La Roche-en-Ardenne facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
La Roche-en-Ardenne
Li Rotche (Walloon)
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La Roche: the town centre below its medieval castle
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 La Roche-en-Ardenne
Location in Belgium
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| Country | Belgium | |
| Community | French Community | |
| Region | Wallonia | |
| Province | Luxembourg | |
| Arrondissement | Marche-en-Famenne | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 147.52 km2 (56.96 sq mi) | |
| Population
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| • Total | Lua error in Module:Wd at line 1,575: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value). | |
| Postal codes |
6980, 6982-6984, 6986
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| Area codes | 084 | |
| Website | www.la-roche-en-ardenne.be | |
La Roche-en-Ardenne is a charming city and municipality in Wallonia, a region in Belgium. It's located in the province of Luxembourg, right by a bend in the River Ourthe. This small town is one of the most popular places to visit in the beautiful Ardennes area.
As of January 1, 2007, about 4,348 people lived here. The municipality covers an area of 147.52 square kilometers. This means there are about 29.5 people living in each square kilometer.
The municipality is made up of several smaller districts. These include Beausaint, Halleux, Hives, La Roche-en-Ardenne itself, Ortho, and Samrée. There are also other small villages like Bérismenil, Cielle, and Maboge.
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Exploring the Geography of La Roche-en-Ardenne
La Roche-en-Ardenne is located between two important motorways, the E25 (which goes from Liège to Luxembourg) and the N4.
A big part of the municipality, about 85 square kilometers, is covered by forests. These forests have a mix of trees that lose their leaves in autumn and evergreen trees. Around 50 square kilometers of land are used for farming. Only about 8 square kilometers have buildings on them.
A Journey Through La Roche-en-Ardenne's History
People believe that La Roche was first settled a very long time ago, during the Neolithic era (the New Stone Age). There's also an old Celtic site here, dating back to between 850 and 520 BC. Later, the Romans built a fort in the area after they took over Gaul and the Ardennes.
The town's famous medieval castle was used for many centuries, from the 9th to the 18th century. It helped protect the boats that traveled along the local rivers for trade. In 1331, John of Bohemia, who was a king and a count, gave permission for the town to build city walls.
During World War II, La Roche-en-Ardenne faced tough times. It was occupied by both German and Allied forces and was badly damaged. American soldiers freed the town in September 1944. However, German forces took it back in December during the Battle of the Bulge. After Allied planes bombed the town, American soldiers reoccupied it in January 1945. Sadly, much of the town was destroyed, and 116 residents lost their lives.
Today, you can see two tanks displayed as monuments to remember the town's liberation. There's an American Sherman M4A1 tank and a British Achilles SP 17pdr. There is also a memorial dedicated to the 82nd armored reconnaissance battalion.
In 1976, several smaller administrative areas in the region joined together. This created the larger municipality of La Roche-en-Ardenne that we know today.
What Drives the Economy of La Roche-en-Ardenne?
La Roche-en-Ardenne is a great place for outdoor activities. You can enjoy Hiking, kayaking on the river, and mountain biking.
Another important part of the local economy is farming. To help the economy grow even more, a business park was built on the Vecmont plateau.
The town is also known for its special ceramic stoneware. This pottery is cobalt blue and glazed with salt. This tradition started in 1836 and continued for many years. You can find a permanent exhibition about this unique local craft.
How La Roche-en-Ardenne is Governed
Like other Belgian municipalities, La Roche-en-Ardenne is run by a group called the Communal College. The number of people in this group depends on the town's population. In 2012, it included the Mayor, the Town Clerk, and three Aldermen.
An elected City Council decides how local taxes are spent. As of 2012, this council had nine members.
Places to See in La Roche-en-Ardenne
There are some interesting historical and natural sites to visit:
- Le Cheslé de Bérismenil: This is an ancient Celtic refuge site.
- Le Cheslin d'Ortho: This was a Roman refuge.
- La Roche-en-Ardenne Castle: The ruins of the medieval castle are a must-see.
You can also visit the Parc à Gibier, which is a small wild game park. It's located on top of the plateau above the town.
See also
In Spanish: La Roche-en-Ardenne para niños
