Famous for its Deer Park, a forest area of 272 hectares which is popular with walkers and where a hundred or so deer roam freely, the small town of Châteauvillain, nestling on the banks of the Aujon, also has plenty to delight lovers of old buildings. Its fortified enclosures from the 12th and 14th centuries, Court Tower, 14th-century Lady's Gate and wall walks are so many reminders of the medieval past of this charming Haute-Marne town.

Visit the 13th-century Court Tower, with its temporary exhibitions and little museum, whose exhibits include scale models of the town's castles.

An unmissable event for all hunting fans, the Pleasures of Hunting and Nature fair, which takes place every last weekend in August at the Deer Park in Châteauvillain, with specialist exhibitors' stands, a big outdoor meal, performances and St. Hubert's mass.

The prefecture of Haute-Marne, the town of Chaumont, built in the 10th century on a rocky spur overlooking the Marne and Suize Valleys, has kept a picturesque charm from its medieval days. Lovers of old buildings should take a walk in the historic centre to discover Chaumont's ancient heritage: a Gothic and Renaissance-style basilica, a keep from the 11th and 12th centuries, the 13th-century Arse Tower, turreted houses with corbels, 15th and 16th-century private mansions and more...

A relic of the castle of the Counts of Champagne, the feudal keep, a square tower standing 19 metres tall, offers a beautiful panoramic view over the Suize Valley from its terrace. The Museum of Art and History, based in the lower rooms of the old castle, displays collections of archaeology (including a bronze breastplate from the 8th century B.C.) and Fine Arts (paintings from the French, Italian, Flemish and Dutch schools; works by the Bouchardon family...).

Another of the town's flagship monuments, the basilica of St. John the Baptist, dates back to the 13th-16th centuries and is remarkable for its elegant south door, splendid Entombment in polychrome stone dating from 1471, and its sculptures by the Chaumont artist Bouchardon!

To enjoy a beautiful view of the basilica's towers and the old town's façades, head to Square Philippe Lebon, in the middle of which stands a stone statue of Philippe Lebon, the inventor of lighting gas.

Also worth seeing is the Crèche Museum, on Rue des Frères Mistarlet, which has collections of old crèches including superb Neapolitan crèches from the 18th century.

The House of Books and Posters, a cultural centre based in the silos of an old agricultural cooperative, contains an exceptional collection of old and contemporary posters, and hosts temporary exhibitions, conferences and workshops throughout the year. Every year in May-June, the graphic arts are honoured at the international festival of posters and graphic design, which is held at various locations in the town.

To the west of Chaumont, be sure to go and admire the magnificent railway viaduct, inaugurated in 1857, which overlooks the Suize Valley. With its fifty arches spread over three storeys, this remarkable hewn stone structure is 654 metres long and 52 metres tall, and has a specially created footpath on the first storey.

Founded in 1115 by St. Bernard, then turned into a prison in 1808, Clairvaux Abbey has seen centuries of history go by. In the heart of the humid Champagne region, in Ville-sous-la-Ferté, this Cistercian complex of majestic buildings stands amid an ocean of greenery.

The guided tour begins with the Ladies' Hostelry, a magnificent 16th- century building designed to accommodate the wives of visitors to the abbey.

The exploration of the site continues all the way to the lay brothers' building, dating from the 12th century and dedicated to the lay brothers who looked after the abbey's estates. Admire the storeroom with its rib vaults, a room devoid of all furniture where silence reigns supreme.

The frugal Cistercian style gave way to opulence a few centuries later, in the 18th century. As the abbots were wealthier by then, they decided to create a vast refectory within the Great Cloister. A few elements remain of the lavish decorations created at that time, and you can still admire the arcades featuring painted medallions, as well as the immaculate floor adorned with black cabochons.

Under Napoleon I, Clairvaux Abbey became the biggest prison in France with around 3,000 inmates. Known as "the chicken coops", the old cells measuring 1.5 by 2 metres, where prisoners were detained until 1971, are a reminder of this dark episode in the abbey's history. Not for the faint of heart.

Other areas are open to the public, like the Great Cloister built in the 18th century, an immense architectural complex surrounding a large square courtyard, or the lay brothers' barn, a stone structure whose reflection can be seen in the river. This river's source is at Fontaine Saint Bernard, in a very scenic clearing in Clairvaux Forest. A walk there is highly recommended for nature-lovers!

Nestling in a verdant setting, the small town of Arc-en-Barrois is a listed green holiday resort and a pleasant place to stay. As well as its forest environment which is ideal for walks, discover its built treasures: the classical-style Arc-en-Barrois Castle, built in 1845 by the Princess of Orleans for her brother, King Louis-Philippe; the Renaissance House, a listed Historic Monument; the Gothic Church of St. Martin and its sepulchre from 1672; picturesque wash-houses on the banks of the Aujon and more...

The small Haute-Marne village of Colombey-les-Deux-Églises is famous for having been a place of tranquillity and rest for General de Gaulle, a great statesman of the 20th century who acquired a property there in 1934. It was at this family home, named La Boisserie, that General de Gaulle received the German Chancellor Adenauer in 1958 to seal the Franco-German reconciliation. Now open to visitors, the estate of La Boisserie has several rooms open to the public - the drawing room, dining room, library and office where the general wrote his Memoirs - to keep the memory of this famous figure alive.

Not far from there, at the foot of the monumental Lorraine cross, the symbol of free France, lies the Charles de Gaulle Memorial. This memorial site and museum space consists of a permanent exhibition covering 1600 m², dedicated to the life and works of the famous French general, writer and politician.

Visible from thirty or so kilometres all round, the huge pink granite Lorraine cross, inaugurated on 18 June 1972 as a tribute to General de Gaulle and his historic appeal to the Resistance of 18 June 1940, overlooks the village and the landscapes that Charles de Gaulle loved so much. His tomb lies in the cemetery at Colombey-les-Deux-Églises.

The village of Essoyes in Aube is inextricably linked to the work of Pierre-Auguste Renoir, who stayed there every summer from 1888 onwards. The painter was truly inspired by the idyllic setting of the village, where pretty half-timbered houses still stand on the banks of the Ource to this day.

For an introduction to the artist's work, we recommend a visit to the Espace des Renoir, based in the former stables of Hériot Castle, with a permanent exhibition about the famous painter's life and family. His sons' creations are also in the spotlight, with a short film about actor Pierre Renoir, film-maker Jean and ceramist Claude.

Continue your pilgrimage on the Renoir trail, which guides visitors wishing to follow in the painter's footsteps, with a particular focus on the sites that inspired him. Reproductions of his most famous paintings, like The Bathers, Gabrielle and Jean, Dance in the Country and more, are displayed on the village façades, alongside houses adorned with flowers.

You can also visit Renoir's studio, nestling in a lovely garden. His paintings and everyday objects are on display there, bathed in natural light. Also be sure to visit the Renoir family home, where he set up his first studio in Essoyes, for an intimate view of this artistic family's life during the 1900s. The itinerary ends at Essoyes cemetery, where they are buried together. A memorable tour awaits you...

In Nogent and the surrounding region, cutlery-making is an ancestral skill, which dates back to the 14th century. Nowadays, the cutlery-makers of the Nogent basin keep this tradition alive by offering top-of-the-range knives for trade and private customers.

The unmissable Pelletier Centre - Cutlery Museum in Nogent, dedicated to Nogent's cutlery-making heritage, tells the story of this prestigious artistic craft and its production methods through a series of superb collections of knives, scissors and surgical instruments, from the 18th century to the present day. The place also has exhibits about the work of craftspeople in the old days, and the different stages of the manufacturing process.

North of Dijon, in the heart of the Châtillonnais region, the town of Leuglay in Côte-d'Or invites you to discover the forest and its secrets. Located in the heart of the National Forest Park, the House of the Forest (Maison de la Forêt) is France's first ever interpretation centre dedicated to this fascinating world. It offers a different kind of interactive approach to the forest environment, with the aim of furthering understanding and knowledge.

As well as enjoying its exhibition about wood, the forest and its stakeholders, you can take part in activities to learn how to recognise animal tracks or various trees. The House of the Forest also offers GPS trails in the forest, scavenger hunts and even treetop rope courses. A fun way to immerse yourself in the life of the forest while learning how to treat it with respect!

Spanning 40 hectares, Aube's flagship amusement park is located within the wonderful Orient Forest Regional Nature Park. With its 39 rides and wide range of shows for visitors of all ages, Nigloland is one of France's biggest parks. It is especially appreciated for its unique setting surrounded by greenery, and its past as a circus in the Roaring Twenties. A few traces of this fairground past remain within the park, like the 1900 carousel: its decorations of gold and illustrated scenes of yesteryear take us back to another age... Other more modern attractions appear alongside their forerunners, to the delight of thrill-seekers. Dive into a fun and immersive world with a variety of atmospheres (African savannah, haunted manor house, dizzying rollercoasters...), plus four themed villages.

Take the time to explore the site with its century-old trees, whose colours change with the seasons. Small boats are provided for visitors to cross the river that winds its way through the park, and admire the local plant life from close up. A truly fun-packed day out!

Nestling at the heart of the peaceful Blaise Valley at the borders of Lorraine, Cirey-sur-Blaise Castle, a listed Historic Monument, is famous for having been the home of the celebrated philosopher Voltaire from 1734 to 1749. He was invited there by Gabrielle Émilie de Breteuil, Marquise du Châtelet. It was a place of refuge and "heaven on earth" for the politically committed writer who was threatened with incarceration following the publication of his Philosophical Letters. He restored and enlarged this Louis XIII-style residence, adding a gallery with a splendid sculpted door, dedicated to the arts and sciences. Take a guided tour and discover the drawing rooms, dining room, library, kitchen, chapel, the marquise's room, and the little theatre where Voltaire liked to rehearse his plays!

Nestled between Burgundy and Champagne, Châtillon-sur-Seine in Côte-d'Or is the very first town through which the River Seine runs. It lies at the foot of a hill bearing the ruins of a fortified castle and has some beautiful medieval heritage. Overlooking the town's rooftops from the top of its rocky promontory, the Church of St. Vorles, which is over 1,000 years old, is a real gem of the 11th-century Romanesque style. Inside, you can admire a Renaissance Entombment. Continuing your walk, you will come across the 12th-century Church of St. Nicholas, also a listed historic monument, with its beautiful 16th-century stained glass windows depicting the Tree of Jesse and the legend of the Way of St. James pilgrims.

Also not to be missed is the famous site of the Douix spring. This Vauclusian resurgence with its clear waters is located in a charming, green spot at the foot of a rocky escarpment, ideal for a short break between visiting two places of interest.

The town also has one of its most beautiful historic treasures on display in its Museum of Pays Châtillonnais. This is the Treasure of Vix, an incredible Greek bronze vase found in the tomb of the Celtic Princess of Vix. Dating back to the Iron Age, around the 6th century BC, its size and weight are impressive: 1.64 m and 208 kg! The museum housing this unique artefact tells the story of the Châtillonnais area, from prehistory to the present day, through various objects found during excavations.

Not far from the town, a vast and verdant forest offers some wonderful nature walks.

Founded in 1135 by St. Bernard, Abbot of Clairvaux, the old Cistercian abbey in Auberive on the banks of the River Aube, is now a cultural and contemporary art centre. Sights to see include the 18th-century convent buildings, the Cistercian chancel in the abbey church, with its bays adorned with contemporary stained glass windows, seasonal exhibitions on expressionism and marginal art, the 6.5 hectare park with fragrant rose bushes, medieval-inspired garden and orchards with old apple and pear trees...

In the area around the abbey, the romantic shady walk of Entre deux Eaux is a pleasant way to round off your visit.

Perched majestically on a rocky promontory overlooking the surrounding countryside, the Town of Art and History of Langres is one of the fifty most beautiful towns of France, with its medieval, Renaissance and classical heritage.

Its wonderfully well-preserved fortified enclosure, with its seven doors and twelve towers, is best seen from its wall walk...which is 3.5 kilometres long! Dotted with orientation tables, this superb walk takes you around the old town and is a chance to admire some beautiful panoramic views: to the east are Liez Lake, the Marne Valley and the Vosges; to the west, the Bonnelle Valley and the Langres Plateau! Open to the public, the imposing and mighty Navarre Tower measures 28 metres in diameter and stands 20 metres tall - with walls up to 7 metres thick! It contains two rooms with vaults and casemates, along with a magnificent roof structure made of chestnut wood.

Once you have taken a tour of the ramparts, continue your visit to Diderot's birthplace along the old streets dotted with elegant private mansions. You can also admire the Renaissance houses, the 12th-18th-century Romano-Gothic Cathedral of St. Mammès and its cloister, and Place Diderot, where a bronze statue of the illustrious philosopher Denis Diderot stands, a work by the famous sculptor Frédéric Bartholdi...

Not far from the cathedral, the Guy-Baillet Museum of Art and history, a museum of modern architecture, offers a fine range of things to see, from the remarkable mosaic of Bacchus from the 2nd century, and other archaeological relics, to collections of paintings, sculptures and decorative arts, via the temporary exhibitions of archaeology, history and contemporary art.

At nightfall, take advantage of the illuminations at the main monuments in Langres to discover the town from another angle!

At the end of May, the Grenade Festival (Fête du Pétard) celebrates street art, with a range of performances such as theatre, dance, music, circus...

Another event not to be missed is the Halberdiers' Summer Festival (L'Estival des Hallebardiers), on Friday and Saturday nights in August, with its historic tour-performances in the streets of the fortified town.

You can practise water sports on four lakes in the area around Langres - Liez, Charmes, Mouche and Vingeanne.

Built between 1533 and 1546 at the request of Claude de Lorraine, the first Duke of Guise, the Grand Garden Castle in Joinville, a listed Historic Monument, forms a magnificent Renaissance ensemble with its elegant main building and superb garden. Owned by the General Council of Haute-Marne, this former hunting lodge of the dukes of Lorraine is now home to a cultural meeting centre. All year round, it hosts cultural events such as classical music concerts and contemporary art exhibitions. Accessible in all seasons, the Renaissance garden, made up of carefully tended flowerbeds, squares of aromatic plants and rare fruit trees, and the romantic park filled with hundred-year-old trees and modern sculptures, are a delight for walkers and admirers of topiary art. Every year in early May, it hosts an unmissable event for all plant-lovers, Spring in the Grand Garden (Printemps du Grand Jardin), a colourful festival dedicated to plants and gardens.

After your visit to the Grand Garden Castle, discover the old town of Joinville. It's as picturesque as can be, with its Quai des Peceaux, known as "Little Venice"; its medieval houses; its old auditorium - a high court founded in 1561 by

Antoinette de Bourbon and François de Guise - which contains historical reconstructions; its Chapel of St. Anne, decorated with 16th-century stained glass windows from the Troyes School; and its Church of Our Lady, built in the 12th and 13th centuries and containing a 16th-century alabaster sepulchre.

Known as the Little Versailles of Burgundy, Grancey Castle in Côte-d'Or proudly dominates the plain from its rocky spur. Before it became the classical building we know today, it was an important medieval fortress that was besieged and then razed by the Dukes of Burgundy. A 13th-century fortified gate, remnants of the ramparts and the fireplaces of the grand drawing room still remain from this period.

Rebuilt at the beginning of the 18th century, shortly after the Palace of Versailles, Grancey Castle reveals itself once you go through the Burgundy Gate. In front of you stands the fortified enclosure with the drawbridge gateway, covered with a magnificent glazed tile roof, and the 14th-century Collegiate Church of St. John. The castle itself is not open to visitors, but don't hesitate to enter the Gothic collegiate church, which contains beautiful murals.

Located in the north of Côte-d'Or and surrounded by peaceful countryside, the former Benedictine abbey of Our Lady of Molesme dates from 1075. Founded by St. Robert, it was the largest and richest religious community in the Châtillonnais area. The abbey remained active until the Revolution, after which it was inhabited by a number of families who demolished the abbey church, chapter house and library to make a stone quarry. Fortunately, some buildings are still present and bear witness to its glorious past, such as the monks' refectory, the beautiful cloister courtyard, the dovecote and the 13th-century vaulted cellars which house a superb wooden press.

Renovation work has in fact been under way since the end of the 19th century to restore the place to its former glory.