Parfondeval walks

A short family walk through the streets of Parfondeval, discovering one of the most beautiful villages in France.

This rural commune, one of the "most beautiful villages in France", a few kilometres from the Belgian border, in a setting typical of the region, consists of a homogeneous habitat made of red bricks and grey slate roofs, which give it a certain character. Its small Protestant temple and, above all, its superb fortified Saint-Médard Church, dating back to the Middle Ages, are its most representative buildings. They make you want to stop off here on your way tothe Ardennes, Reims or the Picardy coast, which are not far away.

An easy walk that takes you through part of the Lislet wind farm and allows you to stroll through the narrow streets and alleyways of Montcornet. It also offers a chance to reflect on a bit of history: the Battle of Montcornet on 16 and 17 May 1940, featuring Colonel Charles de Gaulle. Finally, there is an interesting heritage site to discover: the Church of Saint-Martin in Montcornet.

A short route in a forgotten corner of the Ardennes department, from the church at Aouste to the rural village of Laval d'Estrebay and the hamlet of La Vallée.

Why not give this lovely circular walk a go? It’s about 9 km long, suitable for everyone and presents no major difficulties. The meeting point is in front of the charming Saint-Agapit Church in Séchelles, a peaceful hamlet that has been part of Agnicourt since 1795. Throughout the route, you’ll enjoy well-maintained country lanes, offering a comfortable walking experience. What’s more, you’ll have the chance to discover some truly beautiful panoramic views that open out generously onto the lush green Serre valley. The route also takes you along a charming old railway line. It’s the perfect route for enjoying the tranquillity of nature and rediscovering the understated beauty of our countryside.

A beautiful route that is generally easy to walk. However, there are two stream crossings that add a little spice to the route. The route offers beautiful views of the Thiérache region and the Pre-Ardennes ridges. You will also encounter a little railway history.

On this route starting from Tarzy, you will cross the Ruisseau de Bosneau twice; it changes its name successively to Petit Gland, Gland, Oise and Seine. You’ll also encounter the typical features of the Thiérache region: meadows, hedgerows, cows, wind turbines and sweeping views.

This route allows you to discover Saint-Michel Church, its wash house on the Vaux and the national forest that stretches across several municipalities. Moderator's note : many hikers seem to have had difficulties on this route, see reviews, use a GPS.

This route starts in the centre of the village of Saint-Michel and offers a beautiful transition between town and nature. After leaving the village streets at the Sougland foundries, the route enters the peaceful forest of Saint-Michel, in the Bois de Sougland, along the River Le Gland. Shady paths and green forest roads follow one another in the forest. The return route takes you back to the village and leads hikers to the remarkable abbey site of Saint-Michel, whose architecture and tranquillity invite contemplation. At the end of the route, on Boulevard Savart, the Maison du Prévost stands proudly, a witness to local history and the final heritage stop before returning to the starting point on Place Rochefort. This route combines nature, heritage and discovery, perfect for a Thiérache getaway in the forest.

A short, peaceful walk around the little streams in the forest.

A hike through soggy terrain in the northern French Ardennes on the Belgian border. At an altitude of 300 m, you’ll need to cross a multitude of streams and springs to complete this route. Waterproof footwear is essential.

This route offers a pleasant walk, alternating between forest paths, country lanes and waterside trails. The woods provide welcome shade, whilst the more open sections offer glimpses of the surrounding countryside. You’ll also come across some local heritage sites and hamlets, which lend the route an authentic feel. The presence of small streams and the canal creates a calm and cool atmosphere, which is particularly pleasant in summer. A varied and accessible route, ideal for a peaceful outing in the countryside.

In this corner of Thiérache, the forest, ponds and waterways have been the driving force behind various economic activities throughout the ages. Livestock farming also plays an important role in this region of scattered settlements and hedgerows. This hike can be shortened by almost half. See Practical Information 21/08/2024: Hike modified.

This hike follows one of three routes created by the Maginot Association in La Neuville-aux-Joûtes. Along varied paths, you will discover a pretty village in the Thiérache region, set among hedgerows and livestock farms, as well as four military structures from the Second World War.

An easy walk that will take you through three small villages in the western Ardennes, culminating in a visit to Blombay Mill. The mill was originally built in the mid-16th century, and its renovation, carried out by a local resident, was completed in 2024.

An excursion on the French-Belgian border that follows the Artoise or Wartoise and allows you to see several remains of the Maginot Line. Imagine yourself as a French soldier in 1939, working hard to complete the blockhouses before the war.

The village of Étreaupont is crossed by the Oise and the Ton rivers and is situated on the Thiérache Greenway, a converted railway line linking Guise to Hirson. The circular route starts at Saint-Martin Church, follows the Axe Vert for a while towards Guise, and partly follows theGR®122to return to the village.

A peaceful cycle ride along the Voie Verte Sud Ardenne, which runs alongside the Canal des Ardennes from Château-Porcien to Pont-à-Bar, punctuated by the numerous locks.To compensate for the difference in level between the Canal des Ardennes and the Meuse, between Le Chesne and Rilly-sur-Aisne, no fewer than 27 locks line the canal, 17 of which are within the Montgon area. Follow the Canal des Ardennes, discover its locks, via a short detour to the Château de La Cassine, and the passage through the Saint-Aignan tunnel.

A lovely hike in the Avesnois region. Along the way, you will discover long stretches of the Hirson forest, come across ponds and waterfalls, and walk alongside the Oise and other rivers. A varied hike.

Starting from Sorbais, Didou the little owl invites you into his domain: the bocage She offers you an educational and informative exploration of the upper Oise valley, its bocage, its wildlife and flora, and its traditional activities. So, between (1) and (3), you can follow the first section of the trail, which is marked with themed information panels.

The Anor dirt track route guarantees a genuine hike in the heart of the countryside. You will also discover numerous heritage sites. Anor is renowned for its wealth of chapels and oratories.

A wonderfully varied family route. Forest paths, small country lanes and paths along the edges of ponds form the backbone of this route.

Mountain bike trail, accessible to all, all year round. However, it can be difficult in wet weather (muddy sections). Along this family walk, water is omnipresent (ponds, rivers, waterfalls) and there are numerous forest trails.