Rochefort Vacations, Rochefort Vacation Reviews, Tourism Guide

Rochefort Vacation Guide

Rochefort is a small town situated on the Lomme, a tributary of the Lesse, in the S.E. of the province of Namur close to the Ardennes. It is of ancient origin, its position at the point where the route to St Hubert crossed that from Liege to Bouillon having made it at all times a place of some importance. The ruins of the old castle, which gave the place its name and a title to a long line of counts that had the right of coining their own money, still exist.

This castle underwent many sieges and suffered much in the earlier wars, especially at the hands of Marshal de Chatillon in 1636. The castle ruins watches today over the city and it is possible to walk up there. If you pass the castle and follow the road to the end you will find a fantastic view over the city.

Rochefort is well-known for its caves and they are very easy to find because there are signs to almost everyone from the city centre. The "grotto" of Rochefort, within the town contains six chambers, the largest and highest of which was called the Sabbat. It was swept clear of its prehistoric remains before electric lighting was installed.

The more famous local caves are at Han-sur-Lesse, one of Rochefort's constituent towns, where the river Lesse disappears at what is called the gap or hole of Belvaux and passes by subterranean passages under the hill called Boeme or Boine.