Page 232 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Belgium & Luxembourg

230  BEL GIUM AND L UXEMBOURG REGION B Y REGION

Durbuy, sheltered by the forested Ardennes, often cited as one of the prettiest towns in Belgium
i Durbuy most impressive limestone caves. Destroyed by the Austrians in
Over the millennia, the river has the late 18th century, the château
17 km (11 miles) S of Modave. carved out chasms, which are
Road Map E3. * 11,300. @ draped with stalactites, stalag- provides a dramatic backdrop
n Place aux Foires 25; (086) 212428. mites and sculptural concretions when illuminated at night during
∑ durbuyinfo.be the summer months. The pottery
and mineral formations of the museum, Les Grès de la Roche,
Established by charter in 1331, utmost delicacy. Staircases and explains the history and practical-
Durbuy calls itself the world’s walkways lead down through a ities of making traditional blue
smallest town. Its cobbled streets series of illuminated chambers to stoneware, called grès. It also covers
of stone houses wind down to Belgium’s largest cave gallery – local culinary traditions, most
a bridge over the River Ourthe 200 m (656 ft) long and 35 m notably the manner of curing
under the gaze of an 18th-century (115 ft) high. The gardens at the hams to make jambon d’Ardennes.
château. The main attraction, the head of the cave have a path La Roche was damaged by
Parc des Topiaires, takes topiary leading to fine views of the area. bombing during the Battle of
to surreal extremes: the box-tree the Bulge (see p235). This action
hedges have been sculpted p La Roche-en- is remembered in a collection of
into 250 subjects including uniforms, weapons, vehicles, photo-
crocodiles, birds, a mermaid, Ardenne graphs and maps in the Musée
and even the Manneken- Pis. 16 km (10 miles) SE of Hotton. de la Bataille des Ardennes.
Road Map E3. * 4,300. @
Environs n Place du Marché 15; (084) 367736. Environs
Near Wéris, 7 km (4 miles) to ∑ la-roche-tourisme.com River Ourthe winds through one
the southeast, there are two of the most beautiful valleys in
dolmens and many menhirs Set in a deep valley on a loop the Ardennes. The most scenic
and megaliths dating back to of the River Ourthe, La Roche stretch runs from Houffalize, 25
the Neolithic era. There is also provides an attractive base for km (16 miles) east of La Roche,
a Musée des Mégalithes. exploring the Ardennes. The grim to Liège, 95 km (59 miles) north
ruins of the imposing 11th–12th- of La Roche. Kayaking is popular
Y Parc des Topiaires century Château Féodal (Feudal and equipment can be rented
Rue Haie Himbe 1. Tel (086) 219075. Castle) overlook the town from a at La Roche and other locations.
Open Feb–Oct: 10am–6pm daily; Nov: rocky spur known as the Deister.
10am–5pm daily; Dec: 10am–4pm Sat, P Château Féodal
Sun & public holidays. Closed Jan. & Rue du Vieux Château 4. Tel (084)
7 - ∑ topiaires.durbuy.be 411342. Open Apr–Oct: daily;
Nov–Mar: Mon–Thu. & =
∑ chateaudelaroche.be
o Grottes de E Les Grès de la Roche
Hotton Rue Rompré 28. Tel (084) 411239.
Open check website for latest
11 km (7 miles) S of Durbuy. information. & 9 0
Road Map E3. Tel (084) 466046. @ ∑ gresdelaroche.be
Open Apr–Oct: 10am–5pm daily (till E Musée de la Bataille des
6pm Jul & Aug); Nov–Mar: tours on Sat Ardennes
& Sun at 12:30pm, 2pm & 3:30pm. & Rue Châmont 5. Tel (084) 411725.
8 - = ∑ grottesdehotton.be
Open late Mar–Dec: Tue–Sun; Jan–
Located on the River Ourthe, Arrays of stalactites on the ceiling of Grottes Mar, Jul & Aug: Sat, Sun & public hols.
Hotton has some of the area’s de Hotton 7 ∑ batarden.be
For hotels and restaurants see pp270–71 and pp290–91

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