La Roche-en-Ardenne
La Roche-en-Ardenne, Belgium
A small Ardennes town in a loop of the Ourthe, overlooked by the ruins of a medieval castle on a ridge. Climb up to the castle for the view, then walk the riverside paths below.
La Roche-en-Ardenne lies in a loop of the River Ourthe, and above the town the ruined castle rises on a rocky ridge. The castle hill was already settled in the Neolithic period, later holding a Celtic hillfort and Roman fortifications. The castle itself goes back to around 844 under Count Adelard. Between 1681 and 1688 a pupil of Vauban strengthened the fortress.
The decline began with a lightning strike and fire in 1721, after which Emperor Joseph II had the castle dismantled. In December 1944 it was bombed during the Battle of the Bulge. Today the ruin shows military architecture from several centuries. Climb up to the castle for the view, allow about one to two hours, and then take a walk by the river below. Sturdy footwear is advisable because of the terrain.
- Nearest town
- La Roche-en-Ardenne, Belgium
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 50.1800, 5.5775
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Belgium: No motorway tolls for cars. Low-emission zones in Brussels, Antwerp and Ghent; register foreign vehicles. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Nearby
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Campsites nearby
- La Roche 2Campsite1 km from La Roche-en-Ardenne · 100 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Camping BeneluxCampsite1 km from La Roche-en-ArdenneTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Ardenne CampingCampsite3 km from La Roche-en-ArdenneTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Camping Le FestivalCampsite6 km from La Roche-en-ArdenneTentsCaravansMotorhomesShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Camping Eau ZoneCampsite14 km from La Roche-en-ArdenneTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToilets
- Le Hameau de l'OurtheCampsite15 km from La Roche-en-Ardenne · 50 pitchesTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterDogs allowedWi-Fi
All campsites in Belgium · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is La Roche-en-Ardenne?
La Roche-en-Ardenne is in La Roche-en-Ardenne, Belgium, at GPS 50.1800, 5.5775. It is about 21 km from Durbuy.
Can you camp near La Roche-en-Ardenne?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is La Roche 2, about 1 km away; within 25 km there are 68 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near La Roche-en-Ardenne?
Places worth a stop nearby: Durbuy (21 km), Mardasson Memorial (22 km), Caves of Han-sur-Lesse (28 km) and Coo Waterfall (32 km).
When is the best time to visit La Roche-en-Ardenne?
The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)