This small Belgian town in the Ardennes is known for its Trappist brewery, medieval castle ruins and Notre-Dame de Lorette church. The Lesse River flows past stone houses and narrow streets.
Rochefort, a small town in Belgium's Namur province, is known for its dark Trappist beer from Saint-Remy Abbey. You can explore the six-chambered Grotto of Rochefort, watch light shows in underground caves, walk through a restored 2nd-century Roman villa, and see European bison roaming free at the Han-sur-Lesse wildlife park.
Getting to Rochefort
Take a train to Jemelle station from Brussels (1 hour 20 minutes) or Namur (40 minutes), then catch Bus 29 to Rochefort's center. By car, exit the E411 motorway at junction 23 and follow the N89 toward Han-sur-Lesse - you'll reach Rochefort in 10 minutes.
The Trappist Beer of Saint-Remy
The Notre-Dame de Saint-Remy Abbey has produced Trappist beer since 1595. The monks brew three variants - Rochefort 6, 8, and 10 - using water from the calcium-rich Tridaine Spring. While the brewery remains closed to visitors, you can enter the abbey church and find these dark, rich beers in local shops and cafes.
Underground Cave Networks
The Grotto of Rochefort descends 60 meters underground through six distinct chambers. Your guide will lead you down narrow passages between rock formations, while light and sound shows reveal the dimensions of the main chamber, called Sabbat. Five minutes south, you can follow the underground course of the Lesse River through the Caves of Han-sur-Lesse, where archaeologists have found human artifacts dating back 9,000 years.
Castle Ruins and Roman Villa
The 13th-century Château Comtal de Rochefort sits on a limestone ridge above the Lomme River. Walk among the stone walls and climb to viewing points over the town center. Near Jemelle, explore the Malagne archaeological site, with its 104-meter-long main building from one of northern Gaul's largest Roman villas. The site includes reconstructed farm buildings and craft workshops where you can try ancient techniques.
Wildlife Park and Nature Trails
At the Han-sur-Lesse wildlife park, walk through 250 hectares of forest and meadow to see European bison, brown bears, lynx, and wolves in designated areas throughout the park. The 18-kilometer Ravel trail connects Rochefort to Houyet along a converted railway line. This flat, paved path is ideal for cycling through the limestone hills of the Famenne region. Rent bikes from several shops in Rochefort's center to explore the trail.
