Rochefort, Belgium

Rochefort is a municipality and city of Wallonia located in the province of Namur, Belgium, close to the Ardennes. On 1 January 2006 it had a total population of 12,038 and an area of 165.27 square kilometres, giving a density of 73 inhabitants per square kilometre. The municipality includes several districts, among them Han-sur-Lesse and Jemelle. The town grew up at a crossroads where the route to Saint-Hubert crossed the road from Liege to Bouillon, a position that required fortifying; the ruins of the old castle, which gave the place its name and a title to a long line of counts who minted their own money, still exist. Rochefort was a resort in the 19th century, has red marble quarries nearby, and is known for Rochefort Abbey, a Trappist monastery whose brewery makes dark, sweet beers.