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Rocroi

Recommended by 60 hikers out of 61

This Highlight is in a protected area

Please check local regulations for: Parc naturel régional des Ardennes

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Location: Rocroi, Charleville-Mézières, Great East, France

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Best Hikes to Rocroi

4.1

(14)

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1. Rocroi – Saint-Nicolas Church loop from Rocroi

3.46km

00:53

10m

Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

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Easy

4.6

(22)

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2. Rocroi – Saint-Nicolas Church loop from Rocroi

13.8km

03:53

280m

Intermediate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

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Intermediate

4.6

(7)

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3. Rocroi – King's Bastion loop from Lotissement les Gras Près

11.6km

03:24

230m

Expert hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

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Tips

Willem VS

August 23, 2025

Rocroi is a charming town in the French Ardennes, known for its unique star-shaped fortification structure dating back to the 16th century. By order of King Henry II, Rocroi was fortified as a strategic stronghold against Spanish influence, which later proved its worth during the Battle of Rocroi in 1643, a decisive French victory in the Thirty Years' War. The town is distinguished by its radial layout, with ten streets radiating from the central square, and, along with Palmanova in Italy, is one of the few European towns to have completely preserved this military architecture. Today, Rocroi is a protected heritage town, beloved for its historic charm, walking trails along the ramparts, and local specialties such as Rocroy beer and cheese.

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🇧🇪 Herwig Aertbeliën

April 1, 2023

Rocroi, is a fortified city, from the air Rocroi is a stone star nestled in lush greenery.
Located at the gates of France, its history is lost with that of the wars that the borders have done over the centuries. This city is closely linked to its fortifications. Rocroi, without its walls, would not have used the Grand Condé to provoke the famous Spanish Tercios of Philippe IV, who besieged the city. At a time when the Middle Ages were disappearing and Italy was exporting its architects and town planners, François 1er Rocroi chose the middle of an almost inaccessible swampy plateau to protect the kingdom. The cannons begin to spit powerful balls. From vertical, the fortress is grazed. The village is a city that is bastioned. We move smoothly from the protection of goods and people to that of the Kingdom. Vauban arrives for reinforcement only a century and a half later. The fortifications will be in evolution until 1889, the date of the military dismantling.
More info at www-tourisme--valleesetplateaudardenne-com.translate.goog/incontournables/rocroi-une-ville-fortifiee-en-etoile?_x_tr_sl=fr&_x_tr_tl=nl&_x_tr_hl=nl&_x_tr_pto=sc

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Fcl

May 5, 2020

The municipal area of over 50 km² extends from the left bank of the Meuse in the east to the watershed in the west, which leads to the catchment area of the Seine. The Rocroi fortress lies at 380 meters above sea level, almost at the highest point in the municipality. The Maas tributary Eau Noire rises north of Rocroi, to the southwest the Sormonne, which also drains to the Meuse, and west of the Oise tributary Gland.

In order to be able to withstand the power of Charles V, the French King Henry II had Rocroi expanded into a fortress. As it is today, the community was then located on the border, at that time still to the Holy Roman Empire of the German Nation.
Battle of Rocroi

The Battle of Rocroi took place south of the city in 1643 as part of a long war between the French and the Spanish. Despite the majority of the Spanish troops, the Duke of Enghien, also known as the Grand Condé, managed to deal a crushing blow to the Spaniards. In 1653, however, the Spaniards were able to occupy Rocroi and hold it for six years. During this time, the Rocroi fortifications were further expanded.

The famous fortress builder Vauban had the town of Rocroi expanded and protected in 1675 in such a way that it received a five-pointed fortress wall in the shape of a star, which was a typical rampart for the time. Vauban created two entrances to the city: the Porte de Bourgogne in the northeast and the Porte de France in the southwest. The then French King Louis XIV stipulated that the Champagne would be protected against enemy troops in the future.

Source: Wikipedia

Translated by Google •

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Elevation 380 m

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Friday 24 October

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100 %

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Max wind speed: 21.0 km/h

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Location: Rocroi, Charleville-Mézières, Great East, France

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Rocroi

1. Rocroi – Saint-Nicolas Church loop from Rocroi

2. Rocroi – Saint-Nicolas Church loop from Rocroi

3. Rocroi – King's Bastion loop from Lotissement les Gras Près

Other Popular Places to Check Out

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