Why choose the Ardennes for a camping holiday?
A nature destination for a camping holiday
On the border with Belgium, the Ardennes offer a different side to the Grand Est region. Here, vast forests, steep-sided valleys and the meandering Meuse River create landscapes perfect for unwinding. This destination appeals to outdoor enthusiasts as much as to history buffs, with its citadels, charming villages and unspoilt natural sites.
Staying at a campsite in the Ardennes allows you to make the most of this natural setting. Hiking, cycling, canoeing and kayaking, swimming or simply strolling along the water’s edge fill your days, whilst the many natural areas invite you to take your time. Combining cultural discoveries with immersion in nature, the Ardennes are an ideal destination for a holiday in the countryside with family, as a couple or with friends.
Which campsite should you choose in the Ardennes?
There are over twenty campsites waiting for you in the Ardennes, close to the forests, valleys and wide open spaces that give the region its charm. These sites are an ideal base for exploring the main tourist attractions, enjoying outdoor activities or simply making the most of a peaceful break. Among them, the 4-star Lac des Vieilles Forges campsite in Les Mazures offers accommodation just a stone’s throw from one of the Ardennes’ most popular leisure destinations.
Things to do in the Ardennes: hiking, cycling and outdoor activities
The Ardennes are particularly well-suited to active holidays in the heart of a preserved natural environment. With deep forests, steep-sided valleys and winding rivers, the region offers a wide variety of landscapes to explore at your own pace.
Hiking in the heart of the Ardennes forests
With several thousand kilometres of marked trails, the Ardennes are an ideal destination for hiking. The routes allow you to traverse deep forests, follow ridgelines or reach remarkable viewpoints over the valleys of the Meuse and Semoy rivers.
Some routes, suitable for families, offer short loops starting from villages, whilst others are aimed at more experienced walkers seeking elevation and unobstructed views. The Ardennes Regional Nature Park encompasses a large proportion of these routes and guarantees a preserved natural environment.
Cycling and the Trans-Ardennes Greenway
The Ardennes are also a popular destination for cyclists thanks to the Trans-Ardennes Greenway. This safe route follows the course of the Meuse for much of its length and connects several of the department’s iconic towns and villages.
Easy and accessible, this route is suitable for families and cycle tourists alike. It allows you to discover the valley’s landscapes at a leisurely pace, amidst wooded cliffs, locks and charming little towns. Many sections can be covered in half a day or over several days.
Swimming, canoeing and water sports
Rivers and lakes round off the range of outdoor leisure activities. The Meuse and Semoy are particularly well suited to canoeing and kayaking, offering descents punctuated by natural landscapes and wilder stretches.
Lac des Vieilles-Forges, meanwhile, is one of the department’s main sites for swimming and water sports. In season, it offers well-equipped beaches, supervised swimming areas and a range of activities such as stand-up paddleboarding, pedalos and sailing. Discover all the swimming spots in the Ardennes, and enjoy a relaxing, refreshing day by the water, surrounded by nature.
With its rivers, lakes and unspoilt natural areas, the Ardennes is the perfect destination for lovers of the great outdoors and outdoor leisure activities.
Discover the Ardennes during your camping holiday
Charleville-Mézières, the capital of the Ardennes
Founded in the 17th century by Charles de Gonzague, Charleville-Mézières is known for its elegant Place Ducale, often compared to Paris’s Place des Vosges. Lined with arcades and pale stone façades, it forms the historic heart of the town and hosts numerous events throughout the year.
The town is also inextricably linked to the poet Arthur Rimbaud, who was born here in 1854. The museum dedicated to him offers an insight into his work and life. The banks of the Meuse, the green spaces and the shopping streets provide a pleasant setting for an urban stroll before returning to the tranquillity of your campsite.
Sedan and its impressive fortified castle
It is impossible to mention the Ardennes without talking about Sedan and its fortified castle, considered one of the largest in Europe. With its massive ramparts, inner courtyards and numerous visitor areas, the fortress bears witness to several centuries of military history.
Around the castle, the town centre is easy to explore on foot. Visitors can stroll through the old streets, enjoy the banks of the Meuse or take part in the many events organised around the monument. Every year, the famous Sedan Medieval Festival plunges the town back into the atmosphere of the Middle Ages.
The Semoy Valley, a microcosm of Ardennes nature
A tributary of the Meuse, the Semoy winds its way through some of the department’s most iconic landscapes. Between Monthermé, Tournavaux and Les Hautes-Rivières, the river flows through deep forests, steep slopes and charming villages.
This area is particularly popular with hikers, anglers and canoeists. Numerous vantage points offer views of the valley’s meandering course and the wooded hills for which the Ardennes is renowned. For those seeking peace and quiet and wide open spaces, this is one of the region’s most appealing areas.
Lake Vieilles-Forges, a destination for relaxation and leisure
Set in unspoilt woodland, the Lake Vieilles-Forges is one of the Ardennes’ main leisure destinations. Its lake, covering several hundred hectares, is the setting for a wide range of water sports during the summer months: sailing, stand-up paddleboarding, pedalos and swimming at the designated beaches.
The lake’s surroundings are also ideal for walks and family activities. Several footpaths allow you to walk around the lake or head into the neighbouring forests. This combination of nature, relaxation and leisure makes it an unmissable stop during a stay in the Ardennes.