1. An adventure day at Lac des Vieilles-Forges
This is our home, so we start here. On the lakeshore, children go from thepirate treetop adventure at Le Corsaire Volant (from age 6) to the legends ofElfy Park (from age 2), before a swim at the lifeguarded beach or at the Wisplash water park. All the lake’s activities.
2. Charleville-Mézières and Place Ducale
20 minutes from the lake, Place Ducale is one of the finest architectural ensembles in northern France, in Louis XIII style. It is also home to the Arthur Rimbaud Museum and the Great Puppeteer clock, whose automata come to life every hour: a classic with children. The town hosts the World Puppet Theatre Festival.
3. The Meuse valley and its viewpoints
From Charleville to Givet, the Meuse winds between wooded cliffs. Among the best-known viewpoints: the Roche à Sept Heures in Monthermé and the Four Sons of Aymon monument in Bogny-sur-Meuse. Revin and Fumay are a quarter of an hour from the lake.
4. The Trans-Ardennes greenway by bike
More than 80 km of flat, safe cycle path follow the Meuse from Charleville-Mézières to Givet. Families can ride a section by bike or on roller skates. It is part of the European Meuse cycle route (EuroVelo 19).
5. Rocroi, the star-shaped fortified town
20 minutes from the lake, Rocroi has kept its star-shaped bastioned ramparts intact. You can walk around them in an hour, with a spectacular overall view from the rampart walk.
6. Sedan castle
About 40 minutes away, it is one of the largest fortified castles in Europe. Children discover medieval life there, and medieval events are held regularly.
7. Givet and Fort de Charlemont
At the tip of the Ardennes, facing Belgium, Fort de Charlemont overlooks the Meuse. Givet is also a good starting point for Dinant and the Belgian Meuse valley.
8. Over the border in Belgium: Couvin, Chimay and Dinant
30-40 minutes from the lake, Couvin and Chimay (castle, abbey, Lac de Virelles) extend your stay on the Belgian side. For Belgian families, Lac des Vieilles-Forges is an easy day trip: 1 h 10 from Charleroi, 1 h 30 from Namur.
Planning a family weekend in the Ardennes
Day 1 : morning at Elfy Park, picnic by the lake, afternoon at Le Corsaire Volant (Pass-Partout), then a swim at the end of the day in summer.
Day 2 : Place Ducale and the Great Puppeteer in Charleville-Mézières, then the Roche à Sept Heures viewpoint or a bike ride on the greenway along the Meuse.
To stay the night, the Lac des Vieilles-Forges campsite, the Regional Nature Park’s holiday cottages and the hotels of Charleville-Mézières are less than 25 minutes away.
Frequently asked questions
What is there to do in the Ardennes with children?
The must-sees: Le Corsaire Volant treetop adventure and Elfy Park at Lac des Vieilles-Forges, swimming in the lake, Place Ducale and the Great Puppeteer in Charleville-Mézières, Sedan castle, the Meuse valley viewpoints and the Trans-Ardennes greenway by bike.
What to do in the Ardennes when the weather is good?
Make the most of outdoor activities: treetop adventure, a forest fun park, swimming and paddleboarding at Lac des Vieilles-Forges, cycling on the greenway, hiking to the Meuse viewpoints.
Where can you do treetop adventure in the Ardennes?
At Le Corsaire Volant, at Lac des Vieilles-Forges (Les Mazures), 20 minutes from Charleville-Mézières: 9 courses on a pirate galleon, 9 zip lines and a climbing wall, from age 6.
Which family outing in the Ardennes suits toddlers?
Elfy Park, at Lac des Vieilles-Forges, welcomes children from age 2 (€8 for ages 2 to 4) with games, stories and Ardennes legends in the forest.