The best MTB trails around Douzy

This section is part of the Trans-Ardennes, a cycle route that is fully signposted in both directions and which links beautiful historical sites in the Netherlands, Belgium and France.

It's a shame to leave this beautiful building abandoned, the city of Sedan is really not proud of its heritage ☹️

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

Sedan is a town with a great history. Also with Dutch connections. A daughter of William of Orange became the mother of two brothers here who both fought battles in the Netherlands. Marshal Turenne besieged Den Bosch in his younger years and later returned on behalf of Louis the 14th. His brother was, in addition to Prince of Sedan, governor of Maastricht for a while. There were also many contacts between the Protestants of both countries. You can find all these things in the castle and in the streets of Sedan. And that, between the restaurants, hotels and shops. The town is slowly recovering from the poverty and desolate impression of the past decades. It is becoming more and more beautiful. In addition, there are many events. The surroundings are also attractive. In short: A must-see a short distance from the Netherlands

Sedan is a historic city in the French Ardennes, located on the Meuse River. The city is known for the Château de Sedan, the largest fortified castle in Europe12. Other important sights include the Saint Charles church and the Place Turenne. Sedan has a rich history, with influences from the Counts Van der Marck and the De la Tour d’Auvergne family. From 1547 to 1642, Sedan was a principality independent of the Kingdom of France. The city was a refuge for Protestants during the Reformation and played an important role in several wars.

Located in Glaire near Sedan, the Château de Bellevue is a 19th-century castle owned by Louis Amour, brother of the mayor of Donchery. This castle is known for a historical event on September 2, 1870. Emperor Napoleon was supposed to wait in this castle for a meeting with the Prussian King William I. However, Bismarck, who was afraid that the king would reconcile with Napoleon and that Napoleon would then not sign the capitulation, demanded that the capitulation should be signed before the king's arrival. The capitulation was signed at 11 a.m. in the presence of General Wimpffen. The King of Prussia did not arrive at Bellevue Palace until 2 p.m. and spoke with Napoleon for only fifteen minutes. Napoleon stated that he had never actually wanted this war. Afterwards, William I stated that they were "both very moved".

The Canal des Ardennes, also known as the Ardennes Canal, is a canal in northeastern France that connects the Meuse basin with that of the Seine. The canal is approximately 88 kilometers long. It runs entirely through the Ardennes department, between the Meuse at Pont-à-Bar and the Aisne at Vieux-lès-Asfeld. The Canal des Ardennes was built between 1823 and 1831 to create a shorter shipping route between Belgium and the Paris region. The canal has a total of 44 locks. There is a tunnel at Saint-Aignan, known as the Tunnel of Saint-Aignan. The canal has a branch to Vouziers at Semuy. The canal was built to bridge the height differences in this hilly area as easily as possible and was therefore constructed along existing rivers as much as possible. It reaches a height of 165 meters above sea level and then descends to a height of 60.55 meters at the terminus. It is an important part of the water infrastructure in this region.

Sedan is a city with an exceptional historical heritage. Birthplace of Marshal Turenne, it is particularly famous for its fortified castle built on a rocky spur which dominates the town. This medieval city has gone through numerous wars from the Middle Ages until the last world conflicts. Take the time to discover this wonderful heritage by visiting its many museums and other must-see sites.