Que voir en Champagne-Ardenne ?
Pour préparer votre futur voyage ou week-end, un aperçu des principaux sites et lieux à visiter dans la région (carte).
La Champagne-Ardenne est l'une des 22 régions de la France métropolitaine. Elle est composée des départements des Ardennes (08), Aube (10), Marne (51), Haute-Marne (52).
1- ARDENNES (08)Abbaye Notre-Dame de Sept-Fontaines : c'est une abbaye du XIIe siècle située à Fagnon.Aouste : petit village connu pour son église fortifiée du XVIIe siècle.Charleville-Mézières : à deux pas de la Belgique, la ville de Rimbaud est aussi la préfecture des Ardennes. Elle possède un assez joli centre-ville.Château de Montcornet : les vestiges d'une forteresse médiévale dans la commune du même nom située au nord du département.Fort des Ayvelles : c'est une forteresse construite en 1876 située à Villers-Semeuse, à la périphérie de Charleville-Mézières.Givet : ville frontalière et port fluvial sur la Meuse, Givet est connue pour abriter le Fort de Charlemenont en partie édifié par Vauban qui domine la petite citée aux ruelles étroites.Mouzon : ville fortifiée avec une abbatiale gothique du XIIe siècle.Rethel : cette sous-préfecture est aussi la troisième ville des Ardennes.Rocroi : grosse bourgade connue pour la bataille qui s'y déroula en 1643. Elle est entourée de fortifications qui lui confèrent un certain charme et en font un des sites les plus visités de la région.Sedan : la ville construite le long de la Meuse abrite une des plus grandes forteresses médiévales d'Europe.Patrimoine naturel
Lac de Bairon : ce lac au sud de Charleville-Mézières est à la fois une petite réserve naturelle et une base nautique de loisirs.Parc naturel régional des Ardennes : c'est le dernier né des parcs français créé fin 2011. Il englobe un quart du département.2- AUBE (10)Abbaye de Clairvaux : abbaye cistercienne du XIIe siècle située à quelques kilomètres à l'est de Troyes sur la commune de Ville-sous-la-Ferté.Château de la Motte-Tilly : joli château du XVIIIe siècle dans la commune du même nom, sur la route de Troyes à Paris.Romilly-sur-Seine : c'est la seconde ville du département.Route des églises à pans de bois du pays du Der : une série d'églises à pan de bois des XV-XVIIIe siècle présentant un ensemble architectural exceptionnel et homogène réparties sur une quinzaine de communes de l'Aube, la Marne et la Haute-Marne.
Troyes : la préfecture de l'Aube, seconde ville de la région après Reims, a un assez joli centre urbain.Patrimoine naturelParc naturel régional de la Forêt d'Orient : en périphérie de Troyes, une zone de forêts et de petits lacs (dont certains aménagés en base nautique comme le Lac d'Orient) dans laquelle on peut se balader ou observer les oiseaux.3- MARNE (51)
Basilique Notre-Dame de L'Epine : belle basilique du XIIe siècle construite dans le petit village de L'Epine, à côté de Châlons.Châlons-en-Champagne : anciennement connue sous le nom de Châlon-sur-Marne cette ville moyenne est préfecture de département et de région. Elle possède un assez joli centre.Epernay : toute l'histoire de la ville est liée au champagne. Logiquement Epernay abrite de nombreuses caves, notamment souterraines, à visiter.Forêt d'Argonne : cette forêt faisant partie de l'Argonne abrite divers témoignages de la Première guerre mondiale lorsque l'endroit fut le théâtre de la Bataille de l'Argonne en 1915.Hautvillers : charmant petit village aux vieilles maisons et petites ruelles au coeur des vignobles de Champagne. C'est dans son église qu'est enterré le moine Dom Pérignon connu des amateurs de champagnes.Mondement-Montgivroux : la minuscule commune abrite le Monument national de la victoire de la Marne, de même qu'un petit musée retraçant cette bataille de la Première guerre mondiale.Reims : la capitale du champagne est la plus grande agglomération de la région. Outre pour ses caves, la ville est reconnue pour son architecture et divers édifices, notamment religieux, qui lui valent d'ailleurs d'être classée au patrimoine mondial de l'UNESCO.Route des églises à pans de bois du pays du Der : une série d'églises à pan de bois des XV-XVIIIe siècle présentant un ensemble architectural exceptionnel et homogène réparties sur une quinzaine de communes de l'Aube, la Marne et la Haute-Marne.Valmy : c'est dans cette commune qu'eu lieu la célèbre bataille de Valmy en 1792. Plusieurs monuments, dont le (faux) moulin, et statues sont là pour rappeler l'événement.Vatry : ce petit village à 150 km à l'est de Paris est désormais connu pour son aéroport "relais" des aéroports parisiens. Il est spécialisé dans le fret (quatrième plate-forme française) auxquels s'ajoutent quelques vols commerciaux.
Patrimoine naturelLac du Der-Chantecoq : au sud-est du département, ce grand lac artificiel sert d'habitat à nombre d'espèces d'oiseaux. Il est également aménagé en base de loisirs (plages, activités nautiques) et est le second site le plus visité du département après Reims.Parc naturel régional de la Montagne de Reims : cette zone semi-naturelle, entre Epernay et Reims, est axée sur la production du champagne qui demeure la thématique de visite du parc. On peut également y randonner.4- HAUTE-MARNE (52)Abbaye de Morimond : une abbaye cistercienne du XIIe siècle à Parnoy-en-Bassigny.Chaumont : c'est la préfecture de la Haute-Marne.Colombey-les-deux-églises : c'est dans ce petit village que vécut longtemps le Général de Gaulle. Un mémorial y a d'ailleurs été inauguré en 2008 à côté de l'immense croix de Lorraine qui domine le bourg.Langres : cette sous-préfecture possède un ensemble de remparts et de tours impressionnants, ainsi qu'une citadelle, qui en font un des endroits les plus visités de la région.Route des églises à pans de bois du pays du Der : une série d'églises à pan de bois des XV-XVIIIe siècle présentant un ensemble architectural exceptionnel et homogène réparties sur une quinzaine de communes de l'Aube, la Marne et la Haute-Marne.Saint-Dizier : une des deux sous-préfectures du département. 5- LE PLUS APPRÉCIÉ...
Ardennes : Givet; Rocroi.
Aube : Parc naturel régional de la Forêt d'Orient.
Je me permets de rajouter à cette liste la route des églises à pans de bois (XVe - XVIIIe). Un ensemble architectural exceptionnel et homogène distribué sur trois départements : Haute-Marne, Marne et Aube. Dans la région du lac du Der.
J'ajoute que j'ai eu un certain mal à retrouver ce fil. Et pour cause, je le cherchais dans la rubrique "Est de la France". J'ignore ce qu'en pensent mes petits camarades mais pour ma part, la région Champagne-Ardenne se situe plus à l'est qu'au nord de la France.
Pour ce qui est de la répartition des régions, on a à l'origine associé la Champagne-Ardenne avec la partie nord de la France pour entre autres équilibrer le nombre de discussions entre zones et augmenter ainsi le Nord/Picardie. Après, effectivement, la Champagne-Ardenne pourrait tout aussi bien trouver sa place avec l'Est.
Mais bon, comme nous le montre l'actualité du moment, le regroupement de régions entre elles n'est pas une mince affaire.
Je viens de Liège et j'aimerais partir dans les Ardennes 1 à 2 nuit pour marcher et dormir en tente (soit n'importe ou, soit en camping). Ainsi j'aurais aimé…
De retour d'un petit voyage dans les ardennes françaises, et bien c'est pas terrible... les gens sont froids, c'est triste, les activités c'est promenade, ou…
J'emmène ma grand-mère (95 ans) en Champagne ce week-end. Initialement, je comptais l'emmener à Épernay puis prendre la route qui traverse la Montagne de Reims…
Possible de suivre le Canal de la Marne entre Chalons-en-Champagne et Saint-Dizier. Sinon, y a t-il un itinéraire alternatif empruntant des routes très peu…
Bonjour,
Ma demande est pour une amie qui habite Munich et qui doit venir à Paris en Mai 2027.
Est-ce que vous auriez des conseils sur le moyen le plus simple pour rejoindre Paris (vol, train)d'une part, et ensuite rejoindre La Défense Arena ?
Je n'y connais absolument rien et mon amie est tout aussi perdue pour préparer son voyage.
Je vous remercie d'avance si vous avez des conseils :-)
Hello,
I’ve visited Corsica several times with our kids, and we loved the warm welcome and friendliness of the locals as we explored many villages. We’re originally from the JURA region.
Now that we’re retired, we’d like to live somewhere between Bastia and Porto-Vecchio.
Which village or town would you recommend for a peaceful and welcoming lifestyle?
We’re planning to spend a few days in Valencia and the surrounding area. Can you recommend the must-see sights?
PS: If you know any great restaurants, we’re all ears!
It’s official: our Lyon weekend is confirmed from June 12th to 14th (girls only, no kids!). Do you have any must-see spots to recommend? Are there any exhibitions happening around that time?
Which places do you suggest for going out and having a good time?
Hi,
Our son, currently in Central America, will board a sailboat on 04/16 to cross the Atlantic. He’s expected to arrive around 05/31 in Port-Saint-Louis-du-Rhône, and we’d like to welcome him on the day he arrives.
I’m looking for accommodation in the area for a few days around that date, from which we can explore the Camargue. We’ll be bringing our e-bikes.
Could you tell me which towns to look in and which areas to avoid, please? I think Port-Saint-Louis isn’t a great option if we want to avoid the toll for the ferry every time we leave by car.
Thanks for your tips.
Claire
PS: Are there a lot of mosquitoes in late May/early June?
Hi everyone! I’m Loubna, I’m Algerian. My friends and I are planning a trip to France, but we don’t know this region at all. Could you help us out? Thanks in advance!
Hi there, I’m facing a pretty big and important dilemma—I moved to Argentina (Buenos Aires) when I was 20, and now, at 30, I’m coming back to France.
I’m looking for a city to live in and build a life for the next several years. I’m a single guy, so that’s the context.
The thing is, I have quite a few strict criteria...
First and foremost, I *need* a city that’s bustling with people everywhere—I really don’t like quiet, small countryside towns.
Nightlife is super important to me, especially on weekends. It’s crucial that there’s a wide range of options for going out in the evening (mostly bars—I’m not really into nightclubs, but I’d like to be one day if possible).
The social aspect is the *most* important thing (honestly, the *only* thing that matters to me). I don’t care at all about living conditions, safety, cleanliness, or whether things work smoothly.
But I *do* need a place where people are generally "chill"—not cold, rigid, or overly professional, with social norms that don’t make my head spin. I know I’ll never find the same Latin vibe here in France, haha, but I’m trying to survive anyway.
In France, I’ve always lived in Essonne (91), around Bures-sur-Yvette / Les Ulis / Gif / Orsay, etc. I *hate* it—way too quiet, empty streets, and zero activities that suit me. There’s not a single proper bar in any of the surrounding towns, just PMU tobacco shops, and nightlife is nonexistent.
I went to Hossegor once with friends—great vibe, nightlife, bars, beach, etc. But I’m guessing it’s *super* expensive to buy a place there, close to the action (and I’m not even sure if it’s a nice place to live overall).
When I came back to France, I spent 3 months in Paris because I thought it would obviously be the closest to what I was looking for. I still have horrible memories of it—it haunted me so much that I had to escape the capital in a hurry... And I was (I think?) in one of the best neighborhoods for my tastes: Belleville.
So here I am, going in circles because I don’t know enough about French cities. All my friends love quiet, small provincial towns or even living alone in the mountains.
A couple told me about Montreuil, but they were there a long time ago, so I don’t know what it’s like now. They said there was activity, that the city was pretty big, and that there was a good nightlife scene (bars, nightclubs, all kinds of outings), plus the metro (which would make it easy to get to Paris or for people to come to Montreuil from Paris).
So, for now, Montreuil is my only option, but I’m scared and would love other opinions (on Montreuil and other possibilities).
Sorry for the novel, but this is *really* important to me—my future depends on it, in a way ^^'
Thanks so much for reading and for any help you can give!
Hello,
At the beginning of June, we’ll be spending a few days in Sardinia. We’ve decided to return via a detour through Corsica and want to make the crossing from Santa Teresa di Gallura to Bonifacio (2 people and 1 car). There are currently two companies, Moby Lines and Ichnusa Lines, that operate this route. Unfortunately, we don’t know either of them at all. The prices and crossing times are pretty much the same, and we’d like to choose the most reliable one (punctuality/risk of cancellation for a booked crossing) and, if possible, the more comfortable of the two. Could you share your thoughts on either company to help us decide? Thanks in advance for your replies.
Have a great day.
I’m thinking about planning several short trips in France outside peak tourist seasons, especially in spring and autumn.
The idea would be to prioritize:
- fewer crowds at tourist sites
- more affordable accommodation prices
- a more local atmosphere
However, I also have some concerns about:
- attractions or restaurants sometimes being closed
- more unpredictable weather depending on the region
- less frequent transportation in certain areas
For those of you who’ve traveled in France off-season before, what do you think were the main pros and cons?
Are there any regions or specific times that are particularly worth prioritizing?
I’m looking for a ski resort in the Massif Central for a family trip—two adults and three kids (ages 4, 5, and 6)—for a week between late February and early March.
The main goal is to introduce my kids to skiing, so I’m looking for a resort that’s really "family-friendly." But honestly, almost every resort (Super-Besse, Mont-Dore, Lioran, etc.) claims to be family-friendly, so I’m not sure which one to choose. Plus, it’s not always easy to check the location of accommodations on booking sites.
For what I have in mind, we don’t need 30 km of slopes. What would be ideal, though, is a resort that’s mostly pedestrian-friendly, with lodging within a reasonable distance from the base of the slopes and a ski school available.
I’ve read some things here about places like "Chalmazel-Jeansagnière," but the thread is a bit old.
Hi,
We’re heading to Corsica at the end of July, and after a 4-night stay in Zonza, I’d like to head toward Cargèse or Porto to visit the Calanques de Piana. What’s the actual travel time? Maps says 2h40/3h, but I’m wondering if that’s really accurate.
How long does it take to get back to Ajaccio Airport afterward?
Thanks!
I’m planning a trip to Normandy and, after reading quite a few posts here, I still have some questions about the most logical order to avoid spending too much time on the road.
The idea is to have a fairly smooth itinerary, taking the time to enjoy the places, over about ten days (possibly a little more), combining the coast and the inland areas.
I’m particularly wondering about:
– The best starting point (starting with Mont-Saint-Michel or saving it for the end)
– The balance between the coastline and more inland areas
– The areas where it’s really worth slowing down the pace
If any of you have done a route that felt particularly coherent, your feedback would really help me fine-tune the planning.
Hi,
I saw that the first tram from Pont du Garigliano leaves at 5:15 AM, and by taking the RER B at Cité Universitaire afterward, I’d arrive at Roissy at 6:30 AM—2 hours before my international flight.
Is this doable, or not? If anyone’s done this before, I’d love to hear about it.
Thanks
Hi there,
We’re about to finalize a booking for late July near the Pink Granite Coast. We’re wondering about the traffic jams that could make our trip miserable, given how famous the place is—we’re excited to see it too. Could it get pretty bad?
Thanks for sharing your experiences.
In June 2020, my wife and I will be visiting Brittany and Normandy. We’d especially love to explore villages that aren’t part of the usual tourist routes. We enjoy traveling off the beaten path.
We’re reaching out to you all to share which villages we should check out in these two regions.
Thanks.
Here’s the account of the start of our 5/7-day trip in Normandy (then off to the neighbors in... Brittany):
Day 01 from Valenciennes to Mont Saint-Michel: Sunday, September 6, 2020.
After a detour through the south of Lille (picking up our son), we head southwest around 10:00 AM, taking the highways via Amiens, the Pont de Normandie, and Avranches to arrive at "the Mount" around 4:00 PM after 515 km.
Parking P3 (14.20 € for 24 hours) for residents and hotels, located 50 meters from the start of the free round-trip shuttle included in the parking price (not too many tourists at this "late" Sunday hour), and we arrive at the hotel around 4:30 PM.
Triple room with a view of the bay at Hôtel Du Guesclin for 1 night.
From 5:15 PM to 6:30 PM, we tackle the complete tour of the ramparts counterclockwise from the Porte de l’Avancée, via the Tour du Nord (near the abbey entrance), passing in front of the abbey to reach the Tour Gabriel, and back to the start: stunning, not crowded, great weather, and amazing views.
Dinner in the beautiful panoramic restaurant of the hotel, with a bay view at a "window" table (such a nice touch!).
Of course, the day isn’t over, and we can then wander through a deserted main street and its unique atmosphere (photos below labeled "night" even though it’s only 9:15/9:30 PM). What a privilege!
Day 02 from Mont Saint-Michel to Saint-Cast: Monday, September 7, 2020.
After a memorable sunrise over the bay and a sit-down breakfast, we climb the steps to the Abbey for our online-reserved time slot (9:30 AM, 11 € per person).
The "masked group" is quite large, though within normal limits, and the one-way Covid-marked route (with a small brochure) prevents crowds. No need to rush, and 1 hour 15 minutes later, we’re done. Sure, it doesn’t have the charm of a guided tour, but we’re not complaining about being there!
We pick up our bags at the hotel, take the shuttle back, grab the car at Parking P3, and head "south" to Dol-de-Bretagne, 26 km/25 minutes away.
Around noon, the small town is very quiet, and parking in front of the Saint-Samson Cathedral** is free. Across the street, the tourist office is generous with info and gives us a great walking map/circuit: Cathedral, a stroll near the ramparts, the historic center** with its typical shopping streets and half-timbered houses, all covered at a leisurely pace in 45 minutes. Then a picnic on-site.
It’s another 50 km/50 minutes to Saint-Cast-le-Guildo and the Armor Conseil agency for the apartment keys (Résidence du Casino, 72 m², 5th floor, 2 bedrooms, beach 20 meters away, insane morning and evening views, bed linen rental at Ohier 50 meters away, Carrefour City supermarket, and a bakery 200 meters away, plus a town center that hasn’t changed much in 25/30 years. Really, really nice.
After settling in, a short walk is a must up to the heights of the Isle neighborhood behind the seaside residence... memories. Strangely, the well-known Crêperie Bretan’Or seems to be closed, as does the venerable Hôtel du Centre et des Plages (formerly "des Voyageurs")??
And for this reunion evening with the resort, a great crêpe/galette dinner at La Régal’ette, just 100 meters away.
Day’s total: 12 km of walking for sightseeing.
I’m traveling alone from my remote Pyrenees home to Roissy Airport, arriving at Austerlitz Station. I’m a bit nervous about getting to the airport—could you suggest a route?
While you’re at it, maybe you could recommend a budget hotel near the airport?
I’m looking into a trip to Paris around mid-February. I’d love to know more about the temperature (weather) in Paris, museum access (closures or anything else), how easy it is to get around on foot (slippery due to ice?), public transport, etc.
Also, are there any events or activities I absolutely shouldn’t miss? I could adjust my dates based on what you know.
On another note, I’d love to catch a hockey game. Are there any around Paris? I’m happy to watch a few games no matter the level 🏒🥅
FYI, I’m not afraid of the cold since I’m from Quebec 😁😆😆🧑🌾
This summer, we’re planning a family trip to Corsica.
We’ve chosen Sari Solenzara because we want to combine: sea, mountain hikes, natural pools, canyoning, and peace and quiet. Does this choice seem like a good one to you?
Second question: which airport should we prioritize to have the easiest roads to access?
Hi everyone,
We’ve wanted to visit Alsace for a long time to see the famous and well-known "Christmas markets."
Apart from the one in Strasbourg, could you give us some tips on other markets (Sélestat, Colmar, Mulhouse)?
Also, any recommendations for hotels, restaurants, or things to see, etc.?
I know my question is a bit "basic," but we really need some expert advice.
Thanks in advance to all.
I’m planning to spend three days in the Annecy region. What would you recommend visiting? Just so you know, I love nature and enjoy walking, but I prefer hikes that aren’t longer than two hours.
We’ll be back from a river cruise with a stop in Strasbourg for just the afternoon and evening. We’d like to spend the afternoon in either Colmar or Kaysersberg and then return to Strasbourg for dinner and a stroll afterward. I’d love your advice on which spot—Colmar or Kaysersberg—you’d recommend. I’ve noticed there’s a bus line 145 that runs from Colmar to Kaysersberg, taking about 40 minutes and costing around 5 €.
Is there a train or another way to get directly from Strasbourg that’s quick and affordable? I think a taxi would be pretty expensive. The issue is we don’t have much time—our flight is the next morning. We’ve already visited Strasbourg, Colmar, Eguisheim, Ribeauvillé, and Riquewihr about 10 years ago and loved them all. Our river cruise covers the Main, Rhine, and Danube.
We’re really looking forward to seeing places in Germany, like Rothenburg ob der Tauber, among others.
My husband, our 1-year-old son, and I have decided to head to southern France in mid-September.
We don’t know the region at all—it’ll be our first time.
We only have 9 days, and we’re really torn between Provence for its gorgeous villages, its "slow" vibe, Provençal markets, flavors, and colors, and the famous French Riviera for its beaches, ports, and because it’s intrigued us for so long.
I found a beautiful place to stay in a *mas*, but it’s not in the region at all (it’s in the Gard).
My husband found a place he really likes in Saint-Aygulf, but before booking, I’m hesitating and wanted to get some advice.
Obviously, with only 9 days, we clearly have to choose. I thought about splitting the trip in two, but that seems like a bad idea for two reasons: first, we’re traveling with a little one, and second, if we spread ourselves too thin, we risk not seeing anything properly.
Since we don’t know the area at all, I’m worried the coastline might be too built-up with big buildings, etc., like Lloret de Mar (no offense to anyone who loves it—it’s just not what we’re looking for).
Anyway… what would you recommend for a first 9-day trip to the south?
Hi
Does anyone know a reliable and affordable shuttle service from Roissy airport to Lille train station?
I know there are TGVs, but we’d like to avoid a long wait at Roissy station.
Thanks in advance for your tips!
BD
Hi there,
We’re heading to Forcalquier as a couple and would love to explore the Valensole area, including the Verdon Gorge, etc. We’ll be there for 5 days, so I’d like to put together a little rundown of things to see, plus the best tips—what to avoid, what to recommend, restaurants, and so on.
Thanks so much!
Hi everyone, after a stay in the South and one in the North, I’m planning a mini road trip in Corsica (Bastia-Bastia) in June to explore places I haven’t seen yet. Since we’re heading to the mountains later this year, we’ve deliberately skipped the Corsican mountains. Could you share your thoughts and, most importantly, suggest things to see? We love nature, reasonable hikes, peaceful spots, and small villages. No cities. No boat excursions (yes, that includes Piana and Scandola). We already know the area between Bastia and Calvi.
June 7
Flight arrival in Bastia and night at the hotel
June 8
Drive to Calvi (beach and/or fortress)
Meal at Les Boucaniers restaurant
Night in Calvi
June 9
Walk from Calvi fortress to Alga beach
Charcuterie platter at A Casetta Calvi
Night in Calvi
June 10
Drive from Calvi to Piana
Buvette du col de la Croix and visit the orientation table
Chemin des muletiers (Muleteers’ Path)
Or
Sentier de la source des roches bleues (Blue Rocks Spring Trail) counterclockwise
Or (less scenic) Tête du chien (Dog’s Head, starting at the parking lot)
Dinner at Épicerie Castellani in Piana
Night in Piana
June 11
Drive from Piana to Propriano
Arone beach and meal at Le Café de la plage
Drive along the coast, stopping wherever we like
Night in Propriano
June 12
Hike starting from Campomoro in the Jardin du Vent (Wind Garden), and visit the Genoese tower of Campomoro
Meal in Campomoro: restaurant Chez Pierre Paul U spuntinu
Night in Propriano
June 13
Around Propriano (avoid Capu Laurosu beach—sewage treatment plant...)
Night in Propriano
June 14
Drive from Propriano to Bastia airport
Meal at L’Éternisula in Zonza
Aiguilles de Bavella (Hole of the Bomb)
Night at the same hotel as arrival
Hi everyone,
I’m spending two days in Lille. Any places you’d recommend? I was thinking of visiting Vieux Lille, which I’ve been told about.
Would you have any shops, museums, or typical restaurants to suggest for a great time?
