In a nutshell
- In September in the Val d'Ardenne (Ardennes, France, Belgian border), Charlemont remains open from Wednesday to Sunday, 10:30am-18:30pm.
- The Charlemagne boat will switch to a weekend schedule from September 5th.
- The 232 km of marked trails in the area have no time restrictions.
September is a good month to visit the Ardennes Valley: fewer crowds, everything still open, but not always with the same opening hours as in July and August. Here's a site-by-site guide to help you plan your trip without any unpleasant surprises.
Charlemont: always open, but from Wednesday to Sunday
In September, the Charlemont fort maintains its summer hours: Wednesday to Sunday, from 10:30 am to 18:30 pm . Closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Rock climbing, laser tag, all-terrain electric scooters : same days and times as the website, from Wednesday to Sunday 10:30am-18:30pm.
- Guided tour of the East Point : departures at 11am, 13:30 and 15:30 (the 17:30 slot, specific to July-August, disappears from September).
- Small train : only on weekends in September, departures every hour from 14pm to 16pm. It then stops for the season.
From October onwards, everything becomes even more restricted: Charlemont and its activities only reopen on weekends and public holidays, from 10:30 am to 17:30 pm , until the end of the season on November 1st.
Navigating the Meuse: the Charlemagne changes pace
The Charlemagne sailed from Wednesday to Sunday all summer from Givet (Quai des Fours). From September 5th, it will return to a weekend schedule: Saturday and Sunday only , until October 18th, still departing from Givet.
Lunch cruise (2 hours) : every Saturday and Sunday at 11am, with a new menu each month.
Take your time on the trails
There are no time constraints here, which is precisely why September is a great month for hiking: 232 km of marked trails crisscross the Ardennes Valley, between the forests of the Ardennes Regional Natural Park and the meanders of the Meuse River. Groups of hikers enjoy the welcome coolness after the intense summer heat, without the crowds of the long summer weekends.
Some field ideas for the start of the school year:
- The Pointe de Givet National Nature Reserve, at the foot of Charlemont.
- The trails around Haybes and its viewpoints over the valley.
- The greenway that runs alongside the Meuse, suitable for walking as well as cycling.
The villages are also worth a visit.
The Ardennes Valley is not just Charlemont and the Meuse River. The start of the school year is a good time to explore the villages that make up the region.
- In Hierges, the cross of the Duelplanted in the main square since 1579, it still bears the memory of a deadly brawl.
- In Fumay and Haybes, slate shaped the roofs and the local economy for a century, a past that can still be seen in Michel Paradon Slate Museum.
- In Vireux-Molhain, the Roman camp offers you easily accessible viewpoints overlooking the Meuse.
- In Hargnies, les légendes invite you to explore the forest trails.
- In Fromelennes, Nichet Cave invites you to the center of the earth. It is open every afternoon in September and then only on weekend afternoons in October.
- And the other villages in the area, from Anchamps to Chooz via Landrichamps or Foisches, are just as suitable for a walk without a fixed route.
F.A.Q.
Is Charlemont open in September?
Yes. The Charlemont fort, in the Val d'Ardenne (Ardennes, France), maintains its summer hours in September: Wednesday to Sunday, from 10:30 am to 18:30 pm, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays. From October onwards, it will only be open on weekends and public holidays, from 10:30 am to 17:30 pm, until the season closes on November 1st.
Is the Charlemagne ship still sailing in September?
Yes, but at a reduced pace. After a summer of sailing from Wednesday to Sunday, the Charlemagne will return to a weekend schedule from September 5th: Saturdays and Sundays only, until October 18th, departing from the Quai des Fours in Givet. The 2-hour lunch cruise takes place every Saturday and Sunday at 11:00 AM.
How many kilometers of hiking trails are there in the Val d'Ardenne?
232 km of marked trails crisscross the area, between the forests of the Ardennes Regional Natural Park and the meanders of the Meuse River. Access is free and unrestricted. September is a particularly good time to visit thanks to the cooler weather and fewer crowds.
Is the Nichet Cave open for the start of the academic year?
Yes, in Fromelennes. It is open every afternoon in September, then only on weekend afternoons in October.
Which villages in the Ardennes Valley should I visit in September?
Besides Charlemont and the Meuse, the territory includes villages of human size: Hierges (the Croix du Duel), Fumay and Haybes (slate heritage), Vireux-Molhain (the Roman camp), Hargnies (legends and forest trails), as well as Anchamps, Chooz, Landrichamps or Foisches, conducive to a free walk.
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