For a weekend, Anne and Alexandre chose Charleville-Mézières, labeled "City of Art and History". Less than two hours from Paris, they hope to take a green, cultural and beneficial break there.
The city at the right tempo, 48 hours flat
Over the space of two days, Anne and Alexandre discover the many facets of the capital of the Ardennes, birthplace of the poet Arthur Rimbaud et puppets. From Ducal Square gem of 17e century, to the medieval ramparts of Mézières: a walk punctuated by many surprises.
Saturday
- 9h30 : Coming from Paris and after 1h37 by TGV, Anne and Alexandre arrive directly in the heart of Charleville-Mézières, ideal city wanted and founded by Charles de Gonzague in 1606.
- 10h00 : Unavoidable, Place Ducale, twin sister of Place des Vosges, is the beating heart of the city. Cafés, shops, restaurants and tourist information point.
David Truillard
- 11h00 : Delighted, they discover in a pavilion of the Place Ducale the magnificent Ardennes Museum. This stone and glass setting is home to 2000 years of local history, from Roman times to the present day. Unusual, the sight of the Grand Puppeteer encourages them to go out to discover this automaton, symbol of world capital of puppet theaters.
David Truillard
Hildelenaerts
- 12h30 : Past the amazing building of National School of Puppetry Arts, Anne and Alexandre roam the pedestrian streets, once taken by Rimbaud, born at 12 rue Napoléon (today rue Bérégovoy).
- 12h45 : Special regional lunch break. White sausage, fresh vegetables, local beer. And for dessert: a carolo of course.
David Truillard
- 15h00 : Direction Mézières via Cours Briand and Avenue d'Arches for a guided tour of the medieval part and a walk on the ramparts. Defended in its time by the Chevalier Bayard and deeply marked by the wars of 1870 to 1945, this district conceals little-known treasures. Our young couple discovered the magnificent Notre-Dame d'Espérance basilica, famous for its contemporary stained glass windows by René Dürrbach, a disciple of Picasso.
David Truillard
- 19h00 : Back in Charlestown as Rimbaud called it, tasting of local dishes (wild boar terrine, bacon salad, bare ass fuck, sugar cake and other calf cake), then a digestive walk to Mont-Olympe before returning to Place Ducale to enjoy the summer atmosphere of the square.
Sunday
- 9h00 : Already Sunday and so many things to do. On the advice of their hotelier, Anne and Alexandre rent bicycles to follow the Rimbaud circuit: square de la gare, old college, cemetery...
Gerard Antonetti
David Truillard
- 10h30 : The yellow stones of Old mill housing the Rimbaud Museum shine in the sun. Inside, the experience is intense in front of the originals of the room of manuscripts. As they leave, Anne and Alexandre cross the street and discover the House of Elsewhere (labeled "Maison des Illustres") which evokes the poet's travels and where Rimbaud lived as a child.
- 12h30 : This afternoon, it will be a picnic. The young couple pedals on the Greenway from Montcy-Notre-Dame in search of a haven of peace. Along the river, Anne and Alexandre discover magnificent landscapes and take a deep breath of fresh air. They enjoy it until late afternoon before going to dinner in one of the many restaurants in the city center.
Pierre Defontaine
- 21h00 : Anne and Alexandre have chosen to take the last train to prolong the pleasure. Charmed by the authenticity and beauty of the place, they promise to come back.
Article taken from the magazine of the Tourist Development Agency "Ardennes Inspirations" and recomposed for the web.
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