Friends, fancy a small town wrapped by a river and crowned with ruins? Rochefort, in Belgium’s Famenne region, blends dramatic limestone landscapes with easy days out.

Trains reach Jemelle (5 minutes by bus/taxi to center); by car, it’s ~1h40 from Brussels on the E411. Base in town for cafés and parks, then day-trip to caves, lookouts, and storybook fortresses.

Lorette Cave

A short walk from the center, Grotte de Lorette drops nearly vertically into six chambers. Guided visits (90 minutes) include a geology film and a tiny hot-air balloon demonstration in the vast Salle du Sabbat. Expect $12–$16 adults, $9–$12 kids; sturdy shoes and a light jacket are smart—temperatures hover around 54°F year-round.

Wildlife Park

Above the Han caves, a 250-hectare park showcases European species—lynx, wolves, brown bears, deer, ibex—roaming broad, natural enclosures. Choose the 3.1-mile walking trail (lookouts and picnic spots) or a guided “Safari Car” ride. Tickets typically $18–$24; combo passes with the caves save money. Bring water; shade is limited on sunny days.

Cave Adventure

Feeling bold? Join the Parcours Spéléo to experience side passages closed to regular tours. Helmets, lamps, and overalls provided; expect crawling, clambering, and river-polished rocks. Minimum age/height rules apply; prebook online. Allow 2.5–3 hours. Clothing may get muddy—pack a spare shirt for afterward.

Hilltop Castle

Scramble up to the ruined Château Comtal de Rochefort for sweeping views over the Lomme’s loop and town roofs. Interpretation panels explain the stronghold’s medieval past. Access is free; the trail is short but steep, so wear grippy shoes. Sunset rewards with golden ridgelines and lingering river mist.

Roman Villa

At Malagne – Archéoparc de Rochefort, walk footbridges over an excavated Gallo-Roman estate and into reconstructed farm buildings. Meet heritage livestock breeds, browse ancient tools, and wander a Roman kitchen-garden with 350 historic plant species. Open spring–autumn; tickets $10–$14. Family workshops and bread-baking days run on select weekends.

Lavaux Castle

Fifteen minutes west, Château de Lavaux-Sainte-Anne glows with moats, a keep, and three domed corner towers. Inside are three small museums: noble life circa the 1600s, Famenne landscapes and wildlife, and daily rural life below stairs. Expect $10–$14 adults, $7–$10 kids; allow 1.5–2 hours including a loop around the wetlands.

Lesse Kayak

In warm months, outfitters near Han and Houyet rent kayaks for gentle downstream runs past cliffs and pebble beaches. Half-day hires run $25–$40 per person; shuttle rides return you to base. Wear water shoes, bring a dry bag, and check river levels after heavy rain.

Ostrich Farm

April–mid-November, Autrucherie du Doneû guides visitors through paddocks of curious ostriches (plus emus and rheas), explaining care, feeding, and—if you’re lucky—courtship displays. Tastings feature egg-based sweets and pancakes. Tours $8–$12; family packs available. It’s a breezy 15-minute drive from Rochefort.

Rock Fold

Near Ave-et-Auffe, pull off the N86 to admire the Anticlinal de la Cluse du Ry d’Ave—a dramatic arching fold in limestone forged by ancient pressures. A brief signed path leads to viewpoints. Free, open anytime; best photographed mid-morning when the face is sunlit.

Roches Park

In-town Parc des Roches pairs a heated outdoor pool (summer lifeguards; $4–$6 entry) with mini-golf, tennis, a big playground, and picnic lawns beside the Lomme. It’s perfect for a rest day with kids. Cross the footbridge to make a short riverside loop before dinner.

Rail & Stone

In nearby Jemelle, the Centre d’Animation du Rail et de la Pierre celebrates regional rail heritage and geology. Expect model layouts, signals, consoles, signage, and hands-on displays, plus rooms on local stone industries. Open select afternoons; $6–$9 admission. Pair with coffee on the square.

Town Stroll

Unwind in the center: Place Roi Albert I, side streets with bakeries and chocolatiers, and quiet vantage points over the Lomme. Lodging ranges $80–$140 per night for B&Bs; casual meals $12–$20. Weekends fill quickly in summer—book stays and major cave tickets at least a week ahead.

Conclusion

From cathedral-scaled caverns to moated castles and easy nature trails, Rochefort shines as a compact, family-friendly base in the Famenne. Which adventure would you start with—underground lights, river paddles, or a sunset climb to the ruins?