Welcome to Puppetville
Fans of Punch and Judy simply must pay a visit to Charleville- Mézières, in the Ardennes. In 1948, Jacques Félix founded the Petits Comédiens de Chiffons (Little Rag Actors) as a way to boost the local morale following the Second World War.
The town is now home to the World Puppet Theatre Festival, founded by Félix in 1961, who said, ‘With friendship and will, the largest Utopias come true’. He remained heavily involved until his death in 2006.
The 10-day biennial festival attracts both amateur and professional puppeteers from all over the world, with shows performed at 50 different venues in the town. The 50,000 local inhabitants are joined by around 150,000 visitors – all there to enjoy street theatre, puppet stalls and exhibitions.
An all-year-round, puppet-themed attraction is The Great Puppeteer’s Clock. Built into the facade of the Institut de la Marionette (Charleville is home to the International Puppet Institute and a school of puppetry, Ecole Supérieure Nationale des Arts de la Marionnette), the mechanical clock performs part of the local legend, the Four Sons Of Aymon, on the hour.
The next festival is not until September next year, but it is so popular that you have to book accommodation and tickets to the shows well in advance.
The World Puppet Theatre Festival runs from 18 to 27 September 2015: www.festival-marionnette.com
Travel
The area is easily reached by train, but if you want to get about once in Charleville you can hire a rather special car. Retroscapade has a fleet of restored 2CVs, which is a fun way to explore. Hire costs €149 a day, or €249 for a weekend.
The area is also great for cycling, and designated routes are signposted across the region.
www.retroscapade.com/en
Where to stay in Charleville-Mézières
Chambres d’hôtes La Peniche Thor
A stone’s throw from the main square (where most of the shows take place), this boat hotel is a great place to stay if you want to be at the heart of the action. It costs €69 for a double room, €88 for a family room (up to three people), with breakfast included.
www.penichethor.eu
Hôtel Golf de l’Abbaye de Sept Fontaines
Charles de Gaulle used to stay at this grand hotel, set in beautiful grounds, and just a short drive from Charleville. Rooms start at €89.
www.abbayeseptfontaines.fr/hotel-fagnon
Château Fort de Sedan
This fairytale castle was built nearly six centuries ago. Rooms start from €63.
www.chateau-fortsedan.fr/en/hotel
This trip was organised by Tourisme en Ardennes. For more information on Charleville and the Ardennes region: www.gb.ardennes.com
Train travel was by Rail Bookers: www.railbookers.com
The town is now home to the World Puppet Theatre Festival, founded by Félix in 1961, who said, ‘With friendship and will, the largest Utopias come true’. He remained heavily involved until his death in 2006.
The 10-day biennial festival attracts both amateur and professional puppeteers from all over the world, with shows performed at 50 different venues in the town. The 50,000 local inhabitants are joined by around 150,000 visitors – all there to enjoy street theatre, puppet stalls and exhibitions.
An all-year-round, puppet-themed attraction is The Great Puppeteer’s Clock. Built into the facade of the Institut de la Marionette (Charleville is home to the International Puppet Institute and a school of puppetry, Ecole Supérieure Nationale des Arts de la Marionnette), the mechanical clock performs part of the local legend, the Four Sons Of Aymon, on the hour.
The next festival is not until September next year, but it is so popular that you have to book accommodation and tickets to the shows well in advance.
The World Puppet Theatre Festival runs from 18 to 27 September 2015: www.festival-marionnette.com
Other highlights
There are six tourist routes around the Ardennes region, each offering something special.- Fortifications route: perfect for history lovers, it guides you through the region’s magnificent castles.
- Route of the Meuse and Semoy legends: explore the locations behind the many myths and legends.
- Rimbaud-Verlaine route: a poetic pilgrimage to the landscapes associated with literary figures.
- Forest, lake and abbey route: the monastic world of the Ardennes.
- Fortified churches of Thiérache: see the area’s rich architectural heritage.
- The Porcien Route: venture into the heart of rural Ardennes.
All these routes are clearly marked by different colours on tourist maps, and also on the region’s roads.
For further information, visit the local tourist office: www.gb.ardennes.com
Office de Tourisme de Charleville- Mézières: +33 (0)3 24 55 69 90: www.charleville-tourisme.com
Travel
The area is easily reached by train, but if you want to get about once in Charleville you can hire a rather special car. Retroscapade has a fleet of restored 2CVs, which is a fun way to explore. Hire costs €149 a day, or €249 for a weekend.
The area is also great for cycling, and designated routes are signposted across the region.
www.retroscapade.com/en
Where to stay in Charleville-Mézières
Chambres d’hôtes La Peniche Thor
A stone’s throw from the main square (where most of the shows take place), this boat hotel is a great place to stay if you want to be at the heart of the action. It costs €69 for a double room, €88 for a family room (up to three people), with breakfast included.
www.penichethor.eu
Hôtel Golf de l’Abbaye de Sept Fontaines
Charles de Gaulle used to stay at this grand hotel, set in beautiful grounds, and just a short drive from Charleville. Rooms start at €89.
www.abbayeseptfontaines.fr/hotel-fagnon
Château Fort de Sedan
This fairytale castle was built nearly six centuries ago. Rooms start from €63.
www.chateau-fortsedan.fr/en/hotel
This trip was organised by Tourisme en Ardennes. For more information on Charleville and the Ardennes region: www.gb.ardennes.com
Train travel was by Rail Bookers: www.railbookers.com