33(0) 324 541 478 18 To the south-west of the area is the eastern edge of the vast natural region of "Thiérache” which stretches over the départements of Aisne, Nord and Ardennes and juts into Belgium. This is an area of rolling hills and dales. The highest point is the Butte de Marlemont (292 metres). Thiérache Ardennaise is nicknamed "Little Normandy" because of its hedgerows, pastures and stock breeding. Numerous rivers rise in this area e.g. the Audry, Aube and Serre. Sormonne Valley The Sormonne Valley is a corridor filled with meadows and fields of crops. It lies between the Pre-Ardennes peaks in the south and the uplands of Ardennes in the north. In fact, it corresponds to the Pre-Ardennes depression. It is wide upstream from Laval-Morency and downstream from Sormonne, but becomes narrower and rugged around the town of Chatelet-sur-Sormonne. The River Sormonne flows diagonally through the area in a north-west to south-east direction before joining the River Meuse in Charleville-Mézières. 19 M ap of Rocroi M ap of F ortifications M ap of North-West Ardennes Walking ◆ Walkers’ guide - « Randonnées sur le Plateau de Rocroi et en Thiérache Ardennaise » To the west of the picturesque Meuse Valley, the uplands of Ardennes include a high plateau overlooking the meadows and hills of Thiérache, amid forests, marshes and lakes. This is a border area, protected by fortified buildings, fortresses and fortified churches. History and locality reveal their innermost nature on the 38 signposted walks comprising loopback routes of 3 to 20 km. They’re ideal for relaxation and they run through some of the best beauty spots in the area. The guide is on sale at the tourist office (Office de Tourisme de Rocroi et du Nord-Ouest Ardennais). ◆ La Boulette botany trail - C3 The Boulette botany trail is a 3.5 kilometre walk from the fortified church in Servion across the hillside above. Panels with information on back and front give the characteristics and properties of the various types of tree, shrub and plant. The walk includes two superb views: ◆ L'Echelle, its castle and the surrounding countryside; ◆ The Sonru Valley and the bell tower in Neufmaison. Wild orchids peek out from the undergrowth from springtime onwards (N.B. Protected species! Do not pick them!). A document about the walk is available free of charge at the Arts Centre (“centre culturel”) in Servion church. ENJOY YOUR WALK! Centre Culturel de l’Église Fortifiée de Servion 08150 ROUVROY-SUR-AUDRY Information: Association des Compagnons de Saint-Etienne Email: [email protected] - Website: www.servion.fr ◆ Walkers’ guide - « Les Ardennes à pied » Ardennes is less than three hours from Paris, Lille, Nancy or Dijon, on the border with Belgium. It is a fabulous area that is well worth a visit. It is famous for nature at its most triumphant, for its woodlands and bucolic, gently-rolling hills and for the simple life led by people who are deeply attached to their area and their traditions. In the guide, "Les Ardennes à pied", 47 walks (PR®) are graded by level of difficulty (loopback routes taking 2 hrs to 6 hrs). Each of them is accompanied by an IGN colour map. There are also numerous informative texts and photos accompanying the descriptions of the walk to give a full idea of the diversity of the countryside and the local culture. The guide is on sale in bookshops. 20 ◆ Santiago de Compostella Throughout the Middle Ages, Santiago de Compostella was the most important destination for countless pilgrims from all over Europe. Today, you can walk in their footsteps by following the path between Namur and Vézelay via Reims. It takes you across the Rocroi Plateau and Thiérache area. Information: www.randonneurs-pelerins.fr ◆ Long-distance waymarked footpath: the GR 12 The long-distance GR12 footpath runs from Amsterdam through Belgium to Paris. From Gué-d’Hossus to Vaux-Villaine, the GR12 crosses north-west Ardennes. Information: http://www.gr-infos.com/gr12a.htm R iding ◆ Eteignières - Les Écuries du Taillis - B2 Children’s courses for beginners or more advanced riders (+4 years). Trekking available. State-qualified instructor. Route de Rocroi 08260 ETEIGNIERES Tel. +33(0) 324 543 534 - Email: [email protected] www.assolesecuriesdutaillis.e-monsite.com ◆ La Neuville-lez-Beaulieu Pony Club de Beaulieu - B2 Rides and beginners’ lessons for all ages. Main Beaulieu road 08380 LA NEUVILLE-LEZ-BEAULIEU Tel. +33(0) 324 575 909 - Email: www.poney-club-beaulieu.ffe.com ◆ Signy-le-Petit - Horse rides - B1/B2 1 to 2-hour rides for beginners or advanced riders. From 8 years. Carriage rides through the streets of the village. Croix Colas - 08380 SIGNY LE PETIT Tel. +33(0) 324 531 125 - www.baladeachevalcroixcolas.com Cycle and mountain bike hire. H ire of bikes ◆ BMX, all-terrain and mountain bikes - B1/B2 Mrs. Myriam VIGNIER - Croix Colas 08380 SIGNY LE PETIT Tel. +33 (0) 324 531 125 www.baladeachevalcroixcolas.com 21 D onkey rides ◆ “Rando Anes” at the Liart teaching farm - D2 Saunter along at the speed of Cabriole, Réglisse etc., the donkeys from the teaching farm and tour the Thiérache countryside with your family. Guided treks and donkey hire for outings on your own, lasting from a half-day to 3 days. Information: Maison de la Thiérache - 08290 LIART Tel. +33(0) 324 544 833 - Website: www.fermepedagogiqueliart.fr Aouting with a SEGWAY® personal transporter ◆ Nearby, Segway personal transporters - Ardenne Terre d’Aventures Vome and try a Segway personal transporter on the shores of Les Vieilles Forges Lake in the heart of the Ardennes Forest! Bitumen, dirt tracks, undergrowth and sand all make for an unforgettable outing!! Our Segway-certified guide will take charge of you for 1 hour during which you will learn the basics of riding a Segway PT and discover the skills you need to ride over rough ground on a Segway X2, an allterrain machine. Information: Ardennes terre d’Aventures - rue du Lac des Vieilles Forges - 08500 LES MAZURES Tel. +33(0) 324 531 843 - Email: [email protected] Website: www.ardennes-terre-aventures.com A ngling Fédération des Ardennes pour la Pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique (Ardennes Angling and Aquatic Environment Protection Federation) Parc d’Activité Ardennes Emeraude - 08090 Tournes Tel. +33(0) 324 564 132 - Fax. +33(0)324 593 111 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.federationpeche.fr/08 ◆ “Angling in Ardennes” map The Ardennes are well-known for their majestic, well-stocked forests but they also have a wide variety of aquatic environments. Peat bogs, mountain streams, fast-flowing rivers and coastal waterways are home to 42 species of fish. Ardennes tourist board has joined forces with the Fédération des Ardennes pour la Pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique to produce an angling map that covers the département of Ardennes. Called “Angling in Ardennes”, the map is available in tourist offices or from the Ardennes tourist board (Comité Départemental du Tourisme des Ardennes). You can also download it on www.ardennes.com ◆ Info Pêche Ardennes The Fédération des Ardennes pour la Pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique publishes a magazine every year. It is particularly well-designed, with plenty of practical tips for people wanting to enjoy the sport in Ardennes. The magazine also contains feature articles on local environmental problems. Get your free copy from outlets selling angling permits, from tourist offices or from the Ardennes tourist board (comité départemental du tourisme des Ardennes). You can also download it on the Federation’s website: www.federationpeche.frl08. 22 A F ulness of F un ◆ North-West Ardennes water complex - A3 The North-West Ardennes water complex close to the Belgian border offers a range of sports activities, fun and relaxation thanks to its flume, sauna, jacuzzi, water aerobics, seniors’ club, courses and swimming lessons. The cafeteria has an extensive menu of refreshments, ices and salads. Centre Aquatique du Nord-Ouest Ardennais 16, avenue du Général Moreau - 08230 ROCROI Information: Tel. +33(0) 324 526 412 - Email: [email protected] ◆ Lake La Motte - B1/B2 La Motte is a small lake with a sandy beach in wooded surroundings in Signy-le-Petit. There is a lifeguard in attendance in July and August. Nearby are numerous picnic areas on the edge of the woods. NO ADMISSION CHARGE. Étang de la Motte - Route de la Motte 08380 SIGNY-LE-PETIT Information: Communauté de Communes de la Région de Signy-le-Petit Tel. +33(0) 324 535 101 ◆ Nearby, Les Vieilles Forges lake On the shores of Les Vieilles Forges Lake, Ardennes “County Council” has laid out a vast tourist complex. The 150-hectare lake is ideal for a range of water sports (swimming, windsurfing, sailing etc.) and has banks specially designed for fishing. Lifeguard services are available on the specially designed sandy beach that, like the toilet blocks, are open for 3 months every year. Playgrounds, picnic areas and a fitness course complete the leisure amenities provided for the pleasure of holidaymakers. NO ADMISSION CHARGE. Lac des Vieilles Forges - 08500 LES MAZURES Information: Base départementale - Tel. +33(0) 324 401 720 - Website: www.cg08.fr 23 ◆ Aerial leisure park Nearby, Ardennes Terre d’Aventures Want to rise above things? Want to get those lungs pumping? Prepare for some real fresh air, thrills and excitement! Rugged hillsides, 70 year old spruce forests and a 150-hectare lake make the park look like a picture from a Canadian travel book but this is the Ardennes Forest and the Ardennes Terre d’Aventures staff give visitors a very warm welcome. This is certainly a chance to forget your everyday life with a 2-kilometre walk in the treetops, more than 70 activity platforms, 10 flying foxes etc. There’s no excuse. Whether you’re athletic or not, children and/or adults can come here on their own, with their family or in groups and experience a unique aerial adventure close to the treetops. There are flying foxes, monkey bridges, climbing nets, Dogon ladders, climbing wall, midway cycling etc. Travel safely from tree to tree using a range of specific equipment (lifelines, safety harness, snap links, leads and pulleys). Our qualified staff (they hold a vocational qualification for operators of aerial acrobatic courses and a first aid certificate) will help you don the gear, give you some safety recommendations and advise you on the use of the equipment. Now it’s all up to you! There are 5 routes of increasing difficulty: Adventure - Family - Discovery - Adrenalin Rush – Vertigo. Information: Ardennes terre d’Aventures - rue du Lac des Vieilles Forges - 08500 LES MAZURES Tel. +33(0) 324 531 843 - Email: [email protected] Website: www.ardennes-terre-aventures.com ◆ Go-karting in Lonny - C3 An accredited 600-metre track for adults, the over 12s and children aged over 7 years. The equipment consists of twelve go-karts with 200 c.c. 4-stroke engines and seven children’s go-karts with 100 c.c. engines. Also available on site: snack bar, cafeteria and bar with a panoramic view of the track and an outdoor stand (100 seats) with a view of the track. There is a baby park for under 6 year olds. The kart track in Lonny has been famous over the last few years as the "largest track in Ardennes". It offers quality, cleanliness and maximum safety. And while on the subject of safety - there are rules in go-karting, which we will teach you on information panels and through a short briefing session before you hit the track. See you soon at the go-kart track in Lonny! Information: Karting de Lonny 20 rue de la Gare - 08150 LONNY Tel. +33(0) 324 549 982 Email: [email protected] Website: www.karting-lonny.fr 24 Crazy-golf ◆ Lonny - C3 The go-kart track in Lonny also has a 12-hole crazy golf course set amid flowers and shrubs. Information: Karting de Lonny 20 rue de la Gare - 08150 LONNY - Tel. +33(0) 324 549 982 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.karting-lonny.fr ◆ Signy-le-Petit - B1/B2 At the Domaine de la Motte, there is an 18-hole crazy golf course for family fun. Information: Domaine de la Motte - Base de loisirs 08380 SIGNY-LE-PETIT - Tel. +33(0) 324 535 473 - Email: [email protected] Website: www.domainedelamotte.eu C inema close by ◆ Le Métropolis Rue Longueville - 08000 CHARLEVILLE-MEZIERES Tel. +33(0) 324 332 208 - Email: [email protected] - www.cinemet.fr D isco ◆ La Chaumière - A1 Rue Pisselotte - 08380 LA NEUVILLE AUX JOUTES Tel. +33(0) 324 535 699 - www.chaumiere.free.fr A nnual events ◆ May - June Serv’image Festival organised by the Arts Centre at the fortified church in Servion - C3 ◆ June Feast of St. John firework display in Montcornet - C4 ◆ July - August Wood chopping competition at the Renwez Forest Museum - C3 ◆ August Street Drama Festival in Houldizy, 3rd Sunday in August - C4 25 ◆ Laval Morency - C3 Goats’ cheese - Mrs. Françoise GOSSELIN Lotissement Le Chéneau - 08150 LAVAL MORENCY - Tel. +33(0) 324 528 241 ◆ Liart - D2 Arts &Crafts ◆ Maubert Fontaine - B2 Water colourist - ATELIER AQUARELLIA 15, Rue du Château - 08260 MAUBERT FONTAINE - Tel. +33(0) 324 352 632 www.paysagesdardenne.skyrock.com and www.paysagesdardenne.vpweb.fr Topiary - ESPACES TOPIAIRES 9, Lotissement Jardin Bidois - 08260 MAUBERT FONTAINE Tel. +33 (0) 324 326 097 or +33 (0) 642 325 138 - www.espace-topiaires.cabanova.fr Manufacture of hunting knives - COUTELLERIE 6, Place de la Mairie - 08260 MAUBERT FONTAINE Tel. +33 (0) 324 352 297- www.jean-tanazack.com ◆ Rocroi - A3 Figurine maker - Denis HURE 2269, Chemin Bidot - 08230 ROCROI - Tel. +33(0) 324 542 394 - www.jemep.be/figurines Processing and sale of nettle-based products - wild plants and old-fashioned vegetables - Ortie et compagnie - Mr. Nicolas POTDEVIN Bois des Haies - 08290 LIART - Tel. +33(0) 324 528 241 ◆ La Neuville aux Joutes - A1 Meat producer - Mr. Francis GATHON 08380 LA NEUVILLE AUX JOUTES - Tel. +33(0) 324 535 221 ◆ Lonny - C3 Sale of local produce - LES DELICES DU MOULIN - “Le vieux Moulin” 23, rue du Moulin - 08150 LONNY - Tel. +33(0) 324 371 740 www.lesdelicesdumoulin.over-blog.com ◆ Prez - C2 Sale of pork and deli products - GAEC DEMORGNY 8, rue de la Salivette - 08260 PREZ - Tel. +33(0) 324 544 085 ◆ Remilly-les-Pothées - D3 Organic meat production - Mr. Frederick FOULON 1, rue du Château - 08150 REMILLY-LES-POTHEES - Tel. +33(0) 324 547 305 ◆ Rouvroy-sur-Audry - C3 Organic dairy products - GAEC DU MONT FOSSE Route de Remilly-les-Pothées - Servion - 08150 ROUVROY SUR AUDRY Tel. +33(0) 324 376 307 - http://gaecdumontfosse.pagesperso-orange.fr Local Produce ◆ Auge - B1 Apples and apple juice - Mr. Jean-Yves CHEVANNE 6, Grande Rue - 08380 AUGE - Tel. +33(0) 324 544 762 ◆ Auvillers-les-Forges - B2 Honey and spiced honey bread - Mr. Pascal BOSSU 16, rue des Alouettes - 08260 AUVILLERS-LES-FORGES - Tel. +33(0) 324 543 079 Markets and Fairs ◆ Blanchefosse-et-Bay - D1 Country Fair, 4th Sunday in August. ◆ Etalle - C2 ◆ Bourg-Fidèle - B3 Organic production of beef, veal and lamb minced steak, spicy sausages and beef sausages - Mr. René GILLET Rogischamps - 08260 ETALLE - Tél. : +33(0)3 24 35 00 46 ◆ Eteignières - B2 ◆ Flaignes-Havys - C2 Orchard fruit jam - Mrs. Joëlle LHEUTRE Havys - 08260 FLAIGNES HAVYS - Tel. +33(0) 324 358 318 26 26 Fruit and vegetable market, Monday afternoons. Occasional country markets. Contact the Town Hall in Eteignières for information. Tel. +33(0) 324 543 008 ◆ La Neuville-aux-Joutes - A1 Foodlovers’ Feast (stands at which to taste, and buy, local produce and products). Last weekend in August. 27 27 ◆ Liart - D2 ◆ La Table de Condé - A3 Commercial fair, 2nd weekend in March. 4, Place d’Armes - 08230 ROCROI - Tel. +33(0) 324 532 365 ◆ Renwez - C3 ◆ Le Cristal - B2 Market every Thursday morning. Country market, last Friday of the month, 3.30pm - 8pm. Apple Fair, second last Sunday of October. 24, Route Nationale - 08260 MAUBERT-FONTAINE - Tel. +33(0) 324 354 599 ◆ Rimogne - C3 Commercial Fair, Ascension Thursday. ◆ Rocroi - A3 Tuesday mornings for weekly markets. Also first Mondays of the month, monthly fair, afternoons only. ◆ Signy-le-Petit - B1/B2 Market, Thursday morning, 9am to 11am. ◆ L’Entracte - B1/B2 Le Pré Hugon - 08380 SIGNY-LE-PETIT - Tel. +33(0) 324 535 473- www.domainedelamotte.eu ◆ Le Filippi - C3 4, rue principale - 08090 HAM-LES-MOINES - Tel. +33(0) 324 536 098 ◆ Le Rimbaud - C3 Grande rue - 08150 ROUVROY-SUR-AUDRY - Tel. +33(0) 324 322 719 ◆ Le Saint-Jacques - C3 35, place de la République - 08150 RIMOGNE - Tel. +33(0) 324 351 464 ◆ Les Remparts - A3 10, rue des Remparts - 08230 ROCROI - Tel. +33(0) 324 541 183 ◆ Mon Idée - B2 24, Route Nationale - 08260 AUVILLERS-LES-FORGES - Tel. +33(0) 324 543 277 ◆ Motel Dubois - B2 Restaurants 43, Route Nationale - 08280 NEUVILLE-LEZ-BEAULIEU - Tel. +33(0) 324 543 255 ◆ Relais du Piquet - C3 Le Piquet - 08150 TREMBLOIS-LES-ROCROI - Tel. +33(0) 324 351 386 ◆ Au Repos du Lièvre - B2 La Cense Gobron- 08260 MAUBERT-FONTAINE - Tel. +33(0) 324 352 165 ◆ Aux Chandeliers - C3 261, Grande Rue - 08150 ROUVROY SUR AUDRY - Tel. +33(0) 324 358 559 www.auxchandeliers.com ◆ Cafétéria du Centre Aquatique - A3 13, Avenue du Général-Moreau - 08230 ROCROI - Tel. +33(0) 324 526 412 ◆ Chez Jean - D2 Aux Quatre Routes- 08290 LIART - Tel. +33(0) 324 544 014 Accommodation 13, Route de Rocroi- 08260 ETEIGNIERES - Tel. +33(0) 324 540 707 Hotels ◆ Hôtel des Voyageurs - C3 ◆ Hôtel des Voyageurs - C3 ◆ Chez Mère Grand - B2 11, rue des Martyrs de la résistance - 08150 RENWEZ - Tel. +33(0) 324 549 326 11, rue des Martyrs de la Résistance - 08150 RENWEZ - Tel. +33(0) 324 549 326 ◆ Hôtel du Commerce - A3 ◆ Hôtel du Commerce - A3 Place d’Armes - 08230 ROCROI - Tel. +33(0) 324 541 115 - www.voltolini.fr 5, Place d’Armes - 08230 ROCROI - Tel. +33(0) 324 541 115 - www.voltolini.fr ◆ La Hulotte Au Lion d’Or - B1/B2 ◆ Hôtel du Lion d’Or - B1/B2 Place de l’Église - 08380 SIGNY-LE-PETIT - Tel. +33(0) 324 535 176 - www.lahulotte-auliondor.fr ◆ La Murée - B3 35, rue Catherine de Clèves - 08230 BOURG-FIDELE - Tel. +33(0) 324 542 445 www.campingdelamuree.com 28 28 Place de l’Église - 08380 SIGNY-LE-PETIT - Tel. +33(0) 324 535 176 - www.lahulotte-auliondor.fr ◆ Motel Dubois - B2 43, Route Nationale - 08380 NEUVILLE-LEZ-BEAULIEU - Tel. +33(0) 324 543 255 29 29 G roup A ccommodation ◆ Au cœur des Champs - A2 Located in the main house, "Au coeur des champs", which is part of the Accueil Paysan network, can cater for a group of 12 children and leaders or a group of adults (16 max.) in dormitories. Upstairs: 3 dormitories, 2 double rooms, 2 bathrooms and 2 WC are available for groups. One bedroom and one bathroom with disabled access are available on the ground floor. "Accueil Paysan" can provide evening meals for a maximum of 20 people. Short all-in breaks can be arranged with organisers. The vast patio provides the ideal spot from which to enjoy the tranquillity of the countryside and the beautiful sunsets. Au Cœur des Champs 2, La Songière - 08230 Regniowez - Tel. +33(0) 324 294 302 Email: [email protected] www.aucoeurdeschamps.com ◆ Maison de la Thiérache - Teaching farm in Liart - D2 Maison de la Thiérache has 37 beds suitable for all groups, especially from schools and holiday centres looking for overnight stays. Description of the 11 rooms: ◆ 3 double rooms, 4 triple rooms, 1 room sleeping 4 and 3 rooms sleeping 5 people. Single beds with fitted sheet, bolster with cover, mattress cover, blanket and bed cover. One cupboard per bed. ◆ 2 toilet blocks: 5 showers, 5 toilets. ◆ Meals available on site: family cooking. ◆ Activity rooms - library - audiovisual equipment. Enclosed courtyard available to groups using accommodation End 2011: 15 additional beds near the teaching farm, with 4 rooms (6 people) for disabled visitors and 4 rooms (9 people) on an upper floor. Maison de la Thiérache - Place de la Mairie - 08290 LIART - Tel. +33(0) 324 544 833 Email: [email protected] www.fermepedagogiqueliart.fr G îtes and Holiday Lets ◆ Aouste - C2 No. 336 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 8 people. Armelle Schaefer - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 - Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/336.html ◆ Aubigny-les-Pothées - D2 No. 08MS004 - 3 Clévacances keys - 5 people. Mr. and Mrs. Launoy - 2, Rue du bois du Loup - 08150 AUBIGNY LES POTHEES Tel. +33(0) 324 334 172 - Fax. +33(0) 324 334 172 - Email: [email protected] 30 ◆ Blanchefosse-et-Bay - D1 No. 280 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 7 people. Edith Duboys de Lavigerie - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965- Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/280.html No. 08MS076 - 3 Clévacances keys - 11 people Mr. and Mrs. Laval - 08150 ROUVROY SUR AUDRY - Tel. +33(0) 324 358 009 ◆ Bossus-les-Rumigny - C1 No. 295 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 6 people. Sylvie & François Breton - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/295.html No. 301 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 4 people. Sylvie & François Breton - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/301.html No. 316 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 10 people. Sylvie & François Breton - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/316.html ◆ Bourg-Fidèle - B3 No. 782 - 2 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 8 people. The Mayor of Bourg Fidèle - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 - Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/782.html No. 08MS085 - 3 Clévacances keys - 6 people. Mr. and Mrs. Thys - 69, Rue Georges Sand - 08500 REVIN Tel. +33(0) 324 402 643 or +33(0) 613 144 201 - Email: [email protected] ◆ Brognon - A2 No. 225 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 9 people. Bernard Robin- Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 - Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/225.html No. 150 - 2 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 19 people. Bernard & Eric Robin - Tel. +33(0) 568 965 - Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/150.html ◆ Cernion - C2 No. 228 - 2 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 6 people. Jeanine & Christian Bara - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 - Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/228.html ◆ Chilly - C3 No. 275 - 2 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 5 people. Patrick & Béatrice Felot - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 - Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/275.html ◆ Etalle - C2 No. 348 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 6 people. Franck & Valérie Coleau - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 - Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/348.html 31 ◆ Eteignières - B2 No. 115 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 5 people. Michel Dardenne - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/115.html No. 376 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 5 people. Michel Dardenne - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/376.html ◆ Flaignes-Havys - C2 No. 08MS014 - 3 Clévacances keys - 8 people. Mr. and Mrs. Roussel - 30, Avenue Galois - 92340 BOURG LA REINE Tel. +33 (0) 146 612 064 or +33(0) 670 874 006 - Email: [email protected] ◆ Harcy - C3 No. 08MS022 - 2 Clévacances keys - 3+2 people. Mr. Beaurain - 19, Rue Albert Poulain - 08150 HARCY - Tel. +33(0) 324 351 091 or +33(0) 611 758 650 ◆ La Neuville-aux-Joutes - A1 No. 335 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn 16 people. Pierre-M & Nadine Molinet Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/335.html ◆ Liart - D2 No. 365 - 2 Gîtes de France ears of corn 5 people. Jacques Dupuich - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/365.html ◆ Logny-Bogny - D2 No. 08MS119 - 3 Clévacances keys - 8 people. Mrs. Gilles - 41, Rue du 8 mai - 08320 VIREUX WALLERAND - Tel. +33(0) 324 352 732 or +33(0) 670 345 870 - Email: [email protected] ◆ Lonny - C3 No. 08MS121 - 2 Clévacances keys - 4 people. Mr. Jenouvrier - 14, Rue de Laon - 08150 LONNY - Tel. +33(0) 324 547 799 or +33(0) 613 082 411 or +33(0) 615 812 033 - Email: [email protected] No. 08MS122 - 2 Clévacances keys - 4 people. Mr. Jenouvrier - 14, Rue de Laon - 08150 LONNY - Tel. +33(0) 324 547 799 or +33(0) 613 082 411 or +33(0) 615 812 033 - Email: [email protected] 32 ◆ Maubert-Fontaine - B2 No. 350 - 2 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 6 people. Nicole Gosselin - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 - Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/350.html ◆ Murtin-Bogny - C3 No. 303 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 9 people. Bruno & Sylvie Paris - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 - Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/303.html ◆ Prez - C2 No. 08MS007 - 3 Clévacances keys - 7 people. Mrs. Duchenois Werner - 1, Rue de l’église - 08290 PREZ - Tel. +33(0) 324 544 100 (home) or Tel. +33(0) 324 578 300 (office) or Tel. +33(0) 681 956 794 Email: [email protected] ◆ Regniowez - A2 No. 362 - 2 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 3 people. Michelle Henon - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 - Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/362.html ◆ Remilly-les-Pothées - D3 No. 267 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 4 people Patrick Paquay - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 - Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/267.html No. 276 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 6 people. Frédérick & Corinne Foulon - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 - Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/276.html ◆ Renwez - C3 No. 269 - 2 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 4 people. Mayor of Renwez - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/269.html No. 270 - 2 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 2 people. Mayor of Renwez - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 - Email: [email protected] Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/270.html 33 ◆ Rimogne - C3 No. 08MS070 - 3 Clévacances keys - 5 people. Mr. & Mrs. Tirtaine - Les Tilleuls - 486 Rue Pasteur - 08150 RIMOGNE Tel. +33(0) 324 549 816 or +33(0) 699 786 208 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitesardennes.fr No. 08MS071 - 3 Clévacances keys - 3 people. Mr. & Mrs. Tirtaine - Les Tilleuls - 486 Rue Pasteur - 08150 RIMOGNE Tel. +33(0) 324 549 816 or +33(0) 699 786 208 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitesardennes.fr No. 08MS106 - 2 Clévacances keys - 4 people. Mr. & Mrs. Tirtaine - Les Tilleuls - 486 Rue Pasteur - 08150 RIMOGNE Tel. +33(0) 324 549 816 or +33(0) 699 786 208 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitesardennes.fr ◆ Rocroi - A3 No. 163 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn 12 people. Bernard Bouvart - 11, rue des Jonquilles 08230 ROCROI - Tel. +33(0) 324 541 883 or +33(0) 668 555 815 - Fax. +33(0) 324 541 883 Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/163.html No. 328 - 2 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 5 people. Christine Henriquet - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/328.html No. 347 - 2 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 4 people. Christiane Pernelet Jaschinski 7, avenue du Général Moreau - 08230 ROCROI Tel. +33(0) 964 349 559 or +33(0) 621 722 707 Fax. +33(0) 324 541 156 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/347.html ◆ Signy-le-Petit - B1/B2 No. 367 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 8 people. Diarmuid Brittain - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 - Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/367.html No. 08MS038 - 3 Clévacances keys - 6 people. Mrs. Myriam Vignier - 15, Rue Nicolas de Rumigny - 08380 SIGNY LE PETIT Tel. +33(0) 324 531 125 ◆ Tarzy - B2 No. 272 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn 8 people. Albert & Jeanine Chappe - Tel. +33(0) 324 568 965 Fax. +33(0) 324 568 966 Email: [email protected] Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/gites/272.html 34 B &B ◆ Aubigny-les-Pothées - C2 No. 9951 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 14 people. Marie-Hélène & José Lagard - Grand’Rue - 08150 AUBIGNY LES POTHEES Tel. +33(0) 324 323 287 or +33(0) 670 246 398 - Fax. +33(0) 324 323 287 Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/chambres/9951.html ◆ Girondelle - C2 No. 08CH017 - 3 Clévacances keys - 9 people. Mrs. BROSSE - 6, Grand’Rue 08260 GIRONDELLE - Tel. +33(0) 324 543 132 or +33(0) 685 499 806 Email: [email protected] - Website: http://girondelle.free.fr/ ◆ Lonny - C3 No. 08CH029 - 3 Clévacances keys - 6 people. Mr. Jenouvrier - Le Petit Château - 14, Rue de Laon - 08150 LONNY Tel. +33(0) 324 547 799 or +33(0) 613 082 411 or +33(0) 615 812 033 Email: [email protected] ◆ Neuville-lez-Beaulieu - B2 No. 08CH027 - 3 Clévacances keys - 6 people. Mrs. Debret - Pont d’Any - 08380 NEUVILLE LEZ BEAULIEU - Tel. +33(0) 324 543 503 Email: [email protected] Website: http://pagesperso-orange.fr/bonaccueil/ ◆ Rocroi - A3 No. 9938 - 3 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 9 people. Françoise Dumonceau - 5, Rue d’Hersigny - 08230 ROCROI - Tel. +33(0) 324 538 637 Fax. +33(0) 324 538 637 - Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/chambres/9938.html No. 9952 - 2 Gîtes de France ears of corn - 5 people. Christiane Pernelet Jaschinski - 7, Avenue du Général Moreau - 08230 ROCROI Tel. +33(0) 964 349 559 or 0621 722 770 - Fax. +33(0) 324 541 156 Website: www.gitardennes.com/fr/chambres/9952.html C ampsites and H olidayV illages ◆ Camping de la Murée - B3 Camping de la Murée - 33, rue Catherine de Clèves - 08230 BOURG-FIDELE Information: Tel. +33(0) 324 542 445 Website: www.campingdelamuree.com ◆ Camping du Pavillon - A1 Camping du Pavillon - 08380 LA NEUVILLE AUX JOUTES Information: Tel: +33(0) 324 535 387 - Email: gerard.beaudoux@la poste.net Website: www.campingdupavillon.fr ◆ Domaine de la Motte - B1/B2 Domaine de la Motte - Base de loisirs 08380 SIGNY-LE-PETIT Information: Tel. +33(0) 324 535 473 Email: [email protected] Website: www.domainedelamotte.eu 35 Unusual Accommodation ◆ "Les Merisiers" gypsy caravan - B2 Sophie & Romain Bourdon - 8, La Fosse aux Chevaux - 08260 ETEIGNIERES Tel. +33(0) 324 532 776 - +33(0) 685 792 143 (Sophie) - +33(0) 677 722 412 (Romain) Email: [email protected] Practical Information P ost O ffices ◆ Aubigny-les-Pothées - D2 - 8, rue du Moulin - Tel. + 33 (0) 324 358 306 ◆ Liart - D2 - 4, Place de la Mairie - Tel. + 33 (0) 324 544 047 ◆ Maubert-Fontaine - B2 - Route de Rocroi - Tel. + 33 (0) 324 563 284 ◆ Renwez - C3 - 3, rue Charles de Gaulle - Tel. + 33 (0) 324 549 349 ◆ Rimogne - C3 - 41, Place de la République - Tel. + 33 (0) 324 328 887 ◆ Rocroi - A3 - 9, rue de Montmorency - Tel. + 33 (0) 324 542 530 Emergency ◆ Paramedics : 15 (FREEPHONE) ◆ Police : 17 (FREEPHONE) ◆ Fire brigade /emergency ambulance : 18 (FREEPHONE) 36 36 ◆ European emergency call : 112 ◆ Anti-Poison Centre : + 33 (0) 383 323 636