This small Belgian town has a 9th-century castle overlooking the Ourthe River. Visitors can kayak, hike, and explore World War II history at the Battle of the Ardennes Museum.
La Roche-en-Ardenne, a small town in the Belgian Ardennes, sits along a bend in the Ourthe River. The town has a 9th-century castle perched on a rocky outcrop, offering views of the surrounding forests. You can kayak down the Ourthe River or hike through the dense Ardennes woods. The Battle of the Ardennes Museum provides insight into the town's World War II history. Local specialties include Ardennes ham and Purnalet liquor, which you can taste in the town's restaurants and shops.
La Roche-en-Ardenne Castle
The ruins of La Roche-en-Ardenne Castle sit atop a rocky outcrop overlooking the town. The castle dates back to the 9th century and has Celtic, Roman, and medieval influences. When you visit, you'll see remnants of walls, towers, and underground chambers. The highest point provides views of the Ourthe Valley and surrounding forests. During summer, the castle hosts medieval-themed events including archery, crafts, and falconry demonstrations.
Kayaking and Hiking in the Ardennes
La Roche-en-Ardenne is situated along the winding Ourthe River, with forests extending in all directions. You can rent kayaks in town for trips down the Ourthe, with routes ranging from 8 to 18 kilometers. For hiking, consider a section of the 160 km La Transardennaise route, which connects La Roche to Bouillon. The trail passes through forests, fields, and small villages. Mountain biking is also popular, with trails varying from easy forest paths to challenging mountain routes.
World War II History
The Battle of the Ardennes Museum spans three floors and contains a large collection of uniforms, weapons, and personal items from American, British, and German soldiers. The museum focuses on the Battle of the Bulge, which significantly impacted La Roche-en-Ardenne in late 1944 and early 1945. Exhibits include over 120 mannequins dressed in period uniforms, 20 military vehicles, and a replica of the Enigma decoding machine.
Parc à Gibier Wildlife Park
About 2 kilometers outside town, the Parc à Gibier wildlife park allows visitors to see local animals in a natural setting. A 1.2 km trail leads past enclosures housing deer, wild boar, wolves, and lynx. The park focuses on animals native to the Ardennes region and includes informational signs about each species. You can see wild boar rooting in the ground or lynx resting in trees.
Local Culinary Specialties
La Roche-en-Ardenne is known for several local food and drink specialties. Ardennes ham, a salt-cured ham with Protected Geographical Indication status, is available in local butcher shops and restaurants. For dessert, look for "Baisers de La Roche," meringue biscuits filled with buttercream. Purnalet, a dark liquor made from sloe berries, is another local product. Many restaurants in town serve these specialties alongside traditional Ardennes dishes like game meats and river fish.
Getting to La Roche-en-Ardenne
You can drive to La Roche-en-Ardenne from Brussels via the E411 and then the N4 towards Marche-en-Famenne. The journey takes about 1.5 hours. For public transport, take a train to Marloie station, then catch bus number 15 to La Roche-en-Ardenne. The bus journey lasts about 35 minutes. Bus services are limited, especially on weekends and holidays, so check the schedule in advance.
