The conservation of lowland broadleaf forests gives Haute-Marne a distinctive natural character: the Parc national de forêts is specifically dedicated to this purpose. The park stretches across Haute-Marne and Côte-d'Or; 18 Natura 2000 sites cover 28 percent of its area. This broad-scale approach to conservation sits alongside other, very specific discoveries in the region.

Forests, wetlands and trails

The natural habitats of the Parc national de forêts also include tufa wetlands. Trails for walkers, horse riders and cyclists are marked out in the park. These three types of trails offer different ways to explore the landscape. Another specific natural attraction is the Tufière de Rolampont: this Natura 2000 site in Haute-Marne covers 80 hectares. This figure adds a clearly defined location to the picture of the wider protected area.

The Parc national de forêts also brings together nature and cultural themes with practical travel information. Rando forêts highlights accommodation, restaurants, and the park’s natural and cultural heritage. The site is a good starting point if you would like to explore these themes together.

Fortifications, a memorial and crafts

Cultural discoveries can be explored at different scales. Langres has around eight kilometres of fortifications. This approximate figure gives a sense of their size and offers a starting point for anyone interested in city fortifications. At the Mémorial, the focus is on a single monument: the Croix de Lorraine is 44 metres high and made of pink granite and bronze. The kilometres of fortifications and a clearly described monument thus offer different perspectives on the region’s structures.

Crafts offer another way to explore the region. The Musée de la coutellerie presents the technical and social history of traditional knife-making, from the 18th century to the present day. Bringing these two perspectives together—technology and social history—draws attention not only to production but also to its social context. If you are planning to visit the museum, check the latest opening hours before setting off.

Cheese and basketry

Langres cheese offers two different points of interest: its origin and the visitor experience. In Haute-Marne, the Langres PDO production area includes the arrondissements of Chaumont and Langres. The Maison des Fromages de Langres et de Haute-Marne welcomes visitors to discover and taste regional cheeses. If you are planning a visit, it is a good idea to check the current visitor arrangements in advance.

Fayl-Billot adds a specialised craft to this culinary discovery: it offers a unique training programme in France in basketry and willow cultivation. If you are planning to take a course, check availability beforehand. This lets you take account of the differences between a regional designation of origin, a tasting opportunity and a training programme as you plan your trip.

Thermal waters and waterside activities

In Bourbonne-les-Bains, the thermal water emerges at a temperature of 66°C. The thermal spa offers invigorating baths, showers, massages and hammams. If you are planning to try any of these, check the spa’s current services in advance. The specific temperature and treatments listed give the thermal waters a different focus from the region’s other natural and cultural discoveries.

For water activities in Haute-Marne, the type of water matters too: boating and water sports are available on five lakes, while canoeing is possible on rivers. These are two distinct options to consider when deciding what interests you. For cyclists, another specific point of reference is the route around Lac du Der, with its 38-kilometre cycle path.

Discover more destinations: Cusey, Dardenay, Lamargelle-Aux-Bois, Millières, Piépape, Praslay, Anrosey, Euffigneix, Jagee, Laferté-Sur-Amance, Langres, Lanty Sur Aube, Leurville, Thonnance Les Moulins, Longeau-Percey, Chatoillenot, Coublanc, Saint-Dizier, Colombey-Les-Deux-Églises, Chaumont, Bourbonne-Les-Bains, Arc-En-Barrois, Vitry-Lès-Nogent, Villegusien-Le-Lac, Savigny, Peigney, Villars-En-Azois, Le Châtelet-Sur-Meuse, Choiseul, Saint-Michel, Auberive, Aprey, Aujeurres, Bugnières, Chantraines, Ecot-La-Combe, Fayl-Billot, Goncourt, Bourmont, Guindrecourt-Sur-Blaise, Mussey-Sur-Marne, Gudmont-Villiers, Ceffonds, Châteauvillain, Bannes, Saint-Ciergues, Pisseloup, Poissons, Nogent, Villiers-Sur-Suize, Vaux-Sous-Aubigny, Vignes-La-Côté, Chamouilley, Montier-En-Der, Bourg, Flagey, Val-De-Meuse, Le Val-D'esnoms, Éclaron-Braucourt-Sainte-Livière, Joinville, Prauthoy, Doulaincourt-Saucourt, Nully, Trémilly, Semoutiers-Montsaon, Pressigny, Doncourt-Sur-Meuse, Brainville-Sur-Meuse, Lavilleneuve, Viéville, Droyes, Montsaugeon, Andelot-Blancheville, Saints-Geosmes, Haute-Amance, Dancevoir, Doulevant-le-Château, Chevillon, Rouelles, Wassy, Orges, Lafauche, Verseilles-le-Bas, Rochetaillée, Clinchamp, Laferté-sur-Aube, Champigny-sous-Varennes, Rennepont, Foulain, Bettancourt-la-Ferrée, Vecqueville, Thonnance-lès-Joinville, Maranville, Neuilly-l'Évêque, Villars-Santenoge, Daillancourt, Bailly-aux-Forges, Bayard-sur-Marne, Culmont and Parnoy-en-Bassigny.

For the broader travel overview: Champagne-Ardenne.