Terroir and traditions Archives - Val d'Ardenne Tourisme

Terroir and traditions

Flavors, laughter and smoked onions: experience the Givet Fair!

Every year on November 11th, the town of Givet comes alive with a unique atmosphere. The streets fill with colorful stalls, the characteristic aroma of smoked onions, and the squares host numerous fairground attractions: it's the Onion Fair, an unmissable event for locals and visitors alike, from all over the region… and even beyond.

By Maxime, November 04, 2025

Reading time: 3 min.

Terroir and traditions

The legends of the Ardennes Valley:

The Ardennes, a land of legends, is home to mysteries and ancient Ardennes customs. Today, allow me to tell you four legends: the legend of the Nutons, the legend of the three brigands, the legend of Madame de Cormont's rock, the legend of the Mahwot, the Ladies of the Meuse, and the legend of the Raised Stone. Let's set off together to discover...

By lucyfl, on Apr 22, 2025

Reading time: 13 min.

Heritage and memories
Terroir and traditions

Discovery of the Brasserie d'Aubrives

Today, I'm introducing you to the Brasserie d'Aubrives. We had the chance to meet its owner, Cédric Martin, and his partner, who opened the doors of their brewery to us. Cédric Martin is a brewer, game designer, and photographer. He's also heavily involved in local tourism and his village association.

By lucyfl, on 04 Mar 2025

Reading time: 6 min.

Terroir and traditions

Specialties of the Val d'Ardenne:

Hello today, in this article I will introduce you to our local specialties... You may know the Mollet cake, the sugar tart, or even the Cacasse à cul nu... Here are other specialties from the Ardennes, more precisely from the Val d'Ardenne region. Local specialties: Givet blue stone: This blue stone...

By lucyfl, on 28 Jan 2025

Reading time: 3 min.

Terroir and traditions

beer soup

On this rather gloomy Wednesday, the idea of making a good soup to warm us up comes to our minds. And even more so if it is a tradition and one from our region: Beer soup. Preparation for 6 people 2 large yellow onions 1 knob of butter 1 spoonful of flour 2 glasses...

By Maxime, on April 28, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.

Terroir and traditions

Ardennaise salad with dandelions

This March, spring is back. The cold of winter is leaving us to give way to a few beautiful sunny days... and suddenly, we feel like taking a country walk in the heart of our Ardennes landscapes. And also the desire to eat a good Ardennes salad... The grayness has flown away and here and there, here and there, appear...

By Maxime, on April 28, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.

Terroir and traditions

Ardennes style trout

Fishing enthusiasts will not have missed this date for anything in the world. Yes, since this weekend… trout fishing has resumed its rights until September 18th. The streams and rivers of the Ardennes are once again open to all anglers looking for new catches. Expert in the matter, maybe...

By Maxime, on April 28, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.

Terroir and traditions

Bare ass cracker

With this weather, nothing beats a good bare-assed cacasse! Or rather, cheeky! The little story Like bouillabaisse in Marseille or sauerkraut in Strasbourg, in the Ardennes, we have cacasse à cul nu. Originally, it was a simple and nourishing dish, a fricassee of potatoes...

By Maxime, on April 26, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.

Terroir and traditions

Pan-fried apple-pear white pudding from Haybes in Lalobbe jus

Today, in Gastronomy Mondays in the Ardennes, chef Orphée from the hotel restaurant Robinson reveals his recipe for pan-fried apple-pear white pudding in Lalobbe juice. A traditional recipe, brought up to date by the chef of the Robinson restaurant. Between a sweet and savory mix, this recipe subtly mixes...

By Maxime, on April 26, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.

Terroir and traditions

Ardennes blueberry tart

Today, in Gastronomy Mondays in the Ardennes, chef Orphée of the hotel restaurant Robinson reveals his recipe for blueberry pie. Blueberries are wild fruits that grow in our Ardennes undergrowth. There is a tradition in the way of picking them. The easy way to harvest your blueberries...

By Maxime, on April 26, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.

Terroir and traditions

Mirabelle plum tart

Today, in the Ardennes gastronomy Mondays, chef Orphée from the Robinson hotel restaurant reveals his mirabelle plum tart. If you notice a light, clear veil covering the skin of the mirabelle plums, simply rinse them just before eating them; this is a natural wax produced by the mirabelle plum to protect itself...

By Maxime, on April 26, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.

Terroir and traditions

Cinnamon and brown sugar cake

Today, great gourmet that I am, I tested for you the winter cake with cinnamon and brown sugar. Hum… Nothing like a hot cake straight out of the oven and a coffee to warm up! So I take you to discover our local recipes. I also put you at...

By Maxime, on April 26, 2022

Reading time: 3 min.

Terroir and traditions

Easter cake pops

On this Easter Monday, I'm taking over to offer you a fun recipe that your children will love to share with you. And since Easter rhymes with chocolate eggs, as much as it looks like? After Sunday's egg hunt, it's time to get your hands dirty and...

By Maxime, on April 25, 2022

Reading time: 3 min.

Terroir and traditions

Chaplains with caramelized pears

Marie-Jo, from the restaurant La Table du Pays in Hargnies, reveals her recipe for caramelized pear purses. Today, the Chef and Maître Restaurateur of the restaurant La Table du Pays in Hargnies, Marie Josèphe GARAND, better known as "Marie-Jo", has prepared a delicious dessert that is very simple and very quick to...

By Maxime, on April 25, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.

Terroir and traditions

Pork ribs with vegetables

Today, the chef and Maître restaurateur of the restaurant La Table du Pays in Hargnies, Marie-Josèphe Garand, better known as "Marie-Jo", has prepared a delicious recipe for us, a family dish that you can serve to your guests and during a family meal: pork ribs with vegetables...

By Maxime, on April 25, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.

Terroir and traditions

Mom's apple pie

My dear mom has lent herself to the game and reveals her recipe for apple pie. There's nothing like it to cheer you up in this cold and wet season. So get to your stove and bon appetit! Ingredients for the apple pie For the shortcrust pastry: 200g flour 100g butter...

By Maxime, on April 25, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.

Terroir and traditions

The kings' cake

As you all know, a few days after the New Year comes Epiphany, a Christian feast that celebrates the Messiah who came and incarnated into the world and received the visit and homage of the Magi. It takes place on January 6, but in countries where Epiphany is not a public holiday, it can be celebrated...

By Maxime, on April 15, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.

Terroir and traditions

The Ardennes Rouillotte

Today, I tested an appetizing recipe for you, taken from the cookbook “La cuisine des Ardennes”: La Rouillotte ardennaise; which is, in fact, nothing more than a traditional brioche. It is the fundamental cake of many regions of France. In the Ardennes, the brioche comes in the shape of a crown...

By Maxime, on April 15, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.

Terroir and traditions

Mardi Gras Donuts

Phew! The days fly by! And yes, tomorrow is already Mardi Gras in France and also in Belgium. A date that everyone knows well because custom dictates that on this occasion, donuts, crepes, waffles, and other delicacies come to delight our taste buds. Last year, I offered you a recipe for...

By Maxime, on April 15, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.

Terroir and traditions

R'vin's wafers

In the Ardennes, the tradition was that we cook, sometimes during the evenings but especially for the New Year, crispy and golden wafers. Made before this date, they were distributed to family and friends on the 1st of the year. These delicacies were made in cast iron "wafer makers" which...

By Maxime, on April 15, 2022

Reading time: 2 min.