Hello everybody, today I'm going to tell you about the Ardennes Regional Natural Park. It is located in the north of the Ardennes, at the heart of the Ardennes forest. It is an unmissable natural place to visit when you come to discover our beautiful department.
Part 1: History and characteristics of the park
The Regional Natural Park was born following a long period of debate on its value. He was created on December 21, 2011 and he occupies 116 000 hectares, with 92 municipalities and 76 inhabitants. This means that it encompasses approximately 22% of the Ardennes department.
Several Natural Park projects were proposed before 2011:
The first idea of an Ardennes natural park emerged in the 1960s. after a decree creating regional natural parks be published in March 1967.
This idea did not come to fruition because, according to the newspaper Le Monde, The Belgian Ardennes were very advanced in terms of tourist development while the French Ardennes wanted to maintain an industrial dominance. Reluctance is then added to that of hunters, with industrialists fearing that the park would hinder the development of their establishment.
Then in 1977, Ardennes park project, in the north of the department, is being studied. It includes a information campaign indicating that this park must not in any way hinder agriculture, forestry, industrial development and hunting and fishing will still be possible there.
Cependant, le Vice-President of the Departmental Society for the Protection of Nature and the Environment, Guy Féquant, declares in Le Monde that Regional natural parks are often there to exploit nature and not protect it.
It was then that eleven years later, on December 21, 2011, following the creation of an association for the prefiguration of the regional natural park in the Ardennes in 1999, one decree creating the 47th regional natural park of France is signed. He is inaugurated on January 25, 2012.
Biodiversity of the park:
The park offers a variety of landscapes and reliefs For example the tip of Givet, the Ardennes massif, the Rocroi plateau, the slate rocks, the Sormonne valley et the Ardennes Thiérache.
There are also citadels, medieval castles, fortified churches, heritage built with schist, cob or even slate. You won't be bored discovering the regional natural park.
The 500 million year old territory makes the geological landscapes of the park unique.
The fauna and flora are very present, notably thanks to the rock which allows for varieties of plants, such as many species of orchids or, the royal osmunda.
The animals that you can observe in the Ardennes Regional Natural Park are wild boars, deer, black storks, black woodpeckers, kingfishers, woodlarks, peregrine falcons, little owls, bats, vipers et many more…
As for the flora, you will be able to see daffodils, orchids, clovers, sundews, spruces, oaks, white mugwort, Carthusian pinks...
Cultural and natural heritage:
The PNR sand is also characterized by its rich natural and cultural heritage:
- Footpaths (+ 1000 km), mountain biking (450 km) et cycle roads (100 km)
- 7 of the 14 Natura 2000 sites of the Ardennes are located in the part of the natural park
- 3 nature reserves
- 46 historical monuments et 9 museums (Michel Paradon Slate Museum, Forest Museum, and many others)
- A very present military architecture (Fort Charlemont, the ramparts of Mézières, etc.)
The Regional Natural Park has also inspired many writers and travelers, such as Arthur Rimbaud, George Sand, Verlaine…
The Ardennes are a land of legends, that's why you will be able to discover many mysterious stories and tales.
A charter:
A charter was adopted by the park for a 12 year term, aiming a development program that respects and enhances natural and cultural heritage from the Ardennes.
92 Commons have adhered to this charter and are included in the PNR. Spread over 9 cantons, these municipalities are Fumay, Givet, Monthermé, Nouzonville, Renwez, Revin, Rocroi, Rumigny, Signy-le-Petit.
These municipalities must implement 9 missions, approved by all municipalities, local authorities and the State :
- Sustainable use of resources,
- Making tourism a new axis of economic development,
- To appreciate the richness of natural environments,
- Animate the region and unite the public around local identity,
- Promote exchanges and cooperation between local stakeholders,
- Boosting external trade within the territory,
- Preserve and manage landscape heritage,
- Promote economical management of resources,
- Strengthen the quality of service and housing offers.
Part 2: Focus on the north of the park from Revin
Now we will focus on the regional natural park from the city of Returned, where the territory of the Val d'Ardenne begins up to the Belgian border.
Emblematic sites:
The natural park being very large, one can find there many iconic sites. Here are those who are in the territory of the Val d'Ardenne :
La Nichet cave à Fromelennes is one of first sites of the national park, she trained in a limestone formation.
All historical monuments, small villages, landscapes, viewpoints are part of heritage of the PNR.
Tourist activities:
The activities to do at the PNR are numerous:
Hobbies :
Firstly, if you want to have more information on the PNR, go to the park house situated at Renwez, 10 min drive from Revin.
Then, thanks to his Natural Heritage, the territory offers many leisure activities, de hiking, cycling… You will find all the hikes by clicking here:
As well as Trans-Ardennes Green Route which will allow you to do Charleville-Mézières/Givet by bike.
You can also practice the fishing, don't forget to have your fishing mape valid if you carry out this activity.
And feel free to visit all our touristic places.
Water sports:
Rent a electric boat without a license, to be yourself captain of your ship.
Or, for play sports while being on the water, you can also rent a pedalo.
That you are nature enthusiast, history buff, legend lovers or simply curious in quest for escape, the Ardennes Regional Natural Park will be able to help you surprise. It's an itotal immersion at the heart of a preserved naturee, where every detour can become a discovery.
Pack your backpack, put on your hiking shoes, and set off on an adventure in the park! And if you've already visited the PNR, share-tell us your experience!
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