An Afternoon out in Larochette

Larochette, at the edge of the Mullerthal region, is surrounded by forests, home to two castles, a railway-station-turned-museum, and plenty of walks and cycle routes, making it the perfect destination for a sunny afternoon out. Stradling a rocky hill that overlooks the town, the version of Larochette castle you see today was built in 1565. The castle has a deep natural moat and is divided in two parts. You can look at the remains of several stately homes within its walls, which are open to visitors from 10.00 until 18.00. In town, Saint Donatus Church, designed by Charles Arendt and built in 1860, contains the paintings of Nicolas Brücher. The 17th century neo-classical De Roebé Manor is home to the tourist office. Surrounded by three courtyards and a garden, it was built to utilise the sunshine. You can spot the original door to the manor, which dates back to 1725, on rue de Mersch.

Larochette had a 640-year-long textile history, and Place Bleech takes its name from the fact the wool and cloth were left to bleach in the sun at this spot. On its southside there is a Justice Cross, which was the place where official judgements and proclamations were made. The textile museum is located in the former railway station and contains ancient weaving looms and sewing machines. The rail track, known as the Jhangeli route, is now a cycle path. The town also has plaques to Victor Hugo, writer and politician, and Jean-Antoine Zinnen, creator of the Grand Duchy's national anthem Ons Hémecht (our Homeland). The Manzebaach viewpoint is located on local trail 2, which starts at the town hall. It leads to the privately owned Meysembourg castle, 2km south of Larochette, and to a former Roman campsite at Aalburg. Meysembourg ceased being a village in the 19th century when most of its inhabitants emigrated to the USA, but the chapel, cemetery and castle remain.

The Jhangeli cycle path PC5 connects Larochette to Ernsen, an area renowned for its stone quarry. Its white-beige Luxembourg sandstone is highly resistant and has been used in many monumental structures including the Grand Ducal Palace, Cercle Cité, Notre Dame Cathedral, and the Basilica of Echternach. You can also see it on the original chimney and window arches of the town's castle. A cycle tour of 40km departs from the Larochette cultural centre toward Waldbillig, Beaufort and Reisdorf and returns via Medernach where you'll also find a barefoot path. You can rent bicycles from Larochette youth hostel. There are also 28km of signposted mountain bike trails in the forests around the town, including a 26.5km one that starts at the youth hostel.