Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Charleville-Mézières, France

On the southern edge of the Ardennes, Charleville-Mézières presents a town rich in diverse narratives. The construction of Charleville, initiated in the 1600s under the directive of Charles Gonzaga, the Duke of Nevers, exhibits a harmonious symmetry with its regal monuments, squares, and thoroughfares.

Conversely, Mézières possesses a far older pedigree. Despite being a target during numerous conflicts, it has continuously undergone restoration, resulting in a unique blend of medieval and Art Deco architecture. It is important to highlight the town’s renowned puppet culture, epitomized by a remarkable ten-meter-high automaton located in one of the public squares, alongside an international puppet theatre festival that takes place biennially in September.

Let us delve into the notable attractions in Charleville-Mézières:

1. Place Ducale

Charleville emerged as a new town, established in the 17th century following the French Wars of Religion. The Duke of Mantua, Charles Gonzaga, envisioned it as a bulwark of the Catholic Counter-Reformation and enlisted architect Clément Métezeau to realize this aspiration.

The centerpiece is the magnificent Place Ducale, a square delineated by grand, symmetrical pavilions in an early Baroque style. The ground level features arcades accommodating brasseries and cafés, complemented by a central fountain.

Visitors familiar with Paris may observe a resemblance to Place des Vosges, designed by Clément’s sibling, Louis.

2. Basilique Notre-Dame-d’Espérance

Over the past two centuries, this church has withstood numerous sieges and assaults, specifically in 1815, 1870, 1914, 1940, and 1945, each time undergoing restoration to sustain its original architectural designs. The majority of the structure dates back to 1499, with the exception of the bell tower, which was completed in the 1600s.

Featuring a predominantly Flamboyant Gothic style, this is prominently displayed in its ornate southern façade adorned with gargoyles and pinnacles. This intricate decoration extends into the nave, showcasing remarkable keystones suspended from its vaults.

The abstract stained glass windows within the church were crafted by 20th-century artist René Dürrbach.

3. Muséede l’Ardenne

Located in dignified homes on the southeast periphery of Place Ducal, this museum chronicles the history of the Ardennes region. The initial room, situated underground, delves into ancient history, showcasing items such as jewelry, glassware, everyday artifacts, and sculptures dating back to the Bronze Age.

Progressing through the museum, exhibits include Gallo-Roman and Frankish artifacts, paintings, sculptures, vintage firearms, and pharmaceutical earthenware pots, amongst others.

A section dedicated to puppetry provides insight into the mechanisms of the Grand Marionnettiste clock located on Square Winston Churchill, alongside a collection of antique puppets from diverse cultures and eras.

4. Le Grand Marionnettiste

Adjacent to Square Winston Churchill stands the magnificent automaton powered by the intricate mechanism. This installation, crafted by artist and automaton creator Jacques Monestier in 1991, stands ten meters tall and narrates the medieval tale of the Four Sons of Aymon across twelve brief scenes hourly from 10:00 to 21:00.

Due to time constraints, many visitors are unable to attend each show throughout the day; hence, a consolidated performance showcasing the entire story occurs on Saturdays at 21:15.

5. Le Vieux Moulin

As you traverse Charleville, the town exhibits a design of symmetry throughout. Similar to Place Ducale, the elegant Vieux Moulin was conceived by Clément Métezeau and is perfectly aligned with the square, albeit positioned a couple of hundred meters to the north.

This structure showcases Louis XIII architecture and historically harnessed the power of the Meuse River with two wheels for flour milling for 250 years.

Flour production ceased in the 1870s due to a change in the river’s level, and it was another century before the edifice was transformed into a museum.

6. Musée Rimbaud

This museum is dedicated to Arthur Rimbaud, arguably the most prominent individual to emerge from Charleville-Mézières. The museum is aptly located at the same quay as Rimbaud’s childhood home, situated at house number 7.

The permanent collection offers an intimate portrayal of his life through telegrams, letters, and original items from his travels through Cyprus and Africa.

For enthusiasts of his literary work, the original manuscript of his poem “Voyelles” is available for viewing.

An exhibition further illustrates the impact Rimbaud had on 20th-century artists including Picasso, Jean Cocteau, and Fernand Léger.

7. Parc du Mont Olympe

One appealing aspect of Charleville-Mézières is its seamless transition into nature from the historic town center. Crossing the Meuse at Vieux Moulin leads directly into this 14-hectare park situated atop a hill that previously served a defensive purpose for the town.

A fortress once occupied Mont Olympe until the late 17th century when it was demolished on the orders of Louis XIV. As you meander through the park, you may encounter small outcrops of purple schist, indicating this region’s proximity to the Ardennes Range.

A watersports center along with a marina activates in the summer months, ranging outdoor recreational activities for visitors.

8. Rue de la République

Complementing the grandeur surrounding Place Ducale, Rue de la République is a long, straight thoroughfare lined with elegant historic houses. Proceeding northward, one can observe Vieux Moulin, with a similar architectural style continuing on the opposite side of the square along Rue du Moulin.

The 17th-century structures adhere to Charles Gonzaga’s original design, featuring continuous mansard roofing across two levels of residential units. Rue de la République serves as the town’s primary shopping street, adorned with local boutiques and international retailers.

9. Mézières’ Fortifications

Long before Charleville was founded, Mézières served as a strategic frontier for the French kingdom. The town’s historic walls signify its status as a highly contested strategic asset. In 1521, King Francis I dispatched one of his foremost commanders, Seigneur de Bayard, to defend Mézières against the advance of Holy Roman Emperor Charles V. Bayard and his contingent of 1,000 soldiers successfully held their ground, effectively safeguarding France from a more significant invasion.

The tourist office facilitates guided tours along the ramparts during summer, providing insights into the consequential events that transpired here 500 years ago.

10. La Maison des Ailleurs

Situated on Quai Arthur-Rimbaud, this is the residence where Rimbaud lived as a child from 1869 to 1875, sharing the space with his mother and siblings on the first floor. The town has acquired the building and opened it to the public.

This location was pivotal in Rimbaud’s life as his creative genius flourished during his adolescence and early adulthood. The interiors of the house are designed to evoke Rimbaud’s life and literary contributions, with a lobby reminiscent of a train compartment and a room themed around his time in Marseille where he passed away.

Upstairs, the family’s apartment retains a minimalist aesthetic, exhibiting fragments of poems along with multimedia displays, holograms, and sound installations.

11. Quartier Art Deco

Mézières has been acknowledged for its Art Deco heritage, having received the “Patrimoine XXe Siècle” label from the French Ministry of Culture. Five structures, including the EDF headquarters, town hall, and law courts, have been recognized.

While none of these are designated tourist sites, individuals with an appreciation for early-20th-century architecture will find fascination in the designs present within this locale. The town hall (hôtel de ville) serves as an excellent example of how traditional regional architecture was modernized in the aftermath of the First World War.

12. Puppet Theatre Festival

Charleville-Mézières claims the title of being the puppet capital of the world. The town hosts three prominent international institutions dedicated to this art form, organizing a festival every two years that has been ongoing since 1961 and has significantly expanded in the past decade.

During the ten-day event in September, the Place de Ducal and various streets, courtyards, and halls are transformed into stages for vibrant and innovative puppet theatre performances. The evolution of puppetry is reflected in these exhilarating shows, which incorporate modern designs and advanced technology.

Performers from across the globe attend; the 2017 festival featured artists from Norway, Quebec, Germany, and the Netherlands.

13. Le Cabaret Vert

Named after a classic Rimbaud poem, this rock and pop music festival commenced in 2005 and is held on the final weekend of August. It has evolved to become one of the most attended festivals in France, attracting approximately 95,000 attendees annually while maintaining a friendly, village-like atmosphere across its four stages.

Renowned acts such as Public Enemy, M83, the Chemical Brothers, Granddaddy, Placebo, and Massive Attack have graced the stage at Le Cabaret Vert in recent years.

This communal experience is enriched by eco-friendly initiatives and smaller venues hosting diverse activities such as poetry readings and acoustic performances.

14. Fort des Ayvelles

A poignant remnant of military history is located just beyond the southern suburbs of the town. Fort des Ayvelles was constructed in 1876 following the Franco-Prussian War and played a role in both World Wars.

During the 1930s, it fortified the northern segment of the Maginot Line, with surrounding concrete bunkers from this period remaining as a testament to this conflict. This site captures the interest of historians, in addition to offering activities for children such as treasure hunts and simulated police investigations.

The Maginot Line begins in earnest just southeast of Sedan at Ouvrage La Ferté, where significant combat occurred in 1940, marking one of the fiercest points on France’s defensive network.

15. Château de Sedan

A must-see attraction in the vicinity of Sedan is the imposing medieval castle that looms over the town. The term “enormous” barely encapsulates the scale of Château de Sedan, which is constructed on seven levels with walls that measure 26 meters in width at their thickest section.

Guided circuits navigate visitors through a millennium of history as they traverse bastions and ramparts, unveiling the various innovations that rendered this fortress virtually impenetrable. Additionally, the site frequently hosts activities for children, encompassing Easter egg hunts and medieval fairs.