La Roche-en-Ardenne is the informal capital of the Belgian Ardennes and a popular holiday destination. Its mountainous surroundings are perfect for hiking and biking tours. The main attraction of La Roche-en-Ardenne is the feudal castle from the 11th century.
The town was founded on the site of a Celtic settlement. In the 11th century, a castle was built here, which on the one hand served a defensive function, and on the other hand, was the administrative center of the entire area. The stronghold functioned until the 18th century, when it began to decline after losing its strategic importance. Today it is a picturesque ruin standing on a hill above the town's buildings.
The most tragic time in the history of La Roche-en-Ardenne was the turn of 1944 and 1945, when heavy fighting took place in the area as part of the Battle of the Ardennes. Today, La Roche-en-Ardenne's top attractions and highlights include the Battle of the Ardennes Museum with its fascinating collection of militaria and war memorabilia. These events are also recalled by the Achilles M-10 tank standing in the city, which took part in the liberation of La Roche-en-Ardenne.
The area around La Roche-en-Ardenne is full of forests and mountains. There are many hiking and biking trails that encourage active tourism. A popular family attraction is the zoo, which is mainly home to animals inhabiting European forests.
