Charleville-Mézières, Administrative center in Ardennes, France
Charleville-Mézières is a commune in the Ardennes department of northeastern France, serving as an administrative center. The settlement extends along the Meuse and includes several districts that were historically independent.
An Italian duke founded the Charleville quarter in the early 17th century following a geometric plan with a central square. The current form came into being through the merger of several communes in the second half of the 1960s.
The name joins two settlements that once stood apart on opposite banks of the river, each with its own identity until they merged. Puppet makers open their workshops during festival weeks, when visitors can watch them carve wood and sew costumes.
The train station sits in the center and connects the area with Paris in under two hours and with other cities to the north. Local buses reach the different districts, with most journeys taking only a few minutes.
An institute preserves thousands of puppets from around the world and gives researchers and visitors insight into the history of this art form. The town also houses the headquarters of an international organization that connects puppet theaters worldwide.
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