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Marché de Noël de Charleville-Mézières

Christmas in the Ardennes

With its mist-shrouded peaks and a landscape steeped in legend, the Ardennes invite you to snuggle up with a delicious hot chocolate… or a spiced mulled wine*. From the main market in Charleville-Mézières to the ice rink in Sedan, Rimbaud’s homeland promises you a truly magical Christmas. Whilst the poet said that “nature is but a spectacle of goodness”, the festive season in the Ardennes is more like an enchanted spectacle!

3 reasons to explore the Ardennes at Christmas

1. To experience a traditional Christmas. With its intimate Christmas markets and children’s activities, the Ardennes celebrate the Nativity with genuine warmth. Far from the trappings of commercialism, the Christmas spirit in the Ardennes is all about reconnecting with what really matters, through a spirit of sharing and local traditions.

2. For its fairytale setting. Mystical, majestic, poetic… The Ardennes offer a unique setting just a stone’s throw from Belgium. From the Ardennes Regional Nature Park to Sedan Castle, the region elegantly combines unspoilt nature with legendary heritage.

3. For its heart-warming cuisine. Christmas in the Ardennes is, above all, a feast for the taste buds. From Rethel’s white blood sausage to the Ardennes pâté en croûte, meals here turn into veritable feasts. Just the thing to warm you up during a winter weekend!

A holiday in the Ardennes over the festive season

A charming gîte, a unique place to stay in the heart of the countryside or a private flat – choose the setting for your Christmas holidays in the Ardennes.

    Marché de Noël de Charleville-Mézières
    Marché de Noël de Charleville-Mézières

    Christmas markets in the Ardennes worth discovering

    In the Ardennes, the star Christmas event is by far the much-anticipated Charleville-Mézières Christmas market. With its illuminated Ferris wheel and open-air ice rink on Place Ducale, the market is a hit with young and old alike. Parents will enjoy strolling from stall to stall in search of craft beer* and crispy waffles. As for the children, they’ll love wandering through the enchanted forest and its mystical creatures, from trolls to elves. As for entertainment, Father Christmas’s igloo, the fun treasure hunt and the little train will add a touch of magic to this evening at the market.

    Not far from Charleville-Mézières, set off to explore the Christmas villages in Rethel (Place de la Mairie). What’s on the programme? A funfair, horse-drawn carriage rides and cheerful mascots. As for the wooden chalets, they’re sure to offer you some hidden gem handicrafts, as well as plenty of sweet treats. Indulge in crêpes generously topped with chocolate and mulled wine* with its heady scent of cinnamon!

    Don’t miss out on an unforgettable Christmas at Sedan Castle either. During the festive season, this venue invites you to wander through vaulted halls, amidst twinkling garlands and holly wreaths. Not to mention the fairy tales brought to life at the castle, from *The Nutcracker* and *Narnia* to *Frozen*. And for a magical night, you can even stay overnight!

    *Excessive alcohol consumption is harmful to your health; please drink in moderation.

    Marché de Noël de Charleville-Mézières
    Marché de Noël de Charleville-Mézières

    Discover Christmas traditions in the Ardennes

    In the Ardennes, Christmas wouldn’t be the same without its Christmas markets, particularly the one in Charleville-Mézières with its Santa’s hut and ice rink in the centre. As for the timeless illuminated Christmas tree, it’s always there – whether at the markets or in people’s homes across the Ardennes!

    In the Ardennes, the magic of Christmas is also found in the joy of simple things. Attending midnight mass with the family, placing the star on the Christmas tree, singing at the top of your voice during a concert of traditional carols or gathering the whole family round a festive feast… Simply being together. That’s the essence of the Christmas tradition in the Ardennes!

    Pâtissière Mireille Oster

    A Christmas full of flavours in the Ardennes

    At Christmas, the Ardennes celebrate the joys of the table with characterful, hearty and authentic cuisine. You simply cannot miss Rethel’s famous white blood sausage, a true symbol of the festive season. Tender and delicately seasoned, it’s best enjoyed pan-fried, served with caramelised apples or a morel mushroom sauce. A delicacy that reigns supreme on Ardennes dining tables.
    Another must-have for New Year’s Eve: the Ardennes red turkey. This rustic and flavourful bird is often stuffed with local produce, making for a festive dish that is both refined and deeply rooted in local tradition.

    When it comes to sweet treats, the Ardennes’ Christmas markets are brimming with tempting delicacies. At the stalls in Charleville-Mézières, treat yourself to gingerbread with candied fruit, or a ‘galette au suc’ – a soft brioche typical of the region. And to round off the meal in style, try the gâteau mollet, a light and airy sweet speciality, perfect for bringing a refined feast to a close. During the festive season, tables across the Ardennes are adorned with authentic and delicious recipes.

    Marché de Noël à Charleville-Mézières

    Our tips for planning your Christmas break in the Ardennes

    Discover all our tips and get ready to immerse yourself in the magic of a Christmas in the Ardennes, whether for a short break or a weekend away!

    1. Aim for the period from late November to early January. Whilst some markets, such as the one in Charleville-Mézières, open as early as late November, most of the festive events in the Ardennes are best enjoyed from mid-December onwards. Visiting around 24th and 25th December is also the perfect opportunity to experience a traditional Ardennes Christmas to the full.

    2. Book your accommodation in advance. Whether you’d prefer to spend the weekend in a château, treat yourself to a holiday cottage with a spa, or opt for a unique overnight stay, remember to check the availability of your dream accommodation well in advance. You wouldn’t want to miss out on a real gem for your stay in the Ardennes, would you?

    3. Choose the train over the car. With the Group Pass, you can enjoy unlimited travel on trains and coaches across the Fluo network for one day for €40 (groups of 2 to 5 people). The offer is available on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays.

    Charleville-Mezieres-marche Noel-patinoire

    Our ideas for Christmas weekends and itineraries in the Ardennes

    Are you coming for the weekend or for a longer stay? As well as the Christmas festivities, why not take the opportunity to discover the treasures of the Ardennes? For nature lovers, a spa break just a stone’s throw from Argonne Park will give you the chance to alternate between baths, a jacuzzi and encounters with cubs. Unless, of course, you’d prefer to treat yourself to a cultural break at the Arthur Rimbaud Museum in Charleville-Mézières? And if you’re a romantic at heart, let yourself be swept away by a spa break combining wellness and fine dining in the heart of a château.

    Marché de Noël de Charleville-Mézières
    Marché de Noël de Charleville-Mézières
    Marché de Noël de Charleville-Mézières
    Marché de Noël de Charleville-Mézières

    Christmas activities in the Ardennes, by town

    Charleville-Mézières

    • Stroll amongst the wooden chalets at the Christmas market on Place Ducale
    • Have a go at ice skating on the open-air rink
    • Enjoy a waffle whilst visiting Father Christmas’s hut and/or the enchanted forest
    • Attend a Christmas concert or show in one of the town’s churches or venues

    Sedan

    • Discover the Christmas market on Place d’Armes, with its huts, homemade mulled wine and children’s entertainment
    • Explore Sedan’s fortified castle, decorated for Christmas
    • Take part in a creative Christmas decoration workshop

    Rethel

    • Stroll through the Christmas market in the gardens of the town hall and on Place Hourtoule
    • Try Rethel’s famous boudin blanc, the quintessential Christmas speciality of the Ardennes
    • Admire the town centre’s Christmas lights and the shop windows decorated by local retailers
    • Take a spin on the carousel at the market with the children
      Marché de Noël de Charleville-Mézières
      Marché de Noël de Charleville-Mézières

      Let yourself be enchanted by the magic of Christmas in the Ardennes

      When winter sets in, the Ardennes become a real-life Christmas fairy tale. From the market in Charleville-Mézières to the one in Rethel, let yourself be enchanted by the illuminated wooden chalets, the ice rink bathed in starlight, and the sweet scent of mulled wine mingling with that of gingerbread. Here, the spirit of Christmas is found in a shared smile, a hummed carol, and a meal enjoyed together.

      From Rethel black pudding to cured ham, the Ardennes’ cuisine is as generous as its bountiful natural surroundings. As you’ll have realised, all the ingredients are in place for a magical Christmas break in the Ardennes!

      FAQ: Frequently asked questions about Christmas in the Ardennes

      The Ardennes department is situated in north-eastern France, in the Grand Est region. It borders Belgium and is just a few kilometres from the cities of Charleroi and Liège.

      Both are acceptable. ‘L’Ardenne’ without the ‘s’ refers to the natural and cultural region straddling four countries: France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. However, ‘les Ardennes’ refers to the French department that stretches along the border with Belgium.

      A Christmas break in the Ardennes is the perfect opportunity to indulge your every whim. Whether you prefer to wander aimlessly around the market in Charleville-Mézières, hunt for the best waffle stall, swap your boots for skates at the open-air ice rink, attend a concert of traditional carols, meet Father Christmas or switch to ‘cocooning’ mode in a holiday cottage with a spa… You name it!

      The Ardennes Christmas markets pride themselves on their warm and authentic atmosphere. With wooden chalets, handcrafted decorations and the scent of cinnamon, every village square offers an intimate atmosphere, far from the hustle and bustle of the big cities. In Charleville-Mézières, as in Rethel, you’ll also find this friendly spirit where people take the time to stroll, chat and savour life’s simple pleasures.

      The festivities usually begin in late November, but the villages of the Ardennes are often at their liveliest around mid-December. This is when the majority of events take place: illuminations, craft workshops, family shows and art trails. For the full experience, aim to visit between 15 December and 2 January to enjoy the markets, the light displays and the highlights of the festive season.

      To make the most of winter in the Ardennes, it’s best to choose accommodation that prioritises comfort: a cosy cottage with a fireplace, a bed and breakfast in a traditional village, or a hotel nestled in a building full of character. Some establishments even offer artistic or craft experiences, such as creative workshops or decorations made on site. Perfect for prolonging the magical festive atmosphere as soon as you return to your room!

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