La Thiérache – Rocroi Plateau – Sormonne Valley - Office de ...

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Walking ◆ Walkers’ guide - « Randonnées sur le Plateau de Rocroi et en Thiérache Ardennaise » To the west of the picturesque Meuse Valley, the uplands of Ardennes include a high plateau overlooking the meadows and hills of Thiérache, amid forests, marshes and lakes. This is a border area, protected by fortified buildings, fortresses and fortified churches. History and locality reveal their innermost nature on the 38 signposted walks comprising loopback routes of 3 to 20 km. They’re ideal for relaxation and they run through some of the best beauty spots in the area. The guide is on sale at the tourist office (Office de Tourisme de Rocroi et du Nord-Ouest Ardennais). ◆ La Boulette botany trail - C3 The Boulette botany trail is a 3.5 kilometre walk from the fortified church in Servion across the hillside above. Panels with information on back and front give the characteristics and properties of the various types of tree, shrub and plant. The walk includes two superb views: ◆ L'Echelle, its castle and the surrounding countryside; ◆ The Sonru Valley and the bell tower in Neufmaison. Wild orchids peek out from the undergrowth from springtime onwards (N.B. Protected species! Do not pick them!). A document about the walk is available free of charge at the Arts Centre (“centre culturel”) in Servion church. ENJOY YOUR WALK! Centre Culturel de l’Église Fortifiée de Servion 08150 ROUVROY-SUR-AUDRY Information: Association des Compagnons de Saint-Etienne Email: contact@servion.fr - Website: www.servion.fr ◆ Walkers’ guide - « Les Ardennes à pied » Ardennes is less than three hours from Paris, Lille, Nancy or Dijon, on the border with Belgium. It is a fabulous area that is well worth a visit. It is famous for nature at its most triumphant, for its woodlands and bucolic, gently-rolling hills and for the simple life led by people who are deeply attached to their area and their traditions. In the guide, "Les Ardennes à pied", 47 walks (PR®) are graded by level of difficulty (loopback routes taking 2 hrs to 6 hrs). Each of them is accompanied by an IGN colour map. There are also numerous informative texts and photos accompanying the descriptions of the walk to give a full idea of the diversity of the countryside and the local culture. The guide is on sale in bookshops. 20 ◆ Santiago de Compostella Throughout the Middle Ages, Santiago de Compostella was the most important destination for countless pilgrims from all over Europe. Today, you can walk in their footsteps by following the path between Namur and Vézelay via Reims. It takes you across the Rocroi Plateau and Thiérache area. Information: www.randonneurs-pelerins.fr ◆ Long-distance waymarked footpath: the GR 12 The long-distance GR12 footpath runs from Amsterdam through Belgium to Paris. From Gué-d’Hossus to Vaux-Villaine, the GR12 crosses north-west Ardennes. Information: http://www.gr-infos.com/gr12a.htm R iding ◆ Eteignières - Les Écuries du Taillis - B2 Children’s courses for beginners or more advanced riders (+4 years). Trekking available. State-qualified instructor. Route de Rocroi 08260 ETEIGNIERES Tel. +33(0) 324 543 534 - Email: assolesecuriesdutaillis@yahoo.fr www.assolesecuriesdutaillis.e-monsite.com ◆ La Neuville-lez-Beaulieu Pony Club de Beaulieu - B2 Rides and beginners’ lessons for all ages. Main Beaulieu road 08380 LA NEUVILLE-LEZ-BEAULIEU Tel. +33(0) 324 575 909 - Email: www.poney-club-beaulieu.ffe.com ◆ Signy-le-Petit - Horse rides - B1/B2 1 to 2-hour rides for beginners or advanced riders. From 8 years. Carriage rides through the streets of the village. Croix Colas - 08380 SIGNY LE PETIT Tel. +33(0) 324 531 125 - www.baladeachevalcroixcolas.com Cycle and mountain bike hire. H ire of bikes ◆ BMX, all-terrain and mountain bikes - B1/B2 Mrs. Myriam VIGNIER - Croix Colas 08380 SIGNY LE PETIT Tel. +33 (0) 324 531 125 www.baladeachevalcroixcolas.com 21
D onkey rides ◆ “Rando Anes” at the Liart teaching farm - D2 Saunter along at the speed of Cabriole, Réglisse etc., the donkeys from the teaching farm and tour the Thiérache countryside with your family. Guided treks and donkey hire for outings on your own, lasting from a half-day to 3 days. Information: Maison de la Thiérache - 08290 LIART Tel. +33(0) 324 544 833 - Website: www.fermepedagogiqueliart.fr Aouting with a SEGWAY® personal transporter ◆ Nearby, Segway personal transporters - Ardenne Terre d’Aventures Vome and try a Segway personal transporter on the shores of Les Vieilles Forges Lake in the heart of the Ardennes Forest! Bitumen, dirt tracks, undergrowth and sand all make for an unforgettable outing!! Our Segway-certified guide will take charge of you for 1 hour during which you will learn the basics of riding a Segway PT and discover the skills you need to ride over rough ground on a Segway X2, an allterrain machine. Information: Ardennes terre d’Aventures - rue du Lac des Vieilles Forges - 08500 LES MAZURES Tel. +33(0) 324 531 843 - Email: terreaventures@hotmail.fr Website: www.ardennes-terre-aventures.com A ngling Fédération des Ardennes pour la Pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique (Ardennes Angling and Aquatic Environment Protection Federation) Parc d’Activité Ardennes Emeraude - 08090 Tournes Tel. +33(0) 324 564 132 - Fax. +33(0)324 593 111 Email: fedepecheardennes@wanadoo.fr - Website: www.federationpeche.fr/08 ◆ “Angling in Ardennes” map The Ardennes are well-known for their majestic, well-stocked forests but they also have a wide variety of aquatic environments. Peat bogs, mountain streams, fast-flowing rivers and coastal waterways are home to 42 species of fish. Ardennes tourist board has joined forces with the Fédération des Ardennes pour la Pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique to produce an angling map that covers the département of Ardennes. Called “Angling in Ardennes”, the map is available in tourist offices or from the Ardennes tourist board (Comité Départemental du Tourisme des Ardennes). You can also download it on www.ardennes.com ◆ Info Pêche Ardennes The Fédération des Ardennes pour la Pêche et la Protection du Milieu Aquatique publishes a magazine every year. It is particularly well-designed, with plenty of practical tips for people wanting to enjoy the sport in Ardennes. The magazine also contains feature articles on local environmental problems. Get your free copy from outlets selling angling permits, from tourist offices or from the Ardennes tourist board (comité départemental du tourisme des Ardennes). You can also download it on the Federation’s website: www.federationpeche.frl08. 22 A F ulness ofF un ◆ North-West Ardennes water complex - A3 The North-West Ardennes water complex close to the Belgian border offers a range of sports activities, fun and relaxation thanks to its flume, sauna, jacuzzi, water aerobics, seniors’ club, courses and swimming lessons. The cafeteria has an extensive menu of refreshments, ices and salads. Centre Aquatique du Nord-Ouest Ardennais 16, avenue du Général Moreau - 08230 ROCROI Information: Tel. +33(0) 324 526 412 - Email: centre-aquatique-rocroi@wanadoo.fr ◆ Lake La Motte - B1/B2 La Motte is a small lake with a sandy beach in wooded surroundings in Signy-le-Petit. There is a lifeguard in attendance in July and August. Nearby are numerous picnic areas on the edge of the woods. NO ADMISSION CHARGE. Étang de la Motte - Route de la Motte 08380 SIGNY-LE-PETIT Information: Communauté de Communes de la Région de Signy-le-Petit Tel. +33(0) 324 535 101 ◆ Nearby, Les Vieilles Forges lake On the shores of Les Vieilles Forges Lake, Ardennes “County Council” has laid out a vast tourist complex. The 150-hectare lake is ideal for a range of water sports (swimming, windsurfing, sailing etc.) and has banks specially designed for fishing. Lifeguard services are available on the specially designed sandy beach that, like the toilet blocks, are open for 3 months every year. Playgrounds, picnic areas and a fitness course complete the leisure amenities provided for the pleasure of holidaymakers. NO ADMISSION CHARGE. Lac des Vieilles Forges - 08500 LES MAZURES Information: Base départementale - Tel. +33(0) 324 401 720 - Website: www.cg08.fr 23
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Page 3 and 4: Tourism office of Rocroy and North-
Page 5 and 6: Hint ofHeritage ◆ Rocroi, a star-
Page 7 and 8: ◆ Fortified church in Aouste - C2
Page 9 and 10: ◆ St. Martin’s fortified church
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Page 13 and 14: ◆ School Museum - C3 Housed in th
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La Thiérache – Rocroi Plateau – Sormonne Valley - Office de ...

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