Embark on a beautiful bike tour along the Maas river in France and Belgium! Following the “Voie Verte” and the “Voie Ravel” from Haybes-sur-Meuse to Charleville-Mézières, discover lush green landscapes, picturesque towns and some of France’s most beautiful cycling paths.
Discover the magical Ardennes, land of light and shade, clear blue skies and lush green valleys! This self-guided bike tour on the Voie Verte, France's “green trail”, and Belgium's Voie Ravel will take you from Haybes-sur-Meuse to Charleville-Mézières. Rolling hills and gentle river banks will guide your way, making for an easy yet fascinating itinerary. Take a break, get away from it all, and explore a whole new world of rivers, hills and nature galore!
Day 1: Arrival in Haybes-sur-Meuse
After your arrival in Haybes-sur-Meuse, your host will welcome you at the guesthouse. Dinner in a restaurant near the accommodation.
Day 2: Haybes – Givet – Nismes
On the Voie Verte, the Green Way, you will cycle to Givet, where you will have a break in order to visit the city and the fortification Charlemont. This one is named after King Charles V, the Holy Roman Emperor, who built it in 1555 in order to protect the region against the French army. Participants will continue to Nismes on ancient railway tracks, a small, lively Belgian city, where they will spend the night.
Distance: approx. 55 km / 34 mi
Day 3: Nismes – Rocroi
Today's stage leads participants to Rocroi on the Voie Ravel. Before the dinner at the hotel in Rocroi, they have the possibility to take part in an individual city visit. Discover the biggest fort in Europe with its museum and its fortifications form the 16th century.
Distance: approx. 22 km / 13.5 mi
Day 4: Rocroi – Signy l'Abbaye
Along the streets of the fortified churches of the Thiérache, participants will have a look at impressive architecture. They will also have the possibility to visit the old town centre of Signy l'Abbaye before having dinner at the hotel.
Distance: approx. 35 km / 21.7 mi
Day 5: Signy l'Abbaye- Charleville-Mezières
On small side roads, participants will cycle over green hills and by bucolic villages and landscapes. Traffic is sparse here. On the way, they will visit the Ferme-Auberge du Gironval and taste the owner's homemade Cidre. At the leg's final destination, Charleville-Mézières, participants may see the annaul Festival International des Marionnettes (Next festival: 20-29 September 2019).
Distance: approx. 32 km / 20 mi
Day 6: Charleville-Mezières – Haybes
Make use of the morning to go discover Charleville-Mezières, where Rimbaud lived from 1869. You could visit the Rimbaud Museum and the Maison des ailleurs (House of the others) and have a look around. Learn about his trips from Aden to Port-Said. You should also not forget the Place Ducale, one of the most beautiful squares in northern Europe, and the Horloge du Grand Marionnettiste, an enormous fantastic clockwork. Finally, they leave the town and follow the Meuse river on the Green Way back to Haybes.
Distance: approx. 55 km / 34 mi
Day 7: Departure
After breakfast, participants will return their bikes before departing.
For more information you can request our detailed information sheet via email. Please indicate which tour you are interested in.
Indicated pricing per person in double room occupancy
Daily departure upon request between April and October.
Our bike tour starts and ends in Haybes sur Meuse.
Please fill out our enquiry form indicating the number of your party and your preferred travel dates.
Price includes:
6 nights in double bedroom in selected guest houses (B&B and 3 star hotels) with half board, luggage transfer, detailed route description and our mobile GPS-app (the app serves as a travel companion), visitor's tax.
Optional:
Equipped rental bikes: touring bike: €115 for 6 days/ touring bike – E-Bike : €199 for 6 days included delivery and collection at the first accommodation in Haybes sur Meuse.
You may order a cold lunch every day at the accommodation, payable on the spot.
Bookings from 2 persons
Not accessible to persons with reduced mobility.
Last possibility of cancellation from the tour operator: 21 days before the beginning of the trip
Participants spend their nights in comfortable guesthouses and 3-star hotels with private bathroom and WC. Delicious french cuisine!
Next the World Puppet Theatre Festival will take place from 17 to 26 September 2021 in Charleville-Mézières, yet another good reason to discover this beautiful green region of northern France.
Suitable for anyone who rides bikes regularly. There are some mild ascents. The route follows the riverbanks of the Meuse river.
Participants may rent an e-bike. Bicycles will be delivered and collected at the first accommodation.
Distance: between 22 and 55km (13.6 to 34mi) a day on country and forest roads with very little traffic, with the exception of Charleville.
We recommend an eco-friendly train ride to Charleville-Mézières. There, you can take the regional train to Haybes-sur-Meuse.