From Pont à Bar: Ardennes & River Meuse cruise

The Ardennes forest is home to a wide variety of wildlife. Roe and red deer, wild boar, and some very rare birds can be found alongside a range of flora that is just as surprising in its protected marshland. Here you can still find carnivorous plants and a superb orchid. As you follow the Meuse, you will encounter its delightfully crazy meanderings that will finally lead you to Charleville-Mézières, birthplace of the poet Arthur Rimbaud. The famous Place Ducale is a jewel of Renaissance architecture, whilst the Basilica of Notre Dame swings between that same style and Flamboyant Gothic. Among the delights of the Basilica of Notre-Dame d’Espérance are the little back streets that surround it. Deeper into the Ardennes, there are delightful towns such as Fumay and Givet, known for their sausages. With its 650 km of cruising waterway, the Champagne Ardennes region offers tremendous diversity and variety.

The beautifully forested area of the Ardenne has captivated Europeans for centuries. After all, it is one of the last truly untouched patches of woodland in western Europe, punctuated only by the odd acre of farmland. The woodland that stands close to the Meuse is home to a variety of wildlife, including roe deer and wild boar, only adding to the magical woodland feel of this part of northern France.

To explore this picturesque region by boat is to immerse yourself entirely in the sights and smells of the Ardenne and its surrounding landscape. The best place to start a Meuse river cruise is from the small riverside commune town of Pont à Bar.

Pont à Bar gives holidaymakers the chance to explore north deeper into the Belgian forests of the Ardenne or south into France’s Grand Est and Lorraine regions. Locaboat’s base at Pont à Bar allows boaters to fly into Metz and Reims, not too far away, making it an excellent River Meuse port to begin from.

Both of these routes offer their own delights and interests, whether that be the simple joy of rare bird watching, deer spotting or the tranquillity of the woodland river routes in the Meuse valley. Alternatively, opt for a moving visit to some of France’s most infamous First World War battlegrounds around Verdun or simply soak up the many villages that stand along the Meuse; the choice is yours.

On leaving Pont à Bar, you can take your canal boat and begin your River Meuse cruise by heading southeast, towards the town of Sedan. Officially listed as a town of art and history, Sedan truly lives up to this reputation. Protected by this official status, building and modern development in Sedan are strictly controlled, allowing its idyllic and historic surroundings to be preserved for generations to come.

One of Sedan’s most famous historic monuments is its 15th-century medieval castle, a sight that dominates the town. Covering more than seven acres, Sedan castle is one the largest fortified chateaux in all of Europe and is a must-see when in the town.

Apart from the castle, the historical centre of Sedan has been preserved beautifully, and with a range of townhouses, cafes and restaurants, its centre is a fantastic place to stop for a bite to eat or drink, watching the world go by.

Following your canal boat hire through France, you will pass on from Sedan and back on the open waterways. The first commune town you will arrive at after Sedan is the town of Mouzon. Mouzon is an idyllic riverside town that looks as though it has fallen straight out of a postcard picture and its rich architecture and winding streets invite you in to explore on foot some more. Standing in the centre of town is the awe-inspiring 13th-century Gothic abbey church. With delicately carved facades and jaw-dropping interior, the church is truly a sight to behold.

Following the winding course of the River Meuse south, you will pass by small idyllic villages, rolling farmland and wooded copses on the river banks, eventually arriving in the small city of Verdun. It’s hard to imagine that this paradise of rivers and farmland was once the site of the longest battle of the First World War and one of the costliest in military history.

Throughout 1916, over one hundred years ago, the bastion town of Verdun and its surrounding area became a killing field of destruction as the armies of France and Germany battled it out, turning the land into a lunar landscape and costing the lives of over 300,000 men, with hundreds of thousands more wounded.

Now covered in rolling farmland forest of trees, it’s hard to believe the number of artillery shells, bullets and human remains that still litter the area around Verdun. As a visitor, you can walk the battlefields, visit the cemeteries and try to square the beautiful countryside you see before you with the horrors that took place here over one hundred years ago.

The Verdun memorial and the remains of Deumamont fort are some of the more interesting places to visit around Verdun, giving you an insight into the battle fort here. Apart from its place in French military history, Verdun is also a modern city with its own series of attractions. If military history isn’t quite your thing, Verdun offers a range of attractions, including the city’s numerous cafes, bistros and delicatessens selling the famous Verdun Braquier sugared almonds.

Aside from travelling south along the Canal des Ardennes and Meuse River to the south, you can also trundle north through the Meuse River valley and cross over the French - Belgian border. Before you arrive at such an international point, there is plenty to pleasantly distract you along the French waterways. Leaving the Locaboat base at Pont à Bar you can take your boat a little further north until you enter the commune town of Charleville-Mézières. Entering such a beautiful town through its waterways is a whole different experience, and it’s this that makes boating holidays in France that extra bit special.

The small town of Charleville-Mézières is renowned for a few different things. First off, Charleville-Mézières is the headquarters for the International Puppetry Association and holds an International Puppet Festival here every three years.

Aside from its association with puppetry, Charleville-Mézières is also the birthplace of French poet Arthur Rimbaud. You’ll find a museum in town dedicated to the man himself which gives you a glimpse into his life and works – a must-see for any fan of literature and poetry.

Walking through town, you will also come across a beautifully constructed church, the Notre-Dame d’Espérance. A perfect example of Catholic architecture, the church is home to an array of stained glass and carved facades, making it a must-see when in the town. Step out the church and into the equally jaw-dropping Panorama of Place Ducale – a delectable square of buildings and cobbled courtyards, just what you want out of a Franco exploration.

Passing further north out of Charleville-Mézières, you will come to a bend in the Muse and arrive in the idyllic town of Revin. Revin is home to many delightful sights, making it an almost cliche of a picturesque riverside town, something that only endears visitors to the town. The one building that really personifies this old-world picturesque commune town is the building known as the Spanish House of Revin.

Constructed in the early 16th century, this house has stood for over five hundred years and has lived to tell the tale. From chunky crossbeams and Turdoresuqe facade, this building is really a time capsule of medieval Revlin and now houses the town’ museum.

After getting your fill of the charming riverside commune of Revin, you should follow the river north, edging ever closer to the border. Before you arrive on Belgian soil, or water, to be more precise, boaters should not bypass the village of Fumay. Known as a slate village, Fumay was a huge slate quarrying village; now it remains elegantly untouched by industry and is renowned for its local delicacy of white pudding.

Arriving at the final French stop of Givet, you might want to explore this last bit of La République Française before heading over the border. Givet is dominated by the fortress of Charlemont, a 16th-century castle of awe-inspiring proportions, similar to that of Carcassonne on the Canal du Midi. Aside from its heretical buildings, a quick delve into the town will reveal a plethora of attractions including the famous Onion Fair.

Flowing ever northwards on its way to the north sea, the Meuse River takes its cruisers over the French borders and into Belgium. The first of the Belgian towns worth stopping off in is the town of Dinant. When you take your Dinant boat through town, you’ll notice that this is a popular destination for fellow boaters. In fact, you can even hire a Dinant boat rental to explore the upper Meuse valley in all of its glory.

Surrounded by high cliffed banks, it is no surprise that an expansive cave system was discovered here in the early 20th century. Now known as the Grotte la Merveilleuse, these caves are worth exploring. The multi-coloured stalactites that hang from the grotto walls give the Grotte la Merveilleuse an otherworldly and magical feel.

Emerging from the dark, you may wish to do something a bit more freeing and illuminating; this is where the Parc de Furfooz comes in. This nature reserve is full of meadows, nature walks, forests and Palaeolithic walkways – a real adventure for any nature lovers!

Your final Belgian destination on the upper Meuse valley is the city of Namur, the capital of the Wallonia region of Belgium. Namur boats and Namur boat rentals are also popular in the city, making it a great place to start and end your River Meuse Cruise. If you are not all castled- and cathedraled-out, Namur is most famous for its UNESCO St Aubin’s Cathedral and citadel and is well worth a visit when in the town.