Chiers (rivière) walks

From Lac de Douzy, after passing through the Forges de Brévilly industrial site – which was very active in the 19th century – we reach the nearby Belgian border (10 km) via a small road that turns into a track suitable for vehicles. From there, simply follow numbers 30, then 11, then 13 on the cycle network’s ‘points-nœuds’ system to reach the village of Chassepierre and the campsite on the banks of the Semois. Halfway along the route, after Muno, a short walk takes you to a remarkable geological feature.

Passing through woods, meadows and sites of First World War battles, we reach the River Meuse at Stenay, a small town in department 55. Our route crosses several meanders and enters the Ardennes via Mouzon, from where EuroVelo 19 takes us to Sedan. On the way, we’ll pitch our tent near Lake Douzy and return there in the evening.

Two borders, three countries, several castles, a river and winding streams punctuate this short cycling trip. The route often follows valleys, so the elevation gain is not very significant. It almost always runs along dedicated routes, including smooth cycle paths, footpaths or shared roads with very little motor traffic. If all the cultural attractions appeal to you, you’ll need to allow an extra day or two, which is possible by camping, for example, in Inor (Meuse) and Hesperange (Luxembourg).

A walk along the Chiers, on a mainly tarmac-surfaced and easily accessible route. This walk takes you close to former industrial and production sites that are now disused. In the tranquillity of the forest, imagine the hum of activity from days gone by still echoing amongst the trees and the remnants of the past.

For a return trip to Metz in a single day, this route takes you to Longuyon station. Provided you set off early enough, you’ll be able to visit Orval Abbey, then the citadel of Montmédy, stop for lunch by the Étang de Charency-Vezin and reach Longuyon by mid-afternoon.

To reach the village of Chassepierre, a little paradise on the banks of the Semois, here is a three-day itinerary. By using the train for part of the journey, both there and back, you can enjoy paths free from motor traffic and even visit several remarkable places in Belgium and France.

For most of the route, this third stage follows roads suitable for cycling, smooth paths and cycle lanes. The Semois meanders so much that it is impossible to ‘follow’ it along its entire length, but this route crosses it numerous times and heads all the way up to its source in Arlon!The ride takes you through the Gaume and the Arlon region, away from the main roads with heavy motor traffic.

For this first stage, the route seems very direct but stays well away from the main roads. It follows country lanes, tracks reserved for farm machinery, forest paths and cycle paths!

The village of Chassepierre is a little paradise on the banks of the Semois, very close to the French and Luxembourg borders, just 120 km from Metz.Our route takes place over 3 or 4 days: one and a half days to reach Chassepierre, half a day or one and a half days there to enjoy the surroundings, and one day for the return journey, part of which is by train. It is also possible, as the author of this route did, to attend the performances at the street arts festival, which takes place in the afternoons and evenings on the Saturday and Sunday following 15 August. The first long stage (over 90 km) takes us beyond the Chiers and the Ton via a very direct route through France. The following morning, it’s just a 30-km cycle, plus an optional visit to Orval Abbey. The return journey to Metz follows the Semois upstream before heading into Luxembourg to catch the train.