Jurbise(Belgium) Travel 2026: Cheap Flights, Hotels & Top Attractions

In Rethel, the top boutique hotel with historic charm is Hôtel de la Poste, housed in a 19th-century former post office. Its original stone façade, exposed wooden beams, and antique furnishings reflect authentic French Ardennes architecture. Each room features hand-painted murals inspired by local folklore and vintage French linens. The hotel’s rooftop terrace offers panoramic views of the River Aisne and nearby Medieval Castle ruins. Guests enjoy personalized service, including curated walking tours through hidden alleyways and traditional Ardennes cider tastings—perfect for travelers seeking immersive heritage experiences.

The Rue des Châteaux district provides the most scenic views for hotel stays in Rethel. Located on a gentle hillside overlooking the Aisne River Valley, this area features cobbled streets lined with 17th-century stone houses. Staying at Le Clos des Tilleuls, a restored manor house, grants guests sweeping vistas of vine-covered slopes and distant forested hills. At sunset, the golden light bathes the old bridge and Romanesque church, creating a postcard-perfect atmosphere. The quiet, tree-shaded streets also offer peaceful walks, making it ideal for couples or nature lovers seeking tranquility and timeless beauty.

During your stay in Rethel, participate in a traditional Ardennes cooking class where you’ll learn to prepare dishes like choucroute garnie and pork terrine with wild mushrooms using locally sourced ingredients. Visit the Rethel Market Square on Saturday mornings to witness farmers selling artisanal cheeses, honey, and fresh bread. Attend the evening Fête de la Musique festival featuring live folk music from regional bands. Don’t miss the nighttime lantern walk along the Aisne River, where locals illuminate historic pathways with handmade paper lanterns—an enchanting ritual rooted in centuries-old customs.

Yes, La Maison des Enfants is a family-friendly hotel in Rethel offering spacious suites with connecting doors and a private garden with play equipment. The hotel partners with Les Étangs de Rethel, a nearby nature reserve, to provide guided wildlife spotting tours, kayaking on the Aisne River, and birdwatching trails. Children enjoy hands-on workshops like building twig shelters and identifying native plants. Daily breakfast includes homemade fruit compotes and organic pastries. With its safe, green environment and activity-packed schedule, this hotel ensures memorable adventures for all ages.

Absolutely. Most hotels in Rethel, including Hôtel de la Poste and Le Clos des Tilleuls, offer complimentary bike rentals with electric-assist models perfect for navigating the Aisne Greenway. This 15-kilometer trail follows the old railway line, passing through forests, riverside meadows, and abandoned train stations. Maps and GPS-enabled devices are provided, highlighting points of interest such as the 16th-century mill ruins and wildflower meadows. Many routes are family-safe and include rest stops with picnic areas. Cycling here combines adventure with ecological awareness, showcasing the region’s rich natural heritage.

Breakfast in Rethel’s hotels often features local specialties: freshly baked pain de campagne with buttery jam and honeycomb spread, creamy farmhouse yogurt topped with seasonal berries, and smoked pork sausages from nearby farms. Many hotels serve apple tarts made with orchard-grown fruit and cider-based porridge. The Ardennes apple orchards supply the main ingredients, ensuring freshness and authenticity. Some hotels, like La Maison des Enfants, even offer hot chocolate with cinnamon sticks—a beloved regional tradition. These meals highlight the deep connection between Rethel’s culinary identity and its rural landscape.

Stay at Atelier du Temps Passé, a guesthouse near the Old Mill District, which hosts weekly handcraft workshops. Learn traditional basket weaving using willow rods, pottery shaping with local clay, or wood carving inspired by ancient Celtic symbols. The hotel also arranges visits to family-run dye studios where artisans demonstrate natural indigo and madder root coloring techniques. Evening events include storytelling sessions around a fire pit, sharing legends of the Aisne Valley. These immersive experiences allow guests to engage directly with Ardennes craftsmanship, preserving traditions passed down for generations.

The Sentier des Rochers trail near Rethel delivers breathtaking views of the Ardennes plateau. Spanning 8 kilometers, it winds through limestone cliffs, dense oak forests, and open meadows dotted with wild thyme. At the summit, the Observatoire de la Vallée offers 360-degree panoramas of rolling hills, the Aisne River, and distant villages. Another favorite is the Route des Érables, a 6-kilometer loop through maple groves and moss-covered stones, ideal for autumn foliage viewing. Both trails are well-marked and accessible, with benches and water stations. Many hotels provide free maps and guided hikes led by local naturalists.

Yes, Rethel is highly suitable for self-drive travelers. It lies just off the A26 autoroute, with easy access from Reims, Charleville-Mézières, and Lille. Hotels like Hôtel de la Poste offer free parking and EV charging stations. The surrounding roads are scenic, winding through vineyards and forested valleys. Popular destinations within 30 minutes include the Château de Rethel, Les Étangs de Rethel Nature Reserve, and the Village of Ligny-en-Barrois. Local tourist offices provide detailed driving guides with hidden gems like abandoned chapels and stone bridges—perfect for explorers seeking off-the-beaten-path adventures.

Yes, Le Clos des Tilleuls is a certified eco-lodge in Rethel that uses solar panels, rainwater harvesting, and composting systems. The rooms feature organic cotton bedding, zero-waste toiletries, and energy-efficient lighting. All food is sourced from local organic farms, and guests receive reusable water bottles and shopping bags. The hotel runs a forest stewardship program, inviting visitors to plant native trees in the surrounding woodland. Their commitment to sustainability reflects the Ardennes region’s environmental values, making it a model for responsible tourism.