Ardennes Holiday Accommodation

Book holiday Gites and apartments in Ardennes France direct with owners.

The Ardennes is a region of extensive forests and rolling hill country, primarily in Belgium and Luxembourg, but stretching into France Much of the Ardennes is covered in dense forests, with an abundant population of wild life, The region is has steep-sided valleys carved by fast-flowing rivers, the most prominent of which is the Meuse. Its principal cities are Liège and Namur in the Meuse valley they are both major industrial centres.

The region is rich in timber and minerals, Here you can find a wide variety of outdoor activities, including cycling, walking and canoeing. The region has a blood stained past in recent history here they saw three major battles during the world wars first the Battle of the Ardennes in World War I,  the Battle of France and Battle of the Bulge in World War II. Many of the towns of the region were badly damaged during the two world wars.

Today the region  still keeps the history with plenty of information out there to see and read about, but there is more to the region with many little restaurants and bistros to visit, you can find the market at Sedan, right in the centre of the town, with a covered hall for fresh produce whilst the air is full of the wonderful smells of cheese, charcuterie and roasting chickens, the stalls spill out into the streets  Here, the local Sedan vegetable and fruit growers set up along with vendors of sweets, household goods and many other items, the market is held on Wednesday and Saturday mornings.

When visiting this region remember to visit the Nocturnia it is set in the very heart of the forest of Argonne, near Vouziers in south-eastern Ardennes within easy reach from Reims and Verdun, Here you will find the secrets of the night-time forest such as giant fireflies, glow-worms, and luminous mushrooms, what ever you are going to this region for the Ardennes has something for every one whether it be for the history culture or beautiful scenery.

Ardennes is boarded by the French regions of Aisne, Meuse, Marne, and the Belgium frontier, with many areas of very dense woodland, unspoilt countryside and sweeping views across the Meuse valley,  the Rouvres is known for its petrified waterfall, you will find water sports galore in the Parc d’Orient with its 5,000 hectares of lakes, impressive Abbeys, with France’s only half timbered churches with the Chaumont having a world class collection of posters and graphic art with stunning statuary in the basilica, there are  stunning castles and busy brewery’s  making this a very interesting area for the traveller.

The main city is Charleville Mézières it was formed in 1966 when the twin cities were merged, some areas of the town date back to the 9th cent. History has left its mark all around this region the most recent being heavy damage in both World Wars. Today the traveller will find historical and religious treasures offering the charm of a French town with that added unmistakable touch of Belgium. The town of Troyes has an annual champagne fair in June there are bustling markets, selling the famous wonderful cheese of Chaource and other traditional delights of this region.