Fumay: Slate Heritage and Meuse Views

Fumay combines the history of slate mining with attractions along the Meuse. If you are looking for a hotel in Fumay, you can plan your trip around whichever of these aspects interests you most: the former mining area, the town’s architecture, trails and cycling routes, or views of the river bend. The places and topics below offer specific points of interest to help you plan.

Slate Mining and the Town’s History

Slate mining in Fumay finally ceased in 1971. The Sainte-Anne slate quarry gives an idea of its former output: at its peak, up to 45 million slate tiles were produced there each year. The Musée de l'Ardoise Michel Paradon is devoted to the history of the town and its slate workers. Domestic scenes, as well as depictions of underground mining and work on the surface, show different aspects of their daily lives.

The Musée de l'Ardoise Michel Paradon is located in a former Carmelite monastery that has been completely renovated. There is a library on the upper floor. Check current visiting arrangements before your visit. For guidance on walks, the free CATAREX hiking guide brochure is available in French, Dutch and English at Fumay Town Hall and the Musée de l'Ardoise Michel Paradon. As availability should be checked again before your trip, ask about the brochure in advance if needed.

Architecture and Traces of Slate

The former Château des Comtes-de-Bryas is partially protected as a historic monument. A decree dated March 20, 1972, protects its façades and roofs, excluding the chimney on the rear façade. The churches also offer distinct architectural features: Saint-Georges was rebuilt in the 19th century and has an onion-shaped bell tower associated with the Ardennes and Eastern architectural influences. The Chapelle Saint-Roch, at the end of Place du Baty, was built in the 17th century. There is also a slate mural in the town center.

At Place des Rochettes, you can see the entrance to a slate quarry, a slate bench, and stairs and steps cut into slate. The entrance is currently closed off with a gate because the galleries are flooded. If you plan to visit this spot, check again whether it is still closed before your visit. This makes a clear distinction between the visible slate in the townscape and the inaccessible entrance.

Trails and Activities

The Sentier de l'Ardoise is a themed hiking trail that leads to former slate quarries, slate spoil heaps and the entrances to old shafts. This means the mining theme extends beyond the museum to places connected with slate extraction and processing. The Trans-Ardennes Greenway, also known as EuroVelo 19, runs through the center of Fumay. The hiking trail and cycling route therefore have different focuses: one highlights the traces of slate mining, while the other follows a long-distance greenway through the town.

At TerrAltitude, the Fantasticable zip line crosses the Meuse and is more than 1.2 kilometers long. The operator also has 120 games in high-ropes courses spread across five hectares.

Views of the Meuse and Getting Around

The Roche de l'U viewpoint offers a panorama of the Meuse’s double loop, Fumay and neighboring Belgium. The Fumay nautical stop has a different connection to the river: it lies in the northern part of the large Meuse loop. The former slate-loading harbor now serves as a marina, with café terraces along the quays. The viewpoint, nautical stop and harbor thus offer three different perspectives on the Meuse: a view over the loop, a nautical stop and the present-day use of the former loading site.

For rail travel, Fumay station is served by the TER line between Givet and Charleville-Mézières. Check the timetable before your trip. EuroVelo 19, which runs through the center of Fumay, also offers a point of reference for planning your journey.

Discover more destinations: Bayonville, Douzy, Sévigny-Waleppe, Haulmé, Chalandry-Elaire, Lançon, Maubert-Fontaine, Rocquigny

For the broader travel overview: Ardennes.