The wonderful river Meuse meanders between Charleville- Mezieres and Givet, cutting its way through heavily forested hills. It’s yours to discover by bike along a modern, flat cycle track, La Voie Verte, the Green Way. This gem of an area, within the French Ardennes is situated north east of Paris and Rheims. It’s easily reached from Calais or Boulogne or by Eurostar.
The safe, flat cycle paths are the ideal for the whole family. There are many great picnic spots along the Meuse. Boats chug up and down the river assisted by beautiful locks (ecluses) to avoid the magnificent weirs. It’s perfect to stroll by the Meuse in the afternoon or evening and admire the tied up pleasure barges or river cruisers by the beautiful quay at Haybes, or take a refreshing drink in one of the many riverside cafes particularly in Givet.
With a continental climate, the summers are hot, whilst the seasonal changes in the colour of the trees will ensure you have a wonderful holiday between late spring and middle autumn.
For bird lovers, there’s plenty of potential to look out for Canada Geese, Mallards, Kingfishers, Herons or Moor Hens.
What food will you be served? Try freshwater fish such as pike or perch, a salad with lovely smoked Ardennes ham, tomatoes, and gruyere cheese. Rich pates abound, made from pork or perhaps wild boar. Maroille is a fragrant cheese from the Thierache, an area of fortified towns and churches originating from the wars between France and the Spanish Netherlands. Delicious fruit topped tarts abound whilst the availability of Trappist monks’ beers signifies that you are very close to Belgium.
You start and finish your holiday at Charleville-Mezieres with the option to: (1) spend an extra night in Givet before returning to Haybes or (2) return from Givet the next day to Haybes,
The wonderful river Meuse meanders between Charleville- Mezieres and Givet, cutting its way through heavily forested hills. It’s yours to discover by bike along a modern, flat cycle track, La Voie Verte, the Green Way. This gem of an area, within the French Ardennes is situated north east of Paris and Rheims. It’s easily reached from Calais or Boulogne or by Eurostar.
The safe, flat cycle paths are the ideal for the whole family. There are many great picnic spots along the Meuse. Boats chug up and down the river assisted by beautiful locks (ecluses) to avoid the magnificent weirs. It’s perfect to stroll by the Meuse in the afternoon or evening and admire the tied up pleasure barges or river cruisers by the beautiful quay at Haybes, or take a refreshing drink in one of the many riverside cafes particularly in Givet.
With a continental climate, the summers are hot, whilst the seasonal changes in the colour of the trees will ensure you have a wonderful holiday between late spring and middle autumn.
What food will you be served? Try freshwater fish such as pike or perch, a salad with lovely smoked Ardennes ham, tomatoes, and gruyere cheese. Rich pates abound, made from pork or perhaps wild boar. Maroille is a fragrant cheese from the Thierache, an area of fortified towns and churches originating from the wars between France and the Spanish Netherlands. Delicious fruit topped tarts abound whilst the availability of Trappist monks’ beers signifies that you are very close to Belgium.
You start and finish your holiday at Charleville-Mezieres with the option to: (1) spend an extra night in Givet before returning to Haybes or (2) return from Givet the next day to Haybes,