Discover the charm of Housset, Aisne, Picardie

In the hollow of the valleys of the Serre and Vilpion, this easy mountain bike route follows good tracks in the land of sugar beet. Marle, the economic engine between Laonnois and Thiérache, has an important architectural richness. After following the railway line, the discovery is enriched by the Romanesque church of Dercy and the massive water mill of Erlon. Half of the route, which can be split in two at Voyenne, is on flat ground.

Near Marle, this short itinerary links two producers of country flavors, in Marcy and in Voyenne. The discreet village of Marcy, with beautiful examples of peasant architecture with the church of Saint-Médard and a square dovecote, is contrasted with the more aristocratic Voyenne, adorned with the church of Saint-Rémi from the 12th century, sundials and dovecotes of the 18th century.

Between forest and rolling plain, this walk takes you into the land of druids and korrigans. After some fine views of the crowned mountain, you cross the Marle state forest, characterized by its relief and some pretty twists and turns. At the end of the route, we recommend a detour to "Verzieux de Gargantua", a four-metre-high menhir.

This quiet excursion has a wide range of viewpoints that extend to the imposing butte de Laon Neglecting the modest relief, the route pleasantly combines the valley of the Péron and the Serre by spanning the flattened hills and letting itself be guided by the railroad. Courted by Mesbrecourt, caressed by the Serre, the itinerary deviates at the exit of a wood to regain Montigny.

Punctuated by a calvary, by a mill on the Serre and by the imposing belfry also called "tour de Crécy", this interesting walk evokes the Laonnoise countryside, alternating woods, dirt road, tarred road, river and railway. Destroyed during the war of 1914-18, the village of Assis was rebuilt around its Saint-Martin church, of Romanesque origin, first rebuilt in the Gothic period, then during the 16th century.

Open on the Thiérache river, this circuit offers beautiful forest, hedged farmland and cereal-growing landscapes. The isolated farm of Bélimont marks the end of a gradual ascent, before the tree cover of the Val Saint-Pierre forest. Driving south, the route offers views of the forest, the Laonnois plateaux and the villages nestled in the hollow of the Serre valley.

This short and peaceful stroll, circumscribed on the right bank of the Serre, presents no major difficulties, with minimal differences in level that allow the transition between urban and rural areas. Resolutely grassy, the route offers beautiful green perspectives that border the river, with a mill as a backdrop.

Culminating at the panoramic site of Catillon-du-Temple, this excursion, to be reserved for the summer period, explores the confluent valleys of the Serre and the Péron, marked out by a beautiful heritage: fortified churches, low houses and cleverly framed brick barns.

In the heart of the marshy region of La Souche, Pierrepont remembers the exploitation of peat bogs which made its wealth. This excursion, ideal for all the family, penetrates in the ignored environment of the marshes, ornithological and floristic paradise. Patience, silence and observation will be your best assets to discover the treasures of the Saint-Boétien marsh.

"The marsh is a whole world on earth, a different world with its own life, its sedentary inhabitants and passing travelers, its voices, its sounds and its mystery above all. Nothing is more disturbing, more disturbing, more frightening at times than a swamp." (Le Horla, Guy de Maupassant). Lift the mysterious veil of this swamp, witness to the past exploitation of peat in the north of France.

We welcome you year-round to Rubigny, a charming, quiet, and rural village located in the Ardennes. La Charmille is a traditional holiday home featuring a heated pool, fitness room, garden, children's play area, and a fireplace. It comfortably accommodates up to 6 people and offers high-quality amenities. Just a few hours from Paris, Reims, or Chalon, the cottage is perfect for family holidays or festive getaways with friends. If you need a break and want to escape from your daily routine, we invite you to book a massage session and come relax during a wellness stay in the Ardennes. Set off with peace of mind, as the beds will be made for your arrival, and we provide a Welcome Kit with everything you need to start your vacation right. Rent Cottage Abel, the neighboring cottage to La Charmille, to accommodate groups of up to 12 people!

We welcome you year-round to Rubigny, a charming, quiet, and rural village located in the Ardennes. La Charmille is a traditional holiday home featuring a heated pool, fitness room, garden, children's play area, and a fireplace. It comfortably accommodates up to 6 people and offers high-quality amenities. Just a few hours from Paris, Reims, or Chalon, the cottage is perfect for family holidays or festive getaways with friends. If you need a break and want to escape from your daily routine, we invite you to book a massage session and come relax during a wellness stay in the Ardennes. Set off with peace of mind, as the beds will be made for your arrival, and we provide a Welcome Kit with everything you need to start your vacation right. Rent Cottage Abel, the neighboring cottage to La Charmille, to accommodate groups of up to 12 people!

In Champagne Ardennes, in a renovated old forge, beautiful luxury apartment with terrace and garden, LDS and BB. Kitchen (MO muli-function, LV, 2 burner hob) open living room (double bed + 1 pull-out 90, TV). SE with walk-in shower, WC. 1 bedroom with 140 x 200. In the property, indoor heated swimming pool all year long and jacuzzi in common with another rental, children's games. Bicycles on site. Private parking. Wifi.

Ideally located near Chimay and the French border, the La Dame au Lit farmhouse promises a relaxing stay in a verdant, rustic setting. In this house, which is made from local stone and found a stone’s throw from a dairy and cattle farm, the owners offer guests a real back-to-basics experience, with the option of discovering their world via a tour. Relaxation is guaranteed, thanks to the incredible garden and its private pond! Nearby, there are very beautiful signposted routes for walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers and/or horse riders. That’s not to mention the prestigious setting of the Principality of Chimay, which boasts charming heritage and local products.  

The owners of the Le Petit Bistrot holiday rental, which is nestled among lush greenery, offer a warm welcome to their charming, rustic home. Once a company operating at the border and, since 1964, a family home, the owners wanted to preserve its history by keeping the bar, which people can gather around. This rural rental boasts everything you need, with beautiful wooden furnishings and a contemporary, harmonious décor. There is a lovely bar with draft beers, billiards and table football, bar stools, booths and dartboards. The riverside terrace is spacious and offers a view of the Cendron fishing ponds and the surrounding countryside. 

Located in the heart of the countryside in Momignies, the La Blanche Epine holiday home promises you a change of scenery in the heart of peaceful natural surroundings. The rooms in this charming residence are well laid out with refined, contemporary décor. You can relax in the private garden in fine weather. The pellet stove in the living room creates a cosy atmosphere in winter. Hiking enthusiasts will delight in this region recognisable from its hedgerows, pastures and rolling hills. Close to the forest (300 metres) and the RAVeL network (500 metres). Not to mention the magnificent Principality of Chimay, the Virelles lake, the Fondry des Chiens and its 20-metre-deep chasm and the Eau d’Heure lakes with their recreational and watersports activities.

Between woods and greenery, in the charming municipality of Momignies, the owners of the Les Arpents Verts lodge warmly welcome you to their accommodation built from magnificent local stone, enhanced by its wooden doors and window frames with plenty of character. The rooms are bright and thoughtfully arranged with a décor combining the warmth and authenticity of wood with modern furniture. A lovely terrace with a splendid view over the garden and the neighbouring countryside. Ideal for a romantic getaway. Nearby, the charming principality of Chimay with its château, succulent cheeses and Trappist beers. Twenty minutes from the Eau d’Heure Lakes recreational site.  

Situated in the peaceful village of Seloignes, just a few kilometres from Chimay, this 18th-century clogmaker’s house offers a relaxing stay with a change of scenery guaranteed. Le Nogal owes its name to the remarkable walnut tree in the property’s garden. The owners of Le Nogal warmly welcome you to their charming, character-filled, stone-walled and timber-framed house, which has been completely renovated. The rooms are bright and well laid out, with three themed bedrooms inspired by their travels and time living abroad. Ideal for a family getaway and/or a trip with friends. There are some great walks and cycle rides nearby. Not to mention the magnificent Château des Princes de Chimay, Scourmont Abbey, Aquascope and the Eau d’Heure Lakes.

Nestling in the heart of nature at Momignies in the Chimay region, the La Demoiselle Ô Bois lodge promises a relaxing and cosy stay. Sandrine and Hugues will give you a warm welcome and provide you with all the tourist information you need. This spacious, light-filled residence built from local stone is a successful blend of old-world character and modern-day comfort. Outside, there are magnificent views of the forest from the vast, charming garden. Outdoor play areas with boules and an indoor pool table and darts. Everything you need for a successful stay with family and/or friends. There are numerous signposted walks and cycle rides nearby. Not to mention Chimay and its charming castle, or the verdant Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse National Park. 

Discover the history of the Botte du Hainaut during the Second World War. Relive this war and the Liberation in the barn where the first American officer, Lieutenant Cook, died during the Liberation of Belgium. Three didactic spaces, with three stories told through objects and reconstructions: the Thiérache resistance, the B-17 Susan Ruth and the battles of the Liberation. You can visit the Canadians’ wagon in Momignies station.

Listed as a Historical Monument, the Baroque style Saint-Didier church of Asfeld is the strangest church in Champagne-Ardenne and even in France. It was built at the end of the 17th century on the site of the old church of the village according to the will of the Earl of Avaux Jean-Jacques III of Mesmes. Extravagantly shaped, designed by two talented architects: the Dominican Brother François Romain and Fleury, an architect who lived on the spot. The structural work was completed in 1683. The church was finished, received and blessed in 1685. The plan is quite original since it was imagined in the form of a viola da gamba. Entirely built in bricks, its architecture with colonnades, domes and cupolas is really bold. None of the walls of the building follows a straight line. The church has 138 pillars and columns, a length of 44.82 meters and an outer perimeter of 145 meters. The church also has a 7-stops organ built around 1900 by Clovis Renault. Open every day from 9am to 7pm | Audio guides available in French, English, Dutch and German | Commented visits by appointment INTERPRETATION TRAIL Take a journey back in time to discover the village of Asfeld in the 17th century! Thanks to the 10 viewpoints in the village, dive into Asfeld's past and uncover the secrets of its rich heritage and illustrious families. To enrich your walk, get the booklet "Versailles' Style" and solve the fascinating and mysterious investigation that is proposed to you. During your investigation following the footsteps of the Marquis, you will meet the characters who made the history of the village and thus perfect your knowledge of the monuments of this beautiful village. Booklet available for free at the Town Hall and the Relay House

The monument was inaugurated on 5th July 1925. It pays tribute to the children of Herpy-L'Arlésienne who died for their country, and also, which is more unusual, to the "French soldiers who fell in battle in the Municipality."

Plants have been part of a witch's arsenal since early civilisation. Carabistouille, the friendly hedge witch, warmly invites you to explore her mysterious and fascinating world. With her ancestral knowledge of flavours, you’ll discover the treasures of the Entre-Sambre-et-Meuse National Park. Did you know that it is home to more than 80% of the biodiversity in the Walloon Region? While harvesting, you’ll learn more about identifying wild plants, their uses and their virtues. On the programme: wild picking, cooking over a fire, learning about edible and medicinal plants, reconnecting with nature, and more. It’s an excellent way to prepare herbal teas and other preventive, curative or purifying concoctions. 

During the summer of 1850, a small group of monks came to reside on the wild Scourmont plateau, near Chimay. A farm, a brewery and a dairy were set up around the monastery. This Cistercian abbey, erected in 1850, is above all renowned for its famous Trappist beer that is still brewed on site in the greatest secrecy. Open visit to outhouses, the monk’s cemetery, the gardens and the church. In our hyperconnected times, it’s also an excellent place to spend a calm and soothing moment.

Seventeen monks came from Flanders, from Westvleteren Abbey, where they already made a Trappist beer, to found a Cistercian abbey in the midst of a lost, marshy and inhospitable region. No problem! In 12 years, they built a monastery and a brewery producing a divine nectar: Chimay beer, known throughout the world.

A journey to the heart of the secrets, the history and the treasures of the production of Chimay Trappist beers and cheeses. Over 150 years of tradition, authenticity and brewing know-how.

With a tablet, Chimay Experience, located near to Notre-Dame de Scourmont abbey, welcomes you to discover the secrets, history and treasures of Chimay trappist beer and cheese making. Permanent, interactive exhibition. You will find an animated model of the abbey, a virtual guestbook, an ingredients chest, etc. Taste a Chimay from the barrel at the end of the visit. New: “Chimay with your eyes closed”: discover Chimay artefacts in the dark. Try to recognise the artefacts that have been placed on four shelves using only your sense of touch. Place your hand on the object... if you do not recognise it, it will be explained!

L'Espace Chimay, dedicated to Chimay cheese and beer, presents the Chimay Experience, an interactive visit of the brewery. To be consumed with no moderation! visitwallonia.com/en-gb/content/lespace-chimay-discover-how-trappist-beer-made

Do you want to get in touch with your inner child? Dive into an imaginary world where old toys, sometimes older than two hundred years, tell you their story. Museum of old and collectable toys with repair workshop. The museum has a fabulous collection of more than 250 old dolls (porcelain, combined materials and celluloid) that have been carefully restored. There are also accessories (prams, shops, etc.), old teddies, etc.

Un véritable estaminet dans le Laonnois ! (50 couverts + terrasse / animaux acceptés)

Une cuisine brassicole, populaire et locale ! (210 couverts + 90 en terrasse / animaux acceptés)

L'étape gastronomique qui s'impose ! (120 couverts + terrasse / animaux acceptés)

Votre hôtel**** -restaurant- spa- événementiel : venez y prendre le temps de vivre et goûter la poésie des lieux ! (130 couverts + terrasse / animaux acceptés)

Une bonne adresse pour les amateurs de houblon !

Bienvenue à La Boucherie, prix mini & plaisir maxi ! (200 couverts avec terrasse / animaux acceptés)

La fameuse chaîne de restauration française et ses spécialités de grillades ! (180 couverts / animaux acceptés)

Une ambiance décontractée et chaleureuse en ville basse de Laon ! (100 couverts + 45 en terrasse / animaux acceptés)

We welcome you year-round to Rubigny, a charming, quiet, and rural village located in the Ardennes. La Charmille is a traditional holiday home featuring a heated pool, fitness room, garden, children's play area, and a fireplace. It comfortably accommodates up to 6 people and offers high-quality amenities. Just a few hours from Paris, Reims, or Chalon, the cottage is perfect for family holidays or festive getaways with friends. If you need a break and want to escape from your daily routine, we invite you to book a massage session and come relax during a wellness stay in the Ardennes. Set off with peace of mind, as the beds will be made for your arrival, and we provide a Welcome Kit with everything you need to start your vacation right. Rent Cottage Abel, the neighboring cottage to La Charmille, to accommodate groups of up to 12 people!

We welcome you year-round to Rubigny, a charming, quiet, and rural village located in the Ardennes. La Charmille is a traditional holiday home featuring a heated pool, fitness room, garden, children's play area, and a fireplace. It comfortably accommodates up to 6 people and offers high-quality amenities. Just a few hours from Paris, Reims, or Chalon, the cottage is perfect for family holidays or festive getaways with friends. If you need a break and want to escape from your daily routine, we invite you to book a massage session and come relax during a wellness stay in the Ardennes. Set off with peace of mind, as the beds will be made for your arrival, and we provide a Welcome Kit with everything you need to start your vacation right. Rent Cottage Abel, the neighboring cottage to La Charmille, to accommodate groups of up to 12 people!

In a little village of Thiérache, a detached, entirely renovated house. On the ground floor, everything is adapted for disabled people : 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, a bathroom and separated WC. Equipped kitchen (washing machine, dishwasher, microwave). Dining-room/lounge with woodstove. On the first floor, 2 double bedrooms, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds and 1 bedroom with 3 single beds. Garage. Shops 7 km away. Along the tourist route of the fortified churches of Thiérache and next to the massif of the Ardennes. Bed-sheets renting possible. Taxes and heating included.

In Champagne Ardennes, in a renovated old forge, beautiful luxury apartment with terrace and garden, LDS and BB. Kitchen (MO muli-function, LV, 2 burner hob) open living room (double bed + 1 pull-out 90, TV). SE with walk-in shower, WC. 1 bedroom with 140 x 200. In the property, indoor heated swimming pool all year long and jacuzzi in common with another rental, children's games. Bicycles on site. Private parking. Wifi.

Ideally located near Chimay and the French border, the La Dame au Lit farmhouse promises a relaxing stay in a verdant, rustic setting. In this house, which is made from local stone and found a stone’s throw from a dairy and cattle farm, the owners offer guests a real back-to-basics experience, with the option of discovering their world via a tour. Relaxation is guaranteed, thanks to the incredible garden and its private pond! Nearby, there are very beautiful signposted routes for walkers, cyclists, mountain bikers and/or horse riders. That’s not to mention the prestigious setting of the Principality of Chimay, which boasts charming heritage and local products.  

Located on the edge of the Saint-Michel national forest, this holiday rental is located among the residential buildings of its hospitable owners, surrounded by nature and fish-farming ponds. Indeed, the ponds in Cendron will delight avid fishermen, by offering the chance to fish for trout, white fish and even carnivorous specimen. This home formerly belonged to a blacksmith and showcases stone from the region. It also boasts the old hearth from that home. The walls, which are made from local rubble, add authentic charm and a pleasant coolness during the summer months. The Rêve d’Eau I holiday rental is located on the ground floor, at the foot of the fish-farming ponds and offers a fantastic view of them. 

Located on the edge of the Saint-Michel national forest, this holiday rental is located among the residential buildings of its hospitable owners, surrounded by nature and fish-farming ponds. Indeed, the ponds in Cendron will delight avid fishermen, by offering the chance to fish for trout, white fish and even carnivorous specimen. The walls, which are made from local rubble, add authentic charm and a pleasant coolness during the summer months. The Rêve d’Eau I holiday rental is located on the first floor and boasts a panoramic view of the ponds and breeding tanks from the Cendron fish farm. This is an ideal location for a pleasant and relaxing getaway with family or friends. 

Located on the edge of the Saint-Michel national forest, this holiday rental is located among the residential buildings of its hospitable owners, surrounded by nature and fish-farming ponds. Indeed, the ponds in Cendron will delight avid fishermen, by offering the chance to fish for trout, white fish and even carnivorous specimen. The walls, which are made from local rubble, add authentic charm and a pleasant coolness during the summer months. Located on the ground floor, opposite the owners’ house, the fully renovated Rêve d’Eau III holiday rental boasts large private spaces in a relaxing setting. It is an ideal location for a pleasant getaway with a small group.

The owners of the Le Petit Bistrot holiday rental, which is nestled among lush greenery, offer a warm welcome to their charming, rustic home. Once a company operating at the border and, since 1964, a family home, the owners wanted to preserve its history by keeping the bar, which people can gather around. This rural rental boasts everything you need, with beautiful wooden furnishings and a contemporary, harmonious décor. There is a lovely bar with draft beers, billiards and table football, bar stools, booths and dartboards. The riverside terrace is spacious and offers a view of the Cendron fishing ponds and the surrounding countryside. 

Located in the heart of the countryside in Momignies, the La Blanche Epine holiday home promises you a change of scenery in the heart of peaceful natural surroundings. The rooms in this charming residence are well laid out with refined, contemporary décor. You can relax in the private garden in fine weather. The pellet stove in the living room creates a cosy atmosphere in winter. Hiking enthusiasts will delight in this region recognisable from its hedgerows, pastures and rolling hills. Close to the forest (300 metres) and the RAVeL network (500 metres). Not to mention the magnificent Principality of Chimay, the Virelles lake, the Fondry des Chiens and its 20-metre-deep chasm and the Eau d’Heure lakes with their recreational and watersports activities.