1. THE HISTORY OF STENAY

2. SMART FACADES

3. ST DAGOBERT'S ARCH

4. THE ARCHES AND THE BANDSTAND

5. JOURNEY INTO THE PAST

6. BRONELLE CASTLE

7. LANEUVILLE-SUR-MEUSE CASTLE

8. THE MOUZAY CASTLES

9. THE VILLAGE OF HALLES SOUS LES COTES

10.THE EUROPEEN BEER MUSEUM

11.CHARMOIS' BEER

12.RAMBLING

13.FISHING

14.THE YACHTING PORT

15.THE CAMPSITE

16.THE MOTORHOME SERVICES AREA

THE HISTORY OF STENAY.

Some historians have seen Stenay as the "Devil's town" or "Satan's town". It seems certain that the town was very important as early as the Gallic times. Stenay belonged to the Dukes of Bouillon before being the possession of the noblemen of Bar. From 1596, the town was endowed with powerful fortifications, notably from 1609 to 1646. Given to Louis XIII in 1641, the town passed in 1646 to the Prince of Condé who used it at the time of the Fronde. Besieged and captured by Louis XIV in 1654, its fortifications were demolished by Vauban in 1687. Then, Stenay became an important, middle-class, cultural, industrial and military town. When it became French Stenay nevertheless remained a border town and suffered many invasions. Its rich background can be retraced at the Tourist Information Office.

SMART FACADES

Many buildings of the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries show us how rich and prosperous the inhabitants of Stenay were after the town had gone through the dark moments of the 30 year war, and the Fronde. Definitively French, Stenay's economy quickly developed when the forges were built Craftsmen established corporations for the various industries, including the leather craft, woodwork, ironwork, farming, ecology, wine producing, market gardening and fruit farming. In the 19th century, the economic exchange business expanded with the building of the East canal and the railway line. During this economic expansion, and for three centuries, Stenay changed and became a middle-class town. Luxurious, private mansions were constructed and, thanks to them, Stenay has today become a town which has character. It still boasts the original plan of the old fortified town.

ST DAGOBERT'S ARCH

Grandson of the King of the Francs, Dagobert l, the young King of Austrasie (the Merovigian Kingdom) Dagobert Il, was threatened by Ebroïm, the mayor of the palace. At the end of 679, Dagobert Il was in Stenay to celebrate Christmas. On December 23 rd, he left with a large court and went hunting in the Woëvre forest. At midday, tired from hunting, he sat down near the Arphais fountain, now called the St Dagobert's fountain. It was here that one of his servants struck him dead, thus ending the Merovigian dynasty. In 872 the young martyred king became a saint, and the church where he was buried was enlarged and renamed St Dagobert's church. This church became part of the city walls in the 17th century. Today only the arch remains now housed next to the Tourist Information Office.
Cercle St Dagobert II, 3 place Raymond Poincaré, Stenay. Tel. 03 29 80 48 04.

THE ARCHES AND THE BANDSTAND

The arches were built in the sixteenth-century and now incorporate shopping arcades. The bandstand played an important part in the town's daily life. Ever since it was built in 1894, the town's funfair, trade fairs, markets, concerts and many other events take place around it and help to make Stenay a lively place.

JOURNEY INTO THE PAST

Throughout the woods and fields as in certain villages many monuments stand witness to the successive conflicts during the Wars of 1870, 1914-1918 and 1939-1945. Whilst walking, cycling or driving in the area, you will notice various prominent monuments, such as the elliptic memorial of Lucy Saint Martin.

BRONELLE CASTLE

Halfway between Stenay and the picturesque village of Brouennes! in the heart of an attractive green valley where the road is bordered with majestic trees! you can see the magnificent seventeenth-century Bronelle Castle! which is private.

LANEUVILLE-SUR-MEUSE CASTLE

In the heart of Laneuville-sur-Meuse, a large private castle merges into the other buildings. It was rebuilt in the 17th century on the site of an older building. The two round towers of the dovecote frame the gate which closes the court yard. Water from the Meuse river once fed the small moat surrounding the castle walls. The finest view of the castle is from the rue des Egyptians. The castle cannot be visited.

THE MOUZAY CASTLES

The architectural heritage of the large village of Mouzay is one of the biggest and best preserved in the Stenay area. Alongside the dark and mysterious Woëvre Forest, you can see the two castles of Charmois. The upper castle on the left, with very old foundations, was rebuilt in the 16th century and restored by Alphonse Charles d'Herbemont in 1870 in troubadour style. The lower Castle on the right was built in 1615 and, since then, the exterior has never been changed. Both of them are private.

THE VILLAGE OF HALLES SOUS LES COTES

This is one of the most typical and best preserved villages in the Stenay area. Situated at the foot of the Meuse Hills, it has kept its characteristic architecture, including its church, washing-place and its houses owned by hawkers and wine growers, which shows how prosperous it was in the 19th century. Many walks are possible through the gardens and orchards leading to the foot of the hills. You can also discover the remains of the old iron and steel plant of the previous century.

THE EUROPEEN BEER MUSEUM

This is the largest museum in the wor[d devoted solely to beer. Opened since 1986, it enables visitors to learn about the history of beer, and the raw materials and manufacturing techniques used. Everything is here to give you the opportunity to discover the oldest drink in the world. ln the museum, which is housed in an old malt factory, you can discover this natural product barn from earth, water, air and tire. The visit lasts about an hour and a hait The museum is open every day except Tuesday from March to November.

CHARMOIS' BEER

Alain Bonnefoy, a young farmer and son of the Bonnefoy family, owners of the chateau of Haut Charmois, has created a brewery in the oldest part of the castle. The beer, a light blond lager, is produced artisanally using a high fermentation, non-pasteurisation process which allows the beer to ferment further after bottling. Visit the castle and taste this delicious and unique beer.

RAMBLING

You can explore the Stenay area on foot, on horseback or by bicycle by following the six mile long marked footpaths which go through welcoming villages typical of the area. The tourist information office can suggest various outings to you from the easy "discovery walk" to more difficult ones. These excellent nature trails through forests and valleys will enable you to discover the rich flora and fauna indexed by the CPIE and the LPO and will show you the Meuse area as it really is.
Take a look at: Walking and Biking

FISHING

Fishing is an activity which is practised by several thousand people in the Stenay area. The rich piscicultural fauna in all the streams enables hundreds of fishing lovers to do a bit of fishing (gudgeon, perch, pike, trout, bream, roach, tench etc) alongside the shady banks which around seven miles long.

THE YACHTING PORT

This is one of the largest in the Meuse Valley. Here you will find a Tourist Information Office, pontoons, water and electricity supplies, public toilets and showers. Located on a branch of the canal on calm water and near the town center, shops and museum, it is a real haven for European yachtsmen.

THE CAMPSITE

Today the campsite has 130 pitches. Located alongside the quiet banks of the Meuse river, it has all the modern conveniences and is a very good place for walkers and anglers alike.

THE MOTORHOME SERVICES AREA

The Motorhome Services area, with full service and information facilities, is situated on an attractive peninsula site located between the port and the river Meuse, close to the town centre.
Open: from 15 march until 15 November. Out of season : request information from the Tourist Bureau.