Haute-Marne, a major centre for basket-making and the cutlery trade, is located in the south-east of the Champagne-Ardenne region. As well as its ancestral skills, it has preserved an important historical and architectural heritage, a reminder of past centuries. Famous figures such as General de Gaulle and the philosophers Voltaire and Diderot, to name but a few, have made their mark here. When it comes to nature, the landscapes of forests - around 40% of the department's surface area - and rolling plains, dotted with trails and signposted paths, are ideal for hiking. Der Lake and the four lakes of the Langres area, as well as the many rivers and ponds dotted about this peaceful area, make it a popular destination for lovers of fishing, ornithology and water sports.