Balcons de Meuse 2 – Le Theux via the Chemin des Carrières

Start from the car park at Romery Town Hall.

(S/E) Cross the D5 road and take Rue des Mazy, following the route described in the first walk, and head up to the wash house.

(1) Turn left after the last house in the village. From there, follow the path straight ahead, ignoring several paths on the right. You’ll come back to La Carrouée, and continue along the top of the quarries, where you’ll discover different views. La Fosse Colin is an impressively deep quarry. You’ll then arrive in the middle of a meadow with yet another view (photos). The path continues with views of the surrounding area: Villers-Semeuse, Les Ayvelles, La Ronde Couture.

(2) When you reach the cemetery, turn immediately left into Rue du Bois Mottin, then immediately right into Rue Des Vaudois, which crosses the housing estate of the same name and leads to Route de Mézières.

(3) Turn left onto Chemin du Moulin du Cierge, which descends steeply to Rue Ambroise Croizat (D5).
At the very bottom, an exhibition of old photographs livens up a flight of steps. Information panels recount various episodes from the neighbourhood’s history (photo).

Turn left onto Rue Ambroise Croizat, passing the old wash house.

(4) Cross in front of the school and turn right towards the Emile Pontoise stadium on Rue des Bannettes.
Continue to the Meuse.

(5) Follow the riverbank, veering left (photos).

All that remains is to follow the towpath. The diversion canal (photos) runs alongside the Meuse for a while after a lock, and at the first junction in the village, turn left to return to the town hall and the car park (S/E).

An easy walk, especially in good weather; in wet weather, be prepared for muddy paths towards La Carrouée, where the ground is sometimes even marshy.
Part of the route is in the town, in quiet neighbourhoods.
The final section runs alongside the Meuse and the diversion canal, on ground covered in foundry grit and dust, so it should be easy going and well-drained in wet weather.
Water source is not drinkable; bring your own water.

In Le Theux, there are photographic panels on the history of the neighbourhood.
Mézières is nearby and Charleville further on; you can extend this route into the town on foot, or use the bus stops.
Near the start, Ville-sur-Lumes, with its arboretum and Gallo-Roman vicus.
Saint-Laurent, the Maison des Produits du Terroir, and towards Gernelle, the Centre de la Chasse et de la Nature.