The best walks and hikes around Longchamps-Sur-Aire

Saphira is a giant red iron sculpture by Claudia Comte which stands out like a silhouette against an open landscape. Saphira is named after a dragon from a fantasy novel, and its shape evokes the scales and tail of this mythical creature.

One of the most remarkable works of art that you can encounter on the Louvent Monts et Merveilles1 circuit is the വിശ്വാസ മലക്ക് ചുറ്റും / Around the creed mountain / Monts et Merveilles by Sunoj D. This installation consists of 44 beams oak arranged in an irregular pyramid in a clearing in the forest of Nicey-sur-Aire. The artist, originally from Kerala, India, was inspired by local legends and myths of the Meuse region, as well as his own cultural background. The pyramid symbolizes a sacred mountain, a place of worship and pilgrimage for different faiths and beliefs. The beams are engraved with various designs and inscriptions, some in Malayalam, the language of Kerala, and others in French. The artwork invites you to explore its details and meanings, and reflect on your own spirituality and identity. It's an amazing example of how art can connect different cultures and histories.

One of the works of art that you can come across on the Louvent circuit is work n° 183, also known as Chants Silents, by Lionel Sabatté. This is a series of zoomorphic sculptures made from oak stumps and coins, which the artist carved from trees uprooted by the storms of 1999. These creatures represent the evolution of our civilization through the dawn of the 21st century and contrast with the peaceful environment of the forest.

One of the highlights of the Louvent circuit is the Belladonna-Phoenix artwork by Amandine Guruceaga1. It is a copper, steel and brass sculpture that resembles a phoenix rising from the ashes. The metal flames are flexible and sensitive to wind, creating a sound that reverberates through the forest. The sculpture is located between a cherry tree and a beech tree, and reflects the sunlight with this brilliant plane.

One of the highlights of the Circuit du Louvent is the work of art called Keep warm by Jean-Pierre Brazs. This sculpture consists of a colossal iron mask that hides a secret: a fireplace inside that can be lit by visitors. If you want to stay warm while hiking in the cold, you can stop by this artwork and enjoy the cozy fire. Just make sure you have some matches or a lighter with you, and don’t forget to put out the fire when you leave. You can find more information about this artwork and the trail here.

It was in La Maison Vent des Forêts, at the end of the 90s, that the project to create a recognized art center in a rural environment was born. For more than 26 years in the village of Lahaymeix, many creations have emerged and incredible artistic experiments have taken place all around the village and in the surrounding municipalities. The place welcomes the walker or the cyclist before his hike and makes him discover the many works that dot the paths and the woods. Each year over more than 45 kilometers, new works are exhibited on eight different circuits.

Wind of the Forests 159 by Claudia Comte www.ventdesforets.com

Forest Wind: 183