Things to do
In the beautiful green region surrounding chambres d’hôtes Danou there is plenty to do. La Férée is located in the middle of the Thiérache. This part of northern France is an extension of the Ardennes. Sometimes it looks like time stood still in this undiscovered part of France with a variety of villages, rural landscapes and forests.
Get active and go hiking or cycling. You can stroll around for hours in the quiet and peaceful area without seeing anyone. Not in an active mood? No worries! At the house you can also just enjoy and relax. Snuggle up in a cosy corner with a book by the fireplace or stare into the sky in the hammock in our floral garden.
Looking for something active?
In the direct region of La Férée you can go on the most beautiful hikes or cycling trips. We would love to give you tips on the most beautiful routes and trips in the area. There are so many possibilities; let us know your wishes and we will see what suits you. But don’t hesitate to go on an adventure and find your own route, it is magnificent anyway and anywhere you go!
Voies Vertes (‘green cycling paths’)
Besides or own cycling routes, the region also offers the so-called ‘voies vertes’ that you can follow. These are safe and relatively flat paths that make them accessible to almost everyone. Voies vertes often following old rail roads, canals or rivers. In the close by area you find, amongst others, the Maas cycling route, the voie verte Trans-Ardennes, the Trans-Semoysienne and the voie verte d’Ennemane.
Le Chêne Perché (14 km, 15-minute drive)
Le Chêne Perché is an activity and adventure park in the forests of Signy l’Abbaye, located 15 minutes from Danou. You can do archery, there are multiple climbing parkours in the treetops and beautiful mountain bike roads in the forest.
Renting bikes
Would you like to go cycling but you did not bring your own bike? No worries, in the nearby village Signy l’Abbaye you can easily rent bikes. If desired, we can also make the reservation for you. It is recommended that you rent the bikes (at least) two days in advance.
Lac des Vieilles Forges (33 km, 34-minute drive)
Nearby the village Les Mazures, in a beautiful area with hills and forests, Lac des Vielles Forges is located. This big reservoir has a white sand beach, a sailing club and a recreation centre. It is a place to really relax but also do some sports: canoeing, kayaking, windsurfing, catamaran sailing, rowing, fishing and swimming. Additionally, you can also go hiking or mountain biking around the lake.
Églises fortifiées
The Thiérache is famous for its fortified churches, unique in the world. The route des Églises Fortifiées de Thiérache (150 kilometres) shows all the highlights, like the Château-fort de Guise, Église Saint-Martin de Montcornet or the Église Saint-Étienne de Servion.
Charleville – Mézières (35 km, 40-minute drive)
Charleville-Mézières is the capital of the French Ardennes. The city, with around 50.000 inhabitants, has a medieval character. Besides a vibrant shopping street, there are a few highlights in the city. Like the Place Duçale (one of the most beautiful central squares in the area), Le Vieux Moulin (currently Rimbaud Museum), the Marionette theatres with the marionette clockwork and once every two years the “Festival Mondial des Théâtres de Marionnettes”, the basilica Notre-Dame-d’Espérance and the remnants of the fortifications. Of course, Charleville also is home to some very nice restaurants and wine bars.
Reims (75 km, 65-minute drive)
Reims, capital of the Champagne region, is a relatively big city (± 185.000 inhabitants) and owes its fame to the cathedral, which saw so many coronations of the Kings of France, and of course to champagne, as the city is the headquarters of many of the largest champagne houses. The Cathédrale Notre Dame, originating from the 13th century, is especially famous for the stunning stained-glass windows from amongst others Marc Chagall. Besides that, Reims is an important city when it comes to art and history. The heritage of the city is so impressive that the city ended up on the UNESO World Heritage List twice. Note that the cathedral, the Palais du Tau, the Abbey and the Basilica of Saint-Remi are all classified as World Heritage by UNESCO. Additionally, in 2015, Reims made the list with the world-famous champagne culture.
The dozens of champagne houses or “chateau’s” have made Reims famous across the globe. You can follow the touristic route of the Champagne region, visit the immense wineries and the kilometres of authentic wine cellars. There are countless different possibilities for tours and tastings amongst all the different champagne houses, from Ruinart, Moët-Chandon or Pommery to smaller and less famous champagne brands.
more informationParfondeval (16 km, 17-minute drive)
The beautiful village Parfondeval is located in a typical Northern France landscape. In the middle of the village there is a lovely pond and a striking church (or is it a castle?), the Église Saint-Médard. With its red brick houses and slate roofs, Parfondeval is considered one of the most beautiful towns of France. With the town a starting point you can make some very nice hikes through the hilly area.
Laon (63 km, 60-minute drive)
Laon is a fortification village with a lower town and a higher located upper town. The upper city is surrounded by 7 kilometres of city wall and is home to a variety of historical monuments, with the beautiful and historical cathedral and five impressive towers as a literal highlight. But, don’t hesitate to walk past the outsides of the city wall for a nice walk and enjoy the stunning views over the lower city and the surrounding plains. Or stroll through the medieval streets with nice shops and cosy terraces.
Sedan (60 km, 50-minute drive)
Just like Charleville- Mézières, Sedan is located next to the Maas. The biggest highlight of the city is the enormous castle of Sedan, with 35.000m2 it is one of the biggest castles of Europe. However, Sedan has more to offer, like the Eglise Saint-Charles which is definitely worth a visit. Here too you can make some lovely hikes and biking tours through the region.