Before you go

Your trip to La Roche-en-Ardenne.

Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.

La Roche-en-Ardenne – Luxemburgo Destination Ardennes

How to get there

Marloie Marche-en-Famenne · 23 km

Approximate road distances. Check flights and bus schedules before you travel.

By car, it's about half an hour from Durbuy and just under two hours from Brussels. There is no train to the town: the most commonly used station is Marloie, near Marche-en-Famenne, linked to La Roche by TEC bus line 15, which has few departures; check the TEC timetable the day before.

How many days

One day is enough for the castle, the battle museum, the tank and the Deister viewpoint. With two days you can add a kayak descent on the Ourthe and a longer hike through the woods.

When to go

From April to September, when the castle and the museum have longer opening hours and the kayak operations usually run. In mid-January the town commemorates the 1945 liberation. Autumn brings yellowed slopes; winter is cold with short days.

The seasons shown are the most usual ones; nature doesn't always follow the calendar.

Do you need a car?

It comes highly recommended. Buses from Marloie are infrequent and the viewpoints and trails lie outside the center. Within the town, the castle, the museum and the tank are just a few minutes' walk from each other.

Suggested itinerary

An order that works

Built with the places on this page. No rush: it's paced so you have time to see them.

One day in La Roche-en-Ardenne

Morning
Musée de la Bataille des Ardennes
Start with the battle museum on Rue Châmont, with its four floors of uniforms, vehicles and maps of the 1944 offensive.
Afternoon
Château féodal
Climb up to the castle ruins on the rock, between the Ourthe and the Deister, and walk the ramparts with views over the town center.
Late afternoon
Tank Achilles and Deister
Stop by the British M10 Achilles tank, a monument to the liberation, and tackle the uphill walk to the Deister viewpoint, starting from the Sainte-Marguerite chapel.
Evening
Dinner on the banks of the Ourthe
Dine near the Place du Bronze or on the Quai de l'Ourthe, with the castle lit up above.

Check before you go. Opening hours and days change, and places may close for renovations, holidays or events. This itinerary is a suggestion from Cidade Turismo, not a commitment: plan yours by checking directly with each place you intend to visit.

Before you go

Frequently asked questions

What language is spoken in La Roche-en-Ardenne?

French. The town receives many Dutch tourists, so menus and attraction materials often have Dutch and English versions.

What happened in La Roche during World War II?

The town was liberated by American forces in September 1944, retaken by the Germans in December during the Battle of the Ardennes, and liberated again in January 1945. Allied bombings destroyed much of the center and 116 residents were killed.

Can you get there by train?

Only as far as Marloie, near Marche-en-Famenne. From there, bus line 15 runs to La Roche, with few departures per day and even fewer on Sundays.

Can you go kayaking on the Ourthe?

Yes, in season, which usually runs from April to September. The well-known stretch starts at Nisramont and ends in La Roche, about 18 km. The descent depends on the water level, so confirm with the operator the day before.

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