Five places to stay in French Ardennes

From June 10th, anyone visiting The French Ardennes will find it much easier and quicker to make the journey than ever before – thanks to the introduction of a new TGV route from Paris to Sedan, which also stops at Rethel and Charleville-Mézières.

In a region that likes to describe itself as "a France both familiar and different", the same can also be said for the different choices of accomodation on offer to holiday makers. Let Channel Hoppers show you some of the unique places where you can stay.

1. Stay in a castle.
But not just any castle.  Hôtellerie Le Château Fort in Sedan is a luxury 43-bedroom hotel, with 'gastronomic' restaurant, built within the walls of the largest fortress in the whole of Europe.  Prices for a double room start from 75Euros (around £52).  Packages are also available, such as their Magie des Lieux, which is priced at 342Euros (around £240) and includes two nights' B&B for two people, one evening meal with wine and aperitif, a welcome gift, and free admission to the fortress itself. 

For details, see http://www.hotelfp-sedan.com/

2. Stay in a yurt.
This might not be the most traditional of Ardennes' accommodation, but in terms of luxury-under-canvas it's hard to beat.  Newly opened this year, Village de Yourtes - in Houdlicourt, near to Rethel – offers accommodation in seven very stylish yurts, each one capable of sleeping four.  Prices per yurt start at 55Euros (around £38) a night.  And to round-off the experience, the 'traditional' on-site Mongolian restaurant offers a meal for 17Euros (around £12). 

Details of the yurts, restaurant and other facilities in the village are at http://mandukhai.free.fr/

3. Stay up a tree.
Another newcomer to The French Ardennes' accommodation listing in 2007 are the two large tree-houses, capable of sleeping up to three people each, in the newly opened Le Chêne Perché activity centre in Signy L'Abbaye - about 30 minutes drive south from Charleville-Mézières.  The tree houses (Cabanes dans les Arbres) can be hired from 65Euros per night (around £45).  Breakfast is supplied in a basket left on the forest floor, and hoisted up to the tree-house on the end of a rope. 

For more details, visit http://www.lecheneperche.com/

4. Stay in a boutique hotel.
Just about as far east as you can go before reaching Belgium, lies the almost idyllic village of Williers.  But it's worth the trip – if only to stay at Chez Odette, and eat in its stylish restaurant.  It's popular.  So booking one of its six rooms well in advance is strongly advised.  Prices for a double room start at 140Euros (around £99), and evening meals are around 52Euros (£35). 

Details of its unusual history, and what is on offer here today is at http://www.chez-odette.com

5. Stay in a Chateau
For a real treat, travel to Charleville-Mézières by TGV, and take the short taxi ride to Abbaye des Septfontaines.  Originally built in 1129, it was largely destroyed during The French Revolution, and took much of its current shape in the mid 19th century.  During World War I, General Joffre used it as his HQ.  It was later owned by the family of Charles de Gaulle's wife.  His regular visits are marked by the fact you can stay in 'Chambre de Gaulle', and enjoy the majestic views over the golf course and Ardennes countryside. 

Double rooms start from 95Euro (around £65); and full details can be see at http://www.abbayeseptfontaines.fr/