La Roche "Pearl of the Ardenne"
Nestled in a meander of the river and dominated by the ruins of the medieval castle, La Roche is today an important holiday resort of the Ourthe valley.
Yet, in December 1944, during the Battle of the Bulge, La Roche was 90% destroyed and 114 inhabitants were killed.
This tragedy earned La Roche the official recognition as "martyr town" and the Warcross 1940 with Palm, that one can see today on its coat of arms.
The coat of arms of the town figure on the pediment of the town house.
They date back to 1407.
In 1951, the "croix de guerre 1940 with palms" will be added. This medal was awarded to the town in tribute to:
"The fine conduct of its population that distinguished itself during the present war by exceptional courage during the bombings and fights of the liberation endured by their town including the same dangers as those on the battlefield"
Testimony from "Un Mois en Enfer" — TVLux 2004
Testimony from "Un Mois en Enfer" — TVLux 2004