Cities & Villages

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Parfondeval

by car: 5 minutes
Walking: different routes from 1 hour

Parfondeval is a charming village in the Aisne department, close to Mainbresson and situated in the picturesque region of Hauts-de-France. This tranquil and idyllic destination boasts stunning natural surroundings and a wealth of cultural heritage. In fact, it has been recognized as one of the most beautiful villages in France. If you're seeking a delightful escape from Mainbresson, you've certainly found the perfect spot.

 

Here are some things you can do while visiting Parfondeval:

• Come and explore the magnificent Parfondeval Castle, a stunning 16th-century structure situated on a hill, providing breathtaking vistas of the village and its picturesque surroundings. The castle warmly welcomes visitors and offers informative guided tours that delve into the rich history of both the castle and the region.

• Take a leisurely walk through the charming old neighborhoods of the village and marvel at the stunning historic houses and buildings. Don't miss the quaint market square, which is home to various shops and a delightful terrace where you can relax with a cup of coffee or grab a bite to eat. Keep in mind that the square is closed on Mondays. Additionally, please be aware that the opening hours may vary during the autumn and winter seasons. Therefore, it's advisable to check the website https://www.lerelaisdelachouette.fr beforehand.

Rethel

30-minute drive

Rethel is a charming town located near Mainbresson. It boasts a rich history and offers a variety of attractions and cultural activities. If you're planning to spend an afternoon in Rethel, here are a few things you might consider doing:

• Visit Notre-Dame de Rethel Cathedral, an impressive 11th-century building with beautiful Gothic and Romanesque architecture.

• Head to the Musée Départemental de la Tapisserie, a museum dedicated to carpets and textile art. The museum contains works by well-known artists and also has a section of historical tapestries.

• Stroll through the city center and admire the old buildings and monuments, such as the old city hall and the bishop's house. It is quite a nice shopping town and has several restaurants and bars.

• Go to the Parc du Château d'Eau, a park with a beautiful garden and an art gallery. The park is a quiet place to relax and enjoy nature.

The distance from Rethel to Mainbresson is approximately 32 kilometers. By car, it would take about half an hour to drive from Rethel to Mainbresson, depending on traffic conditions.

Tip: At Rethel station, the TGV to Paris goes.

Rocroi

35-minute drive

Rocroi, on the edge of the Ardennes, is an authentically preserved fortified town. Many of the military buildings are still largely preserved in their original state. The tightly built village from the 16th century was completely set up for defense, with a tight street plan so that soldiers could get to the fortifications quickly. It is fun to walk around the ramparts, which total about four kilometers. The most important battle fought here was the Battle of Rocroi, a victory of the French over the Spanish, which marked the end of the Thirty Years' War. At the end of the seventeenth century, the famous master builder Vauban also left his mark on the town, building an arsenal and fortifications.

A walking tour can be downloaded here

Charleville-Mézières

45-minute drive

Charleville-Mézières is a town northeast of Mainbresson. The city is known for its cultural attractions and for its beautiful parks and gardens.

A day trip to Charleville-Mézières can look like this:

• In the morning you can take a walk through the Parc de la Semois, a beautiful park on the banks of the Semois River. Here you can enjoy nature and perhaps even have a picnic on one of the park's many benches.

• In the afternoon, you can go to the Musée Rimbaud, a museum dedicated to French poet Arthur Rimbaud. Here you can learn more about Rimbaud's life and works, and maybe even read some of his poems.

• If you go to Charleville-Mézières in the summer, you can also visit the Parc de la Plante, a beautiful park with fountains, flowers and trees. Here you can relax on a bench in the sunshine.

• Charleville-Mézières is a nice shopping town, with numerous stores and boutiques where you can buy clothes, jewelry, books and other fun stuff. The historic Place Ducale square is a great place to do some shopping or just to stroll around and soak up the atmosphere. The square is also home to numerous terraces and cafes, where you can enjoy a cup of coffee or tea or a nice glass of wine. The square is surrounded by beautiful historic buildings, such as the Hôtel de Ville and the Musée Rimbaud, so you can also enjoy the city's cultural offerings here. In the summer, the square often hosts events such as musical performances and markets, so it is definitely worth checking to see if there is something fun to do during your visit.

• In the evening, head to a downtown restaurant to enjoy local specialties, such as boeuf bourguignon and coq au vin. If you still have energy left, you can also visit a concert hall or other entertainment venue.

It is about 46 kilometers from Mainbresson to Reims. If you make the trip by car, the travel time would take about 46 minutes, depending on traffic conditions.

 

Laon

50-minute drive

Laon is a city in northern France, located in the Aisne department in the Hauts-de-France region. It is a historic city with many attractions and cultural activities. If you are going to Laon for a day, here are some things you could do:

• Visit Notre-Dame-of-Laon, an impressive Romanesque cathedral dating back to the 12th century. The cathedral stands on a hill above the city and offers beautiful views of Laon and the surrounding area.

• Stroll through the city's historic districts, such as the "Cité de l'Évêché" and the "Cité Saint-Pierre," and admire the old buildings and monuments, such as the Saint-Martin-de-Laon Abbey and the Old Town Hall.

• Head to the Musee de Laon, where you can see artwork and historical artifacts from the region.

• Enjoy nature at Parc du Château, a large park with hiking trails, a pond and a castle.

In summer, you can also have a picnic in the park or participate in activities and events organized in the city, such as music festivals and markets. In winter, you can check out the city during the Christmas season, when Laon is decorated with lights and Christmas markets.

The distance from Laon to Mainbresson is approximately 80 kilometers. By car, it would take approximately 50 minutes to drive to Laon from Mainbresson, depending on traffic conditions.

Reims

1 hour drive

Reims is a historic city in northeastern France, located in the Grand Est region. The city is known for its cathedral Notre-Dame de Reims, where many French kings have been crowned, and for its champagne houses.

A day trip to Reims can look like this:

• In the morning, you can go to Notre-Dame de Reims to admire the magnificent gothic cathedral. The cathedral is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains many beautiful works of art and stained glass windows.

• Then you can go to one of the champagne houses in town, such as Champagne Taittinger or Champagne Pommery, to take a tour and taste some champagne.

• In the afternoon, take a stroll through the historic Saint-Remi district, where you can visit the Basilique Saint-Remi, a beautiful Romanesque basilica. You can also visit the Musée Saint-Remi, where you can learn more about the city's history.

• If you go to Reims in the summer, you can also visit the Parc de la Patte d'Oie, a large park with beautiful gardens, fountains and ponds. Here you can relax on a bench in the sunshine.

• In the evening, head to a downtown restaurant to enjoy local specialties, such as quiche Lorraine and coq au vin. If you still have energy left, you can also visit a jazz club or other entertainment venue.

It is approximately 63 kilometers from Mainbresson to Reims. If you make the trip by car, the travel time would take about 1 hour, depending on traffic conditions.