The best road cycling routes around Doulcon

Over a period of 22 years, from 1926 to 1948, a completely new abbey was built based on a design by architect Henri Vaes. This was primarily the work of Ghent native Albert-Marie Van der Cruyssen, who became the first abbot in 1936. On August 20, 1929, the foundation stone was laid in the presence of Prince Leopold and Cardinal Van Roey. The new abbey was completed in 1948. On June 5, 1939, the abbey church was consecrated and elevated to Basilica Minor by Pope Pius XII. On September 8, 1948, the abbey church and the completed cloister were solemnly consecrated by Cardinal Micara, who served as Apostolic Nuncio to Belgium from 1923 to 1946 and subsequently became Prefect of the Congregation for Rites. To finance the major construction projects, which by then had already cost tens of millions of Belgian francs, various fundraising activities were initiated. For example, special postage stamps with a surcharge were issued by the Belgian government. The cheese factory (1931) and the brewery (1932) were established to generate the necessary funds, and laypeople were employed from the outset. After the construction work was completed, these proceeds were used for social and charitable purposes. (Wikipedia)

The beautiful and strikingly modern town hall of the Mezières district. The adjacent forecourt was traffic-calmed a few years ago. There's also a drinking water fountain in the southwest corner of the square.

Built in the 14th century, the Avioth Basilica is distinguished by its rich Gothic-style decorations. It is also called the Cathedral of the Fields because of its natural setting.

Sedan (Land of heroic deeds) The Ardennes massif is followed by a vast plain where the Meuse flows peacefully. This border region was at the crossroads of numerous invasions. Cities were fortified, castles became impregnable. History left a very heavy mark here. In the south, the landscape becomes softer, with a string of soothing undulations, a stark contrast to the battle that was fought there in 1870, in 1814, in 1940. Triggered? Click through to https://www.visitardenne.com/nl/les-routes-touristiques/route/etape_11212_3066

The Hôtel de Ville de Mézières, was rebuilt after the bombings of November 1918 and construction was completed in 1930. The facade of the building contains elements of medieval, Renaissance and Baroque architecture. The interior of the Town Hall reveals a neo-Baroque decoration. In 1966, the municipality of Charleville-Mézières was created by the merger of several municipalities, making the Hôtel de Ville de Mézières the town hall of Charleville-Mézières. The town hall is located on Place de l'Hôtel de Ville, which was completely renovated and modernized between 2018 and 2020. It is an impressive building that reflects Charleville-Mézières' status as a department capital.

A visit to the abbey is worthwhile. You should allow yourself about an hour and a half. Not far away there is a brasserie where you can try the cheese and beer.

Orval Abbey is a monastery of the Trappist Order (Cistercians of the Strict Observance) located in the municipality of Florenville in southern Belgium, near the French border. The name derives from the Basque ar(an) and French val (both meaning valley). The folk etymological interpretation of the French or (as golden valley) gave rise to a legend according to which a Countess Matilda (in some versions Matilda of Tuscany) lost her golden ring in the valley, which was then returned to her by a fish. She founded the monastery in gratitude. The Matilda Fountain can be visited in the ruins of the old monastery. (Wikipedia) Orval is a Trappist beer that has been brewed since 1932 in the Cistercian Abbey of Notre-Dame d'Orval in the Belgian province of Luxembourg. The bottle label and beer mat depict a trout with a golden ring in its mouth, illustrating the legend of the abbey's founding.

It's worth taking a short stop to try the abbey beer.