Charleville-Mézières Town & River Walk

Place de l'Hôtel de Ville Charleville-Mézières,
Place de l'Hôtel de Ville Charleville-Mézières,

By Vicky · Published Jan. 29th, 2025

This walk leads you through the town of Charleville-Mézières, around an island full of parks and back along the river.

Charleville-Mézières Walking Map

Location

This walk around Charleville-Mézières starts from the main square in Mézières (the southern part of the town). There’s a small free car park nearby, or several other car parks in town. Alternatively, Charleville-Mézières train station is fairly central.

Tips

  • For refreshments, there are many cafes and restaurants on the first part of this hike, but none after you reach the island.
  • For more walking tours and hikes, see our France Hiking Page.

Charleville-Mézières Walking Route

Walking past grand buildings and rivers in Charleville-Mézières
Charleville-Mézières grand town hall

This walk starts at the Place de l’Hôtel de Ville, a large square by the river in Mézières. After admiring the grand city hall, or Hôtel de Ville, and the other buildings on the square, head towards the River Meuse. Turn right by the river. You’ll soon reach one of the remaining defensive towers of Mézières.

This part of town used to be a fortified citadel surrounded by high walls, gates and defensive towers. Today only a few medieval towers and gates remain, with some sections of the wall and a couple of bastions also visible.

Walking along the old ramparts of Mézières, France
a church in france

Head right at the tower and across the road to a viewpoint of the high walls and river far down below. Return a short distance and head left, past the church and left again down the hill. You’ll leave the old citadel of Mézières and reach the river. Head across the bridge to the right.

Heading towards Charleville

Continue walking down this street which leads from Mézières to Charleville. There are some nice buildings along this road and several shops. However, the main shopping area is a pedestrianised zone that you’ll reach after about 1 km. This starts at a statue on a little cobbled square surrounded by historic buildings. Head straight onwards.

Place Ducale in Charleville-Mézières
walking past Musee Rimbaud in Charleville-Mézières

This street leads you right to Place Ducale, a very grand square and the centre of Charleville-Mézières. The town’s main events happen here and there’s often something going on, from the Christmas Market to a beach theme in summer. It’s a great place to have a drink and sit for a while. If you’re interested, the Musée de l’Ardenne is just off one corner of the square.

When you’re ready, leave the Place Ducale on the opposite side of the square from where you came in and head to an interesting old building by the river. Formerly a mill, today it houses the Musée Arthur Rimbaud, a famous 19th-century French poet.

A grassy are in a town in france
walking past a river barrage in Charleville-Mézières

Cross over the long bridge behind the museum and take the stairs down to the left. This walking route now follows the path around the outside of the island. You’ll pass a campsite, swimming pool, and several playgrounds before walking between the river and the large gardens of houses.

On the far side, you’ll reach a Barrage over the river. There are some information panels about it on the riverbank and the pictures show how it has been updated over time. Continue onwards until you reach a more populated area. Turn right on Rue des Jardins, then left over the main bridge at the junction.

Walking back towards Mézières

walking along a river in france
a city in france

Immediately on the other side of the bridge, turn right and take the little dirt path. The route now continues along the edge of this river, La Meuse. This part of the walk is quite green as you walk next to trees, with the city on the other side of the river. You’ll pass beneath a railway bridge twice, then follow the riverside path left as it heads up the side of a smaller river branch.

Just before the next bridge, head left up to the street and across the bridge towards the highrise buildings. Again, head left just after the bridge to keep following the river. Head around the corner, along the river and across the white pedestrian bridge. In a short distance, you’ll be back at the grand Hôtel de Ville square and the end of the Charleville-Mézières Town & River Walk.



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