Discover unique Donchery, Ardennes, Champagne-Ardenne

Allow two days for this route, used for centuries to travel between Sedan castle and Bouillon castle in Belgium. A walk where water, the forest and nature are omnipresent. Although neighbours, these two regions belong to very separate lands. One nestles in a fold of the Ardennes massif, while the other stretches along the banks of the Meuse river, near the first slope of the Parisian basin. The two towns have been sisters for a thousand years, linked by history since the signing of the Treaty of Verdun in 843 dividing up the Carolingian Empire. Along this circuit you can explore Europe’s largest feudal castle in Sedan, experience Godfrey’s first crusade at the castle and archeoscope in Bouillon and take part in medieval festivals… all in an outstanding forest setting. Breathe!

Given its position at the crossroads of the Germanic and Latin parts of Europe, the Ardennes region is strewn with evidence of its tumultuous and violent past. The powerful fortresses which tower over the landscape from high rocky outcrops have given rise to myths and legends. Their thick walls bear witness to a thousand years of sieges, wars and pillage. Bouillon, Herbeumont, Sedan and Montcornet still echo to the clash of swords and the songs of minstrels. In the light-filled valley of the Meuse, wealthy cities developed, but their riches had to be defended. The Fortifications Trail takes you along these mediaeval commercial roads, where the fate of Europe was decided on countless occasions.

This 83 km green way runs between Givet and Charleville-Mézières along the former towpath by the Meuse. Its asphalt coating allows access to any type of bicycle and roller skating enthusiast. It crosses through the grandiose landscape of the Ardennes massif, from north to south, following the meanders of the river.

Crossing the land of the Ardenne means encountering contrasting landscapes steeped in legends. The most secret valleys, the deepest forests and the wildest rivers have given rise to legends, some of which are told and experienced with the current of the water. In the Meuse valley, as the river twists and turns, revel in the surprise of amazing landscapes, monuments nestling in green settings and soothing calm. Exploring the Ardenne with the current, following the pace set by the river, ensures a change of scenery and a sense of wonder.

On mainly paved forest roads, this walk crosses the southernmost part of the municipality of Vresse sur Semois. Discover the village of Pussemange located on the border with France and an impressive view from the watchtower of the vast forests in this remote corner.

Quiet forest walk starting from Sugny. This walk is a shortened version of walk No 46 Pinsaumont. 

Quiet walk in the southernmost part of the municipality of Vresse-sur-Semois. Discover the remote villages of Bagimont and Pussemange on the border of France. 

A nice refreshing walk on very easy paths that will take you to discover the pretty deciduous forest. You will pass by the VITA track and the pleasant Chahaye pond. This pond is a great place to relax, picnics and barbecues are available. For PRM or pushchairs (in dry weather), start at the pond of La Chahaye for a 2 km walk.

A walk along fairly easy paths to discover the beautiful stones of our heritage. Le Tchèté de la Rotche (Château de la Roche) is built on a rocky outcrop. Three different castles were built on this site between the years 750 and 1100.

Located in the former sacristy of the Church of St. Onesimus, the Donchery Museum conceals priceless treasures not to be missed; the collection of statues is also worth a look. Experience the evolution of Catholic art in northern Champagne in a fun and interesting way. Light displays and talking statues will tell you all about the artists and artisans of Meuse, whose works are displayed at the museum. Welcome to the interactive of the museum of sculpture!

On 2 September1870, in order to evade the head-to-head conciliation project hoped for by Napoleon III with the King of Prussia, Bismarck, he went in the morning, to meet the Emperor at a house that belonged a weaver, not far from Donchery bridge. It was abandoned by its inhabitants, so they went in and took chairs to sit outside. The conversation was futile and tedious and at eight o'clock in the morning, joined by Moltke, they went to Bellevue Castle.

Owned by Lois Amour, the brother of the Maire of Donchery, this 19th century château was where on the 2d of September 1870, the Emperor was waiting for the arrival of King Guillaume. However Bismark insisted that the capitulation was signed before his arrival. The signing of the surrender agreement took  place at 11am, in the presence of General de Wimpffen. The King of Prussia didn’t arrive at Bellevue until around 2pm, when he met Napoleon for a quarter of an hour during which time the Emperor confirmed that he had never wanted the war. He later revealed that he considered that they were “both overcome with emotion”.

At Vrigne-Meuse at 10:50 am on 11th November 1918, Private Augustin Trébuchon of the 9th Company of the 415th regiment of the 163rd infantry division was carrying a message to his captain when he was killed, just 10 minutes before the cease-fire.

At Vrigne-Meuse at 10:50 am on 11th November 1918, Private Augustin Trébuchon of the 9th Company of the 415th regiment of the 163rd infantry division was carrying a message to his captain when he was killed, just 10 minutes before the cease-fire.

After having passed the night as a prisoner at Bellevue, the Emperor left on the 3rd of September for Germany escorted by German Hussards skirting around Sedan. It was, as a matter of fact, impossible to cross the town which resembled “ Dantes Inferno”. It was completely blocked by a confusion of cannons, horse drawn vehicles, horses and all the after- effects of battle and bombings. It took many days to collect the corpses from the battlefield and amass all the innumerable weapons and assorted military debris. The Peninsula of Iges, which the canal of Villette had turned into an island, also offered a vision of horror. It gained the name ‘camp de misere’ (Camp of Misery) : 83,000 men and 20,000 horses were cooped up in 400 hectares, denied nourishment, medical aid, shelter and the necessities for survival. Many died, and those who survived were marched off to captivity in Germany. Realising that all was lost, Napoleon III, now a broken man, had on the 1st of September 1870 tried to die with his soldiers. However two days later, as a deposed emperor he was going along the Meuse River to Montimont when he saw his soldiers in dire straits. On the 3rd of September it was raining whilst he was escorted towards Belgium via Saint- Menges, Illy and la Chapelle. Arriving in Bouillon in the afternoon, he visited French wounded at the fortified Castle before spending the night at the Hotel de la Poste. His room overlooked the river Semois, and can still be visited. His guards conducted him to Libramont the next day, where he took the train to Kassel, a few kilometres from where he was imprisoned in the chateau of Wilhemhohe until the Treaty of Frankfurt (10th of May 1871). Less than three years after the debacle of Sedan ( disaster), he died in England where he had remained in exile.

About two weeks before the liberation of Sedan by the American Army, a group of French pro-Nazis arrived on 22 August 1944, in the vans of the enemy who was retreating towards Germany. In this case, they were not members of the Darnand Milice, but ‘Francistes’ led by a fanatic and bloodthirsty leader Paoli, who had become the head of the Gestapo in Bourges. Closely linked to Marcel Bucard, (the founder of the Franciste movement), Paoli brought with him a crazy killer whose physical malformation led the population in Sedan to call this group ‘the humpback gang’. These maniacs lured some resistant fighters into the trap of a fake maquis, in order to massacre 19 and wound 2 others, a killing that lasted two days, on 28 and 29 August. Nine patriots were killed on 28 August, one after the other in the Givonne valley and its surroundings, but one wounded survivor, Pierre Discrit, managed to escape. The day after this terrible event, the horror reached its peak in the cave Morts au maquis of Gaulier, when ten people from Sedan were shot in the neck after being tortured. One of the torturers was sadistic enough to display the ear from one of the victims for all to see. Doctor François’s family was decimated: he was executed with his wife and their brothers-in-law, Jean and Robert Barré, by Paoli himself. An eleventh person, Georges Cablat, of admirable courage, survived thanks to a real miracle: he fell slightly wounded among the bodies of the dying people and pretended to be dead, but he was then seriously wounded by a final burst of submachine gun, aimed at finishing off the people who were still breathing. Thanks to a support network of heroic people, Cablat was taken to the hospital, where he was successfully operated on by Doctor Martin, and hidden by a nun who was able to fool the killer that came to kill the survivor.    He was saved and is still an exemplary witness for his wisdom and his detachment. His best friend Michel Choinet, who worked with him in the same textile company, fell wounded just before him, and Cablat was never able to fully recover from this tragedy.

This stone tree should not be neglected or forgotten, not only because of its symbolic value but also because it has become one of the landmarks of the Sedan region. It represents an image of a woman opposing the war and that of a tree coming back to life. The oak is, with the wild boar, one of the symbols of the town of Sedan, whose motto ‘Undique Robur’ (‘Strength from everywhere’), inherited from the La Marcks, comprises the Latin word ‘robur’ which means both oak and strength. The inhabitants of Floing raised funds, which allowed a ‘broken oak’ to be ordered from the marble sculptor Constant Duc who belonged to a dynasty of stone cutters who came to Sedan from Savoy. Despite successive deteriorations, one can make out a feminine outline at the foot of the broken oak, who is trying to break a cannon with a sledge hammer while a new branch of that oak is growing above her. A significant number of combatants killed in the last hours of the battle are buried here.

Kyriad Sedan's restaurant welcomes you from breakfast to dinner. Start the day with a comprehensive and varied breakfast buffet. For lunch or dinner, your hotel in Sedan satisfies every appetite with its gourmet menu. Enjoy à la carte dishes or just savour a variety of specialities. Treat yourself in a friendly atmosphere!

The restaurant of Sedan welcomes you every evening, for a dinner in all friendliness. Book your stay on half board by booking your gourmet formula on our site and benefit from the best price guaranteed.

An hour and a half by car from Brussels, the Domaine Château du Faucon is a unique place dedicated to the art of living and the horse. The estate is located in Donchery in the heart of the French Ardennes and offers its demanding French and international clientele a resort and pleasure. Nestled in the countryside but easy to access, about 2 hours from the major European capitals, the Domaine Château du Faucon offers luxury services, always thought out with elegance. Label Les Ardennes on motorbike and bicycle. The restaurant located in the heart of the castle welcomes you every night of the week from 7:00 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. and Sunday lunchtime from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Closed every midday of the week (except Sunday noon and for groups and tables with predefined menu).

Located between Sedan and Charleville, the farm is built on a rock for about 300 years, overlooking the Meuse and offering breathtaking views of the peninsula of Iges. An orientation table will allow you to locate yourself near this meander of the Meuse. In a convivial setting, you will be able to appreciate all the flavors of the Ardennes. 3 rooms are at your disposal for all events, banquets, seminars with all inclusive package, dancing animation ... On the site, two lodgings are at your disposal, which can accommodate up to 14 people.

A welcoming, friendly Indian restaurant offering authentic, flavourful cooking in the very heart of old Sedan.

In a building of the sixteenth century Donchery, Florence welcomes you to his bed and breakfast. In the heart of the Ardennes countryside, near the greenway, hiking trails but also the Castle Fort Sedan and the city of Rimbaud, enjoy all the comfort in the room "Le Manil"A breathtaking view of nature and its inhabitants will fill you, you can see geese, herons, wild ducks and other small birds of prey. The fishing ponds are nearby.There is no noise, no traffic, the house is at the edge of the road ... Please book at least two days before preferably by phone.

Guests will appreciate the verdant surroundings of the Kyriad Hotel, located at the entrance to the city, next to the expressway. It provides a peaceful, relaxing setting, where the comfort of its bedrooms is a priority.   Special attention is paid to the personal needs of every guest. It is ideal for an overnight stay during a relaxing holiday among friends or for all the family. "Business class" guests can take advantage of the well-equipped and convivial conference rooms for seminars, training courses and meetings.

Thierry welcomes you aboard his Houseboat "Camille". Rented as a gite at the dock (no navigation possible), this unusual accommodation offers all the necessary comfort for your stay with family or friends but also for your romantic stay as a couple. Many nature activities await you. The channel full of fish will delight fishing enthusiasts and you will also enjoy beautiful walks paddle or canoe (optional). Close to the Green Way Trans'Ardenne (200m), it is more than 120km of roaming by bike, on foot or roller blading that is available to you. To relax in the evening, "Camille" offers 35m2 of terrace with jacuzzi and deckchairs. The boat can receive children under the supervision of parents. Access to the terrace by ladder. Accepted animals. The owner can not be held responsible in case of incident or accident given the unusual side of housing.

Embark with family or friends on a boat that can accommodate from 2 to 10 people, sail along the water and follow one of the following three itineraries:- The meanders of the Meuse towards Charleville, Monthermé, Givet and Belgium- The charms of the Meuse valley channeled in its Lorraine part towards Sedan, Mouzon and Verdun- The Ardennes Canal to Le Chesne, Attigny, Rethel and Reims.(closed to navigation after the Chesne since June 2018 due to damage on lock 21 Neuville Day)

The rooms at the Hotel Inn Design in Sedan are modernly decorated and very functional.  Each room has a private bathroom with toilet, shower and hairdryer. The beds are equipped with duvets.  The hotel provides 2 rooms with reserved parking spaces for people with reduced mobility.  WIFI connection is secured and free.

For riding enthusiasts and horse lovers, as well as all those who appreciate a certain quality of life, the Chateau du Faucon is a unique setting for that very special stay, in the midst of a 28 hectare park with a charming river running through. Today the Domaine du Faucon, acquired in 1827 by Jean Nicolas Gendarme, the last Grand Master of the Ardennes Iron and Steel Industry, has a choice of bedrooms and suites which have been given the "Chateaux et Hotels Collection" label, internationally renowned as a reference for "hôtels de charme".

The house has been completely renovated. Gérald, who trained as a carpenter, worked with finesse. This house, containing two bedrooms, a bathroom, a kitchen, a living room, a cellar and a terrace, will appeal to those who love wood and color.
At the back, the terrace overlooks a flowered and cultivated garden in which it is possible to go while respecting the plantations.
A beautiful hazelnut tree separates the terrace (where it is possible to eat and rest) from the garden, and ensures, by its dense foliage, privacy not overlooked. We are 10 minutes walk from the town hall, 25 minutes from Place Ducale and 5 minutes by bike from the Voie Verte.
We are close to a bus line which leads to the city center in 10 minutes.
The street is residential and very quiet. It is possible to park in front of the house. At the rear the houses overlook a set of green gardens.

Comfortable cottage with dining room with kitchenette and dishes, laundry, bathroom-toilet. Upstairs, sitting area with TV, bathroom, toilet and 4 large bedrooms with 12 beds. In an old farmhouse of more than 300 years. 10 minutes from Sedan, 15 minutes from Charleville and 1 km from the A203. This cottage overlooking the Meuse and offers breathtaking views of the peninsula of Iges with orientation table and frame in the countryside with large land.

Comfortable cottage, with a kitchen, an air-conditioned living room with TV, large bed for 2 people & a sofa bed for 2 people, a bathroom with shower, separate toilet. The cottage has an independent entrance & it is in an old farmhouse of more than 300 years. 10 minutes from Sedan, 15 minutes from Charleville and 1 km from the A203. This cottage overlooking the Meuse and offers breathtaking views of the peninsula of Iges with orientation table and frame in the countryside with large land.