The Neuve Tuilerie, bed and breakffast proposes several activities and visits on site:
Hiking in the Argonne forest
Our bed and breakfast has a unique environment on the border of forest. About 130.000 acres of forest cover the Argonne area; you would stay in a protected zone for flora and fauna classified "Natura 2000".
It is the best place for hikers, mountain bikers, horses riders or joggers. Marianne, your hostess, is an certified hiking coordinator and knows paths very well; she would entrust a small guide to you and would advise you.
Program: GR 14 – hiking way to Compostella – ponds of Parois and Beaulieu-en-Argonne, discovery of local flora and fauna. You imperatively need hiking shoes and verify that you are covered by your personal insurance for hiking practice.
Very soon: for hikers, we could provide you a bag with all basic equipment and a guide
Discovering the village of Rarécourt :
Rarécourt has a surprising past. On its site joined the limits of France, duchy of Bar, earldom of Clermont and Holy Roman Germanic Empire. Taking advantage of its situation, the village managed to obtain a status of independent principality.
An abundant forest favoured establishment of factories heated with wood : tileries, earthenware factories and glass factories. Other activities prospered like phosphates mining.
But the particularity of the village kept into its concentration of smelting workers and copper workers that go out during summer months to all provinces of France. Habitants themselves renounced to their independence by asking for their attachment to France in 1790.
Saved from bombing of First World War, some houses date from 17th and 18th centuries and are some beautiful examples of traditional housing of the Argonne Area.
What to visit:
Traditional jam making and micro brewery
Traditional jam making and micro brewery of the Ferme de la Vallée. Discover secrets of making bier and small-scale making jam in a copper cauldron. Entertain yourself with the country course, the vegetal maze and the brewery mini golf.
Open first Sundays of the month and every Sundays during summertime or by appointment.
Pottery museum
Argonne has a full of clay soil that enable the development of pottery factories since the 18th century. The most renowned is the one of Les Islettes which pieces are sold and appreciated worldwide. However many villages had their own factories of more or less importance.
Pottery museum situated in the place named La Vallée in a fortified farm that was owned by the family of Rarécourt de la Vallée de Pimodan. The museum presents a very beautiful collection of almost 800 local pieces. An incomparable collection for discovering the golden age of Argonne pottery.
Open from the beginning of june to the end of august from 10.30 to 12 and from 2 to 6.30 pm.
Church Saint Amant
Church Saint Amant has a remarkable “glory beam”, a choir composed wit an altar and a painting “Adoration of the Mystic Lamb”, organ from the 18th century.
Visit requested from townhall or consult us.
“Coquin” mill
Along the River Aire Valley were water mills that were used for making flour. When agriculture was developed during the 19th century, numerous layers of phosphate nodules or “coquins” that were in the Argonne massif began to be exploited. Mills were reconverted and millers crushed phosphates that were send in all France to enrich the soil. The mill of Rarécourt was the last to close its door and is the last to have kept its original equipment.
Visit requested from owners or consult us.
The faience oven
The faience oven of Rarécourt is situated in a private house. The small factory founded by the Vercollier Family closed its doors in 1853 and the building that sheltered henceforth was used as an agricultural shed. It is the last oven that testifies of the earthenware activity of the Argonne area.
Visit requested from townhall or consult us.