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Photo: Adri08, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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).
The Fort des Ayvelles, also known as the Fort Dubois-Crancé, is a fortification near the French communes of Villers-Semeuse and Les Ayvelles in the Ardennes, just to the south of Charleville-Mézières. As part of the Séré de Rivières system of fortifications, the fort was planned as part of a new ring of forts replacing the older citadel of Mézières with dispersed fortifications. With advances in the range and destructive power of artillery, the city's defensive perimeter had to be pushed away from the city center to the limits of artillery range. The Fort des Ayvelles was the only such fortification to be completed of the ensemble, as resources were diverted elsewhere. At the time of its construction the fort controlled the Meuse and the railway line linking Reims, Montmédy, Givet and Hirson. The Fort des Ayvelles was reduced in status in 1899, its masonry construction rendered obsolete by the advent of high-explosive artillery shells. However, it was re-manned for the First World War before it was captured by the Germans on 29 August 1914. The fort was partly destroyed in 1918. During the Battle of France in 1940 the fort was bombarded. French resisters were executed at Ayvelles during both world wars. At present the fort is maintained by a preservation society, and may be visited.
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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.
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.
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 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 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.