Cousances-Les-Forges: Church, River and Fruit Growing

Cousances-Les-Forges offers several distinct starting points for a trip: Saint-Memmie Church, with its long building history; the Cousance and its changing surroundings; a designated bat area; and organic fruit growing. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, you can choose your focus based on these themes—heritage, nature, fishing, mountain biking or an arranged visit to the Vergers de Cousancelles.

Heritage spanning several periods

Saint-Memmie Church has three construction phases, dating from the 12th, 16th and 19th centuries. Its bells are made of bronze and have wrought-iron clappers; the wooden bell frames are original. The church complex thus brings together a long building history and specific details about its materials and state of preservation. The bells and bell frames are also of note, alongside the different centuries.

Another historical reference is the first written mention of the names Cousances and Cousancelles, found in a document from 1311. At the Château de l'Isle, the monumental fireplace was classified by decree dated 11 March 1927. Taken together, these references span the early mention of the names, the church’s construction phases and a later protected status.

The Cousance and the bat area

A 2014 fishing report describes the course of the Cousance through Cousances-Les-Forges and its surroundings: after passing through the built-up area, the river winds through meadows and pastures and ends in a wooded area. The description thus moves from the settlement through open countryside to the forest.

Cousances-les-Forges is also part of the “Gîtes à chiroptères des carrières du Perthois” area. This area is designated under the Habitats Directive; 30 bat species are key to its assessment. The river and the protected area represent different aspects of nature: on the one hand, the sequence of meadows, pastures and forest; on the other, the designated significance of the bat species.

Fishing and mountain biking

The Cousance is a first-category fishing water. A 2014 fishing report names the AAPPMA “La Saumonée” as the association that manages angling on the Cousance in Cousances-les-Forges. Before fishing, check the currently applicable fishing rules and local arrangements.

For mountain biking, the Boucle de la Pierre route is described as a loop that goes as far as Rue André Lebland, from where a church can be seen. The route also crosses a small bridge over the Bezerne. Route details may change when the route is revised, so check the route description before setting out.

Organic fruit growing and visits

The Vergers de Cousancelles grow organic apples, pears, plums, cherries, walnuts and currants. The 2026–2027 tourism edition lists juices, nectars, sparkling drinks, cider, compotes, jams and sorbets among the processed products. The orchard therefore grows a variety of fruit and makes a wide range of products from it.

Guided visits for individuals and groups are available by appointment. Confirm availability before travelling. The activities have different arrangements for planning purposes: for fishing, check the applicable rules and local arrangements; for a guided visit, make an appointment.

Discover more destinations: Fresnes-Au-Mont, Laheycourt, Écouviez, Heudicourt-Sous-Les-Côtes, Courouvre, Inor, Romagne-Sous-Montfaucon, Le Neufour.

Return to the regional travel overview: Meuse.