La Roche-en-Ardenne Castle, La Roche-en-Ardenne, France

La Roche-en-Ardenne Castle ruins lie on a rocky outcrop dominating the green valley which is nestled in a loop formed by the river Ourthe and the steep sides of the Deistermountain. The ruins, dating back to the 11th century, look gloomy but impressive, emphasized by the roughly piled slate walls.

From the 12th century on the castle took a strategic place in the development and defence of trade and it got to be a halting place in the trading route of English wool to Lombardia in present Italy.

The castle was conquered by the French in 1681 who rebuilt the castle so that it could withstand the new artillery.

La Roche-en-Ardenne Castle was inhabited until 1780 when it was abandoned. It quickly fell to ruin when in the 19th century it was stripped of all useful materials by the villagers of La Roche.

In 1903 during superficial excavations, inside the castle walls, pieces of polished flint, a whetstone and several shards of prehistoric pottery were discovered. Also, in 1954 a Roman coin minted in the 4th century was found. In 1995 more serious excavation works started. Proof was found that the castle site once housed a Celtic oppidum and a Roman fort.

References:

castles.nl

User Reviews

Bert Van Laar (12 months ago)
Use your imagination! See the knights working their way up the very steep slopes. Trying, but not succeeding, to take the castle. There is a legend attached to this castle as well. Can you guess which tower is was?

Björn Deprest (13 months ago)
The castle is rather small, but it gives a nice view over the town. The bar inside the castle looks nice, however it was closed during my visit, probably due to covid

Derik ten Napel (13 months ago)
A great middle ages castle ruin. You receive a paper with an explanation of different areas within the castle to explain what it used to be and when it might have been constructed. There's also one or two cafeterias which were closed (probably because of covid19). I learned a lot and it had some great views.

corvusvikinger (14 months ago)
Nice ruins, would have been nice to see it back in it's day but still. Very slippery when wet though be warned

Harry van Dijk (14 months ago)
Very nice castle /ruin. For two months (July and August) a nice performance is being held at 10 pm every night. Once a week with fireworks. The show is about the ghost of the castle and its origins. Good lighting and good story.

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