The best cycling routes around Prez

Thiérache, a land of historical passage, is adorned with fortified churches, from the Middle Ages to the 17th century.

In the hollow of the Teysonne valley, the wash house, renovated in 2005, offers a green and fresh setting. Built at the foot of the village in 1898, it was functional until the 1950s, when the first washing machines appeared in St. Bonnet ...

Signy-l'abbeye is a pleasant town with two hotels and, for the region, quite a few amenities, an ATM and a small supermarket. There is a large (walking) forest to the west and you will also find a campsite there. The church was built in 1900 on the site of a 16th century shrine. There was a Cistercian abbey here between 1135 and 1793.

Liart is a small village in the Ardennes department in the Grand Est region of France. It has about 600 inhabitants and is located 35 km from Charleville-Mézières, the capital of the department. Liart is known for its Church of Our Lady, which is a notable example of Gothic architecture in the region. The church was built between the 13th and 16th centuries and has a beautifully carved portal, an impressive organ and a richly decorated interior. The church has been classified as a historical monument since 1913. Another attraction in Liart is the museum of the Ardennes red turkey, a local species that was threatened with extinction and was saved thanks to the efforts of some passionate breeders. The museum tells the history and characteristics of this bird, which is a symbol of the Ardennes identity and gastronomy. The museum also organizes tours of the farms where the turkeys are raised.

The medieval west facade of the église Notre-dame was reinforced in the 17th century with a heavy rectangular keep with machicolations, battlements, skylights and loopholes. A bas-relief in tête-bêche (honor print) at the entrance depicts Good and Evil. The octagonal tower at the chancel has a staircase to an attic above the chancel.

The 17th century Saint-Rémy church is one of the fortified churches of Thiérache. The exterior has this robust appearance that is typical of fortified churches. A fortified square tower is located in the left corner of the nave. It is pierced with cannon and loopholes. The villagers could flee upstairs via a spiral staircase in case of danger. The tower is connected to a raised attic. A well and a bread oven completed the reception system. The tower was accessed via a staircase partly in the nave, partly in the partial round tower attached to it. Powerful buttresses strengthen the structure.

Actually, in the French-speaking world, such a CROIX is not called a CALVAIRE, because the latter are not individual crosses, but - usually lavishly decorated - crucifixion groups with rich figural decoration. But at this point, those driving past are invited to take a short break by an obviously lovingly maintained and worth seeing crossroads. The small sacred monument rises above the stone base. The cross has a body, i.e. the figure of Jesus Christ, above his head is the tablet with the four letters “INRI” as a (Latin) abbreviation for “Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews”.

Signy-l'Abbeye is a pleasant town with two hotels, and for the region, quite a few amenities, an ATM and a small supermarket. To the west is a large (walking) forest and you will also find a campsite.