Musée de la Forêt
Open-air and indoor museum on the forest trades of the Ardennes, with a trail of lifelike scenes and old tools.
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About the museum
The Ardennes is a heavily wooded department: forest covers around 150,000 hectares, about a third of the territory. To pay tribute to this forest and its trades, Henri Vastine created the museum in 1988, between the village of Renwez and the Lac des Vieilles Forges. The museum bears the names of Janine and Henry Vastine.
The site covers several hectares. An enclosed outdoor trail presents 35 reconstructions of woodcutters’ gestures, with about 120 wooden figures, and an audio guide in French and English accompanies the walk. Inside, a wooden building on stilts, opened in 2004, houses seven themed rooms of about 1,200 m² and more than 4,000 tools and machines spread across two buildings.
The reception hall, which is free to enter, has a permanent exhibition on the Ardennes Regional Nature Park. The museum is run by the commune of Renwez, which also provides a picnic area and a shop.
Highlights
- Outdoor trail of 35 lifelike scenes with about 120 wooden figures
- Seven themed rooms in a wooden building on stilts
- More than 4,000 tools and machines related to forest trades
- Audio guide in French and English
- Treasure hunts for children in an enclosed outdoor area
- Free exhibition on the Ardennes Regional Nature Park in the reception hall
Permanent exhibitions
- Parcours en forêt – Outdoor trail with 35 lifelike scenes and about 120 wooden figures illustrating the woodcutters’ gestures.
- Salles intérieures sur les métiers de la forêt – Seven themed rooms and more than 4,000 old tools and machines in a wooden building.
- Founded
- 1988
- Operated by
- Commune de Renwez
- Visitors per year
- approx. 22,500
Admission & discounts
| Adults | €6 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | €3Children up to 12, students, people with disabilities |
| Children & teens | €3free up to age 4 · Free for children under 5; €3 up to age 12. |
| Visitors with disabilities | €3 |
| Students & apprentices | €3 |
| Groups (15+ people) | €4.50 per personPrice per person for groups of 15 or more. |
| Families | €20Family package for 2 parents and 3 or more children. |
| Audio guide rental | €2Breakage or loss: €100. |
Prices for the 2026 season. Access to the reception hall and its exhibition is free.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials: no information
- Audio description: no information
Accessible toilets. A reserved parking space is in front of the museum, near the Maison du Parc, which holds the “Tourisme et Handicap” label.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 4 |
|---|---|
| Family ticket | €20 · Family package for 2 parents and 3 or more children. |
- Family tours & workshops
- Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
- Playground / play area
Treasure hunts in a secure outdoor area: the youngest look for the imp Farfelu, the older children for a stolen axe. Free for children under 5.
Getting there & parking
By car
- Accessible parking
Amenities & dining
- Café
- Museum shop
Café with drinks and ice cream, and a terrace in the hall overlooking the forest. Souvenir shop with a few wooden objects made by the team. Covered picnic area with tables and chairs in the forest.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Private parties
- Corporate events
Up to 100 guests.
The indoor hall (100 people) can be booked for seminars, meetings or meals; the clearing can be hired for family celebrations and groups.
Plan your visit
| Audio guide | yes (FR, EN) |
|---|---|
| Good to know | Audio guide for hire (€2) for the 800-metre outdoor trail. Animals are welcome. Group and school visits by reservation. |
