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Aisne, Randonnée dans le vignoble de champagne

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CRTC Hauts-de-France - Vincent Colin

Aisne Department

100% nature and relaxation

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There are 1001 things to surprise you when you come on an adventure in Aisne. Two hours from Calais on the A26 motorway, Aisne is the historical cradle of France. It constantly alternates between picture perfect countryside, lush forests and rich architectural heritage. There are also large, pristine areas that are perfect for unusual and sporty activities, as well as being home to traditional crafts and skills.

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Northern France, Hauts De France, Aisne

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Jean-Luc Verbrugghe

The Aisne department’s 8 essentials

  • Take to the heights of the Medieval city of Laon
  • Sparkle on the Champagne tourist trail
  • Cross the green heart of the region to explore fortified churches
  • Be energised in the magnificent forests of Retz and Saint-Gobain
  • Follow in the footsteps of the rich and famous, admire their castles, abbeys, cathedrals and exceptional homes
  • Golf in l’Ailette, near the Chemin des Dames battlefield and museum
  • Indulge in local specialities, such as Maroilles cheese straight from the cellar
  • Relive the spirit of the 19th century cooperative life at Familistère de Guise
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Northern France, Laon, Cathedral

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OT Pays de Laon

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Northern France, Chateau-Thierry, champagne Pannier

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Hauts-de-France Tourisme - Anne Sophie Flament

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Northern France, Flavigny-le-Grand, Fortified church

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Hauts-de-France Tourisme - Teddy Henin

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Northern France, Villers-Cotterêts, Retz Forest

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Office de Tourisme Retz en Valois

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Northern France, Château-Thierry, Jean de la Fontaine Museum

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Aisne Tourisme - Jean Pierre Gilson

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Northern France, Chamouille, Le Lac de l'Ailette, family cycle route

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Hauts-de-France Tourisme / Anne-Sophie Flament

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Northern France, Haution, Ferme de la fontaine d'Orion, Maroilles cheese

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CRTC Hauts-de-France - AS Flament

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Northern France, Guise, Familistère Godin

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CRTC Hauts-de-France - Nicolas Bryant

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    Explore the Aisne Department

    Heritage contemplations and surprising nature

    Reflect on history

    Laon will prove a delight in revealing its best-kept secrets to you – from the hilltop cathedral that you can see from afar bathed in a halo of light to the underground crypts. Share in Godin’s dream of a social utopia at the Familistère de Guise, appreciate the Art Deco style of Saint-Quentin, the Gothic architecture of Soissons and Laon, and the fortified churches of Thiérache. Wherever you go, you will be surrounded by beauty.

    Explore Aisne Department
    Let nature surprise you

    From the vineyards of Château-Thierry in the south to the random sandstone blocks that you can climb over in the forest of Hottée du Diable, Aisne’s natural world can be appreciated on foot, horseback or bike. The EuroVelo 3 ‘Pilgrims Route’ is an ideal thoroughfare, crossing through the pasture lands and groves of Thiérache as it snakes its way from the Belgian border to Paris and beyond. There are so many places that are ideal for a break that’s peaceful and ‘green’. If you still have energy to burn, there are plenty of accrobranches – treetop zipline and climbing courses – to challenge the whole family.

    Explore Aisne Department

    Experiences to live in the Aisne department

     

     

    Cycling the Scandibérique route
    A sociable adventure to share among friends on part of France’s longest cycling route –something to make you look and feel very sporty! The route is also a foodie adventure for...
    Laon
    The hilltop at the heart of Laon is often bathed in a halo of light and offers wonderful views.  The short climb that connects low town with high town is a natural heritage...
    A Couple’s Break Discovering Laon and Spending the Night in a Château
    Bank-holiday and spring weekends looming large? How about heading to Laon, an incredible medieval city with stone houses clustered around a cathedral perched 180m up on a...
    Parfondeval
    Come uncover the secrets that have made Parfondeval one of France’s most beautiful villages. Nestled amongst the green countryside, it promises visitors an idyllic escape where...
    Soissons
    Soissons doesn’t announce itself loudly. It reveals its importance through layers of history, calm streets and a sense of continuity that feels almost rare today. As one of the...
    Canoeing in the Oise Valley
    We are in the area of Thiérache which forms parts of the Aisne department  north-east of Paris, where the river Oise flows freely. This area was made famous by Robert Louis...
    Top 10 fun activities to share
    The Hauts-de-France region is blessed with activities for families, each more fun than the next. From unusual rides in classic 2CVs and boating around the floating gardens of...
    Flit around the Butterfly Museum
    No need for a net to hunt butterflies, just your very own eyes to admire the hundred-year-old collection housed within l’Espace Saint-Jacques, a superb and recently-renovated...
    Street Art: Art in the Open
    There’s so much urban art in these towns, you can’t help but stop and admire it. The walls of our cities have a soul, and they tell us stories, so walking around feels like...
    On a bacôve in St Quentin’s Marais d’Isle
    Boating on a marsh in the middle of the town? In Saint-Quentin, you can! At the centre of Saint-Quentin lies the rather unexpected Marais d’Isle… a vast marshland and...
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