Things to see and do Champagne-Ardenne

1748 th century curiosity, Mézières hosted the first School of Engineering, ancestor of the Ecole Polytechnique, in, on the proposal of the Earl of Argenson, Secretary of State for War and Nicolas de Chastillon, commander of the Citadelle-Mézières Citadel. It is located in the old palace of the Tournelles, residence of the Duke of Rethel. 542 military engineers were trained there - among the most famous: Mullet of L'Isle, Lazare Carnot, Coulomb and mathematician Gaspard Monge was a teacher. In October 1791, the engineers met in Mézières, General La Fayette. The school was transferred to Metz in 1793, before being abolished in 1794 and became the prestigious Polytechnic School. The General Council of the new Ardennes department settled in the West Wing in 1790. The prefecture settled there in 1800. The school's premises are still occupied by the Hotel's Hotel (formerly the Ardennes Prefecture).

In this country of nature and hunting, discover an impressive collection of over 1 000 different traps. You can also see naturalized animals that have the particularity of being formerly harmful or classified as such. Thanks to this collection - the Trap Museum is a private museum - you will learn how our ancestors have taken to catch animals, since the time immemorial. So beware where you put your feet!

This museum offers a very colourful and complete overview of the geological wonders of the Ardennes and others from all over the world. Another room contains fossils dating back about 385 million years found in the Vireux-Molhain nature reserve, further north in the Meuse valley. There is also a dinosaur ditch footprint.

These 30 ha marshes, classified as Natura 2000, provide a refuge for fauna and flora that visitors can see perched at an altitude of 470 m. This wet and peaty area is home to a very rich specific biodiversity. The Konik-Polsky horse was introduced to the site to contain the vegetation.

Beautiful Renaissance building built after the First World War - 1931 - on the location of the ramparts of the old city.

A staircase of honour gives access to the building, and on the walls of the hall of honour, the paintings of the painter Eugène Eugene Staining, representative Rethel at the beginning of the th century.

On 13 June 1944, in the place of the Father of the Oaks, German soldiers rifle 106 soldiers of the maquis of Manises, young Dino. This monument was erected in their memory.

A church of the Dominican Convent, built between 1703 and 1713, it became the parish church in 1792. She has kept very beautiful stalls and sculpted woodwork and other outstanding pieces of furniture - chair and organ - identified in the Historical Monuments Inventory. The convent is visible only from outside.

Classified as a historic monument. Reservation visits with Mr. Tailliart, 03 24 72 80 60. Beautiful church of the th century. To see: the elegant balustrade, the flower of the tower tower, the Renaissance sculptures and the paintings of the painter Wibault.

Registered at the Historical Monuments Inventory, it was in this place that Napoleon signed the surrender of his army on 3 September 1870. Visible from outside only.

The church Saint-Michel is a neo-Gothic church; it was completed in 1903. His many stained glass windows evoke the monastic life of the former Cistercian Abbey and the deaths of the Great War. It is decorated with numerous panels in carved oak. As for its doors and candlesticks, it dates from the th century and comes from the ancient abbey, of which they are almost the only remains.

Built on Edouard Depaquit's plans, this college follows the former Jesuit college. It was built at the location of a bastion. The pediment of the secondary door is decorated with a work by the sculptor Sedanais, representing Turenne children, sleeping on the lookout for a cannon.

The tourist office offers a wide range of activities, including cruises on the Meuse, walking and cycling tours, guided visits and discovery of the local heritage. You can also find information on accommodation, restaurants and upcoming events in the region.

Sublime geological curiosity, this cave of the Jurassic era excavated in the limestone of Givet is one of the attractions of the region opened since 1896. The 9 open rooms allow you to observe many concrete events - animals or characters that come out of the rock - a rock suspended as by magic and a column of 3 million years! Many animal traces have been revealed: mammoth, aurochs and pheasant pheasants. It is also likely that they have received human occupation in prehistoric times. A rather magical place for children, it is recommended to cover well, since the temperature avoids the 9 ° C and put good shoes, to climb the stone staircase. From the Nutons Hall, we get to the Salle du Gouffre, where the first traces of human occupation are found, and then to the Lion Room, which owes its name to the form of a concrete, then to that of the Clair de Lune, the room of Lovers, where one distinguishes the silhouette of a couple. 

Are you looking for a good hiking trail? From May to September, the tourist office of Revin organises guided walks for you in the discovery of the Ardennes heritage. A good opportunity to meet other enthusiasts of nature and walking, while enjoying the region's landscape landscapes. The courses are regularly renewed, little chance that you will be ennuyiez; with family or friends, slip the shoes, and it's gone!

Tariff: € 2 for non-affiliates (insurance and glass of friendship included); 1,50 € for affiliates (glass of friendship included).

Distance: variable.

Difficulty: .

At the beginning of Grand-Wells, this interesting journey combines exercise exercise and teaching teaching. On 6 km, fully marked and through the Great-Wells Forest and Mont-Dieu, it recounts the fighting in May 1940. That and there, interpretive panels outline the major events of the conflict and present the various important places. Among them, the command post, the point of collapse of a Stuka plane, the death ravine or the regimental infirmary. You will even enter an aircraft engine at the time.

Tariff: free.

Distance: 6 km.

Duration: 2 h.

Difficulty: pretty easy.

Starting from the town hall of Lower-le-To, this town loop presents itself as a perfect route for family outings. Easy and accessible to all, it borders river and creek, crosses pastures and forests, some ponds and there… Do not miss the discreet fountain of the Espinette, as well as the Virgin of Froidmond which, timidly, is hidden from the large trees, or the oratory, installed in the beautiful xivth of beech wood.

Tariff: free.

Duration: 3 h.

Difficulty: .

This is a walk for the whole family. At the beginning of the church of Moncornet, you sail for 4 kilometres around the feudal castle, on a forest path dotted with pretty views. Although in ruins, the book remains very impressive. In summer, the most curious can even visit his drawbridge. The opportunity for a sports, educational and truly fun outing! Note also: the presence of picnic tables for a relaxing stop.

Tariff: free; Château Castle: € 4 (2 € for children over 10 years of age).

Distance: 4 km.

Duration: 1 p. m.

Difficulty: very easy.

Markup: pink and white-red.