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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.
© OpenStreetMap contributors
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.