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Prefecture and commune in Grand Est, France
Photo: Dietmar Rabich, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Charleville-Mézières is a town in France in Champagne-Ardenne, the capital and largest city in the Ardennes department in terms of population.
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A museum entirely dedicated to the enfant terrible of Charleville. The museum was completely renovated and inaugurated in June 2015.
One of the places where Arthur Rimbaud moved with his whole family in 1869, at the beginning of his creativity. Contrary to what you might think, the rooms in this house are empty of period furniture. Rather, it is a question of refocusing the life and work of the poet through his chaotic itinerary.
Arthur Rimbaud died in Marseille in 1891 and was buried in his native town. The poet's white marble tomb is located near the entrance to the cemetery (information at the entrance as to its exact location).
Parisian tourists will have a feeling of déjà vu, and for good reason! The Place Ducale looks like the Place des Vosges of Paris. The fact that Clément Métézeau, the full brother of the designer of the famous Parisian royal square, is the architect is not entirely unrelated to the affair. The construction of this square, the centre of the new town of Charleville designed by Charles de Gonzague, began in 1606, and was completed in 1634, after his death. Due to a lack of money, the Ducal Palace, which should normally have been located in the place of the Town Hall of Charleville was never built.
The great museum of the Ardennes, for any local history buff, or simply curious. The Ardennes Museum traces the entire history of the region, or almost: from prehistory to the present day, through the Middle Ages and the modern era, you will be entitled to a very broad summary of what the Ardennes used to be.
The basilica, in the late Gothic style, was built from 1499, following the massive arrival of the Liégeois at the end of the 15th century, on the basis of a Romanesque church. The work lasted 120 years, which did not prevent it from hosting a royal wedding (that of King Charles IX, in 1570). The stained glass windows were designed by Dürrbach, a friend of Picasso's (who had refused to do it himself). The neo-Gothic style south portal, as well as the spire were added during the 19th century. Near the basilica, you can still see the remains of the ramparts that surrounded Mézières: the Tour du Roy as well as the Tour Millard. Going around the basilica on the left, you find yourself in a small street that goes up to the Place du Château. Contrary to what this name suggests, there is no, longer a castle, it was burned down at the beginning of the 14th century. But, it gives a good idea of what Mézières could have been at the time: a small town, enclosed within its ramparts and whose life revolved around its castle.
Berthaucourt Plateau
On the site where many Ardennes resistance fighters were shot by the Germans during the occupation, a memorial in homage to the Ardennes Resistance was erected in 1946. It is flanked by two walls of remembrance where are engraved 504 names of Ardennes resistance fighters who died in combat, tortured, shot, or who did not survive the deportation.
A fort designed following the defeat at Sedan in 1870, the Fort des Ayvelles was initially supposed to be the lock of the Ardennes railway system. However, he found himself on the front line in 1914, and was taken at the end of August. At the end of the war, the fort became a training site. During the Second World War, under the occupation, the Germans shot Ardennes resistance fighters there. Dismantled in the 1960s, the Fort owes its salvation only to the action of an association. Far from its military origins, the Fort is now a wooded area with marked trails and picnic areas. Events take place regularly on site (the Fête de la Musique for example). The summer period sees the opportunity to enjoy guided tours (weekends at 15:00).
12 scenes representing the Ardennes legend of the 4 Sons Aymon is played by the great puppeteer - an automaton 10 m high designed by Jacques Monestier and inaugurated in 1991 - whose cogs are presented in the Musée de l'Ardenne. The design and installation of this PLC is presented here.
biennial
More than 50 years after its creation, the puppet festival remains, by far, the main attraction of Charleville-Mézières. About fifty indoor shows for the "in" festival, countless street performances (on the Place Ducale and surroundings), but also exhibitions. Don't hesitate to ask for more information: the association communicates a lot on social networks. Programs, posters and goodies on sale at the association's headquarters.
The Trans-Ardennes Greenway is an 80-kilometre cycle path winding along the Meuse on the old towpath. To be taken in part to discover Nouzonville or Monthermé, Revin, Fumay and Givet. From Givet, the long-distance hiker can join the RAVel network (the Belgian cycling route network). Since December 2015, this runway has been extended by 58 kilometres to Sedan, Remilly-Aillecourt and Mouzon, which is its terminus. By 2018, the network will be extended to Vouziers and Rethel, along the Canal des Ardennes.
The Saint-Laurent Animal Park allows you to walk in the forest while being able to observe the Ardennes fauna up close. Three marked circuits are available, allowing walks of 90 to 120 minutes.
The Warenne water point was awarded the "Blue Flag" label for the sixth consecutive year in 2015. You can find play structures for children as well as changing rooms and showers. 80 deckchairs are made available in exchange for an identity document.
Electric Boat Rental
No need for a boat license to rent these little electric boats! Each boat is provided with life jackets and also a guide to possible routes. For €4 (minimum) more, leave with a picnic basket: the reservation is made by phone.
Good Italian restaurant, well stocked menu, quality cuisine. The only negative point is that the room can be noisy. The little extra: a grocery store offering typical Italian products is open during service.
One of the most popular restaurants in Charleville. Friendly setting and reasonable price go hand in hand with tasty pizzas. Please note that it is clearly recommended to make a reservation.
A well-stocked menu for this creperie open almost every day, and without interruption please! For lunch, snack, or dinner, the place is perfect for lovers of the galette. To be noted, a cellar well stocked with regional drinks (Ardennes beers, ciders, champagne...)
A real Breton creperie in the heart of the Ardennes.
An institution in Charleville. An almost unchanging menu, typical dishes, cooked with a maximum of regional products. Reservations are highly recommended.
Specialty of andouillette with string and veal kidneys.
The menu is constantly changing, so you won't know what's available until you arrive. Everything is cooked with fresh seasonal products. Expect some good surprises! Please note that the lunch menus are prepared with market products.
Restaurant for regulars, classic setting, quality cuisine, and no unpleasant surprises.
An intimate setting for this restaurant, which can accommodate about thirty covers (it is prudent to book). The traditional cuisine is of very good quality.
An Irish pub, with the décor and drinks that go with it: whiskey, beers (as well as the one brewed by the Pub itself!) Concerts organised on the occasion, festive events (Oktoberfest, Saint Patrick's Day, Guinness Day, etc.)
Regular musical entertainment is offered by this bar run by Nicolas Sachy, the former goalkeeper of the Sedan football club.
La péniche
Better known as "la Péniche" than by its real name, Le Mawhot takes its name from an Ardennes legend (it is said to be a lizard the size of a calf that lives in the depths of the Meuse between Charleville and Givet...). The owner changed, but the bar keeps the same atmosphere. Regular concerts (Celtic music, every 3rd Sunday of the month). A well-stocked menu of regional beers.
Café-Librairie
Café where you can read comics.
Open from 1 April to 1 October, the Charleville-Mézières campsite is an integral part of the Mont-Olympe tourist centre and is located a stone's throw from the river port, the aquatic centre, and the nautical base.
A hotel far from the centre, but well connected, and above all at a price defying all competition. Private parking.
The hotel is located a stone's throw from the Place Ducale. It has 54 spacious rooms. There is a laundry service, a gym and free access to a sauna.
Hotel near the train station with a family atmosphere, double, triple or even quadruple rooms are available to the traveller. Prefer a room at the back of the hotel for more comfort.
The Sleeper of the Vale
The hotel has 17 double rooms with queen-size beds, the bar is free to access, there is a sauna, you benefit from room service during the week and free smartphone chargers.
If you feel like a bargeman, why not combine business with pleasure by renting a room on the beach. A barge! Reception is at the quay from May to October. Table d'hôte only possible in the evening by reservation €26 per person).
Manchester Hospital
The Charleville-Mézières hospital.
"La Croisette" shopping centre
An important shopping centre, in addition to Carrefour, there are the Leroy Merlin, Conforama brands, clothing stores, but also car dealerships and garages: Renault, Citroën and Ford.
Villers Shopping Centre
The other shopping centre in the city, where you can find a Norauto brand, clothing stores, sports stores, etc.
15 stalls on Tuesday and Thursday, but 50 exhibitors on Saturday, including local producers: dairy products, vegetables, meats, eggs, butter, charcuterie, local poultry and honey inside and textile and fishmonger outside.
A little food, a lot of textiles in this popular market that has existed for more than 25 years.
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