C208-STANDARD  Loops of the Meuse River

The Meuse and Semoy valleys are lands of legend. The Meuse River is content in Ardennes and extends its stay with impressive loops dominated by numerous rocks and headlands which have their own strange and fantastic stories to tell. The forest rises up everywhere, with springs, brooks and marshes feeding daydreams and legends, it’s the dwelling place of imaginary beings that lead you out of your way at night. It is also a breeding land, and as such, a land famous for its cuisine. You will enjoy pork products, poultries and wild boar, the king of the Ardennes forest!

Itinerary

Day 1 – Arrival at CHARLEVILLE-MEZIERES. Stroll through the old town to discover the famous Place Ducale, l’Horloge (clock) du grand Marionettiste and the Notre-Dame de l’Espérance Church.  Lodging and breakfast in a 3 star hotel.

Day 2 – CHARLEVILLE – MONTHERME (24 kms – 6.30 hour walk). Following the Meuse River, you will reach the industrial center of Nouzonville and the village of Lévisy. You will cross the Meuse River to admire the Braux Church, which houses a 12^th-century baptismal font made of Givet blue stone. You will pass near Le Rocher (rock) des Quatre Fils Aymon whose four peaks recall the legend of the Bayard knight, who took them away as he fled from the rage of Charlemagne. You will reach Laval Dieu, an industrial city located at the doors of Monthermé, built during the 12^th century around an abbey of which remains only the church – Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a two-star hotel.

Day 3 – Walk around MONTHERME (24 km). You will walk first along the most chaotic part of the Semoy River to the village of Tournavaux and then continue on through the forest and along the cliffs to Thillay and Les Hautes Rivières. From the top you will behold a gorgeous view of the Vallée de la Croix de l’Enfer (Hell’s Cross Valley). Crossing through the valley, you will pass across the stream of Saint Jean and through the forest, heading to a ruined village and the ancient forest ranger house of Le Champ Bernard. The shaded forest road will bring you to le Roc (rock) de la Tour, from where you will have a magnificent view of the Semoy Valley and the Ardennaise Forest. You will soon find yourself again at Monthermé – Dinner, lodging and breakfast in the same hotel.

Day 4 – MONTHERME – REVIN (19 km). The day will begin in admiration of the panoramas from la Roche à Sept Heures and la Longue Roche before a walk back to the bank of the Meuse River. You will take the towpath heading to Deville, Laifor and Auschamps. Nice views of les Rochers (rocks) des Dames de Meuse. You will leave the bank of the river and climb le Mont Malgré Tout to admire the great view from la Roche des Mintch et de la Faligeotte. You will then descend towards Revin and its quays where you will see half-timbered houses from the 16^th century – Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a two-star hotel.

Day 5 – REVIN – HAYBES SUR MEUSE (22 km). Along the hillsides and through the Ardennes forest, you will walk along the Meuse River to Fumay, former capital in the extraction and industry of slate. From here you will have a gorgeous view of the Fumay and Haybes meanders and of the Notre-Dame-de-Divers-Monts Chapel. You will then return to the Meuse bank and walk along the Fumay meander before heading uphill to the Platale Viewpoint, from where stretches a beautiful view of the Fumay and the Meuse Valley. The forest will lead you to Le Moulin Labotte (watermill), and your hotel. Dinner, lodging and breakfast in a 3 star hotel.

Day 6 – HAYBES SUR MEUSE – HIERGES (22 km). You will walk down to the village along the banks of the Meuse and climb back up through the Risdoux Wood to the Roches à Fepin to enjoy one more time a gorgeous view of the valley!  You will then follow the towpath down to Wireux where you will cross the Meuse for a visit of the ancient Molhain Collegial Abbey. You will make your way through the countryside along the Belgian border to the lovely village of Hiergues, lying in the shadow of the remains of the 16^th-century château that was severely damaged during the French Revolution. You will visit the village and the 16^th-century Saint Baptist Church. The walk ends at Fountain Square, from where a taxi will take you to Givet. The landscape in the Meuse Valley is quite disfigured by the stone-pits around Givet and offers little interest Lodging and breakfast in a 3  hotel.

Day 7 – GIVET. Tour ends after breakfast.

Season

From end of April to middle of October

What’s included?

• 6 nights’ accommodation in 2 or 3 star hotels
• 6 breakfasts – 4 dinners
• Hotel to hotel luggage transfer along the trail.
• Taxi transfer : Hierges-Givet
• A set of maps (1/25 000 scale) with the route marked on and detailed route notes describing the trail.
• A daily itinerary together with information about facilities and places of interest along the trail.
• Emergency assistance.

Visa fees – transportation fees to and from the walk area – Insurance (strongly recommended on all trips) – Transfers except those mentioned above – Drinks – Additional meals – Entrance fees – Spending of personal nature e.g. laundry, souvenirs, phone calls,…are not included

Getting there and away

By train : Numerous trains from Paris Gare de L’est to Charleville-Mézières. To return, several trains between Givet and Charleville, a journey of about 80 minutes.

By car :after reaching Reims by motorway, take the speedway to Charleville.

Where to park : pay supervised car-parks in Charleville.

Walk difficulty

Grade 3 – walks of between 5 and 8 hours a day with ascents up to 700 m. Some hiking experience is advisable. A reasonable level of fitness and some stamina are required for these walks. You may cover long distances in remote countryside and the terrain will be rough underfoot. In mountainous areas you will encounter some sustained ascents and descents.