Tour de Grand Est - Ardennes - Voie Verte - Revin

We didn't have a long ride today (46.1 km) but we did hit our 

1,000 kilometers 

A beautiful day and a beautiful ride. 

We said goodbye to "Charlie-ville", rested and clean, and we happened to know where the best bakery in town was, so first stop, Billards

Yes the incredible food went on and on. 

Best pain au chocolat of the trip! (So far.)

We are following the Meuse River, and so is the Voie Verte - the cycling route, or Greenway. 

We are in the region known as The Ardennes.

The Ardennes also known as the Ardennes Forest or Forest of Ardennes, is a region of extensive forests, rough terrain, rolling hills and ridges primarily in Belgium and Luxembourg, extending into Germany and France.

What a spectacular ride today. Twisting and turning along the river flowing north (to the North Sea). 

So many photo opps. I will hold back posting them all but...

Heading out of Charleville with the river on our right. A smooth path, and some light Sunday traffic of cyclists and runners. 

There is lots of signage and locks, as well as many benches and tables. 

The hills of the Ardennes region were all around us. Some of the forests showed signs of logging and replanting, while other parts seemed totally wild. The hills stood about 400 meters, and often quite steep. 

We stopped for groceries in Bogny sur Meuse, and crossed the river back and forth a couple of times. 

The next little town, Montherme, was set along the river and up into the hill. With a lovely set of steps for visitors to climb for the view. So we unclipped from our pedals and climbed. 

It was a lovely view, at one of the many "corners" of the river, called Les Boucles de Meuse (translates to Loops).

Back on the cycling path, into the Parc Naturel Regional Des Ardennes. 

There were a few old houses, rather abondoned looking and a few small villages along the way, even in the Parc.

We stopped for lunch across the river from Laifour. 

The river continued to be quiet and peaceful, with swans, more Canada geese than we have in High Park, and a few herons as well. 

A heron, across the river...

We only saw one moving boat all day. 

Approaching the town Revin, the path took a turn right and the sign said something about a tunnel for cyclists.  Sounds good.  I didn't stop to take a photo as I thought it was like an underpass.  Turns out, it was 224 meters long. Dark, very dark, and low, and disorienting. I was so happy to have Marc in front of me, but at times it was so dark I could only see his back light flashing. Very surreal experience.

I got these photos from the internet, so I could share the story with some visuals. The entrance.

The tunnel. And there were a few pigeons to make it more like a scary film. Oh, and also water dripping randomly 😳

After emerging successfully from the very long tunnel, we arrived at our destination in the early afternoon. No rush today. No rain, no exhaustion. Just pure cycling happiness. 

We pitched the tent and took off to explore the town of Revin. 

The village sign starts with the year 766, and goes on from there 😀

Some beautiful old buildings. 

A very tall hill / brick wall up from the river, but not much else happening here on Sunday afternoon. 

We supported the local economy. This little bar served us beer, but we had to serve ourselves the peanuts, from a very cool vending machine! 

World Cup hype is everywhere, which is fun. So many teams this year. 

The song of the day was definitely 

"A bicycle built for two"

Not only did we see two bicycles built for two on the path today, we also saw plenty of daisies. 

🎶

Daisy, Daisy, give me your answer, do.

I'm half crazy over my love for you. 

It won't be a stylish marriage, 

I can't afford a carriage. 

But you'd look sweet, upon the seat 

Of a bicycle built for two