Nature discoveries at Le Foxycamp Hannonville-sous-les-cotes

Follow in the footsteps of history in the heart of the Verdun Forest of Exceptional Beauty® with the Fort de Vaux hiking trail. This 6 km (approx. 2.5 hour) trail takes you through iconic sites of the 1916 battlefield: Bois Fumin, Étang de Vaux, the former trenches, the monument to the chasseurs à pied (light infantry) and the Maurice Dubuc cenotaph. After the terrible “300 days and 300 nights” of the Battle of Verdun, this scarred land has been transformed into a rich and peaceful national forest thanks to the planting of 36 million trees. Now classified as a Forêt d’Exception® (Exceptional Forest), it bears witness to the work of remembrance and resilience carried out for over a century. This trail in the heart of nature invites you to walk among the trees, where thousands of fallen soldiers lie, in what is now a veritable open-air museum. An experience that is both historical and natural, moving and soothing.

This tour allows you to discover the Left Bank and the beauty of the landscapes of the Meuse Valley along the canal. Dead man’s hill (Le Homme-mort) has suffered some of the most deadliest combats just as much as those on the right bank. Today, it is a pleasant wooded mound that you can enjoy visiting. This course is perfect for a first try of the electric bike. Easy and with little difference in altitude, it will be perfect for a nice stroll with family or friends ! Limited in supply and manpower, the Kronprinz army cannot attack simultaneously on both banks of the Meuse. In order to obtain better results on the right bank, C.Q.G. German prepared the second phase of its offensive whose main objective was to take control of the hills of Mort-Homme (Dead man’s hill) and the Côte 304. These two natural observatories regulated the fires of the French artillery; it is in fact a crucial stake for the offensive continuation. The fighting raged on there for weeks, destroying villages of Esnes-EN-ARGONNE and Chattancourt. Rapidly, the battle peaks became untenable volcanoes; suicidal assaults fade to move on to countless murderous gunshots . To protect themselves from bombing, both sides took refuge on the hillside, digging tunnels. On August 20, 1917, the generals Guillaumat and Pétain begin a to put victorious offensive which has the effect four German divisions attached to the sector Mort-Homme-cote 304 to flight. To the thousands of prisoners, material and armaments captured, must also be added more than twenty thousand victims whose units appear on the current monuments. In this inferno, the village of Cumières will disappear completely and will never be rebuilt.

This tour is the perfect way to discover Verdun for the first time. It invites cyclists to explore the city's history through the centuries, from the 10th century to the present day. You'll discover lively Verdun with its quays, medieval Verdun and contemporary Verdun with its art deco facades. Pedal to the rhythm of the Meuse on the Véloroute voie verte, enjoy the peace and quiet of the canal banks and explore Verdun's "Little Venice". The city boasts no fewer than five canals and twenty bridges. Originally, these canals were used by the many mills, tanneries and for navigation. Although some have been buried, you can still admire the Canal St-Airy, with its stone bridge and 16th-century house, the Canal du Puty, which runs alongside the ramparts, the Pont-écluse St-Amand and its Canal St-Vanne, and the discreet Canal de Minimes, which winds its way through the houses of Verdun.

In 1920 the Government decided to create a Red Zone at Verdun, to mark the soil rendered sterile by shell fragments and polluting chemicals. Ten years later, it received its first covering of some 10 million black pines, sent from Austria. The nine destroyed villages included in this Red Zone will never again see the light of day, but the Prefect of the Meuse assures they will be maintained as memorials, by continuing to nominate a mayor to each one. Starting from the Tourism Office, join the Green Way Cycle Path in the Parc Japiot opposite. 4.5 miles. Continue straight on, as far as the Canal Lock at BRAS-SUR-MEUSE. Cross the bridge to reach the opposite bank and follow the canal as far as the next bridge. Leave the Cycle Path, join the road and turn left, to reach the Stop sign opposite the Boulangerie. Turn right onto the main road, then left opposite the restaurant 8.2 miles. Follow the main road and climb up to the Tranchée des Baïonnettes. 8.75 miles. Continue to climb, then after passing the restaurant, turn right and arrive at the Ossuaire de Douaumont. If you climb on foot the 204 steps inside the tower, you will have a 360 degree panoramic view of the entire battlefield 9.25 miles. Retrace your route to the Stop sign. To visit the disappeared village of Douaumont, go left and then immediately right and take the dead-end road to the disappeared village of Douaumont, then return to the main road. Alternatively, to go direct to the Fort de Douaumont, at the Stop sign turn right and descend to the next turning. At the Monument to the Unknown Soldier, turn left, towards the Fort de Douaumont. 9.7 miles. On the road to the Fort de Douaumont, you will cross over the Boyau de Londres. 10 miles. On reaching the Fort de Douaumont, dismount and climb on foot onto the roof of the Fort, where you will have a panorama view of the horizon which in 1916 marked the German frontier. You can also take the path on the left between the shell craters, which in 300 yards leads you to the lookout point. 10.3 miles. Return back to the Monument to the Unknown Soldier and turn left. On your left you will pass Abri (Shelter) 320 and on your right the National Cemetery. 11.8 miles. At the crossroads, turn left and pedal as far as the disappeared village of Fleury-devant-Douaumont. 12.2 miles. Continue straight on and pass the Mémorial de Verdun, dedicated to the Great War 1914-1918. 12.4 miles. Carry on to the Souville Lion, the monument which marks the nearest point to Verdun reached by the Germans in 1916, and where they were finally stopped. 12.75 miles. At the crossroads turn right and descend towards Verdun. You can visit the Souville fortified plateau by taking the small path on the left. There you can visit the unique Bussière twin turret, the Pamart machine gun casemates, and the ammunition shelters. 12.9 miles. On the road descending to Verdun, stop to admire the Maginot Monument on the left. A little further along there is a picnic area in the forest where you can rest. 15.3 miles. After crossing the railway bridge, at the Stop sign, cross over and pass by the Faubourg Cemetery. At the next Stop sign turn right, then immediately left, and pass the Braquier Dragée factory. At the roundabout, turn right and pass the Parc de Londres. Then at the next roundabout, turn left towards the Tourism Office.

Famous for the Battle which took place in 1916, the history of the city of Verdun goes back 30 centuries. Verdun has preserved for us many traces of its part in history. It is worth taking the time to stroll round the historic heart of the city and discover what it has to offer.

“Forêt d’Exception®” walking trail – From Verdun to Souville As part of the Forêt d’Exception® label, Meuse Attractivité and the ONF invite you to discover the Verdun battlefield in a new way through a walking trail starting from the Verdun Memorial. Two routes are available, 2.7 km or 4.8 km (duration: approximately 1.5 hours), to explore the fortified massif of Souville, a key site of French resistance in 1916. The route reveals iconic remains: the Fort de Souville, its armored battery, an artillery bench, and the Lion de Souville, a moving tribute to the combatants. As you walk along these forest trails, you will be treading on land forever marked by the 300 days and nights of hell in Verdun, which cost the lives or disappearance of nearly 700,000 men. Reforested in 1923 with 36 million trees covering a 20,000-hectare Red Zone, the national forest today bears witness to an exceptional effort of remembrance and resilience. A veritable open-air museum, it can be explored with respect, combining history, nature, and contemplation.

“Forêt d’Exception®” walking trail from Verdun to Froideterre In the heart of the Verdun national forest, certified Forêt d’Exception®, Meuse Attractivité and the ONF have created hiking trails that offer a different way to discover the traces of the Great War. The Froideterre trail, which is 3 km long (about a 1.5-hour walk), starts at the Thiaumont fortification. It crosses a landscape marked by history, where impressive remains can still be seen: concrete entrenchments, an FT2 combat shelter, two casemates, an artillery bench, and the famous "four chimneys ." This trail invites visitors to immerse themselves in the moving sites of the 1916 battles, which transformed the area into an apocalyptic battlefield. Classified as a Red Zone in 1919, this devastated territory was reforested by the state in 1923 with 36 million trees. Today, the forest is reborn, and this unique natural and memorial heritage can be discovered as an open-air museum, combining memory, nature, and resilience.

Douaumont discovery trail: a journey between history and nature Discover Douaumont and its surroundings on an immersive 2 km walk, ideal for history buffs and nature lovers alike. Departure from Douaumont Fort : Start your adventure at the heart of this emblematic First World War monument. Follow the Boyau de Londres: Walk this historic path, once essential for soldiers, and feel the atmosphere of this place steeped in memory. Explore the Forêt d'exception de Verdun: Let yourself be enchanted by this majestic forest, renowned for its ecological richness and history. Along the way, don't miss the TD3 shelter, a discreet witness to past conflicts. High point at the Fort de Douaumont lookout : Conclude your tour in style at the belvedere, from where you can contemplate an unparalleled view of the fort's western counterscarp and ditches. This unique perspective on the fort will enable you to appreciate its grandeur and strategic importance. Join us for an enriching walk combining natural beauty and historical memory, right in the heart of Douaumont.

The chapel of Jévaux (also spelled Gévaux) is located in a clearing in the middle of the Vieille Poirière forest, in the municipality of Jouy-sous-les-Côtes, which is where its name comes from. Indeed, before the construction of the chapel, there was the "Jouy Val farm", Jouy, of a Gallo-Romanic toponymic type "Godiacu", based on the Christian personal name Godius, so Jévaux means the "Val de la Joie". A first chapel was built in the 12th century by the Premonstratensian monks of the abbey of Rangéval (commune of Corniéville), near a spring reputed to be miraculous. In modern times (16th century), it was guarded by a hermit. It was destroyed during the Revolution (1791). The present chapel, in neo-Gothic style, was rebuilt on the site of the previous one and inaugurated in 1891. It is topped by a bell tower with a visible bell crowned by a small Celtic cross in stone. Every year a pilgrimage takes place, which traditionally took place on the feast of the Nativity of Our Lady on 8 September, with an open-air mass and procession in the clearing. For some years now, the pilgrimage has taken place on 15 August. Translated with www.DeepL.com/Translator (free version)

The 1870 battlefields are found on the "back" of the plateau, which opens up to the west towards the Côtes de Meuse hills. Along the paths you will come across many monuments erected in memory of the soldiers and a variety of educational and fun activities.

This house is located in a quiet village in the South of the Ardennes, nearby historical sites (WWI and WW2) of the Argonne. Garden, swimming pool, games for children. 4 bedrooms (1 double bed, 4 single beds, 2 double beds). 2 shower rooms (1 is equiped with a washing machine), toilets. Fully equiped kitchen (ceramic hob, microwave oven, dish washer), large living room, TV, DVD player, hi-fi system, telephone, 2 single sofa beds. Terrace with BBQ and garden furniture.

Domaine de Montflix, bed and breakfast in Argonne. Welcome to Argonne and its hilly landscapes, rivers and majestic forest. The Montflix bed and breakfast welcomes you in a 19th century main building where children will enjoy meeting the farmyard animals. The 3 guest rooms can accommodate from 1 to 4 people and are all equipped with a terrace and private bathrooms. Wireless. Nearby, visit Reims and its Champagne cellars, Verdun and its underground city, Sedan and its castle... but you can also stroll in the large panoramic garden at your disposal. Tourist tax. Table d'hôtes. Home Bikers. Welcome to the farm. Closed garage for bicycles and motorbikes with the possibility of charging bicycles and electric cars. Prices including breakfast: 1 person: 50 € per night 2 people: 60 € per night 3 people: 65 € per night 4 people: 75 € per night Holiday vouchers accepted

Martine and Jonas offer you a wide range of equipment at the Brinchette gite for the enjoyment of all: inside: covered and heated swimming pool all year round, spa, relaxation room with infrared cabin, billiards, table football, home cinema and convertible sofas. WIRELESS. Outside: playground, trampoline, pétanque court. Equipped kitchen (induction, CG, MO, LV), connecting dining room. 5 bedrooms including one on the ground floor. 2 cots, 2 high chairs. 2 SE with WC, 1 separate WC, LL and SL. Including charges. Supplement per animal: €3/day. Tourist tax. Linen provided. supplement for beds made on arrival

At the heart of a garden, a quaint cottage opens its doors: "Au Balcon du Bonheur": a carefully decorated and furnished double room (with additional sleeping mezzanine) offers sweeping views over this natural setting. A setting that combines massive charm, unusual unearthed objects, atypical rest corners, beautiful ponds and a view of the castle Yvois... The hospitality of the owner will guarantee you a moment of happiness in this scenery and atmosphere. The location means you can enjoy the local heritage and tourist sites in France, Belgium and Luxembourg.

1789 graves

The folk museum is located in a village at the foot of the Meuse Hills. The visit begins with a typical country cottage occupied by farmers or winegrowers in the 1850s, with its furniture, everyday objects, farming implements etc. Beyond that is the ecogarden and facilities designed to promote good gardening practices. The visit is fun and is designed to appeal to all the senses. A beehive provides information about beekeeping. See the oil mill and watch as oil-bearing plants such as walnuts and canola produce oil. Exhibitions, events for school groups, holiday camps and the general public. An eco-shop sells local produce, arts and crafts, books and fair trade products. The folk museum also organises special-interest days: contact us for information.

Feel like listening to the music of a garden? The "Le Quenti" garden, nestled in the heart of a valley, is delighted to open its doors to you for an enchanted and refreshing stroll. You'll hear the whispering of water, the songs of birds, the croaking of frogs, the murmur of insects... the gentle melody of Mother Nature... You'll be able to wander freely in this soothing setting, covering an area of one hectare, among beds of trees, shrubs, rosebushes and perennials. Here, nature is generous and reigns supreme, with no chemical treatments allowed. Along a bucolic path, you'll discover antique objects that blend into the décor with simplicity - here, recycling is the order of the day! You can also see our animal friends: chickens, ducks, pheasants, peacocks and much more if you're observant... The owners welcome you and are always happy to share their passion and advice. The garden is open every Sunday in June, July and until mid-August, then at the end of September for autumn blooms and colors.

1179 graves

The improvement of comfort is at the origin of another type of covered, partially enclosed laundry, consisting of a pavilion roof resting on wooden, metal or stone clones, supported by solid ashlar walls. This arrangement allowed the laundresses to be protected from drafts and out of sight of passers-by.

Eparges Ridge has a commanding position over Woëvre plain, overlooking the opening to Metz and was the scene of dreadful conflict, particularly in 1915. The sector included the forest road of Calonne, where the flowers of French literature were tragically lost, including Alain FOURNIER (The Grand Meulnes) and Louis PERGAUD, both killed in 1914. Jean GIONO, Ernst JUNGER and the author of ‘The Men of 1914’, Maurice GENEVOIX, were profoundly influenced by the appalling conflict. An offensive to recapture the dominant head point over the south side of the Meuse was launched in 1915 by the French army on Eparges Ridge. The German army counter-attacked and battle was waged underground, as well as on the surface. Both sides dug tunnels and set mines and explosives in the hills. The sector was taken in 1918, but the war-scarred craters remain today. The commemorative monuments include that of the 106th Infantry Regiment, the Engineers Monument, Point X Monument, 302nd Infantry Regiment, The Cockerel Monument and viewpoints from Point X and C. Le Trottoir War Cemetery for the French fallen is at the foot of the hill.

The association of the Friends of the Abbey Notre Dame de l'étanche, created in August 2016 at the initiative of Mr Mauduech, aims to safeguard and rehabilitate the Abbey of l'Etanche located in Deuxnouds-aux-bois. In 2017, Christine Hellin became president of this association. This site reveals an exceptional richness managed by the Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels de Lorraine. In 2017 the CEN leads the administrative and financial files, a temporary tarpaulin is then placed on the roof of the chapel in order to preserve the vaults. After signing an agreement in 2018 with the Conservatoire d'Espaces Naturels de Lorraine, the association Les Amis de l'Abbaye became the project owner and carried out the second phase of the conservation and security work. They are studied by a firm of chief architect of Historic Monuments. A public contract was launched, two local companies were selected. The main lines of the work are: Complete rebuilding of the wall between the chapel and the dwelling. Restoration of the vaults. Consolidation of sentences. Consolidation of the sculptures on the pediment. All the cornices of the chapel have been replaced, (a large part of which was financed through a call for sponsorship launched by the association in May 2018). Installation of transparent polycarbonate panels on the bays Installation of a permanent roof in anthracite-grey lacquered steel tank resting on a fir frame, equipped with gutters and rainwater downspouts. The works are financed by the DRAC, the Conseil Régional Grand Est, the Conseil Départemental de la Meuse, GIP Objectif Meuse, the Mission Stéphane BERN, the Fondation du Patrimoine and the association Les Amis de l'Abbaye Notre Dame de l'Etanche through sponsorships, donations, memberships and actions throughout the year. In parallel with the safeguarding work, the association joined the Union Rempart, and organized in the summer of 2018 and 2019 a workcamp of international volunteers for the reconstruction of the surrounding wall. The chapel can pass the next few years without damage, today it is necessary to safeguard the dwelling which is in great danger and find a destination for this building so that it can continue to survive the centuries.

The national necropolis, created in 1915, brings together the remains of soldiers who died for France in the fighting in the Hauts-de-Meuse region during the First World War. It is located on the edge of the forest, on a hillside 800 meters from the village of Les Eparges. 2,960 French soldiers are buried here, including Robert Porchon, a friend of Maurice Genevoix. At the center of the necropolis, a monument in Euville stone has been erected for the unknown soldiers (852) gathered in the ossuary.

The washhouse was built in 1840, it has an octagonal basin and is located at the bottom of the hill on which the Hattonchâtel citadel is built. It rises along the Roman road, an ancient road that linked Hattonchâtel to Vigneulles before the modern road was built.

Located in the medieval village of hattonchatel, a sign house of the Bishops of Verdun, this washhouse dates from 1921 and is characterised by anthropomorphic fountains on its façades.

Open for more than 30 years, this bistro/brocante is not ordinary. On the heights of Hattonchâtel, a few steps from the splendid castle, you cannot miss this extravagant place in the image of its owner.

This charming hotel restaurant is located in a quiet village near Lac de Madine. it was awarded by Logis de France for its cuisine. The chef and his team create new seaonal dishes with fresh local produce.

Restaurant in the countryside. Try the delicious cuisine of the auberge du Chardon Fleuri.

The Bar de la plage you plates, sandwiches, drinks, ice cream, granita, waffles. Open from April to October.

Traditionnal cooking. Big salads. Pizzas.

Fly fishing estate. A haven of peace and quiet for anglers and those who enjoy good food in simple, convivial surroundings. Shady alfresco dining on the riverbank. The site can be booked for seminars. Billiard room, Irish pub. Specialities: mushrooms, fish. Provençal cuisine in summer. Booking required 24 hrs in advance. Dinner available for groups of 10+.

Housed in the town's old railway station, the rustic Restaurant Rive Gauche serves traditional cuisine.

Traditional butcher's shop and delicatessen, speciality of black and white sausages. Breeder and butcher in the great lineage of his father, François POLMARD decided to create his own breeding. He is immersed in extensive research on the different breeds of cattle, their diets, their well-being but also on maturation. A single objective: to produce the ultimate meat. In his turn, for several years now, Alexandre POLMARD has been pursuing this patient work of perfection alongside his father.

The Lion d'or is a pizzeria offering all the flavours of Italian cuisine in a convivial ambiance.

Homemade and hand kneaded pizza dough. Pizzas cooked on a wood fire. At the 10th pizza, the eleventh is offered. (offer not cumulative)

This campsite includes a restaurant, a pizzeria and a bar. It also offers fishing facilities on site.

Perched on a platform at the water's edge, the dome sleeps 2 in the Foxycamp domain. Half bubble, half snail, spend a night in the trees with a privileged view of the daily life of the mammals and water fowl that inhabit the site in the wild. Equipment: 2-person bedding, autonomous photovoltaic system, LED lighting, USB charging inside and small fridge in the hold. The small terrace is equipped with a coffee table and two stools; down below, at the water's edge, a forest table allows you to enjoy a drink or takeaway from Foxycamp. Foxycamp also offers other accommodation: chalets, mobile homes, tipis and other domes.

Come with your family or friends for a country holiday at the Gîte des Côtes in Thillot, a stone's throw from the vineyards and orchards of the Meuse Hills. The gîte is located between Verdun and Vigneulles-les Hattonchâtel, on the road to the major First World War battlefield sites and Lake Madine, and you'll be warmly welcomed to this holiday let for 6 people by the owners, Chantal and Jean-François Collot.

Verdun, 20 km. Metz 35 km. Madine Lake 12 km. Old grant renovated located near the Meuse Hills in the Lorraine Natural Regional Park. On the ground floor : fitted kitchen, living room, TV, and laundry room. WC, washing-machine and tumble- dryer. Central heating. On the first floor: 2 bedroomw ( 1 double bed+ 2 single beds+ baby cot bed) Garden : terrace with garden furniture, barbecue and playground.

Enjoy a country holiday just a few miles from Lake Madine and the Colvert de Bonzée leisure complex. This house, once home to a ship's canvas merchant, provides the peace and quiet you need when meeting up with friends or family, or just looking for a relaxing break. Chantal and Jean-François Collot welcome guests to their 6-person gîte, Le Toilier, which has been renovated in an environmentally-friendly but very modern manner. The house is located in the small village of Thillot in the Meuse Hills.

In this modern gîte in a typical Côtes de Meuse village, you'll find a fully-equipped kitchen, a living room with a sofa bed on the 1st floor, a lovely bathroom and a bedroom with a spacious 180cm bed. There's plenty to do on site and nearby: hiking, water sports at Lac de Madine, historic sites... and in August, yum..., the mirabelle plum harvest!

A gîte in a delightful village in the Meuse Hills, 14 km from Lake Madine, 30 km from Verdun and 40 km from Metz. The ground floor comprises a hall, lounge, spacious and well-equipped kitchen-diner, bathroom with bath and washing machine, and a separate toilet. Upstairs, there are 2 bedrooms, one with a double bed and the other with twin beds, as well as a shower room and toilet.

Located 10 km from Lake Madine, 30 km from Verdun, 45 km from Metz, and 65 km from Nancy. Come and relax in the peaceful countryside at the foot of the Côtes de Meuse and a stone's throw from Lake Madine, with direct access to signposted footpaths. Local shops available in the village. This traditional Lorraine-style house accommodates four persons. Inside there is a play area for children. Cot available on request.

Tiny house located in the pretty village of Saint-Maurice. You'll have all the comforts you need to spend a holiday under the Meuse coast in a real cocoon.

Come and enjoy the peace and quiet of this gîte at the foot of the Côtes de Meuse and a stone's throw from Lake Madine, with direct access to signposted footpaths. Local shops are available in the village. Gîte in an old wine-grower's house with its vaulted cellar given a modern touch (renovated and insulated with ecological materials). The unusual decor mixes natural materials - steel, wood, stone. The bedrooms are decorated with various vintage and upcycled objects. All bedrooms are en suite. Light, bright sitting room. Covered terrace with view of the garden.