Located at the tip of the Ardennes, a few steps from Belgium, Givet offers an idyllic setting to welcome visitors and tourists, in an exceptional natural and architectural environment.

Discovering Givet

Rich in a long past, the beautiful city of Givet, located on the northern tip of the Ardennes, reveals its picturesque streets steeped in history. Churches, towers, ramparts and fortified gates guide you through a journey into the heart of the Middle Ages. A visit with a Givet tourist guide on the city and its fortifications is proposed by theGivet tourist office.

Visiting the old town

Endowed with an exceptional heritage, Givet can be discovered through the Porte de France, which once protected the town. Fortified in the 16th century by Charles V, its defenses were then reinforced by Vauban. The city then had six gates, all equipped with drawbridges and monitored by a guard. Today, the Porte Charbonnière, the Porte de Rancennes and the Porte de France remain at the southern entrance to the city. Many Meuse houses and small streets beautifully combine red brick and blue stone from Givet.

givet, tourist office, the eastern tip of Charlemont
The eastern tip of Charlemont

The fort of Charlemont

The Charlemont fort is the only example, in the north of France, of the military art of the 1555th and 1680th centuries. In XNUMX, Charles V, anxious to defend this passage of the Meuse, had the Agimont-Givet estate purchased by his sister, Marie of Hungary. He built a citadel there on a hill on the left bank of Givet and gave it his name: Charlemont. When Louis XIV went to Givet in XNUMX, he decided to reinforce the whole and called on Vauban. He subsequently modified and modernized the enclosure.

Today, the historic part of the site at the East Point of Charlemont and the imperial enclosure can still be visited.

Fort Conde

Originally built around a rock, it constituted an advanced defense of the Charlemont fort 500 meters on the east side. Sunday mornings at 11 a.m., from June to September, discover Fort Condé, departing from Fort Charlemont, in the company of a Givet tourist guide.

Tourism in Givet: outdoor activities 

Queen of the valley, Givet enjoys a green and natural environment, between the banks of the Meuse and the Pointe de Givet national nature reserve. There are many outdoor activities to discover for the whole family. The Givet Tourist Office (10 quai des Fours) welcomes you all year round to provide you with tourist information, tourist guides on Givet and advice on the many activities to do in the region.

givet, tourist office, the quays of Houille
the Coal crossing the little Givet

Green hikes around Givet

Set off to discover the hiking trails around Givet to discover the most beautiful panoramas of the Val d'Ardenne :

  • Mont d'Haurs hike: loop of approximately 4 km which begins on the banks of the Meuse. The path takes you along the paths of the Pointe de Givet nature reserve, to the summit of Mont d'Haurs and the Tour Grégoire. Up there, enjoy a beautiful view of the Meuse valley. A shaded course ideal for a family outing.
  • Pichegrue hike: this pretty 12 km circuit in the Ardennes Regional Natural Park transports you into green and wild landscapes. Enjoy the superb views of the meanders of the Meuse and explore the Pointe de Givet nature reserve.
  • Trans-Ardennes greenway: built on the old towpath, this route begins in Givet. It is a flat route, which makes it accessible to everyone and especially families. By bike, on foot or on horseback, this greenway allows you to discover the natural treasures of the Ardennes, without leaving the water!

Topographical guides bringing together all the hikes in the area Val d'Ardenne can be found atGivet tourist office, as well as brochures and tourist guides on Givet and its region.

givet tourist office, the statue of Méhul
The statue of EN Méhul

Water activities on the Meuse

  • The Croisières Charlemagne boat invites you to explore the superb Meuse valley, from April to October. Discover the territory of Val d'Ardenne from a unique point of view: the river.
  • Captain d'Ô Douce takes you aboard its electric boats without a license to enjoy a pleasant getaway on the water. 1 Place de la Tour 08600 Givet. 

The Givet MTB Relay

Located at a place called “Mon Bijou”, the Givet mountain bike relay welcomes you to the heart of the 4-hectare wooded estate of Château Mon Bijou. You will find various services there (equipped kitchen, rooms with showers and WC, picnic areas with barbecue, etc.) as well as brochures and tourist guides on Givet.

The blue stone of Givet

A pleasure for the eyes, Givet blue stone colors the facades of certain Givet buildings.

A pleasure for the taste buds, the blue stone of Givet is also a local pastry.

A local stone

Givet is also renowned for the bluish tint of its limestone. The blue stone is extracted from the Trois-Fontaines quarry, a few steps from Fort Charlemont. This limestone, with shades of gray-blue, was used for the construction of numerous monuments in the region. The blue stone of Givet gained great fame and was used in particular for the construction of certain Parisian quays and bridges.

And a culinary specialty from Givet

Surprisingly, this stone also inspired a pastry and chocolate maker from Givet. In 1987, he created a sweet treat called “Pierre bleue de Givet” which quickly became a local culinary specialty. This treat comes in the form of a small cube of blue chocolate, filled with ganache and flavored with blueberry.

The best restaurants and bistros in Givet

Here is a selection of places to eat in Givet for all budgets:

  • Brasserie Grill de l'Hôtel de Ville: typical brasserie in a friendly atmosphere – 10 place Carnot – €20-30 per person – Closed on Mondays. 
  • La Cuisine du 19: traditional cuisine with a fine selection of wines, in a warm atmosphere – 19 rue Gambetta – €40-50 per person – Closed Monday and Tuesday.
  • Auberge de la Tour: pretty rustic inn to taste the flavors of French cuisine – 6 quai des Fours – €30-60 per person – Closed Monday and Tuesday. 
  • Restaurant Maison Baudoin: gourmet cuisine with gourmet and regional dishes – 2 place du 148 RI – €30-50 per person – Closed on Mondays. 

Find accommodation in Givet

Here are our good addresses for spending the night in Givet:

  • Hotel Les Reflets Jaunes – 2 rue du Général De Gaulle – from €55 per night.
  • Hotel Le Roosevelt – 14 quai des Remparts – from €90 per night.
  • Bed and breakfast le Soleil Couchant – 26 chemin St Roch – from €85 per night.
  • Camping La Clé des Champs – 49 rue des Grands Jardins in Rancennes.

Find the complete list of tourist accommodation in Givet available atGivet tourist office (10 quai des Fours).

Getting to Givet

By car: Givet is accessible by car by road and motorway (A34 via Reims, E42 / E19 / E44 via Lille and E411 / E19 via Brussels).

By train: the SNCF station (Place de la Gare) is served by the TER Grand Est line. You can take a train from many towns in the region, including Charleville-Mézières, connected to Paris by TGV.

By plane: the closest airport is Charleroi Brussels-South in Belgium.

By bike: the Trans-Ardennes Greenway (EuroVélo 19) crosses the town of Givet.

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