European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 18, 1994, Darmstadt, Hesse                                The ardennes by Berthe slain princes still roams Castle grounds by Effie Batman staff writer once upon a time a couple of dozen wars ago in what is now the belgian town of la Roche in Ardenne Princess Berthe lived in the Castle on the Hill. It seems she had two suitors. To determine which would receive her hand in marriage they had a great Duel. The one she loved unfortunately was killed. But maybe he was t so suitable after All. For he was. Promised to another Young maid All along. To make matters worse Berthe s apparent surviving suitor was that Young sword wielding maid in disguise. The maid had challenged Berthe s suitor out of jealousy. And none lived happily Ever after. The Young maid killed Berthe the night before the wedding. She then committed suicide herself by jumping from the Castle Tower. To this Day from july to August Between 10 30 and 10 45 . From the Faubourg Bridge visitors to the belgian town can watch Berthe s ghostly form walking the Castle grounds. You can also get a Good View across the River on the opposite Hillside from the chalet hotel. So much for fairy tales but la Roche in Ardenne still remains an enchanting town population 2,000. The 11 the Century Feudal Castle is real and gives an air of festivity to the popular resort area. The Ourthe River dramatically winds through the narrow Forest covered Valley. Vacationers in paddle boats and kayaks wind their Way along with it. Children Wade at its edges. Campers fan out on dozens of hiking paths circling the Hillside. Unlike Many vacation hot spots where trails Are virtual crowded Adidas and Reebok autobahn its paths Are quiet and Scenic. One three hour path winds up to the farm Community of hives. On a sunny sunday morning the sound of the choir spills out of a Little Stone Church. After the service Gray haired townsfolk Stop Heads bowed in the cemetery for several moments. Not far away a cow ambles Down the Lane somewhat lost or free depending upon when it gets hungry next. The hiking path also skirts the River As it Narrows into a Brook where Clover and wild berries grow together. Further on in the deep ardennes the ferns stretch 5 feet tall reaching for the Sun. In the Village vacationers sit at cafes or stroll along the grand Rue the main Street Butcher shops Are filled with. Ardennes hams and sausages hanging in thick Smoky air. Bakery windows Are filled with deep dish tarts filled with apples kiwis and strawberries. The Church Bell rings each Quarter hour. In Only one shop can you get a souvenir Jean Claude Van Damme hard target to shirt. The Poterie de Gres Bleu is off the main Street on Rue Rompre. It has a Small pottery museum and one of the coolest basement eateries on a hot Day. The Berthe s Castle ruins above the Ourthe River Are an indication of the Valley s strategic location in the mountainous Forest. For the German Panzer divisions it was crucial to their drive West in world War ii. Two Days after the German Blitzkrieg into Belgium in May 1940, the Village was kayaker paddle on the Ourthe River above. The ghost of Berthe on the far right haunts the Castle promptly at 10 on summer nights right. Is eff Bathen occupied. The americans liberated it the first time in september 1944. The German panzers won it and its Bridges Back in december 44. The 51 St scottish highlanders known As the Black watch got there a Day before the americans when the allies won it Back for Good. Out of 639 houses All but four were destroyed or. Badly damaged As the War raged Back and Forth across the River today Gilles Bouillon is glad to talk about those Days. He s easy to find in the museum of the Battle of the ardennes on the main Street. Look for the Gas station Entrance with the tactical Harley Davidson in the window. It is one of the world Sas Effic Batten War ii models with the Sui de shift that took the rider s hand off the handlebars to change gears. The museum is actually an expansion of a private collection belonging to his father Butcher Michel Bouillon. What it lacks in historical perspective it makes up for by including an Enigma machine the nazis highly touted encryption device. Gilles enjoys talking to americans and gis in his few English words and he asks them to sign his guest Book. He is willing to Tell stories about veterans who come Back to visit. _ / and like anyone in the Village he can Tell Berthe s sad tale. August 18, 1994 stripes Magazine