The Thiérache, in the foot-hills of the Ardennes is landscape of forests, bocage and river valleys. This region had a flourishing economy in the second half of the 19th century, mostly based on dairy farming, the production of cider and the weaving of baskets. In addition it had an iron industry, of which only the Godin factory at Guise has survived and is still producing excellent stoves etc. The
cider production was killed by unfavorable legislation of the central French government, the basket industry disappeared due to international competition, and the dairy farming becomes more and more difficult with time, although the Thiérache produces a unique and delicious cheese names Maroilles. Due to the weak economy, the landscape was long time preserved, but as farmers are the managers of the landscape, and little is done by the central French government to conserve the landscape, the traditional Bocage landscape of the Thiérache is currently under much pressure to loose the dairy farmers, its hedges and its biodiversity to become yet another dull Northern French landscape of grain fields and wind mills, and loose its biodiversity and character. The transition in landscape is accompanied by cultural changes: many people leave the region, and those who stay are pessimistic about their future and loose their proudness of belonging to this region. The Association La Rive Haute organises yearly Exhibitions to show the people of the region the rich cultural heritage of the region and the rich biodiversity still present. Its members are also actively involved in projects to conserve landscape and culture and to make people aware of the rich history of the Thiérache.
