"Hasta la vista" is a Spanish expression that literally translates to "until seeing you". It is used as a farewell greeting and means something like "see you later", "see you later" or "farewell". The routes under the umbrella Hasta la Vista have in common that they all head towards the Spanish sun and along the way you will encounter the (almost) forgotten sights again, refresh your memories and revive the fun.

This route starts in the far north of France, in Givet in the French Ardennes. Due to its cross-border location, the city of Givet is rich in remains from the past. This city was fortified under Emperor Charles, later under Vauban and is also the result of conquests and treaties during the time of Louis XIV, who had the ambition to keep the Meuse valley within the kingdom of France. Churches, narrow streets, towers, fortified gates and many other monuments show the important role that this Meuse city played many centuries ago.
High above the town on a steep rocky outcrop lies the impressive fortress of Charlemont. This citadel, designed by Charles V, is located 100 metres above Givet, has a total surface area of 60 hectares and has more than 10 km of ramparts.

Via Hierges, with its castle ruins and in the distance the striking cooling towers of the Chooz nuclear power station, you come to Vireux-Wallerand. This is a picturesque town in a privileged location in the Meuse valley. The right bank of the river is dotted with beautiful villas surrounded by gardens that are one of the charms of the town. Vireux-Wallerand has a beautiful Saint-Georges church and the castle of Wallerand, situated on the banks of the Meuse in a park, dating from 1714. A little further on, on the other side of the Meuse bank, you can also see the castle of Risdoux, now a hotel.

Fumay, the next town, is the centre of slate. Follemprise and Bellerose: these names refer to the mining sites of slate that was used for centuries as roofing for houses. The grey colour was a reflection of the pale blue sky. Slate made Fumay great on the backs of the men, women and children who had to work in the hellish mines, flooded with icy water. In 1971 the last mine closed its doors.

At Revin, turn off the main road and continue following the Meuse. Amidst dark forests full of big game, a river has carved out a deep bed in the Ardennes massif. The slate rocks provide the ink colour of the water and slates cover the roofs of the villages in this landscape full of wild beauty. The Meuse describes meanders in this austere landscape, which is also the setting for age-old legends such as the story of the four Heemskinderen or that of Les Dames de Meuse. On top of the hill in Château-Regnault, a monument has been placed where the 12th century castle of the four Heemskinderen once stood.
In short, the legend of the four Heemskinderen. This simple story was written down in the 13th century in the form of a poem; in the 15th century a prose adaptation emerged.
Reinout, Adelaart, Ritsaart and Writsaart were four knights at the court of Charlemagne. During a quarrel, Reinout killed a cousin of the emperor. The four brothers fled with the magic horse Beiaart to the Ardennes, where they built a castle on the rocks above the Meuse with the help of their cousin, the magician Malegijs. This hiding place was called Château-Regnault. You can read how it ended in the link about the four Heemkinderen.

After the beautiful walk along the Meuse, you approach Charleville-Mézières, characterised by its famous Place Ducale. The city's landmark. The Place Ducale comes to life on fine days, when many restaurants and cafés take advantage of their terraces. The Le Concept bar offers more than 60 different wines, with expert advice from a master sommelier from France. And to enjoy this moment a little more, you can also taste a cheese platter or a platter of fine charcuterie... A unique place on the Place Ducale for a perfect cup of coffee or aperitif on the terrace!

After leaving the city and the Meuse, you drive south on the old postal road towards Reims. In Launois-su-Vence you can still see the old postal station that was once of great importance for the postal traffic between Amsterdam and Marseille. The well-preserved complex gives a good impression of how the postal traffic functioned in earlier years.

You now turn towards Asfeld, where a magnificent baroque church stands. You can admire the remarkable architecture of this 17th century masterpiece, inspired by the shape of a musical instrument and built with 138 pillars and columns. Don't forget to bring your camera to immortalize the beauty of this rare jewel of French heritage.

By now you have left the Ardennes and are entering the Champagne region. You will soon be in the Champagne capital of Reims. Here you can have lunch around the famous cathedral. Reims has an extraordinary history dating back to Roman times. It is best known as the city where French kings were crowned, with the magnificent Notre-Dame Cathedral as the iconic scene of these royal ceremonies. The cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a breathtaking example of Gothic architecture and a tribute to Reims' rich heritage. There are also remains from the Gallo-Roman period, such as the Cryptoporticus and the Palace of Tau. It dates back to the 17th century and has a glorious history as the former residence of the Archbishops of Reims. It was also an important place for the French royal family. The royal banquet at the end of the ceremony was held in the great hall [Salle du Tau]. The name Tau comes from the T-shape of the banquet hall.
The Halles du Boulingrin in Reims is a must-see! This is a culinary adventure in the vibrant heart of Reims! In this lively covered market hall, all the senses are stimulated and everything revolves around food! But the building where the market is located is also more than worth it. It dates from 1929 and is a real architectural masterpiece in art-deco style. In this gastronomic paradise, local producers, chefs and bon vivants come together.

South of Reims lies the "Parc Naturel Régional de la Montagne de Reims", with all its vineyards. The discovery of this massif covered with forests and vineyards begins at the Verzenay lighthouse. This unusual building houses a particularly lively museum about the wine-growing region, with attention to the tough, courageous winegrowers, the hard winters and the festivities around champagne. It offers an ideal introduction to this region of picturesque villages and neat vineyards. Then follows a fascinating walk through the vineyards in this beautiful park that brings you to the end point of this walk.

Épernay is the champagne capital of the beautiful Champagne region in France. You will find the most famous champagne houses here on the world-famous Avenue de Champagne where more than 200 million champagne bottles are maturing. In addition, you can enjoy the kilometers of wine cellars, a beautiful environment and a delicious gastronomic cuisine. A unique destination that is not on the UNESCO World Heritage List for nothing! Afterwards, it is good to relax on one of the exquisite terraces in the city.