Boating Holidays in The Ardennes

Holidays in the Ardennes

Experience the scenic Ardennes-region from your riverboat. The word Ardennes is Celtic and means "dense forest." A boating holiday in this area, with the clean country air, leaves one convinced that the lush area functions as Europe's lung. Nature is home to wild boar, deer and some of France's rarest bird species, not to mention that rare plants can also be seen here, such as orchids and the fly-eating sundew.

A boating holiday on the Maas River which winds and meanders, is a charming and memorable experience. You can also sail further into the Ardennes and discover the many exciting cities on the other side of the border to Belgium, the Ardennes offers a patchwork of different experiences.

The wildlife-rich region of the Ardennes, of course, presents many culinary game specialities. The pies, hams and sausages complete the experience. Most famous is the ham from the Ardennes, but connoisseurs prefer the white sausage, a typical speciality produced by local butchers. The undisputed king of the white sausages are Rethel, a must-try for riverboat tourists, but also the white Fumay sausages are excellent. Every year in July held a gourmet festival in the white sausage honour is held.

In any case, a true gourmet should follow the canal de l'Aisne à la Marne and sail against Champagne. In Epernay and Reims, the former coronation-city of French monarchs, one can taste the local champagne. One learns quickly that the fine beverage is served and consumed for any occasion: as apéritif, for starters, with the main dish or with desserts such as the delicious' Biscuit de Reims.