Rochefort Attractions
The pretty little town of Rochefort, about 30km/19miles southeast of Dinant near the Lesse and Lomme National Park, was once the capital of a county the only witness to which are the ruins of a 12th C. castle; now it is a summer resort visited especially by walkers and anglers.
Near the Abbey of Saint-Rémy, a marble quarry once provided marble for St Peter's in Rome.
History touched Rochefort in 1792 when in Rue Jacquet No.8 the Marquis de La Fayette and Châteaubriand, both fleeing from Jacobin terror, were arrested by Austrian troops.
Near the Abbey of Saint-Rémy, a marble quarry once provided marble for St Peter's in Rome.
History touched Rochefort in 1792 when in Rue Jacquet No.8 the Marquis de La Fayette and Châteaubriand, both fleeing from Jacobin terror, were arrested by Austrian troops.
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Grottes de Rochefort
These caves, first discovered in 1865, contain interesting stalactite formations. One of the main attractions is the Val d'Enfer.
Domaine Provincial Valéry Cousin
The Valéry Cousin provincial estate, a large area of 500ha/1,235 acres with forests and lakes situated around a 19th C. castle, offers numerous leisure activities such as an open-air swimming pool, water slides and mini-golf.
Han-sur-Lesse, Belgium
(Near Rochefort)
The village of Han-sur-Lesse in the southeast of the province of Namur is world-famous for its caverns and at weekends is overrun with tourists. The River Lesse flows through the stalactite caverns which have an amazing variety of rock formations caused by the porosity of the limestone found in this region.
Han-Sur-Lesse - Grottes de Han
The system as it is known today consists of a series of intricate caverns with a total length of 10km/6mi, only 3km/2mi of which are accessible, some only since 1962. The dirt left on the ceiling in the oldest caves by the smoke and soot from torches is clearly visible but they remain extremely impressive thanks to the skillful illumination. Especially striking are the Salle des Scarabées, the Salle des Renards, the Salle du Vigneron, the Grotte du Précipice, Le Trophée, Le Styx, the Salle des Mystérieuses and the Salle des Draperies, all with superb stalactite formations. In the Salle d'Armes, a beautiful round cave where the Lesse reappears, a son-et-lumière show highlights the most impressive formations. The high point is the last cavern, the Salle du Dome, its vastness (length 154m/505ft, width 140m/459ft, height 129m/423ft) can be appreciated by the torch light provided by an attendant. The exit to the Grottos is reached by boat where a cannon is fired. It is just a few minutes' walk back to the village.
The only access to the grottos is by the train which runs through the beautiful Ardennes countryside and departs from the information and ticket office opposite the local church.
A tour of the grottos takes about two hours.
(Rochefort)
The Grottes de Han were inhabited as far back as the Stone Age by people seeking refuge. Not until 1804 did four young men dare to venture further into the caves. During subsequent explorations over the following years the larger caverns with their stalagmites and stalactites were discovered. The grottos have been open to the public since 1856.The system as it is known today consists of a series of intricate caverns with a total length of 10km/6mi, only 3km/2mi of which are accessible, some only since 1962. The dirt left on the ceiling in the oldest caves by the smoke and soot from torches is clearly visible but they remain extremely impressive thanks to the skillful illumination. Especially striking are the Salle des Scarabées, the Salle des Renards, the Salle du Vigneron, the Grotte du Précipice, Le Trophée, Le Styx, the Salle des Mystérieuses and the Salle des Draperies, all with superb stalactite formations. In the Salle d'Armes, a beautiful round cave where the Lesse reappears, a son-et-lumière show highlights the most impressive formations. The high point is the last cavern, the Salle du Dome, its vastness (length 154m/505ft, width 140m/459ft, height 129m/423ft) can be appreciated by the torch light provided by an attendant. The exit to the Grottos is reached by boat where a cannon is fired. It is just a few minutes' walk back to the village.
The only access to the grottos is by the train which runs through the beautiful Ardennes countryside and departs from the information and ticket office opposite the local church.
A tour of the grottos takes about two hours.
Grottoes of Han Museum of the Underground World
Rue J. Lamotte 2
B-5580 Han-sur-Lesse
Belgium
Rue J. Lamotte 2
B-5580 Han-sur-Lesse
Belgium
Hours
January 1 to March 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 11:30 | 11:30 | 11:30 | 11:30 | 11:30 | 11:30 | 11:30 |
| Close | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 | 13:00 |
| Open | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 | 14:30 |
| Close | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 | 16:00 |
April 1 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Open | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
May 1 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
| Open | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Open | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
September 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 17:00 |
| Open | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
November 1 to December 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 |
| Open | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Always opened on:
Christmas - Christian (December 25)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Christmas Eve - Christian (December 24)
Day after Christmas, St Stephen's Day, Boxing Day (December 26)
Train departure times: Easter-August every 30 mins.; September- October hourly and November-Easter every two hours.
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Wilderness Reserve
The safari cars depart from opposite the local church.
(Rochefort)
The Grottes de Han are surrounded by a wildlife park which belongs to the Lesse et Lomme National Park. In the beautiful countryside indigenous animals such as stags and wild boars can be observed together with strains bred from extinct animals including bison, aurochs and tarpans in enclosures. The drive in the "safari car" passes by the Gouffre de Belvaux, where the Lesse disappears roaring into the mountain and does not reappear until Han.The safari cars depart from opposite the local church.
Grottoes of Han Museum of the Underground World
Rue J. Lamotte 2
B-5580 Han-sur-Lesse
Belgium
Rue J. Lamotte 2
B-5580 Han-sur-Lesse
Belgium
Hours
April 1 to June 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
April 8 to April 30
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
September 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Lavaux-Sainte-Anne, Belgium
(Near Han-sur-Lesse)
Close to the E411 motorway Namur-Arlon, 6km/4mi south-west of Han-sur-Lesse, is the village of Lavaux-Sainte-Anne. It has an interesting moated castle from the 14th and 15th C. with three corner towers and a keep, which replaced its predecessor from 1190. New Renaissance style residential wings were built between the towers in the 17th C. The castle which is partly furnished with contemporary furniture houses a hunting and conservation museum; agricultural equipment is displayed in the adjoining buildings. A film shows the reconstruction of the castle which was destroyed in 1795.
Hours
March 1 to October 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 | 19:00 |
November 1 to February 28
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 | 9:00 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Always closed on:
New Year's Day (January 1)
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Lessive, Belgium
(Near Han-sur-Lesse)
Near Lessive, 4km/2miles northwest of Han-sur-Lesse at the confluence of the Lesse and Lomme, the satellite transmission station of the Belgium Post Office became operational in 1972.
The giant 30m/98ft-high parabolic antennae weighing 53 tons is used for telecommunications with America. A tour through the grounds lasts around 1.5 hours.
The giant 30m/98ft-high parabolic antennae weighing 53 tons is used for telecommunications with America. A tour through the grounds lasts around 1.5 hours.
Hours
April 15 to November 1
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
July 1 to August 31
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 | 17:30 |
September 1 to October 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 | 9:30 |
| Close | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 | 17:00 |
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Facilities
Restaurant or food service
Nassogne, Belgium
(Near Rochefort)
Ruined Castle of Comtal
These imposing ruins of what once was the largest castle in Famenne provide excellent views of the surrounding countryside.
Hours
April 8 to September 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 |
May 15 to September 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 | 18:00 |
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.
Tourist Train
See the sights around Rochefort from the comfort of a tourist train.
Hours
April 8 to October 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | Closed | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | |||||
| Open | 13:30 | 13:30 | |||||
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 |
June 15 to September 15
| Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 10:00 | 10:00 | Closed | 10:00 | 12:00 | 10:00 | 10:00 |
| Close | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | 12:00 | |
| Open | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | 13:30 | |
| Close | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 | 16:30 |
Guides
Guided tour included with admission.