Haybes is a municipality in the Ardennes, in the Grand Est region, 35 km north of Charleville-Mezieres on the border of Belgium.
The territory of the vast locality of 28 km² runs along the right bank of the Meuse whose narrow valley is based on the forest and schisteux massif of the Ardennes. The highest point of the municipality is 488 m above sea level.
Due to its geographical location, Haybes is a stronghold with a castle from the tenth century that is coveted by the Count of Lomme and the Count of Namur. Over the centuries, the border city is also victim of wars between kingdoms of France and the Netherlands. The castle is destroyed in 1554.
From the seventeenth and eighteenth century, the exploitation of important slate quarries and metallurgical units made the prosperity of Haybes. But again, the story is cruel: on the edge of the First World War, in 1914, German troops burned the town and massacred many inhabitants.
Haybes was rebuilt in the 1920s and thus presents a characteristic aspect of the architecture of the time. Now having about 1900 inhabitants, the town where saw mills and metallurgical units are still based also on tourism (green environment, nautical activities related to the Meuse, Regional Natural Park of the Ardennes) and has become popular with hikers and nature lovers. Haybes is labeled in fact green station.
A discovery of the built heritage of the town allows to apprehend an example of reconstruction after the war: the construction began in 1919 and ended in 1927 by the church.
We will dwell at the level of the Town Hall (1923) and the Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, which has a plan in the shape of a Latin cross, with a nave with three vessels and side chapels. Note that the building was built in arkose, stone of the Ardennes massif extracted on site, except for some cornices and limestone bays.
Most houses in the small city put shale and slate in the spotlight: a specificity that will give nicknames to the common, "Haybes the pretty" or "Haybes the rose". The last slate will close its doors in 1956.
It is however its monument to the dead inaugurated in 1924 which is the most impressive building of the locality. It pays homage to the 70 civilian victims of the destruction of the village in 1914 and the 73 soldiers of the commune who died during the conflict. The monument has the shape of a white stone triumphal arch bearing the names of the victims of the war. An allegorical bronze sculpture adorns the center. We can see a young man symbolizing the French people carrying in his left arm a set of books representing Law and Science and brandishing, with the right hand, the torch of freedom. Protected by a lion, he is guided by the wing of Victory. The set rests on a base of blue stone Givet, where are fixed three bronze plates. The first represents the Great Street in flames. The second, allegorical, evokes the homeland bowing to a grave. The last figure of the gunners on the left bank of the river and looking towards Haybes. The work signed Rauner is in fact one of the most impressive monuments to the dead of the Champagne-Ardenne region, very experienced in the twentieth century.
In terms of industrial heritage this time, a former blast furnace of the sixteenth century has been preserved in the park of Moraypré area which houses a recreation center, and there are still various parts of the town slate entries. It is not recommended to venture there.
In terms of leisure, the Meuse offers a potential provided. It is possible to practice canoeing to combine water sports and remarkable points of view. Information on +33 3 24 40 44 45.
At the level of the river stop, purpose walk as such (information for boaters at +33 3 24 56 47 32), an electric boat rental point is open every day from June 1 to August 31. A good way to enjoy the river, combine idleness and amazing panoramas on the Ardennes massif. Information on +33 3 24 42 36 29.
From mid-April to mid-September, a hiking house welcomes tourists wishing to discover the city and the region on foot, mountain bike or even on horseback. In the garden, an arboretum and a conservatory orchard have been developed. It is possible to rent bicycles.
Among the proposed tours, incursions in the Ardennes forest but also the formidable Green Lane along the Meuse to Belgium. This asphalt ribbon made on the old towpath is reserved for pedestrians, joggers or cyclists. Documentation, maps and information on +33 3 24 41 02 75 or +33 3 24 56 06 08.
Fishermen can also enjoy the Meuse. Contact +33 3 24 56 41 32 for regulations and developed sites.
Finally, for the activities organized by the Regional Natural Park of the Ardennes (thematic hikes, workshops, conferences), contact +33 3 24 42 90 57.
