Les Cabanes au Bois d'Orient: Nature and Discovery

Circuit des 3 lacs de la Forêt d'Orient "“ 73 km "“ very easy level. To see during your trip: the lakes of the Orient Forest, the cycle track of the Orient Forest lakes, Mesnil-Saint-Père : Espace faune of the Orient Forest, the market hall of Dienville.

La Forêt de Larivour - 2h40 - easy level. Many viewing points of the Orient's Lake. Nearby: automate museum in Lusigny-sur-Barse, timber-frame church of Chauffour-les-Bailly.

Les portes de la Forêt d'Orient "“ 69 km "“ easy level. To see during your trip: Vendeuvre-sur-Barse, Timber-frame church of Chauffour-les-Bailly, Points of view along the walk, Educational farm in Champ-sur-Barse. Nearby : the lakes of the Orient Forest

La Forêt du Grand-Orient - 2h20min - easy level. To see during your trip: The Maison du Parc. Nearby: Orient and Temple's lakes, Mesnil Saint-Père, potterie of Amance.

La Seine de Troyes à la Côte des Bar "“ 77 km "“ easy level. To see during your trip: the church 3 sanctuaries of Isle-Aumont, Bar-sur-Seine and its church, the commanderie of Avalleur, the Valley of the Seine, the canoe center of Chappes, the manor of Rumilly les Vaudes.

La Forêt du Petit-Orient - 3h30 - mean level. To see during your trip: views of the Temple's Lake and ponds. Nearby: golf of Rouilly-Sacey, Piney's hall, timber-frame church of Lesmont.

The winemaker's way - duration: 3h30 - marking: white and yellow - mean level. To see during your trip: Orientation table. Nearby: Valley of Ource, Renoir's workshop and cimetery where is buried the painter in Essoyes, Renaissance house / the church and the tower of the clock in Ber-sur-Seine, Commanderie templière of Avalleur in Bar-sur-Seine.

Les balcons du Parc "“ 63 km "“ easy level.To see during your trip: the market hall in Piney, Viewing point of Villehardouin, the Windmill's Dosches, the wash house of Rosnon in Dosches, the ornithological watching of Géraudot.

A hotel with 27 rooms, labelled "Hôtel Elégance", ideally located in the heart of the medieval town! The Cesar Hotel is a hotel, with the French label "Hôtel Elégance". The 27 rooms have been designed by the talented decorator Laurence Maugoust. You will be enchanted by its contemporary elegance and its "nods" to the Middle Ages, without forgetting the quality of its bedding, its wellness area, its lounge bar, its seminar room, its landscaped terrace... and its welcome! From your windows you can admire the detail and Holy Cross church of the 12th century, or watch the city dominated by the Cesar Tower and the Saint Quiriace church, two unforgettable postcards of Provins. The César Hotel is a 2-minute walk from many restaurants and offers a snack menu at the hotel's Buzz Bar.

Provins the mysterious... Come and discover the most mysterious places in the medieval town of Provins! The first purpose of the underground galeries was the explotation of materials for the drapera industry of Provins. Then, they served many others: a shelter, a warehouse, a cave and even a gathering place for occults, as numerous symboles and old writings can witness. Regular guided departures in groups of 25 people maximum, for reasons of security and preservation of the site. Our advice: as the monument is in great demand, we recommend you to book your tour time in advance by phone.

Take an immersive audio tour of Provins' iconic 12th-century keep! Located at the top of the rocky spur, the Tower protects the former county palace and dominates the Châtel and the Val. A true symbol of power for the counts of Champagne, this tower has many purposes: a watchtower, a prison, a bell tower... An immersive audio tour! The model, the pâté aux Anglais, the dungeons, the guards' room, the Governor's room, the wall walk, the roof structure, the lower room... young and old alike will be transported back through the centuries by the captivating tales of the two narrators! At the top of the Tower, you could have a overview of the city ! How does it work? It's so easy to use, all you have to do is scan the QR Code and let yourself be guided! The 10 commentaries will be triggered automatically by wifi sensors. Total duration: 25 min. Our advice: - Don't hesitate to download the application before you come. - To make your visit as comfortable as possible, don't forget your headphones. Pay-per-use headphones will be available at the reception desk.

Audio guided visit of a merchant and medieval crafts exhibition. This former merchant house from the 13th century was used as an indoor fair during the fairs of Champagne, and then as a warehouse for the tithe from the 14th century onwards. This monument has a sophisticated architecture with vaulted halls and capitals. Nowadays, it houses a lively exhibition thanks to the scenography with main crafts and merchants from the Middle Ages.

Welcome to the Ibis Provins Hotel***! Located at the entrance of Provins, the Ibis Provins Hotel*** has been completely renovated. There is no need to take the car again, as it is close to the historical monuments and activities of the medieval city, which is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It offers a wide range of facilities and is ideal for a family or business stay thanks to the fully-equipped, modular and day-lit 50m² meeting room.

Welcome to the Tourist Office of Provins and its region! The Tourist Office of Provins Tourisme proposes numerous services ! t has a large parking lot (paying in high season and free in low season) and motorcycle parking, a welcome area with sheltered picnic area and adventure playground for children, camper area and toilets. Our tourist agents can provide you with information about all tours and activities to do in the region: Provinois and the Bassée-Montois. They will offer you the "Visitor's Guide" to take well profit of your stay! On the spot: souvenir shop, Pass Card sales, rental of electric VTT and VTC bikes, post office and , tourist train stop, and departure for guided tour during the high season to discover the medieval town of Provins.

Provins, UNESCO’s World Heritage List! Located 1 hour from Paris in Seine-et-Marne, discover this medieval town offering visits, historical shows & great events... to go back to the Middle Ages! Inscribed on the UNESCO’s World Heritage List on December 2001, Provins is today a wonderfully preserved medieval town. During the 12th and 13th centuries, Provins is at the height of its fame thanks to the famous Trade Fairs of Champagne. The urban structure is organised to accommodate the great number of wholesalers: the wide streets for the transfer of goods and for the stalls, the three level merchant’s houses with sumptuous vaulted low rooms... The presence of water (Durteint and Voulzie rivers) favours also the economic activities and the expansion of many trades such as the woollen cloth manufacturer, the parchment maker, butcher, etc... The impressive fortified wall was built during the 13th century and extended for 5 km (today 1,2 km), and it offers a catalogue of military architecture. Those ramparts protected the inhabitants and the tradespeople, and showed off the power of the Earls of Champagne. Exceptional monuments to visit all year round: > the superb keep of the Cesar Tower with its different rooms and a panoramic view from the top floor, > the Grange aux dîmes (tithe barn), a typical medieval house with an exhibition of merchants and craftsmen of the time to discover with an audio-guided tour available in French, English, German, Spanish and Chinese, > the Museum of Provins and the Provinois, located in one of the oldest houses of Provins, and presenting unique collections since prehistory, > the thousand-year-old and majestic Saint-Ayoul Priory, recently restored, to be visited with an audio guide, Amazing shows of chivalry and falconry, "The Legend of the Knights" and "The Eagles of the Ramparts", will take visitors into the heart of history every day from the end of March to All Saints' Day. Not forgetting the little train, the Provins Rose Garden, guided tours, rental of electric bikes, hiking, major events, and a whole region to discover to prolong the pleasure and the experience, to live with family or friends! Pass Cards formulas allow you to visit the monuments and to benefit from reduced rates for other activities. The Tourist Office team will be happy to offer you the "Visitor's Guide", a very complete brochure to enjoy your stay...

Live the adventure of Ferra Botanica, an electric-assisted railbike in a protected green space! Bike + Rails + Fun + Nature = Ferra Botanica! With family or friends, set off to discover an astonishing 13 km route (round trip) aboard your rail bike! Ferra Botanica is the successful marriage of bicycle and train, of Man and Nature for an experience rich in emotion! Pedal at your own pace thanks to the electric assistance, on a straight, flat route without much difficulty. Ferra Botanica is a fun outdoor activity, in the heart of the Sensitive Natural Area of ​​Val du Haut Morin, where, here and there, poetic and intriguing installations appear on the theme of plants and animals. Arts lovers will appreciate this aesthetic scenography for an enchanted interlude! How it works ? Each rail bike can accommodate 2 to 5 people, beyond that, you will need to rent another one. Only 2 people are pedaling, but nothing prevents changing teams between the outward journey and the return journey. Departure by small train from the La Ferté-Gaucher Tourist Office, which will take you directly to the site. (supplement of 2€ per person) The different formulas by reservation only (48 hours in advance): > Ardoise Fertoise: from €15: aperitif formula with local products, from homemade foie gras to sausage or ham on the bone (depending on availability) which will delight gourmets and discerning palates! > Farm Plate: from €15: picnic package offering the best products from our farms with raw vegetables, free-range chicken fillet and seasonal dessert. > Vegetarian Plate: from €15: picnic formula offering the best products from our farms with raw vegetables and mixed salad and seasonal dessert. > Sandwich formula: from €10: different types of sandwich are offered (buttered ham, raw chicken, tuna mayonnaise, Brie de Meaux) and seasonal dessert. On-site services: shop and sale of local products, relaxation and picnic area, water points and WC.

Saint-Martin Church is located in the heart of the village of Egreville. It is built on the foundations and some walls of an earlier chapel that disappeared in a large fire in the 13th century. It was damaged during the hundred-year war and rebuilt in the 15th century. The belfry that served as a watchtower is attached to the church in the sixteenth century and becomes its main entrance. The arrow is added in the seventeenth.

The covered market replaces the one that disappeared in the fire of 1282 at the end of the 15th century. It was modified in the 17th century to stabilize it. A span was removed to build a hard limestone gable. The weekly market is always there. As well as the traditional fat poultry fair (it has existed for more than 90 years) which takes place on the second Saturday of December each year.

By the 40th day after mobilisation the German High Command expected to have brought the French and British armies to a decisive battle and destroyed them. This conclusion to Schlieffen’s famous Plan relied on the Russians taking at least this length of time to mobilise via their poor railway system. The BEF played a small but significant part in the battle of the Marne even though Field Marshall French had seriously contemplated removing his men from the action to reform and rest. However, this major battle was largely won through the determination and courage of the French soldiers and their leaders. The French snatched a conclusive victory from what looked like an imminent defeat. The German High Command failed in its attempt to capture Paris and force the French government to capitulate. The ‘race to the sea’ now followed, in which the Allies and Central Powers atempted to outflank each other. The line of trenches was then settled from the North Sea to Switzerland. The Allies and the Central Powers now knew that the war would continue far longer than they had thought. The next few years would be spent in learning how to fight a new kind of war with new weapons in the air and on the ground. The price of this process would be paid in blood.

Lac du Der is a natural area of national and international importance, where more than 310 species of birds can be observed throughout the year, depending on the migration season. Located opposite the lake, the Chantecoq observatory is the largest of the Lac du Der observatories. It is the largest of the observatories on Lac du Der, offering early-morning viewing of Sandhill Cranes during the migration period (October to March). Birdwatching guides are available to help you discover this incredible wildlife.

At the Village Musée du Der, you can discover the incredible story of the three villages that disappeared to make way for the construction of Lac du Der (the largest artificial lake in Europe). Several typical buildings were saved from destruction or drowning and rebuilt on the museum site: the church in Nuisement-aux-Bois, the Blacksmith's House, the dovecote, etc.

In the 16th century, the aristocracy of the Duchy of Bar owned country-châteaux in the "Vallée de la Saulx", a few miles away from Bar-le-Duc. In 1506, Pierre Merlin, auditor of the Duke of Bar, had his castle built in Haironville. The general architecture of the castle de la Varenne is sober, the proportions very harmonious. The pigeon-house, a royal privilege, ends the left wing, proud of its 3000 pigeeon-holes. In the main hall, both the magnificent and rare Renaissance stone panelled ceiling and the 18th century main staircase are vivid witnesses of the history of la Varenne. The grounds, surrounded by the river "la Saulx", include a terrace in the French style and a romantic park with remarkable trees.

Considering the age of the plantations, one can come to the conclusion that the park has been designed around 1880, probably by the great-great grandfather of the actual owners... It is hard to imagine the gardens of Pierre Merlin, when he lived there, at the turn of the 16th century ! We only own a fairly simple plan of the gardens, dated 1793 : the terrace was then divided into four grass-plots, which became in the 19th century one single grass-plot, surrounded by a box rim; The grounds show definitely two different approaches : the terrace "à la française" and the park itselsf, a vast meadow dotted by distant clumps of trees, as far as one can see... A romantic walk along the shaded banks of the river Saulx, stone benches now and then, allowing some rest and gorgeous points of view on the castle, the river ot the 17th century stone bridge of the village : all is combined to gratify the visitors.

Built in a courtyard adjoining the cloister, protected from the frost and the wind, the "jardin des simples" has been designed according to typical abbey gardens : medicinal and aromatic plants.

12th-century Premonstratensian abbey rebuilt in the 18th century in Stainville between Ménil-sur-Saulx and Juvigny-en-Perthois. The remaining parts of the abbey include the outbuildings, covered well, splendid vaulted cellars and some of the abbey building itself with some fabulous rooms. The church still has its West Front, with two massive square towers. Guided tours available throughout the year on request. Minimum of 10 people required for groups.

This old ornamental ironworks has been turned into an experimental centre "to promote lifestyle in a rural environment". It includes a museum, a high-quality programme of cultural events and agricultural activities (nettles, fruit and vegetable growing). The general public is invited to follow a footpath across the 9-hectare site, past the old abbey and factory. They can also see the shop, with its outstanding collection of cast iron models. An exhibition illustrates the history of this site and the Bar-le-Duc area as a whole. Guided tours are available on Sundays and with advance booking. There is also a shop selling local products. Audioguides are available in French, German and English. A discovery kit is available for children.

St. Remy’s is an outstanding Flamboyant Gothic church with ornate hanging keystones, richly carved pinnacles and gargoyles and a carved, painted and gilded altarscreen with shutters depicting scenes from Christ’s Passion.

The job of the Agence nationale pour la gestion des déchets radioactifs (Andra, national agency for the management of radioactive waste) is to design and install an industrial geological storage facility for radioactive waste at a depth of 500 metres in clay rock. On the site of the underground facility, you can see a model of a storage gallery and find out about the scientific tests conducted on the rock. In the technology gallery, see prototypes of machinery illustrating the principles of deep geological storage. The visit lasts from 2 to 2½ hours.

Bar, hotel, restaurant, cafeteria. Open 6 days a week from 7am to 10.30pm. Cafeteria open for lunch, Mondays to Fridays. Menu from €24 or set menu at €18 in the restaurant + a la carte. Free WiFi.

Fast food, alpine specialities, pizzas. Chef's special on weekdays.

Le Carré Gourmand welcomes guests in a convivial family atmosphere. Simplicity and generosity are the keywords here. So stop for a while and taste traditional fare from days gone by.

The restaurant has 2 menus at weekends. During the week, there is a lunch special.

Located in the heart of the Renaissance district. Breathtaking view of the town. A new look at traditional cuisine with a hint of the exotic.

Located on the outskirts of Bar-le-Duc, the Auberge du Val d'Ornain offers pleasant, rural surroundings in which to enjoy dishes with a Spanish flavour.

Italian specialities in the heart of your town. Choose from pizzas, pasta, salads and grilled meats.

Well-equipped kitchen, large common room (capacity: 60 people) with open fire. 5 bedrooms on ground floor (3 or 4 single beds per room), 4 bedrooms upstairs (3 to 5 single beds per room). Booking required.

In a quiet village close to all amenities, the Appart des Chevreuils comprises an equipped kitchen, a living room, 2 bedrooms and a sofa bed, a shower room and a separate toilet. Parking is available nearby. Reduced rate for 1 person only, please contact us.

Charming little house in the heart of the village, easily accessible from the N4. The house has one bedroom (bed 160x200) and a sofa bed with comfortable mattress in the living room. 12 km from Saint-Dizier, 22 km from Bar-le-Duc.

Between Saint-Dizier and Ligny-en-Barrois. Enjoy a break in quiet surroundings and charming rooms in the country. 1 double room (double bed) and one suite for 2 people (double bed) with a double bed settee and babycare equipment (cot, changing table). They each have a private shower and toilet. Living room with balcony, TV lounge with fireplace.

Overlooking the grounds of the Château de la Varenne, 12 km from Bar-le-Duc, the gîte La Petite Varenne is located in the pretty village of Haironville, in the Saulx valley. This family home offers 4 bedrooms, including 2 suites, 1 bathroom and 3 shower rooms. The chateau's 20-hectare park is ideal for a stroll in the countryside. A swing and slide are at your disposal. You can also fish in the Saulx (fishing card offered for 1 week, depending on the stay booked, to be specified). Minimum 2-night rental. The gîte is rented in its entirety for a maximum of 8 people. A cleaning charge of €100 is compulsory, in addition to the rental price. Bed linen and towels provided. Beds made up on arrival. For longer stays, please contact us.

Bar-le-Duc 12km. Modern detached family house, very comfortable, located on the estate of the former master blacksmiths (Forges d'Haironville). The gite overlooks 3.5 hectares of fields (with animals), surrounded by the River Saulx: a kilometre of river banks for the exclusive use of the guests (Fario trout, fishing card by the day, fortnight etc). Large terraces and arbours beside the river. Two living rooms with views: on the ground floor (50m²), and on the first floor (25m²). Fitted kitchen, 4 bedrooms: 1 160x200 bed, 1 140x190 bed, 4 90x190 beds. 2 bathrooms (2 baths, 2 showers). 2 separate WCs. Laundry room. Electric heating. Enclosed garden in front of the house.

The gîte is located in Saudrupt, a small village in the Saulx valley in Meuse, 12 km from Bar-le-Duc and 12 km from Saint-Dizier in Haute-Marne. This vacation home comprises 3 bedrooms, a living room, a kitchen, a bathroom with bath and a separate toilet. Office space upstairs. The house has a large enclosed garden (outdoor games: pétanque, badminton...). The Saulx is a beautiful river for fishing enthusiasts. The 18-hole Combles-en-Barrois golf course is just a few kilometers away.

Provision, by arrangement, for groups of minors, school groups and associations. Overnight gîte rental: lounge, meeting room etc. Sleeps 30. Dining room seats 48.

Bar-le-Duc 14km. Between Lorraine and the Champagne region, come and stay in the heart of this magnificent property Les Ecuries de Jeand'Heurs, listed as an Historical Monument. Enjoy the eight hectares of greenery, crossed by the Saulx, a 1st category river, rich in trout. You will discover a spacious 115m² gite for 6 persons. The interior decoration is entirely in keeping with the architecture, with its stone and exposed beams. This gite is very well equipped to give you a really enjoyable stay: with its kitchen opening onto the sitting room, one bathroom with two showers and a separate WC. On the first floor, two bedrooms (one with a 160x200 bed) and one bedroom with two beds (90x190). Numerous leisure activities available on site: horse riding (horse and pony), walks, fishing, and much more. Nearby: 18-hole golf course, Der Lake.